Chapter 22

Apollo watched Principal Rice and Chloe have a little stare down before Principal Rice eventually took a seat. Apollo knew Chloe would be alright so he then turned his attention back to the crying. He followed the sound through the freshman locker hall and past the gym, where the women's basketball team was warming up. The sound eventually led him to an empty classroom halfway across the school.

He recognized the girl right away.

Gloria Alvarez.

A senior he'd always admired as a person from afar. She was one of the few people at Smallville High who were able to navigate effortlessly across multiple social groups. One day she'd be eating lunch in the library with the Latinx Book Club. The next day Apollo would see her laughing in the halls with Skye and the other cheerleaders. He also knew she was one of the smartest kids in the school, her and Skye were the only people in the school that were able to do advanced coding. Skye was better than her but Gloria was definitely no slouch.

Gloria sat at a desk in the front row, hunched over, wiping tears with a bundled tissue. At first she didn't notice Apollo in the doorway, so he simply stood there and watched her, feeling awkward. She clearly wasn't in any danger and wanted to be alone so Apollo didn't know exactly how to approach her.

After a moment he took a tentative step forward and cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, but…are you okay?" Apollo asked Gloria.

Gloria looked up at Apollo, startled. Her eyes red, cheeks streaked with tears.

"Sorry," Apollo mumbled, averting his gaze.

"I just—I was passing by or whatever and…" He studied her again. "What's wrong?" Apollo said crouching down so he was eye level with her and giving her a warm and friendly smile

"Everything." Gloria stood up, then froze, staring at him. "People are disappearing," she snapped, "and no one in this town even cares."

Her words caught Apollo completely off guard. "Who?"

She shook her head and tried to push past him, out the door but Apollo enveloped her in a hug. Apollo may have been confused about what was causing her to cry but he knew that she needed someone who would listen. Apollo could tell she felt helpless and he needed her to know she wasn't.

"I don't know what you're talking about but I do know one thing somebody in this town does care" Apollo said.

"Oh yeah, who?" Gloria said her voice angry.

"Me, tell me what you're talking about and I'll do what I can to help. If people are really disappearing me and my friend Chloe can write a story about it, get people informed and make them care" Apollo said warmly to her.

Gloria nodded and the two walked to the front steps to meet Chloe. Apollo walked silently with her not wanting to push her to talk more if she wasn't comfortable and all he could think about while they walked was; people were disappearing from Smallville?

Apollo brought her to the front steps of the school where he found Chloe seated. She looked smug so Apollo knew her conversation with Principal Rice went well. Apollo walked up to Chloe who was about to most likely gloat about however her meeting with Principal Rice went before she noticed Gloria and saw that her eyes were puffy from crying.

"What's going on?" Chloe questioned.

"Gloria's got a story" Apollo told Chloe and Chloe instantly went into investigative reporter mode.

"Let's go to the Torch we can talk privately there" Chloe said and the trio walked to the Torch to hear what Gloria had to say.

"Start from the beginning" Chloe said as they sat down inside the Torch. Chloe had her notepad out and Apollo was just watching Gloria and warmly smiled at her as a show of assurance.

"It started over a month ago. People in our community, you know Latino's and migrant workers began to go missing. There was such a huge influx of us that I guess nobody really noticed. It wasn't enough to arise suspicion people just figured they found different work elsewhere you know. However, the more time passed the more it began to be difficult to ignore. People who'd been working as farm hands or maids were just gone. Like they disappeared" Gloria said.

"Why didn't the cops get notified? If this disappearance is as big as you're saying why didn't you tell the Sherriff?" Chloe questioned.

"Are you kidding me? There could be a law that allows the cops to just stop and search our community without any warrant or probable cause? Cops aren't really high up on people we can trust. Besides some of the people who went missing were undocumented, even if cops found them we'd never see them again. Obviously the one's that aren't undocumented were reported. Like my…" Gloria choked back tears clearly what she was trying to say was very difficult for her.

