Chapter Text
Finn Hudson wasn’t your average teen boy.
14 years ago, a boy was brought to Earth during a meteor shower. He was picked up and adopted by the Hudson-Hummel couple, Carole and Burt. In the meteor shower, people had lost others that they loved. They had lost their houses, lost their animals, lost their only source of income, and so much more. But not the Hudson-Hummels.
Burt and Carole had gotten the son they always so desperately wanted.
Their car had flipped over on the drive home, the car sizzling and the couple unconscious. Burt was the first to wake up, but only after the meteor shower had stopped.
“Carole? Honey, are you okay?”
He saw that she was waking up as well. He looked at her, but before he could say something again, he spotted a child in the corner of his eye. He turned his head towards it.
“Carole?”
It was a child, no older than 3. Carole turned her head towards the boy as he crouched down, a friendly smile on his face. The couple looked at him in confusion.
They quickly got out of the car and wrapped the boy in a blanket, walking amongst the wreckage that the meteor shower had caused, also trying to find the child’s parents. After a while of looking, Burt turned to his wife.
“Kids don’t just fall out of the sky, Carole.”
“Then where did he come from?”
“I don’t know. But he must have parents.”
They kept walking, heading up a hill. They stopped once they saw something lodged into the ground. Something… Metal. It was in the form of a ship. The kind of thing you’d see on a morning cartoon from TV. Carole stepped closer and stared at it. “Well if he does, they’re definitely not from Kansas.”
As Carole held onto the boy, Burt could see that they both liked each other. “Sweetheart, we can’t keep him. What would we tell people, we found him in a field?”
“We didn’t find him, Burt. He found us.”
Present day
“Finn Hudson, you better hurry up before you’re late for the bus! Again! ”
Finn bolted down. He was in a rush, greeting his mother. He grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and chugged it. His mother groaned.
“Finn Hudson, where did you learn your manners?” Carole asked, a playful tone in her voice.
“On a farm?” Finn asked, a smug grin on his face. He only earned a laugh in response from his mother.
“Oh, I have a class tonight, so it’ll just be you two.” Carole gestured towards Finn and his father as Burt made his way down.”You two should be fine, though. There’s plenty of food in the fridge, so don’t order anything.” Carole nodded her head towards the fridge before leaving. Finn hummed in response, grabbing a piece of paper out of his pocket, placing it onto the counter.
“What’s that?” Burt’s eyes immediately landed on the slip.
“It’s a permission slip.” Finn explained. Burt nodded and leaned over to sign it, getting a pen and leaning over. “For the football team.” Burt gave him a look of annoyance. “Come on dad, you played it in high school too!”
“That was different.” Burt’s voice was quieter, placing his pen down. Finn rolled his eyes.
“Why was it different?”
“You know why.”
Finn let out a childish groan. He leaned against the wall and slumped down. Folding his arms and pouting like a 12 year old child, which looked stupid when you were a 6’4 teenage boy. “I just wanna get through high school without being a total loser.”
He knew he’d be great at football; even without his powers. In another universe, he was the star quarterback. And didn’t have the freak-ish powers. A lot of the time, he just wanted to be normal. But he knew that was almost entirely impossible
Finn slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out. He missed the bus. Again. He jogged after it, but it was too far gone.
Meanwhile, on the bus, a girl with black hair and blue highlights and a boy with a bad Justin Bieber cut and glasses were looking at him. The girl, Tina, handed the boy, Artie a $5 note. “Artie, I can’t believe you’d bet against your best friend!”
“Please, if Finn moved any slower, he’d be extinct.”
Finn stood, staring at the bus for a few moments more. He looked back, thinking of asking his dad for a ride. Or maybe his mom, whoever could–
Wait, duh .
He didn’t need the bus. He was a fast runner.
As Artie and Tina entered the school, Artie was the first one to start a conversation. “Have you been asked to the dance yet?”
“No, but I’m debating on whether or not I just keep waiting, or decide to switch it into a Sadie Hawkins kind of thing.”
“Why don’t we just go together? Not on a date, or anything. Just, you know. As friends.”
Before Tina could answer, a voice spoke up behind them. “Hey guys!”
“What the hell, Hudson? How did you get here so fast? We saw you missing the bus.” Artie said. “It’s like you’re a superhero.”
