Okay, guys, one of these flashback are going to be about Felicity and Cooper while the other one is Slade's reaction to Wade stabbing the old man in the alley for just a few moments when they were in college. Hope ya like the rest.
"Make sure you call me every week to make sure everything's okay or if there's an emergency, or if you're homesick," Donna kept saying to me as I unloaded the luggage from the backseat of her car. I think she had a bad time coping the fact I'm going to college. I'm still her little girl. She wouldn't stop crying all the way to the MIT. I still had black hair back then but I also followed the Goth computer geek style.
"I will, Mom. Don't worry, I'm fine." I shut the backdoor aft unloaded the last bag.
"I'll miss you," she said smiling at me but I can tell she was going to cry again.
"I'll miss you too," I tell her. After that, she drives away.
Once she was gone, I headed for the dormitories. One floor is where the girls slept while the other floor is where the boys slept.
I was having a bit difficulty trying to pull the luggage up the stairs. I tried asking for an elevator but there was no one managing the lobby. College kids moving in and out. Looks like being new to college has its disadvantages.
My gymbag slipped from the luggage and it began tumbling down the stairs.
"Shit," I muttered.
And that's how I met Cooper.
He was coming up the stairs. He found my bag and he came up here to return it. He was a really great guy. He was handsome too...and a little bit of a douche.
"You dropped this," he said to me as he returned the bag to me.
"Thanks."
"You know they have an elevator here, right?"
"Yeah, unfortunately, no one would tell me where it is."
"Yeah, you're going to get a lot of assholes here. I'm Cooper, by the way," he introduced himself, stretching out his hand.
"Felicity...Smoak," I said as we shook hands. That's how our relationship began.
Felicity's POV
It's been only a week since the incident and I am somehow feeling like myself again. I was the same talkative self again and for the first time, the others were actually glad I was a chatterbox again. I think in Diggle's words, it hallelujah for him. Oliver was glad I was feeling better. And Sara was non-stop asking me to hang out with her at the mall. I don't do the whole mall thing. Besides, I'm completely booked. I have work and afterwards, I'm hanging out with Donna. She's trying to hang out with me every second she has and I don't want to disappoint her. We're going ice-skating today. Yeah...I'm terrible at ice-skating. I'm clumsy enough, let alone having me fall on my ass every time I step on ice on blades.
I'm just finishing up work. Being Slade's executive assistant is a bit weird and scary. I get paranoid every time I got near him, especially now that Isabel is free from changes and it now taken out of jail. I have avoided her as much as possible. I would only approach his office when she is not around and I would look around cautiously before heading for the women's restroom. It's already five o' clock. Donna wants me to show up at six. I sigh before walking into Slade Wilson's office. It used to be Oliver' office. Not anymore, unfortunately. Luckily, Isabel wasn't there thank God. I couldn't leave the building without my boss knowing or without his permission. If I am not allowed to leave the building, I'm screwed. I have not spoken to Mr. Wilson since Miss Rochev's arrest, only a few times when I had to. But I would not interact with him, not matter how much he tries to get my attention.
I knock on the door frame first before entering his office. He was looking into the Q-Pad. I don't know what he's doing nor do I want to know what he's doing. I just want to get this over with and leave.
"Mr. Wilson."
He does not respond. I see what he's doing. Silent treatment. If I won't talk to him, he won't talk to me. How childish of him. Moving on Felicity.
"I'm actually leaving right now. I have evening plans today, so, I left a few things you wanted me to do on the desk - I mean, I left a few files for you on the desk you asked me to do. Right now, I have to go. Have a good evening."
I turned to leave but he stopped me on my tracks. "And what makes you think you're done working?"
"I've done my job. I'm simply asking permission to leave. If you don't want me to leave, that's all right. I'll just cancel out my evening plans," I say almost sternly. Don't get angry, Felicity. That's just what he wants.
"...With your mother, I suppose," he says without looking up from the Q-Pad.
"Yes..." I say. I was getting concerned now. He knows I have a mother. Now he knows I have evening plans with her. He's up to something. I know. When will he stop harassing me? How long will it be before he finally exposes Oliver before killing him? I know that he'll be using me to expose Oliver. But I won't give in. The problem is that he might use my mother against me. That is something I need to be concerned about.
