Whoa!
Dark and depressing much, Teej?
It was a bit of a shock to discover the first part was a flashback, but what a depressing leap to take from one section to the next! It's clear that Clark had been spirited away from Earth and his parents had disappeared in the interim. Now we find that he's had to go underground and is under Lex's power?
Ouch.
Loved this line:
the cacophony of every barn swallow in Kansas gossiping about the day ahead
Great imagery.
Do you put the toys back on the shelf when you're done, Teej? I don't mind reading a dark story if I know there will eventually be light at the end of the tunnel, but this beginning is pretty depressing! Let us know if there's a happy ending, okay?
Hazel