“I, uh. I took a shortcut.” Finn just shrugged in response, a small smirk on his face.
Tina stared at him in confusion. “Through what, a black hole?”
Artie grabbed Finn’s arm and started gently pushing him so they could keep moving, shaking his head at Tina. “She’s in a major reporter mood today. You’ll have to just ignore it. She’s overreacting.”
“Artie, I’m not overreacting and you know it. Strange things happen in this town every single day and nobody seems to notice it! But just because they go unnoticed, that doesn’t mean that doesn’t happen.”
“Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you’re the strange thing?” Artie asked, watching as Tina’s jaw dropped. “I’m joking, of course. Finn and I would love to create more silly conspiracy theories, but we have to get our permission slips to Coach Tanaka.”
“You’re seriously gonna try out for the football team? No offense, Artie. But what are you gonna do?” Tina asked. “
Artie paused for a moment before giving her an annoyed look. “I can be a football player. It’ll give our team leverage. And–”
“Sorry to butt in, but I don’t think I’m gonna be able to give the slip to Coach. My dad doesn’t want me playing.” Finn cleared his throat.
“Seriously, Finn? This is the only way we can avoid… That .”
Tina stepped forward, folding her arms. “Are you two forming a suicide pact?” Artie rolled his eyes. He grabbed Tina’s hand and took her to a wall, Finn following. “Ow, let go!!”
Artie whispered as he spoke. “We’re trying to avoid becoming this year's scarecrow.”
Tina stared in confusion. “This year’s what? Why are you whispering?”
Artie sighed, explaining. “It's a tradition for homecoming. Every year before the big game, they strip a freshman, paint a big ‘S’ on their chest and string them up in the corn field.”
“Like a scarecrow.” Finn continued. “They also ‘finish the job’ by pouring a slushie down your pants.”
“Jesus, and that’s allowed?” Tina asked, scrunching her face up in disgust as Finn explained. The boys nodded. “I guess it makes sense that they wouldn’t pick one of their own…”
“Why do you think we’re trying out?” Artie asked, his tone condescending.
14 years ago, on the day of the meteor was the most known day of the scarecrow initiation. A boy was strung up as the meteors hit. The meteors caused the boy to fall into a coma, none of the people that did it even facing the smallest ounce of repercussions.
Rumour had it, the boy had recently woken up and broken out of hospital. Doctors were saying that he died. But other patients had seen what happened.
In the distance, Finn spotted the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen.
Quinn Fabray.
Finn had been in love with her ever since middle school. She was perfect. She was smart, funny, absolutely breathtaking, gorgeous. The only issue was, she had a boyfriend. Noah stupid Puckerman. Finn despised the boy. As did everyone else who wasn’t on the football team… Although he was pretty certain that most of them hated Puck too… And what kind of stupid name was Puck anyways? It sounded corny. He didn’t deserve Quinn. Besides , Finn had heard a rumour that Puck got Quinn pregnant. He assumed the rumour was false… But god, can you imagine? It’d be awful. And who would want their genes mixed with the ‘Puckermans’? He had heard other rumours that Puck had an awful reputation with relationships. The girls called him a player. The guys called cool. Finn called him a slut.
…Only in his head.
Puck was the type of guy who’d peak in high school and then lurk around for ages because his life fell apart. Which, he sometimes assumed that was what the whole deal was. He looked way too old to be in high school. But if he was somehow still in high school… He was a loser. If anyone didn’t call him ‘Puck’, they’d either get beat up or thrown into a dumpster. Thankfully, neither had happened to Finn. He was on Puck’s good side. For now. Could he even get beat up? Whenever something was thrown at him it shattered into pieces and all Finn could feel was a tickle. But he didn’t want to get beat up to find out what the outcome was.
“He’s staring again.” Tina mumbled. Artie and Tina noticed that Finn was staring, Tina hit him in the back of the head and Finn flinched once he felt the impact, turning around. “Finn, go talk to her. It’s a rare occurrence for her to be alone without the ‘Puckzilla’.”
“You think I should?” His tone was hopeful. His friends nodded, and he began walking towards Quinn without a second thought.
“$20 says he falls on his face within 10 seconds.” Artie snickered.