"Does Oliver know about your mother?...Forgive me, your aunt. What did happen to your mother, Miss Smoak?" he asked, finally looking up at me with a smirk. That on eye of his. It's freaking me out. But the way he was speaking to me, it was making my insides boil as my anger grew.
"Sorry to say this, but I don't think it's any of your business," I said to him almost sternly.
"Does Oliver know about your mother not really being your mother? Does he know about your past Felicity Smoak?"
"...Have a good evening, Mr. Wilson."
"I did not say you could leave."
"...Sorry," I said darkly. "May I leave, please?"
"You may, yes."
Urgh. Monday is definitely a total fuck you day. Yeah, I cursed and I don't give a shit. Fuck you, Slade.
I left Queens Consolidated and headed over to my car. The parking lot seems empty. Ther were still a few cars parked, including Slade's black car. It's a Lamborghini. Shit. That thing's expensive. Can't he use the money he spent on that car on charity instead? Jeez. It was tempting to write FUCK YOU on the windshield with my lipstick but I didn't want to give him a reason to call Detective Lance on me, so, I'll just leave it. Besides, why the hell was I thinking vandalizing my boss's car? That is so not me. I was searching for my keys through my purse but couldn't find them. Damn it. Where are my keys?
I suddenly hear footsteps. Loud footstep. I didn't hear the elevator open, so, it was not an employee leaving the building.
"Hello?" No one answered.
And I feel like I'm being watched and followed. I hurried to my car. Keys or no keys. I'm getting my car open one way or another. I try using the nail-file. It's stupid, I know. But something is better than nothing. The louder the footstep got, the more my hands were shaking. Unfortunately, the door wouldn't open. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, my instincts kicked in and I swung a fist to hit my stalker in the face only to have my wrist captured in a grasp. It was Slade. Part of me is glad that it was not my father but part of me is in trouble for almost punching Slade in the face. It wouldn't hurt him. It will just make him angry.
"You seem a bit peaked today, Miss Smoak." His grasp was really tight and I tried very hard not to show pain. Still...OW. OW. OW.
"Sorry...Can you let go, please? You're hurting my arm," I said. I shouldn't be apologizing to him though. He was the one who nearly scared the hell out of me.
He didn't move. He didn't make any moves to let go of my wrist. I was afraid he was going to break wrist or do something bad to me. To my surprise, he actually lets go. That's going to leave a bruise in the morning. I mentally sigh of relief.
"Are you all right?"
"What do you want?" Why did he follow me here? Then he showed me my car keys in his hands.
"You left these on your desk. I thought you might be looking for them."
I should slap myself in the face. I should have known I left my keys on my desk. Stupid again.
"I don't know what's wrong with me lately," I mumbled before snatching the keys from his hand. "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
I opened up the door with my found keys and sat in the driver's seat.
"I hope you don't tell anyone I almost punched you in the face. I mean, it was an accident. Well, it wasn't an accident because I really was going to punch you intentionally thinking you were someone else but since you're not that someone else, I sort of...I don't see why I'm still talking to you. Not that I don't want to talk to you. It's just that...No, I think that's it." I pursed my lips. Oops.
He chuckles darkly.
"And who is this someone if I must know Miss Smoak?" he asked.
"Like everything else, Mr. Wilson, I don't think it's any of your business," I keep telling him that. Maybe he'll back off.
"May I ask why? I understand that I must interfere into people's lives but I can tell that something is bothering you even before your current incident. Do I need to remind you that last week you were smashing your face against the windows in your sleep? Now why would you do such a thing, unless you are going completely mad."
"Why can't you just leave it alone? I don't need to talk to you about this." I felt my insides boiling. I'm getting very impatient with him right now. Why does he care?
"You do realize that if you don't tell me, I might investigate myself."
"Fuck off Colton!" I snap at him.
His eye widened at me when I said that. I was shocked as well. Did I really just say my father's name out loud? And did I just cursed at Slade?
"...I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm sorry."
"Miss Smoak -."
I quickly slammed the door closed and shoved the car key in the ignition. Slade kept knocking on my door but I refuse to open it. Once the car started I drove away as quickly as possible. Slade's right. Something is wrong with me.
Slade's POV
"Wade?"
