Author Note: Okay…I'm considering changing this story to M because of some references to sensitive subject matter. Please let me know your thoughts.
Chapter 2: Search and Rescue
Downtown Central City
At his top speed, it had taken Barry Allen, the Flash, a little over 2 hours to search the entirety of Central and Keystone Cities. Barry had looked in every Building, Park, Mall, Warehouse, Parking Garage…LITERALLY EVERYWHERE in the "Gem Cities" And yet there was nothing.
No trace of Wally West! Even with an Amber Alert as well as the CCPD and KCPD helping with the search, it was as if his 12 year old nephew had vanished off the face of Earth! Barry wanted to believe he would find Wally unharmed, but as the hours went by the same dark thoughts kept creeping into Barry Allen's head…
I can't find him! I CAN'T FIND HIM! What if I'm too late?! Oh…Oh God help me…what if Wally's already dead?!
It's was taking Barry everything he had to keep from breaking down. When Wally started living with him and Iris 3 years earlier, Barry had promised himself that he would do everything in their power to keep the kid safe and be a good role model. Now Barry Allen couldn't help but feel like he had failed completely.
As he kept running, Barry thought over is next course of action.
Wally's not in the cities, which means, assuming he was abducted, his captor may have taken him deeper in state! But which state?! The Gem Cities border Missouri and Kansas! It will take me hours to check just one! If…If I pick the wrong one…
For the first time since he started looking for Wally, Barry Allen, the Flash, stopped dead in his tracks. Not since his mother's murder 20 years before had he been paralyzed with such fear. Barry KNEW he had to make a decision, but he was absolutely terrified of what could happened to his nephew if he made the wrong one…
2 Miles Outside of Keystone City
Wally wasn't exactly sure how long he had been running, but even taking into account that he was in the process of escaping his own kidnapping, he needed to stop and catch his breath. After today, Wally West would never again complain about the miles that Coach Williamson had forced him and the other kids to run during gym class.
Wally still couldn't believe how deserted this area was. He hadn't seen any passing cars and this far out of Keystone City most of the locals lived spread out across a few dozen farms. Even taking into account his parents death's, 12 year old Wally West had never felt so alone and isolated. The only thing that Wally had seen as he made his escape from Big Belly Burger were rows and rows of corn and 2 broken phone booths. Wally cursed himself for leaving his backpack in Pike's car! There was a cell phone in there that Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris had given him for use in emergencies! Wally figured being kidnapped qualified and in his haste he left it behind with…
"WALLY!" an angry voiced called out from behind him. Wally spun around, all the color left his face when he laid eyes on Nicholas Pike, who was standing just a few feet away from him on the open road. Even from a distance, the boy could see that Pike's nose was still bloodied from his earlier kick, but what really terrified the 12 year old red head was the gun Pike held in his right hand.
He…followed me! Oh my God he followed me! , Wally through as he was overcome with an overwhelming feeling of dread. Pike slowly moved himself closer to Wally, putting his hands up in gesture of peace. Wally would have ran, if not for the fact that he was petrified with fear.
"Come on kid, take a deep breath…" Pike said in a calming voice "I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding. Just come with me back to the car and I'll take you to your Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry..."
"LAIR!" Wally screamed, his voice containing a mixture of fear and anger "You…you said Aunt Iris was hurt and that Uncle Barry told you to get me! I…I trusted you because you were a Cop!"
It was at this moment that Wally began crying. He didn't want to look weak in front of Pike, but he just couldn't hold it in anymore.
"You…you…made all that up…so I would go with you! Why?! I…don't understand…we're not rich…and I'm sure you make a decent living as a detective! I don't…this doesn't make any scenes! Why did you kidnap me?!"
Wally waited for a reply. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Pike began to laugh…
"That's…quite the imagination you got their kid…" said Pike, looking Wally right in the eyes "Let's say, hypothetically of course, that you're right. I did make up that story about your aunt and kidnapped you. It wouldn't be for money. You see Wally…there are some people who, like myself, have very specific needs. Needs that are… frowned upon in our society…"
Pike lowered his right arm, leveling his gun and pointing it at Wally.
"You know, I remember when Barry and Iris brought you to the CCPD police picnic that first summer you started living with them" said Pike, his voice sounding nostalgic "With your red hair, bright green eyes and freckles, you were the cutest thing I laid my eyes on. More so then OTHER kids I've known…"
In addition to tears, Wally was now shacking, too afraid to move as the detective got closer. Even if he tried to run, Wally knew Pike would just shot him.