“Really? You’re on.” Tina smiled. Artie and Tina began counting down, and as if it was on cue, Finn tripped right as the cheerleader turned around. He dropped his books everywhere. What a cliché . Behind Finn and Quinn, Tina was handing Artie a $20 note. “Finn Hudson can’t get within five feet of Quinn Fabray.” Finn began to pick them up, seeing a pale hang begin helping him. He could hear laughing from behind Quinn. Who was it? Sandra and… Bree? No– Santana and Brittany. Quinn’s best friends. They were known as the ‘unholy trinity’. Another rumour that he had heard was that Quinn’s friends were dating. But he didn’t know enough about them to really know. Tina probably knew.
As he looked up, his heart clenched. His eyes flickered to Quinn’s necklace. It was made with part of a meteor rock. Why did he feel weird? It wasn’t because of Quinn… Was it the necklace?
“Finn Hudson, are you staring at my necklace or are you being a pervert?” Quinn asked with a playful tone, watching as Finn’s cheeks went red.
“No, uhm– The necklace. It’s beautiful.” Finn said, his tone filled with awkwardness. He picked up the last few books, clearing his throat before speaking up again. “You’re beautiful.”
Quinn’s eyes lit up as Finn spoke and her cheeks flushed with redness. She smiled softly, her expression fading once she saw her boyfriend approaching. As he got beside her, Puck slung an arm around Quinn. Finn stood up and pulled his books close to his chest, looking at the two. Puck broke the tension.
“Since when were you so close with my girl, Hudson?”
Finn sighed. He stepped back, mainly to get away from the thing that made him feel so sick. Oh, and the necklace. He stared at it for a moment too long, not realising how perverted he looked. But someone else noticed. Puck stepped forward and grabbed Finn by the collar, leaning in closely to his face.
“Stay away from my frickin’ girlfriend, man. Or else I’ll wipe that god awful smirk off of your face.”
“Noah!” Quinn shouted. She pulled Puck away from Finn, giving the taller boy an apologetic look. She gave Puck a look, showing she was annoyed. Finn had seen it from his mother all the time.
Finn could still feel whatever it was that was radiating off of Quinn affecting him. He hoisted himself up onto the edge of a bench, staring at the concrete. Puck looked towards Finn, his face soon turning a little bit more apologetic, an eyebrow raising. “Dude, are you okay? You look like you’re about to hurl.” When Finn nodded in response, Puck decided not to waste any more time on Finn. He nodded, stepping away and pulling Quinn away as they left.
Meanwhile, at VesterCorp…
A car pulled up. A bald man in a vest stepped out. He stared up at the sign, folding his arms. His boss, Sue, had left him a part of the company in his home town. “Thanks, Sue.” He said as he looked around the front. His smile was smug, stepping into the building. He was so thankful to be rid of that awful woman.
At Football practice, Finn came to check up on Artie. See how he was going. But he could only focus on how Quinn looked while cheerleading. How could he be so in love with a girl he’s only barely met?
“How do I look?”
Finn smiled at the look of Artie in the football helmet, gently tapping the helmet. “You look like you’re definitely not gonna be the scarecrow this year.”
Artie let out a small cheer. “That’s the look I was going for. Thanks, Finn. I wish you were trying out with me.” Artie frowned and wheeled away, leaving Finn to stare at both him and Quinn.
“So do I.”
Once the day was finally over, Finn was walking home. He was taking a longer route, wanting to take in the scenery atop the Smallville bridge.
Nearby, the wealthiest man in all of Smallville was driving home. William Schuester. He had finished setting up his new practice for VesterCorp, the corporation owned by the wealthiest woman in all of Metropolis. Who hated William. But she couldn’t fire him. He was too valuable to the company, sadly.
As Will drove home, he was on the phone with his boss. Are you seriously trying to take my half of the business away again? I gave you the pitch you wanted, and–” He was cut off as he dropped his phone. Shit . Nothing was coming. He could spend three seconds picking it up.
Driving past Will’s car was a truck with loads of wire in the back. The truck hit a bump, unknowingly dropping some of the wire and onto the road, the wire slowly steering onto where Will was driving. As Will pulled his head back up with his phone in hand, the car almost immediately ran over the wire. Will let out a yell, his car going out of control. He tried pulling over but once he turned, he was met with a young wide eyed teenager. The car collided with the boy and they both plummeted into the water.