My brother was stabbing an old man in an alleyway. I stared in shock as Wade kept thrusting the knife into the old man's gut repeatedly, blood splattering onto his face and the old man pleading and crying out. I can remember exactly how many times Wade stabbed him. Afterwards, the old man dropped dead. Wade leans down and steals a wallet from the old man's beige jacket. Is that what it was all about? Over some fucking wallet. He turned around and he was surprised that I was standing right behind him. I stared at him in disbelief. My own brother was capable of murder.
His face turned stoic again as he hid the wallet in his black jacket while looking around for any witnesses before he brushes past me.
"Sorry you had to see that," he said, "Let's get out of here."
We were walking down the sidewalk pass a few buildings. We were residing in the most dangerous part of Sydney. Wade likes it here because of the strip clubs. I'm not allowed to go in because I'm a minor. I'm still thirteen. I didn't want to go anyways. Luckily, it was nighttime and almost no one was around to hear us argue about what just happened back there in the alleyway.
"An old man, Wade! An old man! What the heck is wrong with you!?" I snapped at him. I kept getting in front of me. And I sometimes had to walk backwards because he wouldn't stop.
"Shut up," he muttered, "People can hear you."
"What people? No one is here! It's nighttime! No one's here but the two of us walking!"
"What do you want me to do, huh?" he finally stopped in his tracks. "We needed the money. Do you want to starve to death? Because I'll let you starve. Besides, I asked nicely. It's not like he had a whole life ahead of him. I practically did him a big favour."
"Are you even listening to yourself?"
"Loud and clear."
"I know that you want money for us but does not mean you can't just go around stabbing people!" I waved my arms around in protest.
"Oh, really, and what are you going to do about it?" she shoved me backwards, "You gonna tell on me to the police. Do you what they'll do? They'll arrest me and then they're sending you back to Dad. Do you really want that?"
I don't want to go home but I don't like it when Wade keeps blackmailing me about it. He may be older than me but I'm not a little kid anymore.
"...Fuck...you," I hissed before going opposite way my brother was going.
Hours later, my brother returned to the empty warehouse where we were living in secret. A building with boarded windows and door. We have to sneak through the basement to get inside the building. I lay down on the mattress looking up from the ceiling but when I heard him come in, I turn so my back was facing him. I don't even want to look at him. Does he even feel remorse for what he did?
"Hey, Slade, listen. I'm sorry you had to see that. I didn't mean to kill that old man in front of you," he said.
"But you do not regret killing the old man," I said distastefully.
"I did what I had to do," he said, "I bought groceries."
"You first went to the stripper club, then you bought groceries."
"Listen, I need you to do me a favour," he said.
"What?" Suddenly, the wallet Wade stole from the the old man flopped next to my mattress. It was still stayed with blood.
"I need you to burn the wallet with everything inside it. I already have the money. You can get rid of the rest so the police won't find it on me."
I opened up the wallet. There was the guy's credit card, license and ID. The name of the old man. Abraham Kane. There were also mini pictures. One was of an old man, probably his wife. The picture was him and his wife, and a little girl between them. She had brown hair and brown eyes. The last picture was of the little girl alone. She looks about a year younger than me. I take the photo from the wallet and flip it over where her name was written on the back. ADDIE.
"Fuck off, Colton!"
That name Felicity mentioned, it made me curious of who it is. Whoever it was, it filled Felicity Smoak with hatred and feared. It must be someone she knew. I looked through the computer for the man Felicity mentioned involuntarily before driving away. I should have stopped her from leaving. I should have ripped the door out and pulled her out of the car. But my morality forbid me from doing so. My brother would have said "Morality? What morality?" But my brother never understood the true meaning of morality even if it kicked him in the ass.
COLTON.
There were plenty of names popping up on the screen. One of them was a boy named Colton Burpo, a four year old boy that came back from the dead and claimed he saw heaven. But I don't think Felicity was referring to that Colton. It made me more curious. Who is Colton? Then I type in COLTON SMOAK. The picture of a man popped up on the screen along with a few newspapers articles. He was broad-shouldered, rough-looking with black hair and crow's foot in the outer corners of his eyes. He was giving an unnerving smile at the cameras as he was being dragged into a police station.
