CHAPTER 12

"How's Nora? Is she alright?" Kurt asked Barry when he sped back into the room.

"She's fine. I told her and Henry to get out of the city. Stay away for a bit until we sort things out," Barry explained.

"They're taking this whole thing quite well actually, seeing as my mother just got kidnapped and both my parents saw a guy move at superhuman speed," Sebastian said, still wearing the red Flash suit.

"How did Tremor fall for it? Wouldn't she have known Sebastian was the fake Flash?" Blaine asked.

"Which is why we made it quite believable. I sped Sebastian over there and sped away again, so it looked as if Sebastian was the speedster with the yellow lighting around him and all," Barry explained. Blaine nodded.

"I'm done! Finally!" Wells suddenly declared, holding up a metallic device.

"What is it?" Kurt asked

"Well, long story short, all Barry has to do is attach this to the vibrational device. When he runs, this device I built will dampen Tremor's powers while simultaneously allowing both Tremor and Barry to vibrate at the same frequency as their Earth, pulling them both back home, "Wells explained. Kurt thought it was a good plan but Barry frowned at Wells.

"How do you know at what frequency I vibrate at? You didn't do any tests," Barry asked.

"Barry relax. I'm a very smart man. Trust me," Wells told him. Barry didn't buy it.

"Wells, I'm a scientist too remember? How do you know what frequency I vibrate at?" Barry asked again.

"It's easy. Simple built-in detectors in this vibrational dampener," Wells said indicating the device he just built. Kurt noticed that Barry wasn't convinced and still looked at Wells suspiciously but seemed to let it go for now. They had much bigger problems on their plate.

Suddenly, there was loud banging on the auditorium door. A girl seemed to be cursing at it while an older man was trying to reprimand her for her language.

"Mr. Schue! I told you there are people here! Look they even locked the door! It could be the damn Warblers with stupid Sebastian trying to steal our songs or something," The girl seemed to be shouting.

"Santana calm down! I have the key! Mind your language!" Mr. Schue replied.

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other in horror. Barry seemed to be at a loss of what to do and Wells just looked confused.

"Great. Of all people who had to discover us, it had to be future-inmate-Sha-Queer-A. Couldn't it be wheelchair guy or young Barbara Streisand's overly hulking boyfriend?" Sebastian muttered.

"Hey! They're our friends! They have names!" Blaine said, advancing angrily. Kurt had to hold him back.

"Whatever. I'm going to sit over here and watch the drama unfold," Sebastian said, taking a seat and rolling his eyes at Blaine's reaction.

"So I could just super-speed away. Sebastian, give me back my suit," Barry said. Sebastian didn't make any attempt to move. He just sat there and crossed his legs.

"No. no. You can't super-speed away Barry. How're we going to explain this?" Blaine replied, indicating Wells and the scraps of metal strewn all over the place as a result of him building the vibrational dampener. "Besides, Mr. Schue is with her. We could probably use their help," Blaine continued.

"I really don't need anyone else knowing my secret identity. It's just going to put everyone in danger," Barry said seriously. Before Blaine could react, Barry suddenly cried out in pain, clutching his head in agony. It was happening again. Tremor was trying to vibe here, only this time it seemed worse and prolonged. Barry fell to the floor, writhing. Kurt noticed blood dripping from his nose. Barry let out another agonising scream. Kurt ran to him, trying to calm him down. Suddenly, the auditorium door was flung open and in came Santana and Mr. Schue. They froze at the sight of the scene in front of them. No one had time to even react to their presence there because Tremor suddenly Vibed in front of them. Kurt noticed Santana and Mr. Schue's flabbergasted expressions. He sighed. They were in the loop now, nothing could change that.

"Well Barry Allen, you think you can fool me? You think this is over? I'm done playing games! You will do as I say!" Tremor said, rage apparent in her eyes. Barry struggled but managed to get up. He wiped the dripping blood from his nose.

"Tremor! You are going to kill innocent people! For what? Power? This whole Earth destroyed for your selfish needs? I am not going to let that happen!" Barry replied, equally enraged. Tremor laughed bitterly.

"Oh you will do as I say, Flash," Tremor said, her bitter smile apparent on her cruel face. Tremor suddenly pulled another hostage in view and Kurt noticed Barry's petrified expression when he saw who it was. It was Iris. The waitress Barry was so worried about in the Lima Bean. She was definitely someone important in his life judging by his angered expression. Kurt could have sworn he felt the rage pouring out of Barry in waves.

"LET HER GO!" Barry bellowed at Tremor. She was unfazed and just chuckled.

"You won't trick me this time. I know you've been working with Harrison Wells. He's the only one who could've figured out my plan," Tremor said.

"Let her go, Tremor!" Barry said again, shaking.

"No! I won't! She's somewhere where you'll never be able to super-speed her away fast enough because I've rigged the whole room with explosives. If you so much as touch the door, it detonates and Iris West of this Earth will be no more!" Tremor told him, her voice bitter and full of anger. Barry seemed to slump where he stood. Kurt noticed the helpless expression on his face.

"Fine. I'll do anything. I'll do anything you want, just please…please don't hurt her…please," Barry begged.

"You know what I want. And this stupid school you insist on hiding out in will be the first to go once my device is operational. Meet me at the football field in two hours, Flash," Tremor said. It was Kurt's turn to feel petrified. She was at their school. They were definitely going to die.

"No! Tremor! These people are innocent! Please don't do this!" Barry tried to reason.

"They're helping you, Flash. That does not make them innocent! This whole Earth will be destroyed. You better be there, Barry Allen or your future wife's doppelganger gets a premature death!" Tremor said, cruel determination clear on her face as she pushed Iris in front of him. Kurt was taken aback. Future wife? That explained Barry's reaction towards Iris. He loved her. Well, he loved the Iris on his Earth but this was Iris as well. Tears were flowing freely down Iris' face. Her gag prevented her from speaking. All Barry could do was stare helplessly at her.

"I will get you out! Iris! I will save you! I promise you!" Barry told her. Iris nodded at him. Tremor pulled her away and stared cruelly once again at Barry before disappearing in a burst of energy. Barry fell on his knees.

"Barry, you can't confront her now. If you do, without a plan, we'll all just end up dead," Wells tried to tell him. Barry stood up, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

"I know," he said quietly.

"What the heck just happened? What in the world is going on? Tell me what's happening!" Santana demanded. She seemed quite frantic. Kurt had almost forgotten Mr. Schue and Santana were there. He eyed Sebastian who nodded at Kurt and led Santana and Mr. Schue to the other side of the room. He hoped Sebastian could manage to explain this craziness to them.

"Barry, we'll save Iris. Wells will figure out a way," Kurt told him, attempting to place his hand on Barry's shoulder to comfort him but Barry moved away from him.

"I know," Barry said again. "I just…need some air. I need…to be alone for a while. I'll be back," Barry told them. Kurt looked at him worriedly. Barry looked around the room once before disappearing in a flash of yellow lightning.

Kurt sighed and sat down. This was not good. Nothing was looking good at the moment.