As Finn hit the water, it didn’t take him long to resurface. He noticed that the other man hadn’t come up and the car was still stuck. Finn had to act fast, quickly diving back into the water to save the man from drowning. He noticed that the man was passed out– ripping the car door off. He grabbed the man and pulled him out. He took the man to land. Shaking him. Please be alive.
He squinted his eyes at the man. Was that Will Schuester? Will was still breathing. Finn bit his cheek before he started to perform CPR. He used his hands to push down on Will’s chest, trying to pump some air into Will’s lungs as he had ‘Staying Alive’ blasting in his head. “Come on… Please don’t die.” Finn mumbled before the bald man woke up. “Are you okay?” Finn asked.
“I’m fine– Are you? I could’ve sworn I just knocked you off a goddamn bridge with my car.” He asked, coughing up water.
Finn looked behind him and stared at where the collision had happened. The gate burst right open. “If you did… I’d be dead.”
Burt arrived at where Finn and Will were. He searched for Finn, rushing down the hill. “Finn! Jesus Christ, are you okay?”
Finn nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m okay.”
Despite Finn’s calm tone, Burt was furious. He fixed his posture and looked towards the cops on the scene. “Who was the maniac who was driving that car?!”
A voice popped out. “That would be me. Will Schuester.” Will had a towel wrapped around him, extending a hand for Burt to shake. But Burt just stared at the hand with an aggravated expression.
“I’m Burt Hummel.” He mumbled, ripping his jacket off to put it around Finn. “This is my son.”
Will stared at the two for a moment before replying. He turned his gaze to Finn, clearing his throat. “Thanks for saving my life.”
“I’m sure you would’ve done the same.” Finn looked at him, Burt pulling him up as they began to leave.
“You have an extraordinary boy there, Mr. Hummel. Can I repay you in any way?”
Burt stopped as Finn continued to walk. He stepped closer to Will. “Drive slower.”
After Finn’s… Eventful day, he was resting at home. He had music blasting from inside his family's barn, looking through his telescope. He was looking at the stars like a normal person, until he remembered who lived across the road from him. Quinn. She was on the front porch. Trying to not look creepy, he focused on them. He even watched until Puck came in.
“Hey, babe.” Puck smirked as he sat down beside her.
“Puck, you’re not supposed to be here! What if my aunt catches you?”
“I’ll win her over with my Puckerman charm.”
Quinn giggled in response, resting her head against Puck’s shoulder. “You’re safe for now. She’s at Will Schuester’s.”
“Really? She knows him?” Puck asked, an eyebrow raising. Quinn nodded. “Do you think she could put in a good word for me? I’d love to get a job at VesterCorp.”
“If you want someone to put in a good word, ask Finn. He saved Will’s life today.”
Puck raised an eyebrow as he turned towards her. “Seriously? That dweeb?”
“Sometimes people can surprise you.” Quinn’s voice was soft, running her hand through Puck’s mohawk.
Puck was quiet for a moment. He cleared his throat and leaned back. “Coach said that a college scout was gonna be at the game on Saturday. I’m super nervous.”
“You’ll do great.” Quinn put a hand on his shoulder. She then took off her necklace and put it into her boyfriend’s hand.
“I can’t take this.”
“You can give it back after you win! Think of it as a good luck charm.”
Puck was quiet. “Is it really made from a piece of a meteor that…”
Quinn nodded as she stared at the necklace. “So much bad luck has come out of it. There can only be good luck left.”
Puck smiled. He put the necklace on, leaning in to kiss Quinn.
Finn pulled away from the telescope. He sat down in the dark in his barn, turning his music down.
Why did it have to be Puck? Finn knew he was so much better for Quinn than the man with an eel on his head.
The next morning as Finn was walking through the farm, he noticed a new truck. His eyebrows raised as he rushed towards it. Since when could they afford two trucks? “Mom, who’s truck is that?”
Carole was stepping into a tractor, pulling a note out of her pocket and handing it to Finn. “It’s yours. A gift from Will Schuester.
Dear Finn. Drive safely. Always in your debt – The maniac in the Porsche, William Schuester.
“Holy cow.” He stared at the note. ”I don’t believe it.” Finn’s gaze turned towards the car, his eyes shining. “Where are the keys?”
“Your father has them.”
Burt was at the back of the farm, shredding up old parts of trees. He noticed Finn as he approached. “You can’t keep it. I’m sorry, I know how much you want it.”
