Aww, thanks, SupesFan, for all the kind words!
I get oddly proud of whenever I torture a character/the readers. It's fun. Or maybe I'm just really twisted.
I do know the feeling of being afraid to open a new chapter (but dying to do it anyway). There have definitely been authors and stories here on the boards that have done it to me.
Just remember - the torture is over for Clark. Well, physically anyway. What's going on in his head is anyone's guess. It's his friends and family's turn to be mentally/emotionally tortured seeing what he's become and not knowing what might happen in the future.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the ride as much as I enjoyed crafting it!