Chapter One: Flash From The Past
Central City Police Headquarters. The building never seemed this towering before. Cars and people whizzing past, wandering to and fro. Though I stare up at the building, my ears are tuned behind me. The noises of the city are many: horns honking, engines racing, the never ending chatter, clipping of heels on pavement. Enough to assure me that my problems are meaningless. My life could end and the earth would spin on. I shiver.
The metal is cold when I reach out to open the door. I wonder how I could possibly feel it through my gloved hand, but pull and walk in anyway.
I haven't seen him in…what has it been? Eight years? Since graduation. Would he even remember me? Probably not. I knew Iris in grade school. We used to play together during recess. But there is only so close that hop-scotch and jump-rope can bring you. Now, even if he has those scraps of memories, my name won't be among them. How could it? It's not like we hung out. We weren't even friends in high-school. He was just the guy that sat one seat over and three seats ahead of me in chemistry junior year. He was just the guy who helped me up when I tripped in the hall on the first day of class freshman year. He was just the guy who gave me a stick of gum in the fifth grade. He was just…... the guy.
Glancing around the lobby of the station, I search for willing eyes. A pair meet mine and cross the room.
"Can I help you?"
I have an "um" trapped in my throat. It wants to come out, but I swallow it. "I'm looking for Barry Allen. Could you tell me where I can find him?" I ask, trying not to sound overly concerned. I pray that he can't see the tremors that ripple through my body. What if Barry doesn't work here anymore? Wouldn't that be embarrassing. My face flushes. It's the only warm part of my body.
"Of course. Just go up the stairs," he points directly ahead of us, "and take a left. It's the last door, end of the hall." One corner of his mouth tugs upward.
"Thank you," I nod and follow my directions. There aren't too many flights- I've climbed more. But they seem endless. No, it's just my nerves. I reach the top and head down the left hall. He wasn't kidding when he said it was at the end of the hall. It's straight in front of me. As it grows closer, I rack my brain. What will I say? Oh gosh. It's right there. The entryway. No. Don't walk in yet, you idiot!
But I do anyway. Then it's like a door closes, shutting out the busyness of my mind. Now, it's just blank. Barry faces away from me, bent over some papers on one of the steel tables in the room. He must not have heard me come in. I remember the thick framed glasses perched on my nose and swipe them off my face, folding them. I shove my hands in my jacket pockets and say the first thing that comes to mind.
"You know; you never did help me with my science project."
He turns around; I swallow hard. A smile spreads all the way to his hazel eyes. I'm relieved that he recognizes me. Maybe I'd made a lasting impression after all.
"Holly?" his eyebrows raise.
"Hi, Barry," I grin, reducing the gap between us to only a few feet. He's much taller than I recall. Naturally tall, not just in comparison to me. It's not hard for most of the population to make it past 5'3".
"Wh-How are you?" he sputters. Normally, I'd have no problem lying and answer that type of question with "Fine." But staring up at him now, I realize that if I want his help I'll have to be honest. I shrug.
"I've been better. How's life been for you?"
Barry inches closer to the table, leaning on it with one arm. "It's been…. interesting." He licks his lips. I kind of feel bad. He has no idea how much more 'interesting' I'm about to make his life. To be honest, it might be crazy enough to blow that scientific mind of his.
"Interesting, huh?" Brushing my fingertips against my forehead, I remember that my bangs are braided and tucked behind my ear.
"Yeah," he almost laughs. It takes me back to crowded hallways and lunch-room tables. When I used to daydream about running my fingers through his thick, dark hair. When I would steal glances at him and slip anonymous valentines in his locker. And, though it doesn't seem possible, Barry has grown more handsome since high-school. None of that matters now. I got over him a long time ago…. I think.
"So, Holly. What brings you here?"
A question I wonder myself. Taking a deep breath, I release it slowly. I never thought that telling the truth would hurt this much. It's okay. I can trust Barry Allen. If I can't, well, then there isn't anything else to do but run. And keep running. This is it. My only hope; as in 'Obi-wan Kenobi' level of only hope.
"Well," I say, finally, "I have a problem and I need your help."
"What is it?" Just as he was so many years ago: concerned, eager to help. He hadn't been able to help the last time I asked him this question- with what happened to his mom and all. Hopefully this time will be different.
"It's kind of a…... science project."