“Why not? I saved his life.”
“So you think you deserve a prize?”
Finn sighed. “That’s not what I meant. Look, what if you keep the new one. I’ll use the old one.”
“That’s not the point and you know it.” Burt mumbled.
“It isn’t like his business can’t afford it!”
“Finn, I know you’re upset. And it’s normal.” Finn was halfway through walking upstairs in the barn, stopping once he heard the word ‘normal’. He tossed his bag onto the ground and turned around.
“Normal?” He stepped over towards the machine that Burt was using before. He switched it on. “What about this, dad? Is this normal?” He shoved his hand into the machine, listening to the sound of what it would be the machine grinding up his hand. But Finn could only feel his hand brushing against it.
The machine was loud, almost drowning out Burt as he yelled out. “Finn!” Burt rushed forward, shutting the machine off quickly and pulling Finn’s hand out. He gripped it tightly, looking for any sign of an injury. There was no damage done, only to the sleeve. He stared at his hand in confusion.
“I didn’t dive in after Will’s car. It hit me at 60 miles an hour. Is that normal?” He asked, a look of somber on his face. “I’d give anything to be normal.” He ran upstairs, leaving his dad speechless.
Hours later, Finn was sitting in silence in the barn, still in his torn up flannel. He had no reaction when he heard his dad come up the stairs. “It’s time for you to know the truth.”
Finn sighed and slowly looked at Burt. “The truth about what?”
“About your real parents.” Burt picked something up that was covered in a cloth, sitting beside Finn. “I want you to take a look at something.”
He unraveled the cloth. A piece of metal with a language carved into it. Finn took it, staring at it. Burt continued talking. “I’ve tried for years to decipher it. But it isn’t written in any language known to man. But, uh. Your real parents weren’t from… Around here.”
Finn looked up, confused. “Where were they from?”
Burt didn’t answer. He looked out the barn, up at the stars. Finn’s gaze followed. He scoffed. “What, are you trying to tell me I’m from another planet?” He watched as Burt looked at him, nodding a small bit. Finn still didn’t believe him. “Right. And I guess my spaceship’s stashed in the attic?”
“The storm cellar, actually.”
Burt took Finn down to the storm cellar, there was something down there with a huge cloth on it. Burt took it off, revealing a fucking spaceship. “This is how you came into our world. On the day of the meteor shower.”
“Is this a joke?” Finn asked. Burt stared at him blankly. Finn paced around, his voice rising. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“We wanted to protect you.”
“Protect me from what ?! You should’ve told me!” Finn yelled. His voice cracked, Burt having nothing to say in response. “My whole life has been a lie.” He mumbled.
Finn turned around. He looked at the top of the storm cellar. He ran, vanishing into thin air.
“Finn!”
Quinn was at the cemetery, going to visit her parents. She heard a rustle. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me. Finn.”
“Finn Hudson? What are you doing?” Quinn was holding a bouquet of flowers as she stepped towards Finn, her eyes landing on her.
“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean to scare you.” His voice was quiet. He began to walk away, but Quinn grabbed his arm.
“Are you okay?” She asked, her voice soft. He shook his head.
“I’m hanging out in a graveyard. Does that strike you as okay behaviour?”
Quinn looked at Finn, a frown on her face. She softly rubbed his arm. “Hey, I’m here too.”
Finn rubbed a tear he didn’t even know was falling. He glanced at her. “So, what’s your story?”
“My story? Well… Can you keep a secret?” Quinn asked.
Finn nodded. “I keep every secret told to me in a Fortress of Solitude.”
Quinn giggled. Her expression faded slightly as she spoke. “I came here to talk to my parents. I know it’s weird… Conversing with dead people.”
Finn shook his head. “I don’t think you’re weird, Quinn. Do you remember them?”
“They died when I was two.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Finn.”
Finn could only think how it was his fault. How he was the reason the meteor shower happened.
“Do you want to meet them?” Quinn asked, smiling. Finn nodded. She stepped closer to a pair of graves, Finn following her. “Mom, dad. This is Finn Hudson. Say hi.”
“Hi.” Finn awkwardly said as Quinn crouched down, closer to the graves. Finn copied.
“Yeah, I know. He is kinda shy.” She giggled as she placed the flowers down, talking to her parents. She turned to him. “Mom wants to know if you’re upset about a girl.” Finn shook his head. “Dad wants to know if you’re upset about a guy.”
