Only one chapter today.
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Kent Farm.
Peter looked down at the dead cattle scattered across the ground, his expression grim. The lifeless bodies of the animals lay shriveled and dry, as if every last drop of blood and ounce of life had been drained from them.
Beside him, Jonathan comforted his tearful wife, equally distressed. In a single night, their herd of cows had all died mysteriously, adding more hardship to their already struggling farm.
A yellow police line encircled the scene as officers and forensic specialists investigated the cause of death. Officer Lane, wearing a face mask, approached Jonathan. "Jonathan, did you hear any strange sounds last night?"
"No, we went to bed early and didn't hear a thing," Jonathan replied. "We only discovered it this morning."
"Have you had any conflicts with anyone recently?" Lane pressed.
"I don't think so… do you think someone poisoned them?" Jonathan asked.
"It's a possibility. We'll find out who did this, I promise." Lane reassured him before stepping away to search for more clues.
Peter, having inspected the cows, walked over to Jonathan and Martha. "The important thing is that you're safe," he said.
Jonathan sighed, turning to Peter. "Do you have any idea what could've done this?"
Peter's gaze shifted to the dead animals. "I have a theory. These cattle… they look a lot like the young boy who was found dead. Don Haggerty, remember?"
"You mean the twelve-year-old?" Jonathan's brows furrowed in concern. "Are you suggesting the same killer is responsible? Why would they go after livestock?"
"Maybe…" Peter paused, considering. "Maybe it's some kind of blood-draining creature."
Rather than mentioning the alien parasite he suspected, he chose to describe something more understandable. People could wrap their heads around vampires more easily than alien parasites.
Martha, who'd been listening, frowned thoughtfully. "Peter, last night, I did hear something strange in the farmyard. It sounded like laughter, eerie and high-pitched, almost hysterical."
Jonathan brushed it off, "That was probably just a night bird, Martha."
Peter shook his head, replying, "Jonathan, Martha, for your safety, I think it's best if you both stay with me on my farm for a while."
Jonathan started to object but remembered their last refusal had led to them being kidnapped. He nodded, defeated. "Fine, Peter. We'll come with you."
"Good," Peter said, clapping Jonathan's shoulder. "During the day, you can work on the farm, but at night, you'll stay at mine."
Later that morning, Peter returned to Podrick Farm. He immediately noticed an unusual silence; the normally bustling farm felt too quiet.
"Clark? John?" Peter called as he entered the house, but he found no trace of them.
With concern growing, he activated his super-vision, quickly locating Clark and John unconscious near the cattle pen. Using his superspeed, Peter reached them, relieved to find they were unhurt and breathing steadily.
John, deep in a dream, felt trapped in a burning, enclosed room. He struggled to breathe, skin prickling from intense heat. Just then, a familiar scent broke through, filling him with the comfort of his father's presence.
"Dad?" John gasped, jolting awake to see Peter's reassuring face.
"Easy there, John. You almost broke the bed," Peter said with a soft laugh.
John caught his breath, glancing around in confusion. "Am I… not dreaming?"
"No, you're awake," Peter confirmed, patting his son's shoulder.
John looked over, spotting Clark rousing on the bed as well, and sighed in relief. "I'm sorry, Dad. I couldn't protect Clark."
"Nothing to apologize for," Peter reassured him. "Clark, John, do either of you feel unwell?"
Clark shook his head, though he looked weary. "Just tired, godfather," he admitted.
John nodded. "Me too, Dad. I feel a bit drained."
Peter double-checked them for any sign of injuries before asking, "Can you remember what happened? Why did you pass out, Clark?"
Clark thought back. "John and I were training when we heard a noise near the cattle pen. We went to check it out and saw someone there. I thought he was a thief, so we tried to take him down, but…" Clark shivered at the memory. "He grabbed our fists, and I felt all my strength drain away, like I was too tired to stay awake."
John agreed. "Yeah, Dad. I felt like he was sucking the life out of me."
Peter's brows drew together. He suspected the alien parasite. If it could drain cattle and young Don Haggerty, it could certainly try to drain these two.
"Do you remember what he looked like?" Peter's eyes narrowed. If this thing had targeted his family, he'd make sure it wouldn't escape retribution.