In the Blink of an Eye
Chapter Four
Earth One
Back at Star Labs, Dr. Henry Allen finished dressing Harry's wound. He taped down the gauze, and looked to the other man sitting patiently on the bed.
"You're going to be fine. The bullet passed through cleanly, with no significant damage. With plenty of rest and rehabilitation the wound will heal."
"Thank you, Dr. Allen," Harry uttered genuinely.
"Is there anything else I can do?" Henry directed the question to his son. As a father, it was his job to protect his son. Barry had already lost his mother, Henry's wife. Henry understood painfully what Barry was feeling at the possibility of losing his wife.
"You're already doing it," Barry told his father. He was grateful for the support. Having his father there was a source of comfort that gave him added strength.
Henry outstretched his hand to Barry's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Anytime."
"The results are in," Cisco announced entering the medical bay. Barry hadn't been about to conduct the test himself. and Cisco had stepped up. "The DNA present on the carpet, was a match to Iris West. The DNA sample taken from the wall didn't belong to either Caitlin or Iris."
"Zoom?" Barry guessed. It was possible that Zoom had been hit in the exchange. He knew, thanks to Joe's training, Iris was an excellent shot.
"It's possible," Cisco said in conclusion. "Though we don't have a sample of his DNA to compare it to."
"So, for now at least," Joe uttered, keen to be armed with the facts. "They're both alive?"
"The results from the blood samples support that," Cisco declared.
"Where would he have taken them?" Barry voiced the question to Harry. With Harry's injury dealt with, and the test results providing them with a vague glimmer of hope, he was keen to act to get the women back. Out of everyone, Harry had the most input given his previous dealings with the demonic speedster.
"Zoom's lair," Harry supplied his best guess, "on Earth Two is in the woods, north of Central City. It's up high, on a place called Cedar's Ridge."
"You've been there?" Much of Harry's life on his home turf remained a mystery. Harry kept his past guarded, only divulging information when needed.
"No. I've never been there. It's not a place anyone goes willingly. No one goes in and no one get out." The finality in his words served to dampen Barry's spirits further.
"Way to sugar coat that," Joe, worried for his only daughter, was in no mood for Harry's lack of compassion or tact.
"I'm merely stating the facts," he told the detective.
"You're a father," Joe bit, glaring angrily in Harry's direction.
"You're right." It wasn't so long ago that Jesse's life was in jeopardy. Zoom had held her captive to use as leverage against Harry. He knew all too well what Joe was going through. It was every parents' nightmare. "I apologize," he extended to the other man.
Joe didn't say another word, but offered a nod, keen to move on from the matter.
"Fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to help Caitlin and Iris," Barry voiced then, keen to keep the team focused solely on finding a way to Earth Two and rescuing both women.
Cisco, at Barry's side, nodded in agreement. The young engineer always had Barry's back. Given that he viewed Caitlin almost like a sister, he wanted to do everything he could to ensure her safety and bring her back. "So, what do we do?"
At present, they had no way of moving between their Earth, and Earth Two. Along with Jay, who at the time they believed to be an ally, they'd closed that doorway, and every doorway, to every Earth beyond.
But for now, Barry couldn't think of that. One step at a time; his memory of the blood in Cisco's workshop was all too vivid in his mind. He needed to know that both his wife and his best friend were alive. "First, we need to know that they're both okay," he extended the sentiment to the only person in the room that could give him that guarantee.
Cisco's dark eyes met Barry's blue ones and he nodded wordlessly. The once reluctant metahuman seemed glad of his gift in this instance. He moved to the nearest chair and settled into it. He closed his eyes, willing away his surroundings, as he focused on the worlds, and possibilities, beyond him.
Barry watched him. The engineer's jaw was set, his breathing slowed, he was completely focused on wielding the powers he possessed.
"I see them," Cisco uttered after a minute had passed. "They're in a cell." His eyelids flickered. He willed himself to concentrate, to picture the women's dire situation, though it caused him pain. "They're together. They're scared, but they're okay."
"Are either of them hurt?" Barry chanced the question.
"Iris," Joe's eyes widened along with a sinking, sickening sensation of worry. Cisco continued," Iris has a cut on her temple, but she's okay." He cocked his head, "I see him. I see Zoom. He's Jay." Cisco's voice faltered as he held tight to the vision playing on his tightly clenched eyelids. "He's hurt. He wants Caitlin to treat him."
"Iris shot him," Joe weighed in with a hint of pride.
Cisco stirred from the vision and took in the reality of Star Labs, and the relieved faces that surrounded him. "They're okay." He looked to Barry. "We just need to find a way to rescue them."
"They're on Earth Two?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I think so." Cisco was still trying to hone the fullness of his capabilities, but he'd given them all some hope. Both women were alive, but still in danger. Getting to Earth Two would prove difficult given all pathways to the other Earths were shut off.
There was only one person able to flitter from one Earth to another; Zoom had a strong, clear advantage.