“No, no.” Finn shook his head again, Quinn giggling.
“Seriously, Finn. Why are you out here?”
Finn hesitated. “Have you ever felt like your life was supposed to be different?”
Quinn nodded, chuckling. “All the time. Sometimes I imagine myself at school, and instead of my aunt picking me up, it’s my parents. And that they’re just really late, not dead.”
Finn smiled. No matter what, he couldn’t help but feel guilty for Quinn. If it wasn’t for him, Quinn’s parents would still be alive.
He turned his head towards the graves again. “What’s that Mrs. Fabray?”
Quinn’s smile faded.
“Yeah, I’ll tell her.” He looked at Quinn. “Your mom wants you to know that you’re never alone. And she’s always looking over you.”
Quinn’s eyebrows scowled and she smiled as Finn continued. “Sorry– What’s that Mr. Fabray? Your dad thinks you’re a shoo-in for homecoming queen.”
“They really said all that?” Quinn smiled.
Finn nodded. “Oh, yeah. They’re super chatty once you get them started.”
Finn decided to walk Quinn home. It was freezing, and they lived across the road from each other anyway.
“Thanks for walking me home.”
“Beats creeping around the woods.”
“Have you realised that this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had? We should do it again.”
Finn paused. He looked at her. “Are you going to the dance?”
“Mhm. With Puck.”
Idiot. “Right. Of course.”
“How about you?”
“Nah, I’ll probably just… Sit this one out.”
Quinn frowned slightly. “Well, if you change your mind, maybe I’ll save you a dance.” Quinn stepped forward and kissed Finn on the cheek, leaving to go to her house.
As Finn left, Puck was lurking. He saw the whole thing. He knew the farm boy wanted to steal his girl. Who didn’t? He watched as the boy left, folding his arms.
In the morning, Finn stepped into the ‘Schuester mansion’. That place had awful security, he just walked right in. “Hello?”
He was interrupted by two people practicing fencing. He stepped back and watched, intrigued. One of the people grabbed their sword and threw it next to Finn. He quickly took his mask off. It was Will. “Shoot, Finn. I didn’t see you.”
“I, uh… I buzzed. But nobody answered.”
Will took the sword out of the wall, confused. “How’d you get in the gate?”
“I squeezed through the bars.” Finn shrugged. Lie . ”If this is a bad time, I can come back later.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I was just finishing up doing some fencing. My assistant here packs a great fight.” Will grinned, looking back at his assistant as he took off his fencing suit.
Finn and Will walked down the halls of the Schuester mansion, Finn looking around in awe. He’d never been in a house this fancy, shocked he was actually allowed to walk through.
“Your place is awesome, Will.”
Will smiled. He nodded. “Thanks, Finn. How’s your new ride?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“What’s the matter? You don’t like it? I can get you a replacement if you’d prefer a different model.”
Finn shook his head. “No, I can’t keep it.”
“Finn, you saved my life. It’s the least I can do.” Will sighed, putting a towel around his neck to clean up his sweat. He studied Finn’s expression, frowning. “It’s your father, isn’t it? He doesn’t like me.” Finn tried to talk to object, but Will put a hand up. “Don’t worry. I’ve been bald since I was nine. People always judge me before they get to know me.”
“It’s not you. My dad isn’t crazy about your boss. Sue.”
“What, does he think she’s my mom? I mean, she’s old enough for it…” He mumbled. “But I’m nothing like her.”
“I have no idea. But I’m really sorry, Will. But I’m sure he’ll like you eventually.” Finn handed the keys to Will. Will sighed. He watched as Finn left.
Artie and Tina were in town. Tina had her camera out, watching as a man was hauled out of a store on a carrier and being taken away to hospital.
“That’s the third guy this week.” Artie mumbled as Tina snapped a photo.
“And they’re all former jocks.”
Artie tapped Tina on the shoulder and pointed towards someone who was weirdly lurking. ‘Who’s the weirdo?”
Tina shrugged and took a photo of him. “Let’s check him out.”
“His name is Jeremy Creek. This is a photo of him 14 years ago, and this a photo I took of him 4 hours ago.” Tina showed Artie and Finn.