"It's a shame, a kid like you would surely have grown to be quite handsome. But after your little stunt back at Big Belly Burger, I don't want to take any chances…"
Then, as Pike's finger moved towards the trigger, a million different thoughts raced through Wally's head…
I…I'm going to die! I DON'T WANNA DIE! I…I want to go home! I want to see Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris again! I want to finish Middle School! I want to go to the Flash Museum when it opens in the summer! I want to have another sleepover with Kyle! I want to kiss a girl in High School! I want to go to College! I…want to grow up and be a CSI like Uncle Barry! I… I want to tell Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris how much I love them...and that I'm so sorry for being stupid! For letting Pike trick me! For getting myself kidnapped and murdered! They worked so hard to take care of me after Mom and Dad died and now I…
"Just close your eyes kid. I'll make this quick…" Pike said softly.
Wally West shut his eyes, tears continuing to roll down his cheeks. Nicholas Pike looked around, making sure there were no witnesses. Satisfied that they were alone, Pike proceeded to pull the trigger…
Central City Suburbs/Allen Residence
"…and still no clues in the disappearance of young Wally West. The 12 year old boy was last seen at Spisak Junor High, wearing a red Flash t-shirt, Blue jeans, a brown leather jacket and…"
Iris West-Allen shut the television off as she sat on the living room couch. Her entire being filled with a sense of hopelessness.
Iris normally considered herself a strong woman. She had to be, she was the wife of the Flash after all, not to mention all the things she had seen in her career as an investigative reporter. But this…THIS…had made her a complete emotional wreak. After she had gotten off the phone with Barry, Iris raced to their bedroom and found the emergency numbers he had mention.
She called Hal Jordan first, only to get his girlfriend Carol Ferris, who explained that Hal was in deep space on a Green Lantern mission and wouldn't be back for at least a week.
Next she tried calling Oliver Queen and instead she got someone called Overwatch. Overwatch, whose voice, despite being distorted sounded female, explained that Green Arrow, along with Black Canary and Speedy were currently fighting a group called the Ninth Circle in Europe.
Finally Iris called the number Barry had for Bruce Wayne and was surprised when she actually heard the Batman's voice.
After a hurried explanation about Wally's disappearance, Bruce told Iris that he would prep the Batwing for imminent departure to Central City and attempt to contact Superman and Wonder Woman while in route. That had definitely raised Iris's spirits a little.
That was an hour and a half ago. Soon after, Iris heard a knock on her door. She opened it, hoping against hope she would see Barry and Wally standing outside, but instead she found two CCPD Detectives, both of whom she recognized as Barry's work colleagues Frank Curtis and Charles Conwell.
"Iris, let me just say that we are so sorry you and Barry have to go through this terrible ordeal. We don't want to disturbed you but…we were hoping to ask some questions. It may help us in the investigation" explained Detective Curtis, his voice fully of sympathy. The bitter cynic in Iris briefly wondered if this sort of thing was routine for them when looking for a missing child.
"Of course, please come in!" said Iris as she held the door open for them. Iris then spent the following hour answering a myriad of different questions.
When was the last time she and Barry had seen Wally? Did she or Barry have any enemies who would want to hurt their nephew? Have they received any threatening letters or phone calls? Could Wally have run away for any reason? Have they noticed anyone stalking them? Has Wally been having any troubles at school?
Iris had found these questions incredibly frustrating, mostly because in order to preserve her husband's secret identity as the Flash, she had to dance around many of the Detective's inquires! Iris KNEW Barry was out looking for Wally, but a small part of her couldn't help but resent him from leaving her ALONE with this!
Once they had finished questioning her, Curtis and Conwell left, once again expressing their deepest sympathies as they went out the front door. After that, Iris tried watching the news only to shut it off halfway through the coverage of Wally's disappearance. Her heart just couldn't take it!
Iris moved her hands to the coffee table and picked up an old photo album that had belonged to Wally's mother, Mary West. Iris had inherited it after the car accident. As she flipped through the album she saw dozens of pictures of Wally and his parents. There was Wally's first birthday party, his first trip to the beach, and his first day of kindergarten and…
Iris gasped when she saw it, tears starting to escape from her eyes…
It was a picture of her, then 12 years old, holding her then newborn baby nephew the day Rudy and Mary had brought Wally home from the hospital. Wally had been so tiny and fragile then and Iris had thought the baby was cutest thing in the whole wide world. She remembered her father telling her to be careful when Rudy handed Wally over to her and Iris swore she would be best aunt any nephew could hope for. As Wally got a little older and Rudy and Mary started looking for a regular babysitter, Iris had jumped at the chance. She spent many an evening entertaining her little nephew, playing games, watching child friendly movies, preparing meals and reading him bed time stories. Some teenagers would have groaned at having to look after their older brother's kid on a regular basis, but for Iris it was literally no trouble. To Iris West, nothing was more important than making sure her nephew was safe and happy.
Then…the accident happened. Rudy and Mary were gone and Wally was left an orphan. Iris and Barry had been babysitting Wally the night they got the call. The look of devastation on then 9 year old Wally's face when Barry and Iris told him that his parents wouldn't be coming home still haunted Iris to this day. That first night after the funeral, when he had moved in with them, Iris had held Wally as he cried himself to sleep.
