Chapter 61 God Bless America

"Godfather, a story you told me once before."

Clark blinked and said, "You said that if rats and monkeys in a laboratory are given the illusion of choice, they usually live healthy lives, even if they are only given two choices: a mild electric shock or a severe electric shock."

"Yet... at least they can perceive the difference in the outcomes, so they rejoice and live with much more zest. But if those rats and monkeys are given no room for choice and are simply subjected to endless shocks, they grow increasingly anxious."

Clark let out a breath. "I know, Godfather. You wanted to tell me that if our lives lack choices, things will turn out terribly."

Peter was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He hadn't expected Clark to possess such philosophical thoughts.

It seemed this kid had gained a lot of insights from reading Nietzsche.

"Choice is indeed difficult, Clark, but..."

Peter gathered his thoughts. "No matter what, as long as it is your own choice, there is no right or wrong, nor regret. The past you will not satisfy the present you, and the present you will not satisfy the future you. It's just that... Clark, simply follow your own heart."

Hearing this, Clark nodded, roughly understanding his godfather's meaning.

Gazing out into the pitch-black night, he poured his heart out to Peter. "Actually, Godfather, at first I just wanted to be an ordinary child. When my super hearing first manifested, I thought I was sick, until I heard the voice of the kid next door."

"To be an ordinary boy, with bruised knees and a wheezing cough, just like everyone else."

Clark rarely showed his vulnerability. "Dad said I definitely have my own mission, to bring a different kind of change to this world. Godfather, can I... can I really do it? I'm afraid that if I make the wrong choice, I'll let you down."

"You will bring a different kind of change to this world, Clark, but don't put pressure on yourself. You don't owe anyone anything."

Peter comforted the bewildered Clark, "No matter what choice you make, it will not affect your future."

Clark gazed intently into Peter's eyes, asking insecurely, "Really, Godfather?"

"Of course, Godfather has never lied."

Peter gently patted Clark's shoulder. "Godfather and your parents will never be disappointed in you."

...

"Thank you."

The next morning, early.

In the school hallway, Clark thanked Homelander.

Homelander had just helped him block Whitney Fordman's harassment.

Whitney was the king of Smallville Elementary, and lately, he had been constantly giving Clark a hard time.

It started when Clark missed the school bus, and Whitney made faces and mocked him on board. To Whitney's utter fury, when the bus arrived at school, Clark was already strolling leisurely on the sidewalk.

Then came the school bus incident, after which rumors began to spread throughout the school that Clark and Homelander possessed superpowers.

Whitney, along with his lackies, approached Clark, intending to prove that he didn't have anything special about him.

"You're welcome."

Homelander put his backpack into the locker and said to Clark,

"'I want to thank you'—that is perhaps the most trivial thing we can offer to others. If you really want to thank me, Clark, you can help me mow the lawn at the farm. Of course, I'll share half of Dad's reward with you."

At this moment, Homelander transformed into a ruthless capitalist. "Mr. Jones is training me in my flight abilities now, and I don't have time to make pocket money."

Last night, Homelander had fully experienced the thrill of flying with the Martian Manhunter, but the thought of not having time to earn pocket money in the future put him in a terrible mood.

"Alright."

Clark nodded and agreed to Homelander's request.

Anyway, he had plenty of time.

"Thanks, Clark. You—my brother, you're the real hero."

Homelander pointed at Clark with his finger and flashed a heartfelt smile.

"Um..."

Homelander asked Clark with a pleasant mood, "So earlier, you didn't fight back against Whitney?"

Clark shook his head. "No. He pushed me down, but I didn't throw a punch."

"You should have given him a punch in the face."

Homelander felt that Clark was a bit weak. "Dad said you don't need to be afraid of dealing with people like that."

"I know, I wasn't scared."

Clark indicated that he wasn't afraid of him. "He brought his cronies along just to prove one thing: that I'm not ordinary. If I actually fought back, I would have walked right into his trap."

"That would lead to even bigger trouble."

Clark locked his locker door. "I won't let myself be provoked by such clumsy tactics of theirs."

"Perhaps there is another way."

Homelander narrowed his eyes. "I'll go deal with that guy."

Clark immediately stopped him. "No, John, Godfather told us not to cause trouble."

"This isn't trouble. We're good boys, and what we're doing now is justice."

Homelander argued eloquently, "I believe Dad would support me, too."

"But, John..."

"Alright, leave it to me. At most, I'll just give him a couple of black eyes, nothing to worry about."

Homelander waved at Clark and walked toward the classroom.

Clark let out a helpless sigh and followed Homelander's pace.

It looked like he would have to tell his godfather about this.

The idea of "snitching" crossed Clark's mind once again.

The TV inside the classroom was broadcasting current news.

"According to a fire bulletin issued by the Kansas Foresty and Fire Service, a wildfire named 'Karl' has broken out and spread from the forests of McPherson. Strong winds have driven the fire westward, sweeping through McPherson. It has currently resulted in two deaths, and over a thousand residents have been evacuated."

Seeing the raging fire on the TV screen, Clark and Homelander exchanged glances.

The anchor's voice continued to broadcast, "Ralph Terrazas, Chief of the McPherson Fire Department, stated that the burned area on the northern edge of the city has exceeded 18 square kilometers, and at least 25 homes have been destroyed."

"A wildfire... will it spread to our town?"

Homelander asked with a frown.

Clark stared at the television screen and hesitated before speaking, "Probably not. There will be firefighters to put it out."

Just as his voice trailed off, the anchor's voice came through from the television:

"Currently, Kansas fire departments have jointly deployed nearly 165 firefighters to combat the wildfire. Meteorologists predict that incoming rainfall will aid in fighting the blaze, but a fire department spokesperson stated that, given the current intensity of the wildfire, the effect of the rain will be minimal."

Homelander looked at the TV screen, shrugged like Peter, and said, "Well, God bless America!"