COLTON SMOAK. AGE 43. ARRESTED 24 TIMES. ATTEMPT OF MURDER. THEFT. 5 RAPES. 1 FAILED ATTEMPT OF RAPE. WIFE EVELYN SMOAK COMMITTED SUICIDE. 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CALLS 9-1-1. CASE STILL IN INVESTIGATION. CASE NEVER SOLVED. COLTON SMOAK ROAMS FREE.
I see a picture of a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. That must have been Felicity's mother. Her real mother. She did not look like her aunt Donna. Another picture of a four-year-old Felicity Smoak appeared on one of the articles. She looks really sad, unlike the other photographs where she was smiling. This man. Colton Smoak. It's her father.
"Excuse me, Mr. Wilson," one of the security guards came into my office, an African-American. "There's a man up here. He just walked in without authorization."
"Unless he has a reason to be here, kick him out now," I told him. I will not have strangers walking in like it was their home.
"He says he's looking for executive assistant Felicity Smoak."
Hmm. To confirm my suspicions, I asked the security guard to let him in. And just as I suspected, it was Felicity's father, Colton Smoak. He looks a lot older than he looked in the photo. Of course, these articles were years go. And was also carrying a bag. Food from Big Belly Burgers. He seems a bit disappointed. Of course, Felicity is not here which is why he seems disappointed. Should I tell him where she is right now?
"Is there something you need?" I asked him. If this man is just as bad as the article says, I wouldn't want him in this building nor do I feel I want him near the executive assistant. If he is here to do harm towards Felicity, I will not allow it. No one will lay a hand on her except for me. I have already made that perfectly clear to Isabel after her failed attempt to kill her.
"I'm looking for Felicity Smoak," he said, "Is she around here?"
"She stepped out," I told him, "She won't come back until tomorrow."
"Oh. It was late, so, I thought I'd bring her dinner. I've brought her favorite. Do you know where she is right now so I can deliver it to her?" he asked.
I stood up from behind my desk and adjusted my bow tie. I try to be as civilized as I can as long as this man does not try to attack me. He will lose if he does anyways.
"I am unaware of her whereabouts," I am not lying to him. I know that she has evening plans with her aunt but I am unaware of her whereabouts. "You can come back tomorrow when she's at work if you wish."
"Well, I was hoping of talking to her in private at dinner. Do you know where she lives?"
I frown at him. I do not like this man at all.
"No," I lied. I almost never lie. But in this occasion, it is necessary.
The man frowned and pursed his lips.
"You can come back tomorrow if you like," I tell.
"...Very well."
Then, he left by escort. Once he left. The security guard came back to check on me. It is not necessary. I'm fine.
"Do not allow that man enter the building ever again, do we have an understanding?" I said and the guard nodded.
Felicity Smoak should be warned about this even if she doesn't wish to hear me out.
Felicity's POV
My mother never took me ice-skating. It was always Donna or my uncle Michael that took me ice-skating. I was a clumsy one in ice-skating though. I keep falling on my ass every now and then. And I think I'll have to change pants. Ice is made of water, you know. We laughed all the while. I love hanging out with Donna. Working for the Arrow is fun and all but it feels good to get away from it sometimes, spend some time with my family, or whatever is left of it. We were having milkshakes afterwards. I always like the chocolate milkshake while Donna liked the mango one. Ew. I never liked mango. It's just weird.
"So, what's he like?" she asked. Giving me the look. She always gave me that "Is he your boyfriend?" look. I have to make it pretty clear that Oliver Queen is not my boyfriend.
"Oliver and I are just friends, Mom."
"No, not him," she said, "The guy that was in your apartment earlier. You know. Mr. Wilson?"
My eyes widened and I nearly choke on the shake. What? Donna thinks that Slade and I are - No! No! No! No! No! Nooooooooooo. That's never gonna happen ever. I rather be dead first than dating Slade Wilson. Just put a bullet in my head and that's it.
"No, Mom. No. Mr. Wilson and I are not dating. I already told you, he's my boss."
"Thank God then," he sighs of relief. Why is she relieved? Usually, she's be disappointed I don't have a boyfriend.
"What's that's supposed to mean? I'm a bit surprised you don't sound disappointed by me not having a boyfriend for once, not that it's not a good thing though," I say to her.