The storm had died away hours ago. The streets were still wet and slippery from the onslaught. Cars and trucks rushed by, occasionally wheels disturbed deep puddles, sending water splashing up to the sidewalk. Barry walked, shoulders hunched, his hands buried in his pockets in effort to ward off the chill. Before he'd become the Flash, he'd loved to walk to streets at night. It helped clear his head; there was something beautiful about seeing his home town beneath the shiny, city lights.
Under the glimmering streets, with the hustle of traffic, and the humdrum of everyday life, he was offered no comfort of distraction. The team had collectively decided to get some rest, and Barry, needing to be out of Star Labs had decided to take a walk. He made for their home. He felt the strong pull to be around all things Caitlin.
They'd chosen somewhere north of the city. A recently-restored, spacious townhouse, with hardwood floors, and large windows, overlooking the water. They'd envisioned lazy summer nights, watching the sun go down while sipping wine on the decking. They had a large, grassy garden to raise the children they planned on having. Both were still young and in no immediate rush.
Caitlin had taken on the role as decorator. She had a vision of what she wanted. Barry was more relaxed and laid back. They'd gone to auctions on Saturdays, Caitlin choosing her bids carefully, claiming she didn't want every item of furniture they owned to have come from Pottery Barn. She'd had a good eye, slowly collecting classic items, and adding a modern flair.
She'd wanted to hire a painter. Coming from money, she'd never wielded a paintbrush, never wallpapered, she'd admitted. Barry, growing up with his parents, and then Joe and Iris, had been taught to be self-sufficient around the house. With some coaxing, he'd had her doing both. She even assembled a book care. They'd had fun creating and building their new home.
Reaching the house, Barry made his way up the steps, to the porch. He unlocked the door and pushed his way through the darkened corridor. He dropped his keys on the little table in the hall before going to the kitchen. He opened the fridge. In no mood to eat, he pulled out a beer and took a long swig.
Traipsing through to the lounge he found his way to the dresser. He lifted their wedding photo. She'd looked breathtaking that day. The dress so very Caitlin, delicate, simple, classic, and elegant. She'd worn her hair loose in long waves. In the picture, she'd been smiling into their kiss.
"Welcome home, Barry," Zoom's voice sounded on the darkness.
Barry hadn't hit the lights and Zoom blended unsettlingly well with the darkness. It was only when he spoke and Barry turned in that direction that he saw the demonic speedster sitting on the couch.
"Where is she?" Barry demanded and flicked on the lights.
Zoom's blackened eyes gleamed through the thick mask. They held the menacing twinkle of his victory. After so long, he'd gotten one over Barry Allen. He seemed intent to savor the moment, and claim his success over Barry's failure.
Barry hadn't bothered to hit the lights and Zoom blended unsettlingly in the darkness. It was only when the demonic speedster stood up from the breakfast that Barry saw him.
"She's fine. I would never hurt Caitlin." The way he spoke, even in his exaggerated, demonic snarl, he truly believed what he was saying. In his warped mind, he loved Caitlin, and kidnapping her, taking her away from her home and friends, was his way of proving that to her.
"And Iris?"
Zoom made a noise through the grated mouth of his mask. Barry suspected it may have been an attempted at a laugh. "The web. The wife and the best friend. They're both fine."
"Let them go! Take me in their place." The offer of a trade left his mouth faster than he could think it through. It didn't matter. He'd gladly give his life for them.
"So noble! So heroic!" Zoom's heavy step sounded on the hardwood floor. He crossed toward Barry. "The hero in his most dire hour. But I have other plans for you."
Barry looked at him. The way he was moving. Normally so agile, despite his vast size. Something was wrong. His left arm hung at his side. Clearly it was bothering him. From Cisco's vibe, he knew Zoom had been shot. What was interesting was the fact that he didn't seem to be healing like he should.
It was a nugget of insight Barry tucked away in his mind, hoping to use to his advantage somewhere down the line.
"What plans?" Barry asked, happy to distract Zoom and get him to divulge more information.
"A race. You win, I let your beloved Caitlin go. You lose, and she's mine forever."
Barry scoffed. It was absurd. He'd never gamble Caitlin's life and freewill. "There's no way."
"We'll see about that."
At that precise moment, Zoom's clawed hand cut through the atmosphere. In a single swipe, he penetrated the link between their Earth, and another entirely. His good arm seized a hold of the young, fellow speedster, and dragged him through the breath.
Momentarily caught, Barry fought to stop Zoom's unknown intent. The two crashed on the hard asphalt in the middle of a parking lot. Barry struggled, and landed a blow to Zoom's injured shoulder and he roared in agony.
Zoom released Barry and Barry pulled himself to standing, groaning against his body's protests. Zoom was on his feet a half-a-second later.
"Welcome to Earth Two," Zoom hissed.
"Earth Twenty? What's so special about Earth Twenty?"
To be continued….
