What do I own? none of this.
Joe carefully pulled the cover back over Nora Allen's body and peered into Barry's face. The boy's eyes were wide with fear; his mouth was open but no words could escape.
"Barry?" Joe asked, putting a hand on the kid's shaking shoulder.
"No." Barry whimpered quietly, staring into the space where his mother lay. "Mom."
"She's gone, son. I'm sorry." He was too young to have this happen to him. He was only eleven for heaven's sakes! Joe didn't know him very well- Barry had come over to his house a few times with Iris- but he felt somehow responsible for the kid.
"Barry, come here." Joe said, gently pulling him away from the scene. "How would you like to spend the night with me and Iris tonight? I can find you a nice blanket and you can sleep on the couch, would that be okay." Barry gave Joe a small nod but his face remained empty. "Alright, let's go." Joe quickly ran upstairs to grab some clothes for Barry before heading outside.
As they stepped out the front door Joe quickly bent down to grabbed some shoes belonging to Barry, having seen him barefoot. Before they could make it to the car, however, they were stopped by Officer Swan.
"Detective West!" She called. "Where are you taking him?" She gestured towards Barry.
"My place, officer." He replied. Then to Barry he said, "Why don't you go get in the car, I'll be with you in a minute." Joe handed Barry his shoes and waited until the young man had dragged himself towards Joe's squad car before returning his gaze to officer Swan. She put her hands on her hips and gave him a questioning look.
"Look, Emily, the kid's probably exhausted." Joe stated. "And he just saw his mother get murdered right in front of him by his own father! He needs to be in a safe place, one that he recognizes, with people he trusts." The woman raised an eyebrow.
"You know him?" She asked, crossing her arms.
"Sort of. My daughter is friends with him so he's been over a few times." The officer sighed.
"Alright go." Joe relaxed a little. "But he'll need to be back at the station for questioning tomorrow."
"I'm aware, officer. Thank you." Swan gave Joe a quick wave of her hand before moving back into the house. Joe walked towards his car which now had a young Barry Allen sitting in the passenger seat, expressionless. Joe stepped silently into the car and quickly called Iris to let her know what was going on.
But, as they were driving down the street Joe silently wondered what he was getting himself into. 'It's just one night.' He told himself. 'It's not like this is permanent.'
Okay so I may have gotten the officers' name from watching once upon a time but hey its not that big of a deal is it?
Anyway, hope you liked it!
~I'm The Reverse