"Hey it's okay, I know this is difficult but we're here to help we promise" Apollo said as he handed her some tissues.

Gloria wiped her tears and steeled herself.

"Like my boyfriend Francisco. He went to work on one of the Mankins farms. His parents needed the extra money and they were looking for extra field hands. But then one day he just disappeared. We reported him missing but nothing's been done about it and whenever we go the station they act like we're an annoyance. It's clear nobody cares about a couple of brown kids going missing" Gloria basically spat out, her disdain for the police very clear in her voice.

Apollo and Chloe looked at one another and Apollo could already tell Chloe was formulating a plan.

"Well unlike some of the police we actually do care about brown kids going missing" Apollo reassured her.

"Yeah we'll find him and figure out what's going on. If I could take out Principal Rice and come out unscathed then why would I be afraid of some cops?" Chloe told her confidently.

Gloria chuckled a smile appearing on her face for the first time in a while.

"We'll get to the bottom of this, I've already got a little bit of a plan brewing" Chloe said.

Gloria nodded and looked to the two of them. A part of her thought about how ridiculous it was that her last hopes were a bunch of people in the school two years below her but she was mostly glad to feel support for the first time in weeks.

The trio finished up the interview, shaken by what they heard but determined to get to the bottom of it.

They left the Torch and went to their regular classes and the rest of their morning went normal for them. A few of Apollo's teachers mentioned the game happening later in the week. Apollo welcomed the good luck but was understandably a bit distracted. Afterwards at lunch he saw that Pete and Skye were already eating and talking. Apollo and Chloe sat down with them eager to recap what Gloria had told them and make a plan.

"My mum was talking to my Dad about the stop and search and they're really worried about how far it's gotten, they know this won't just affect immigrants but people like me and people like you" Pete was saying to Skye.

"The stop-and-search thing?" Apollo asked as he sat down. "It really is brutal and I can't believe it's even being discussed"

"Neither can I man" Pete said.

"There's no way they'll pass it though. In New York proposals like this would never go somewhere" Skye said.

"We'll vote it down; the meteor shower may have made some people more fearful of their neighbors but the people of Smallville also banded together after it too. And I believe Smallville will do the right thing" Apollo said.

"Always the optimist, aren't you Apollo?" Chloe said.

"Yes he is, and I wouldn't have it any other way" Skye answered for him, kissing him on the cheek.

Apollo blushed before gearing the conversation towards something the four of them could actually help with. The disappearing people. The two quickly recapped what Gloria told them much to the shock of Pete and Skye.

"Disappearing? That's crazy!" Skye said louder than she would've liked. Luckily nobody was paying attention to them and they weren't given any weird stares.

"I know right. I thought Chloe's freak wall would be the craziest thing we'd find out about this week" Pete added in agreement.

"It's called the 'Wall of Weird' and honestly agreed. Right now this takes precedence over anything else going on. You guys will help with the investigation?" Chloe asked.

"Of course, whatever you need" Skye said empathetically.

"It's kind of my job to help seeing as I'm a part of Torch and whatnot. Although let it be known that any expenses I incur cause of this will be billed to you" Pete said jokingly a wide smile on his face.

Skye and Apollo just rolled their eyes while Chloe playfully punched him on the shoulder.

"So what's the play after lunch?" Pete asked as he rubbed his arm acting like Chloe's punch seriously hurt him.

"I've got some free periods. I think I'll head off to the Sherriff station and ask around about the missing people" Apollo told him

"I'll come with" Chloe said and Apollo nodded.

"You two hang back. Skye since you know Gloria you should keep her company maybe there's more she can tell you. Pete your friends with pretty much everyone, try asking around and seeing what more you can find out" Chloe ordered them, taking charge like she usually did during investigations.

"Are you going to use Hammer's truck to drive to the station" Pete questioned clearly trying to see what Apollo planned to do with the truck.

"Maybe but I think when I've got time I'll go by Hammer's house and drop off the keys. I don't think I can keep it" Apollo told him.

