Lois Says Nothing

Suspicion flared inside the reporter, her every instinct resisting the pleading of that inner voice. It was what had killed most of her previous relationships, what had driven her to the top of her profession. The single-minded need to know what are you hiding?

The memories came on.

Nineteen years old, her father's hand sliding across her ass. The old man had grown more bold in copping a feel, but she didn't mind. He paid for her gym membership, her clothes, her hair. Daddy liked the hair, and what daddy liked, daddy got. At least it kept his wandering hands away from Lucy...

Twenty-one, she was kneeling before the dealer. Didn't have money to pay, but he'd let her suck him off in exchange for a hit. That was all she needed right now, and Lois Lane always did what was needed to get the scoop.

Twenty-three, and there just wasn't enough money for the abortion. Not unless she took Sally's offer and worked that party. It was a big step, but it didn't feel like it. In fact, it felt like her whole life had been leading to this moment. The only question was whether she could get enough money to cover it. But there was no other option, Lois couldn't handle a baby, not right now.

Twenty-six, at the clinic again. The third time this year, and the nurse had given her that look that said Slut. The reporter's nostrils had flared, but she said nothing. It wasn't her fault she got pregnant so easily. She should have been more careful, but Perry White, editor of the Daily Planet, wouldn't have given her this job if she hadn't bent over his desk, she was sure of it. Just what a woman had to do to get ahead in this world.

Twenty-seven, he was waiting for her when she got back to the apartment he paid for. All smiles. Lois knew Perry had troubles with his wife at home. He had been quite generous, really, and if the office noticed none of them dared say anything. She could see the erection straining in his pants, eyes on her tits...probably offer to pay for another upgrade. Lois wouldn't mind, really. Except that he'd been looking at those propylene string implants, the ones that never stopped growing...she brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes.

Something gelled inside of Lois Lane. The road not taken, warts and all.

"But isn't that what you want?" It was Blaze's voice now. "To love and be loved, to have everything you have now, and more?"

Only at the cost of becoming everything I've sworn not to be, Lois didn't say. She was trying to find an edge of anger inside of her, pushing down past the memories. Would she really want to live like that?

"Give me your answer, Lois," Blaze said, the white light fading at the edges, darkness closing in. "Time is almost up."