"Well, I'm just saying that he's a little bit, how do I put this nicely...scary. I mean, with the eye-patch and all, he looks like a pirate."
"Wow. I hope he never has to hear you saying that, Mom. He doesn't take offense quite lightly."
"It was a compliment. Does he get angry that easily?"
"You have no idea," I take another sip.
"You know, Felicity, you should really be careful with guys like him. Who knows if he'll be the next -."
"Oh, Mom, I really don't want to talk about that, especially right now that I'm enjoying my night off. Please don't ruin it for me."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean like that. All I'm trying to say is that I think he's too old for you. And people that are too old for you can be a real problem. That's all I'm saying."
"I'm a big girl, Mom. I know how to take care of myself, really."
"Hope you're right."
After we drank our milkshakes, we left the area. Donna had already called a cab and was going to head up back to her motel. I offered her a ride but she gratefully rejected my offer.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay without me tonight?" she asked with concern. The cab has already arrived and the driver seems a bit in a hurry to get out of here. The city is so impatient these days.
"I've had the flu before and I've taken care of myself. I think I can survive."
"Hey, lady, hurry the hell up! I got somewhere else to be!" the cab driver yelled out irritatingly.
"Hey, my daughter just came back from a coma, why don't you shut the hell up and give me a damn second!" Donna snapped back at him. And my eyes widened in surprise. Wow Mom. She stares at me with a smile. "These people treat you like they're from Vegas, you gotta act like you're from Vegas."
It's kind of true. There are some people that are very rude in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sometimes we have to yell to get things straight. Donna embraced me before entering the cab. As soon as she left, I headed back to my car. It was really cold and I clung my beige leather jacket around my body tightly. I have kept my hair down as well. For some reason, I was actually getting tired of wearing a ponytail. It was somehow giving me a headache.
As I walked past an alleyway, I realize I was being followed. There three thugs. Two white and one African-American. I don't know how I know. I just know. They were following and I doubt they want to ask me to prom. They kept whistling and calling me out. I ignored them as I picked up the pace. Keep going Felicity, keep going. Don't let them know you're running. Just go by a nearby store or someplace public where they won't follow you.
"Hey, where ya going?"
"Yeah, what's the hurry? Don't you want to hang out with us?"
You know what? Fuck it, I'm just gonna keep running. I ran as fast as I could and there came the chasing. Great. I'm so in trouble here. Where's Oliver when you need him right now?
I parked my car a few feet away from the ice-skating ring. Yeah, not the best idea. Hey, how am I supposed to know I'm going to be jumped? Jesus Christ, don't blame me for being human.
I ran and they keep chasing after me. Let's be honest, I'm not the fastest runner in the world. In other words, they were already catching up to me. When I got to my car, it was already too late.
One of them grabbed me. "Let go of me!" I yell out. I had already taken out my taser from my purse...What? I have a taser. What makes you all think I don't have a taser in my purse? Anyway, I tased the African-American guy but I got slapped in the face by the other guy. I kicked him in the gut. But the third guy wouldn't let go. "Get off!" I yell. I can't see very well. I had dropped my glasses and there was a lot of struggling.
When I heard one of them take out a pocketknife, I shrieked. The men yelled out as I screamed and there were shattering sounds. The one that held me released me and they all dropped to the ground. It took only ten seconds before I stopped screaming. Wow. That was long...What just happened?
Where-where are my glasses? I squinted my eyes to see where they have fallen. Found them. They're right next to the front tires of my cars. I pick them up and slip them on. I wasn't prepared for what I saw though. The men that tried to assault me...they were on the floor unconscious with blood coming out of their ears. The windows from my car were shattered as well as the windows from a few buildings. I looked around in shock. Did I do that?
I quickly take out my phone from my purse and called Sara.
"Hello?"
"Sara, it's me, Felicity. I need you right now. It's important."
"What's wrong?"
"You need to see this. I don't know how to explain this, but I think I'm a meta-human." No shit, Sherlock.
"...Where are you?"
Okay, guys, Chapter 9 is uploaded. I will take some time to write Chapter 10. But I can't really spoil things. All I can say is that things are going to end up bad in the next chapter. Ii hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review/comment down below. Ask me any questions you want to know about Black Smoak. I'm all ears and heart to every critic.
