Finding You
Chapter 3
Barry walked into the cortex at Starlabs. Harrison was sitting at the computers. Looking up, Harrison smiled at Barry. Barry smiled and nodded at him. "How are you, Barry?" Barry lowered his head. "I should've caught him, Dr. Wells. I had him, but he slipped away. Right through me!" Barry looked at his arm. Right when he had him, Thawne had twisted his arm, wounding him. Cisco was studying the Tachyon Portal. Turning to Barry, Cisco looked at him closely. Barry had grown some facial hair, having been on the lookout for Eobard. "Look, Barry, I know you're on edge here, but you need to relax. If you don't rest, you're gonna be no match for Reverse-Flash if he comes back." Cisco sucked in a breath. After Barry had called him, Harrison and Cisco went to the building holding the Tachyon Portal. They had checked for any sorts of traps Thawne could have set, but found nothing. Harrison had checked the machine for any sort of bombs Thawne could have possibly programmed, but didn't find anything. Harrison stood up. "Barry. You know how fast Thawne is. Time and time again, you've both fought each other, and you've both never gained the advantage over each other. Your speeds, both yours and Thawne's, they're on par. You've trained for years, Barry, but so has he! Ever since you were struck by the lightning, way back then, you've trained so hard. But so has he." Harrison walked over to Barry. "You've faced so much loss, Barry. I know how hard this must be for you." Barry looked Harrison in the face. Ever since the Particle Accelerator, Harrison had been there for him. Looking at Harrison, Barry noticed Harrison had some grey in his hair. He won't be around forever, Barry thought.
He's getting older. Barry nodded at Harrison. "Hey boys! I brought back some coffee from Jitters!" Tess Morgan walked into the cortex, holding coffees. Cisco immediately went over to grab a coffee. "Thanks, Tess." Tess smiled at Cisco. Harrison went up to her, leaning in for a kiss. Kissing her, Harrison pulled away, smiling warmly at her. Harrison looked for his coffee. When he couldn't find it, he felt someone tap him. Turning, Harrison saw Tess holding his cup. "Looking for this?" Harrison grabbed his cup out of his wife's hand. "Hmmm, I think I was looking for this." Harrison kissed her head before turning to Barry. Barry was walking out when Harrison turned to ask how his coffee was. Harrison frowned. Thawne's return had Barry on patrol more than usual. Harrison was starting to worry about the Scarlet Speedster. Barry had been up, watching the computers for any sign of Thawne and training. If Barry didn't rest, he'd slip up. Harrison chewed on his lip thoughtfully. He didn't want Barry to be irrational, especially when it came with Thawne.
Barry walked through the plastic bridge connecting him to the prison. He had been up more than usual, looking for any sign of Thawne. He didn't want Thawne to get by him like did when Barry was chasing him. A guard opened the heavy door for Barry. Nodding his thanks, Barry went in. There were guards guarding the cells and exits, making sure no one escaped. Barry heard roaring. Grodd. Barry ignored it and looked out of a nearby window. The charred, burned remains of Iron Heights Penitentiary greeted him hundreds of feet below. Barry proceeded to a specific cell. Approaching it, Barry wasn't surprised to see ice and frost were surrounding her cell, along with a cool mist permeating from within. Barry motioned for a guard. The guard looked at Barry suspiciously. "Do you have-" Barry waved the document in the guard's face. He held it there so that he'd have a good look. Barry put the visitor's document in his jacket. The guard opened the cell door. It opened with a clanging sound. Barry walked in the cell. The guard began to follow when Barry cut him off. "Leave us, please." The guard opened his mouth when Barry raised a hand. "I said please. Don't make me say it again." With that, Barry shut the door without waiting to see if the guard said anything. Sitting down, Barry watched the figure in the bed get up. Caitlin sat on the edge of her bed, her blue eyes looking into Barry's brown ones. "What do you want, Barry?" Caitlin's voice was cool, but behind it was anger. Barry leaned forward. "Caitlin, how are you? Are they treating you... Alright?" Caitlin laughed, it came out as bitter and maniacal. "What is this, a checkup? You finally feel gulit now, Barry? Is that it? Nice uh, moustache, by the way." Her lips curled into a sneer. Barry opened his mouth to speak. "Caitlin, what I did, I had no choice-" Caitlin's face twisted with anger. "It is your fault, Barry! Jay'dead! He's dead! If you had killed zoom, he'd still be alive!" Caitlin screamed ragefully at Barry, raising her hand. The bracelets on both her hands turned from green to red before releasing a volt of electricity, causing her to collapse on the icy floor in pain. She looked up at Barry, panting. "I'll be out of this place, just like Girder." Caitlin smirked at Barry. Barry wordlessly got up. Girder had killed seven guards before jumping out of Iron Heights with a parachute. He hadn't put it on properly and had landed on top of a car, instantly killing a mother, father and their three children. Ever since then, Barry had looked for Girder to no avail. Barry held back his anger. She was trying to mess with him one last time, Barry looked at her sadly. "No, Caitlin. You won't. It wasn't Jay's death that did this to you. It was the Thermodynamic Engine, it was this!" Barry gestured at her icy skin and white hair. "Being like this, not able to interact with anyone. That was part of it, too. Cisco said hi." Barry walked out of the cell, where more guards had gathered around the cell. Wordlessly, Barry brushed past them. Once he was on the sidewalk, Barry peered up at Iron Heights Penitentiary. The giant blimp hovered over the burnt ruined one.
Barry walked in his childhood house. He had alot of happy memories here. Henry Allen exited the kitchen, drying his hands off. "Hey, slugger! How are you? Whoaa, look at that moustache! We didn't think you'd make it!" Barry and Henry sat down in the dining room kitchen. "Good, I guess. I've been busy with work, that's all." Henry chuckled. "Hell, you're the director of the crime lab, Barry. They need to stop being so lazy and do their jobs." Barry smiled. "Dad, I still have to do some work too, you know." Henry smiled sheepishly. Before he could say anything else, Nora exited the kitchen with a giant plate of food. Setting it down, the three began piling food on their plates. Barry stopped and looked at his watch. The date read: April 5, 2022.
Rip Hunter stood before the Time Masters. He had argued with them, but their stubborness was costing precious time to slip away. "we've been at this for hours. I've given you all valid points, but you still choose not to belive the facts I've presented. So Here's my proof!" Rip held a newspaper, activating it to the largest holographic size it would go. The newspaper's headline read: Disaster At Central City Police Department! It showed the police precint in ruins, with flames emerging from the building. On top of the precint building laid a blimp. The side of it boatsed the words "Iron Heights Penitentiary" on it. The head Time Master was silent. Then, with a nod from the Time Master, Rip went to fetch his ship. The timeline was changing, and Rip needed to stop it.
Well, the plot thickens! Nora and Henry are alive? Yes, and obviously so is Tess and Harrison! Unfortunately, Eobard is stranded back in 2017, not 2022. Which means it's time to head back there now. And Caitlin, evil and in Iron Heights? Yeah, I also got the blimp from Batman! It's unique. Next chapter won't be up for awhile. Send Feedback!