“That’s impossible. Wouldn’t he be, like… 30 now? Are you sure it isn’t a younger brother or something?” Finn stared at the photos.
Artie shook his head. “I thought maybe he has an evil twin. Until we checked someone new who’s been missing.”
“Jeremy escaped from the hospital a few days ago where he’d been in a coma for 14 years. It’s been stated he suffered from massive electrolyte imbalance.” Tina showed Finn an article.
“That’s why he looks the same!” Artie pointed out.
“There was a huge electrical storm which caused the hospital’s generator to go down. When it turned on again, Jeremy was gone.” Tina sat down.
“The electricity must’ve charged him up somehow.” Artie shrugged.
“And now he’s back here. Is he the one putting former jocks into comas?” Finn asked.
“Most likely.” Tina suggested.
“Why?”
“14 years ago today, Jeremy Creek was chosen as the scarecrow.” Artie explained.
Finn picked up a newspaper article that Tina handed him. “ Comatose boy found in field 20 yards from meteor strike. Can’t be good news knowing that today’s the anniversary. What do you think he’ll do?”
Tina shrugged, folding her arms. “Hopefully nothing. He seems to only be targeting people from his past. Or… His present? I don’t know how the whole ‘coma for a decade-and-a-half thing works.”
“So, how is he electrocuting everyone?”
“The exposure to the blast must have affected him somehow. Given him powers.”
“Tina, this can’t be right.”
Artie wheeled forward, talking to Tina in a lower tone. “I think you have to show him.”
“Show me what?”
They all entered a dimly lit room, one where Tina clearly spent most of her time. “It began as a scrapbook, and then kind of just… Expanded.”
“What is it?”
“I call it the Wall of Weird!” Tina stepped forward in front of a wall that had hundreds of photos and articles all over it. “It’s got every odd and bizarre event that happens in our town ever since the meteor shower. What do you think?” Tina asked, a grin on her face.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Finn stepped forward as he looked at it.
“We all have secrets, Finn. Do you tell me everything that happens in your life?”
Finn ignored her. He saw an article that had Quinn on the front cover. It was about her parents death. “Quinn?” He said quietly. “It’s all my fault.” He mumbled. He ripped that one off and threw it on the ground, rushing out of the room.
As Finn left the school, a hand grabbed his shoulder. “Tina, just leave me alone.” He turned around and saw Puck staring at him.
“Congratulations, Finn. You’ve been elected as this year’s scarecrow.”
Finn threw Puck’s hands off of him. “Don’t mess with me, Noah.”
Puck grew angry, shoving Finn and taking his letterman jacket off. “Come on, bring it on.”
Finn threw a punch but it was stopped by Puck. He saw that Puck was still wearing another jacket, and he saw the necklace under it. The same one that made him go all weird a couple of days before. He began to groan as he was thrown to the floor. Puck grabbed a weakened Finn, pulling him closer. “What’s going on with you and Quinn?”
“Nothing.” His tone was soft, staring at the necklace. Puck ripped it off his own neck, putting it around Finn. Finn let out a groan, a whimper escaping his lips as he felt Puck make the necklace as tight as possible.
“This is as close as you’re ever getting to Quinn ever again.”
The rest of the jocks picked up Finn as a truck pulled up, throwing him into the back as they all got into the car and drove away.
From afar, Jeremy Creek was watching.
Finn woke up freezing cold. He was strung up like a scarecrow in the middle of a cornfield. He was almost naked, in nothing but his boxers. He could feel something wet down there. Ew… They even poured the slushie down his pants. He had a giant red ‘S’ spray painted onto him, the necklace still on. He was shivering.
“It never changes.” A voice spoke. Finn looked up and he saw Jeremy Creek. The boy Tina was telling him about. “Do they still pour a slushie down your pants?”
“Help me.” Finn said weakly.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?”
Finn stared at him. “Y-You’re Jeremy.”
“I thought it’d stop once all the old jocks were out of the picture. But, obviously not.” He began to walk away.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Homecoming dance.” Jeremy said, not looking at Finn as he looked out of the field. “I never got to go to mine.” He paused, turning his head back to Finn with a small smirk on his face. “Don’t worry, you’re safer here.”
As Jeremy left, Finn’s mind rushed with awful thoughts. Quinn was at the dance. Tina was at the dance. Artie was at the dance.
