Chapter 7

Iris scanned the dark basement carefully; last thing she wanted was to scare Wally.

"Wallace? Wally come out sweet heart. It's Aunt Iris, I'm going to make sure you are safe now, but you have to come out so I can make sure of that."

Her green eyes scanned the dimmed room, not seeing any sign of the small boy. Worry started to spiral down inside her until she heard a muffled whimper.

Moving toward the sound carefully she saw a small form huddled against a support beam for the house. She ran over to him quickly and dropped down beside the child.

"Wally, Ssshhhh. It is okay sweetie it's okay," She reached over and pet his hair only to get a small flinched and for him to move away from her hand. Muttered sorries were repeated over and over again.

It broke her hear to see her little nephew broken in such a way, she reached for him and pulled him in for a tight hug.

Wally gave a small whimper and tried to pull away, "I-I'm sorry…I-I'm sorry…I-I don't like the dark…I-I want to g-get out…"

She didn't let go of her grip as she picked him up, holding him securely in her arms. She pet his head gently as she made her way out of the basement.

The officer's in the kitchen turned their hair to her and Wally. They nodded when they noticed the iron grip on his shirt and motioned for her to come this way to the ambulance.


Barry found himself sitting on the open area of the ambulance his nose getting fixed by the medics.

He watched as Iris hesitantly let the medic take her nephew to check on him only for them to ask if she would like to ride to the hospital with him.

She looked over at Barry who nodded and urged her to go. He hopped off where he was sitting and let the medics back up and head off. He looked at the police and neighbors mingling around and sighed, this house was hell for who knows how long and no one said anything.

No one saw it coming.

The police finally let him go after an hour; deciding that the beating of Rudolph West was just enough to let it slide.

He gave a rushed nod of thanks and headed off to the hospital to meet Iris.


Wally had fallen asleep out of exhaustion in the ambulance and now was resting peacefully in the hospital bed provided after some checks.

Iris sat beside him; watching him intently.

The doctors had come back with the reports that his nose was broken a few times, he was dehydrated, malnourished, bruised severely internally and externally, and was exhausted.

She reached over and pet his hair gently; his body reacting with a small flinch and nothing more.

"I'm so sorry Wally; if I had known…" she sighed and rested her face in her hands.

Barry walked into the hospital room and looked at the small boy on the bed with a deep frown. This should not have happened to such a sweet a kid as Wally.

He walked over to his wife and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder causing her to jump before relaxing when she realized who it was.

"We have to go," he said sadly. It was way past visiting hour but they got an exception for Wally but he didn't want to press the matter.

"I don't know what to do Barry, I should have known, I should have…done something. Now he is hurt and I can't help but feel like it is all my fault. If I had just seen the signs sooner."

"Hey now, this is not your fault."

Barry moved to kneel in front of his wife, "It is not your fault it is Rudolph's. He did a good job at hiding it, all we can do now is try and give Wally a better life then he has already experienced."

She sniffled and wiped a tear from her face, "W-what do you mean by that?"

He gave a soft smile and kissed her forehead, "I mean we are going to give him the life he deserved all along."

She stared at him and nodded; wiping more tears from her eyes she got up from her seat.

"Alright…we are coming back here as soon as possible though. I don't want to leave him alone for long."

Barry nodded and glanced back at Wally, "I understand that. First thing we are going to do tomorrow I promise."


Wally woke up with a start, his eyes darting around the room not really processing where he was.

He looked around the empty room confused; this wasn't the basement it was too clean and nice to be the basement.

He winced when he moved his arm, and IV sticking out of it.

Wally whimpered and looked around, "H-Hello…is anyone there?"

No one answered him, all he knew is he was in a strange hospital and no one was around.

Maybe he had finally died and the woman he dreamed of was the angel trying to take him home; too bad he fell asleep or he would have been in Heaven right now.

Wally sat up and looked around the empty white room before glancing over at the window, curtains opened to show the city beyond it.

His eyes moved away from the sun rise over the city to his heart monitor that was beeping obnoxiously. He leaned over and observed the device before he lost interest in it.

At this point Wally West was completely confused and didn't know what to do. He just sat there and stared at the wall.

He was alive; the obnoxious beeping beside him proved that much, but now he had no idea what was going to happen to him.


Iris was very impatient on waiting for Barry to finish his fourth stack of pancakes.

She tapped her foot and paced; all dressed to go see her nephew while her husband was still on breakfast.

As soon as she saw the signs of him going back for more she swatted him, "Stop with the nervous eating and go get dressed."

After a few more small pushes and worried looks Barry was in the car with Iris headed for the Hospital.

Iris got the visitors passes rather quickly and dragged him onto the elevator while he was trying to look for something to bring up to the kid in the gift shop.

Walking down the hall seemed like another long trip until they reached the room. They entered carefully to see the small redhead sitting up in his bed playing with a blue bear one of the nurses had given him.

His eyes looked up in surprise when he heard the door open and he tried to register what he was seeing, "H-hello…?"

Iris sighed, it was a relief to see him up and alert to the world around him but not as much if would smile.

His face seemed to hold so much pain behind those bruises that are there. His green eyes shining with fear and worry.

Iris walked over and took her seat by the bed once again, "Hello Wally. How are you feeling?"

Barry walked over behind her, taking his time to observe the child.

Wally looked back at the bear, "Everyone keeps asking that, and all I answer is fine…but I really don't know what I should answer."

Barry sighed and looked at Wally, "Well, I'm sure you will figure out the right answer some day."

Iris nodded along with her husband, gently reaching for him; noticing the tensing she carefully moved his hair from his eyes.

"We're going to need to get you a haircut," she sighed.

Wally opened one eye and looked at them confused, "W-why?"

She shook her head, a smile on her lips.

"Because your hair is so long, dear."

His mouth mad an 'o' shape before he nodded, "I guess that makes sense." Wally's gaze cast back down to the bear, "After this…where am I going?"

Iris stopped, not sure how to answer this question. She looked up at Barry for the answer.

"Well, you are going to the Orphanage till someone can show the right papers to foster you."

Wally didn't look up, he only listened.

"And when your father is sent to jail those foster parents or immediate family get the chance to take you in as your legal guardians."

Iris looked at Wally sadly when he made no move to speak or even look up at them.

"Will I move far away from you?"

"No, sweet heart, I doubt that. I wouldn't allow it."

Wally only nodded before lying down; the bear lying on his chest.

"I'm tired"

Iris nodded and quickly moved the pull up the covers, "Of course you are dear. You just get some rest."

She kissed his forehead and motioned for Barry to leave the room with her.


A/N: Had to force myself to stop. I am just going to pick up where this chapter left off but it just seemed to want to go forever. Before you know it the whole story would be done in one giant chapter and what fun would that be?

*Foster process is a mystery to me and I am going off my own knowledge. I know since his mom isn't around he gets turned over to the state till they locate immediate family which would be grandparents or Barry and Iris*

Anyway please Review. I love you all.