And now, in her heart of hearts, Iris West-Allen was beginning to think she would never see Wally again. Iris then closed the photo album and pulled it close to her chest, as a steady stream of tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Wally…my Wally…" Iris whispered as she continued to quietly sob.
2 Miles Outside of Keystone City
When Wally heard Pike's gun go off, he expected to die then and there. But, to too his amazement, nothing happened. He was still alive. As Wally hesitantly opened eyes, his jaw dropped at the sight before him.
Standing between Wally West and Nicholas Pike was a man clad in a bright red suit, with yellow boots and a lightning bolt symbol on his chest. Wally had never met him in person before, but EVERYONE in the Gem Cities knew who he was.
The Flash, the Scarlet Speedster, defender of Central and Keystone Cities, and Wally's favorite Superhero. Wally then saw The Flash throw something to the ground. It was a bullet, presumably the same one that Pike had just fired from his gun and attempted to end Wally's life with! Wally's eyes widened in amazement…
He…He caught the Bullet…FLASH CAUGHT THE BULLET! He…he saved me…, Wally thought as he was hit with a sense relief. The Flash had saved him, He was going to go home. He was going to see Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris again…
Detective Nicholas Pike on the other hand was absolutely horrified, face conveying shock and terror. The Flash started to walk towards Pike, his fists clutched angrily. In desperation Pike pointed his gun at the hero, even as his hands started to shack.
"L-look man! Stay ba…"
No sooner then had Pike spoke then The Flash had used his super speed to run up and snatch the gun from the detective's hand. Flash then disassembled the weapon in less time than it would have taken Wally and Pike to blink.
Then The Flash went right up to Pike, and raised his right hand…
"HOW DARE YOU!" The Flash yelled, his voice full of outrage as he back handed Nicholas Pike, sending the corrupt CCPD detective flying a few feet before he came crashing to the ground! Wally cheered his hero on.
"Get him Flash!" Wally cheered, it felt good to see Pike get some comeuppance for kidnapping him! However the Flash wasn't done with Pike, not by a long shot!
Wally watched as his hero raced over to where Pike had fallen. The Flash went to his knees, put his hands around Pike's neck and started to squeeze. Pike's eye widened, he tried desperately to pull The Flash's hands away from his neck, but it was a futile gesture. The Flash was out for blood!
"Pu…pu…ple…ase…" Pike gasped for air as The Flash began straggling him "I…I…gi…ve…u…p…"
If The Flash heard him, he didn't seem to notice or care, he just continued to squeeze. Wally West had no love for Nicholas Pike, but even he couldn't help but find the scene before him disturbing. The Flash was a superhero. Superheroes didn't kill! They stopped the bad guys and took them to jail…right?
"F-Flash? I…I think that's enough…' Wally started to say, but even then The Flash just ignored the boy and continued to squeeze Pike's throat, even as the detective started to lose consciousness. Then The Flash said something that caught Wally completely off guard…
"I'll kill you! Do you understand me you bastard?! You tried too take Wally from me! From Iris! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Wally West was dumbstruck!
The Flash knew his name? He mentioned Aunt Iris and…what did he mean when he said Pike had taken Wally from him? Wally idolized the Flash, even considered himself the Scarlet Speedsters number one fan, but they had NEVER met before. Also why was the Flash acting so bloodthirsty?! Pike was a monster sure, but The Flash was taking Wally's kidnapping and attempted murder personally! Also…The Flash's voice, Wally swore it sounded familiar, but where…?
And then it all clicked in Wally's head! He's brain putting all the pieces together! Then, not wasting another second, Wally run towards the Flash, and with all his strength, tried to pull his hero away from Pike, before he did something that Wally knew The Flash would regret and couldn't take back!
"Stop it! STOP! You're killing him! He…He's not WORTH it! Don't let him turn you into a killer!" Wally pleaded, but the Flash was too consumed with rage to hear the boy's protest. At least until Wally screamed the words that the Flash hadn't expect to hear…
"UNCLE BARRY STOP!"
At that moment, The Flash froze. He quickly let go of Nicholas Pike's neck and recoiled in horror. The detective was alive but unconscious from what the Scarlet Speedster had done to him. The Flash looked at his hands, which were now shacking. Even with his cowl still on Wally could tell that the hero was horrified by what he had just tried to do.
Then there was Wally himself. The kid had been through a lot in the last few hours and The Flash knew that the traumatic events Wally had experienced today would linger for quite a while, but with time, and help from him and Iris, Wally could recover.
As The Flash turned to face Wally, the boy could see tears escaping from the speedster's cowl. Wally also started crying. The Flash then stud up and pulled back his cowl, revealing the blond hair and blue eyed face of Wally's uncle, Barry Allen. Barry then pulled his nephew close, holding him in a tight hug. Wally hugged back, wrapping his arms around his uncle's waist, his head coming to rest on Barry's chest.
Uncle and Nephew held each other in that empty road for quite awhile, neither wanting to let the other go…