Jeremy exited the field, coming out on the side closest to VesterCorp. Will was driving out. He stopped his car once he saw Jeremy. His mind flooded back to memories from the meteor day of the meteor. He remembered– Before he had been affected himself, he remembered seeing a teenage boy strung up at the corn field, asking Will to help him. Was that the same kid?
Will exited his car but by the time he reached the field, Jeremy had gone back in and he couldn’t see him. He pulled out a flashlight and looked around. He heard a voice quietly cry out for him.
“Help.”
Will recognized the voice. He searched around. He spotted Finn. The flashlight shined onto his face, Finn weakly looking up. “Finn? Oh, jeez…” He rushed forward and began to get Finn down.”Who did this to you?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Finn’s voice was hoarse, falling to the ground once the ropes were all off him. As he fell, so did the necklace. He looked at it on the ground, his strength slowly coming back as the glowing colour faded away. He saw his clothes in the bushes and instantly began putting them back on.
“Finn, you need to see a doctor. What did they do to you?”
“I’ll be okay.” Finn spoke fast, running out of the field at a normal pace, going faster once he was out of Will’s view..
“At least let me give you a ride!” He called out. Once Finn was gone, he looked at the soil, looking at where Finn had fallen. He looked at the necklace. He picked it up, staring at the green meteor rock. Why did this make Finn feel weak?
Inside the school gym where Tina and Artie were sharing a silly dance and Quinn and Puck were slow dancing, Jeremy Creek was approaching from the outside. He came up to the fuse box, opening it with a crowbar.
“Jeremy.”
Jeremy looked away from the box, spotting Finn in the shadows. He dropped his crowbar. “You should’ve stayed away. It was safer for you back there, I promise.”
“I’m not letting you hurt my friends. I understand your pain, Jeremy.”
“Pain? Please, Finn. I’m not in pain. I have a gift. Something you wouldn’t get. I’ve got a purpose, a destiny.” He turned around to go back to the fuse box. But as he turned, Finn was there.
“So do I.”
Jeremy stared blankly at Finn. He grabbed Finn, starting to electrocute him. But it didn’t affect him. Finn grabbed Jeremy and threw him, the smaller boy landing on top of a nearby car. The screen shattered, but Jeremy’s spirit didn’t. Finn stepped forward as Jeremy stood up, charging up the car. The boy got into the car and Finn stood in front of it.
“Give it up, Jeremy.”
Jeremy clearly wasn’t planning on backing down. He began driving and hit Finn, but Finn was able to stand still and not move. The car pushed him, the two hitting a wall as it fell down. Finn hit the floor, getting ready to stand up and pounce at any given moment. Jeremy charged up again, but it backfired. The electricity affected him and he passed out, his head hitting the wheel. Finn stood up, confused. He rushed towards Jeremy and shook him. “You okay?”
As Jeremy woke up, he looked at Finn in confusion. “Who are you? Where am I?”
Finn couldn’t help a small grin that formed on his face. The shock must’ve affected him. “I’m Finn Hudson. And you’re in Smallville.”
Jeremy looked upset. He swallowed. “I wanna go home.”
Once Finn took Jeremy back to the hospital, he wanted to stop by the dance. Try to cash in that free dance from Quinn. But as he walked in, almost everyone was on the dance floor. He first noticed Tina and Artie, before spotting two people with crowns. Prom king and queen– Quinn and Puck. He looked at them with a frown as they kissed, realising he never had a chance with Quinn. God, what was he thinking? What an idiot.
Finn spent the rest of the night in his barn. He was fixing his telescope, listening to music. He heard a voice speak up from behind him.
“I didn’t see you tonight, Finn. “
Finn turned around to see Quinn wearing the most gorgeous blue dress he’d ever seen. “Quinn. What are you doing here?”
“I saved you that dance.” She smiled, stepping forward to Finn and putting her hands on his shoulders.
The two slowly danced, Quinn looking up at Finn. “Everything okay, Finn?”
Finn nodded. “It’s perfect.”
Finn snapped out of his trance as he heard a car horn honking outside. He stepped closer to the window, seeing Quinn get dropped off by Puck. She waved goodbye to him as he drove away, stepping up to her porch. She looked around, faintly hearing Finn’s music. She smiled as she heard it. Finn watched her. Thanks for the dance, Quinn.
Maybe he did have a chance.