"You're a better man than me, I may not trust the money the Hammers have or the Hammers themselves but a truck is a truck" Pete said to him.

"Well that's cause your spine is made of taffy and Apollo's is made of steel" Skye joked to him causing Chloe and Apollo to laugh.

"Hey now, I wouldn't say taffy. I'd say like biscuit. It seems strong but any type of force and it crumbles immediately" Chloe added and they all continued to laugh at Pete.

"You guys can laugh at me all you want but when I'm rich in future don't come asking me for money" Pete told them as they finished eating.

Pete left the cafeteria to go ask around and Skye had her French test so she kissed Apollo for good luck and then left promising to hang out with Gloria afterwards. Chloe and Apollo then chatted for a bit as they finished their food before they went off to the Sheriffs station.

The two drove to the Sheriffs office and when they arrived Apollo was unsure of what his actual game plan would be. He initially planned to use his super senses to figure out exactly what was going on and then his super speed to take anything that could help the case but with Chloe here that wasn't as viable an option.

"So what's the plan exactly?" Apollo asked Chloe

"The plan's simple we just go in and ask them" she said.

Apollo frowned. "Who?"

"Whoever's in charge of the missing person's cases" Chloe replied as if what she was saying was basic knowledge.

"You're kidding, right?" Apollo said but he knew she wasn't.

Chloe had that look in her eyes that he knew all too well. It was the same look she'd gotten when she decided to investigate what percentage of the school budget was spent on the football program. Apollo tried to reason with her.

"Look, Chloe, I'm pretty sure we can't just waltz into the Sheriff's station and interview the police officers" Apollo said trying to be logical.

"Why not?" Chloe said.

"Because…well, they're probably busy, for one thing and they're not gonna grant two random high school kids an interview right there on the spot" Apollo told her and she scoffed at him.

Chloe started packing up her backpack with a sly grin on her face an investigative plan already clear in her mind.

"Apollo, I'm insulted," Chloe said. "It's as if you've never seen your best friend in action."

"I'm just being realistic we need to find an in so that they will listen to us or I bet they don't even let us in the front door" Apollo said and Chloe smirked at him.

"Watch and learn, Mr. Kent" Chloe said as she exited the truck.

—

Not fifteen minutes later an assistant came from the back room to let them speak to the officer in charge of missing persons, they found themselves sitting on some chairs right outside of Deputy McNally' office.

"Deputy McNally will see you now" the assistant said.

"I stand corrected," Apollo whispered as he and Chloe hoisted themselves off their chairs and walked into his office.

Chloe had a cocky grin feeling confident and completely in her element

"You never get answers if you don't ask questions" Chloe said as they opened the door into the Deputy's office.

Deputy McNally was seated at his desk wearing his uniform. His brown hair was shaved into a buzz cut and his dark brown eyes s seemed to gleam with hunger as he watched the two of them sit down. Like a lion watching its prey walk into its territory. He stood up and reached his hand out from behind his desk for them to shake it.

"Deputy McNally pleased to meet you" Deputy McNally said as Chloe reached out and shook his hand.

"I'm Chloe Sullivan. And this is my associate, Apollo Kent" Chloe replied.

Deputy McNally looked at Apollo and shook his hand as well.

"Oh Apollo I know, we met when the Mankins had that unfortunate crash a few weeks ago and everyone on the force knows he's got a hero complex" McNally said and Apollo winced.

McNally noticed this and seemingly decided to put him at ease.

"Honestly we'd give him a lot more flack for it but ultimately he's saved lives and it helps that he's town's greatest athlete" Deputy McNally said being friendlier than either of them anticipated.

Deputy McNally motioned for them to sit down in the chairs across from his desk and the pair did so.

"Sorry I don't have a lot of time this afternoon but I'll do my best" McNally said to them.

"We appreciate you giving us any time at all," Chloe told him as she and Apollo settled into the chairs. "I'm sure you're a busy man."

"Right you are Miss Sullivan so let's get on with your questions, shall we?" McNally said to her smiling amicably but Apollo could still see the predatory look in his eyes.

"Well we're here to ask about the missing people. Some of our students have informed us that several people have been reported missing but the police have yet to do anything about it" Chloe said her expression determined and unyielding.

"Is that so Miss Sullivan. Who are these students?" McNally asked raising an eyebrow at her.

"I'm not at liberty to say" Chloe sharply replied and McNally chuckled.

"Not even a senior and already such a stout reporter. It's impressive Miss Sullivan" McNally said.

"Thank you Deputy McNally but you still haven't answered my question" Chloe simply told him.

"Well whoever gave you your information is woefully misinformed. That's the thing with anonymous sources you never know if you can trust them. I assure you I am personally looking into the disappearances and treating them with the importance they deserve. Do you want to know the truth Miss Sullivan, most of the people disappearing are simply running away because they know once the stop and search law passes they'll be discovered for forging their papers and be deported. Even the ones who claim to be here legally are often protecting family who aren't. Your friend or whoever told you about the missing people left out several key details no doubt, mainly that we did inform them what happened to their friends or family and that's that they ran away. Buckling under the fear they would be discovered or lead to the discovery of someone else" Deputy McNally said his voice calm and smooth.

Chloe and Apollo listened to him. What he said sounded perfectly logical, they weren't close to Gloria she very well could've omitted these details the McNally was saying and if any other kids were seated in these seats no doubt they would've been swayed by his words. However, Apollo wasn't any other kid. He could hear the Deputies heartbeat and he knew he was lying. Apollo clenched his fists in rage, how could a man who took an oath to serve and protect be lying about something as serious as this. Apollo held himself back knowing he couldn't afford to make a scene.

A knock on the door ended the silence that had fallen upon the room and the Deputies assistant informed him that someone important was here to see him.

"I'm sorry it appears that's all we have time for, please let yourselves out and take a candy from the front desk" Deputy McNally said as he walked out.

Chloe and Apollo watched him leave then turned to each other and said in unison.

"He's lying."

Chloe smiled happy that they were in sync.

"He talks well and preys on the beliefs people have about Latinx people but Gloria wasn't lying about Francisco. No son would run away after just getting a job to help his struggling family" Chloe said.

"Agreed" Apollo said.

"I wish we could snoop around a little" Chloe said desperate to look for clues.

Apollo was way ahead of her in that regard he already began x-raying the Deputies office. Nothing suspicious was here aside from two things. He had a personal laptop in his front desk. Which was odd considering he had a desktop. Why would he need a private laptop? He also had a gun that had its serial number scratched off, Apollo even recognized the model, it was a 44 magnum. Why would a cop need an unlicensed gun? Apollo stopped x-raying the room as he and Chloe were being ushered out of the Deputies office by his assistant.

The two walked out of the office and saw that the Deputy was talking to Montgomery Mankins the father of Bryan and Corey. Corey was hanging back behind his father as he talked to the deputy but Bryan wasn't around. Apollo instantly began eavesdropping on their conversation not caring about how it was an invasion of privacy.

"It's up and running once again. Take it, use it and make sure you nip this in the bud quickly, this has already gone on far too long Jed and if we want everything to go smoothly tonight this needs to be dealt with" Montgomery Mankins ordered as he handed the Deputy something.

It was the same flash drive that Doctor Wesley saved from the crash. The Deputy nodded and placed the drive in his pocket. Apollo needed to get that drive.

Chloe saw Montgomery Mankins talking with the Deputy and her eyes lit up like she realized something.

"What?" Apollo said noticing her expression.

"Most of the missing people they were field hands right? Montgomery Mankins owns the largest collection of farms in Smallville" Chloe said and Apollo looked at the elder Mankins a similar frightening idea forming in his mind.

"I am going to talk to him" Chloe told Apollo not caring if he disproved or not.

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Also read Superman(Marvel+DC) and Marvel: Hyperion.