Barry woke up with a soft groan, eyes squeezed shut. His aching body begged him to go back to sleep, but his mind was too alert for that to be an option. The last thing he remembered was Cyrus sticking a knife and- ugh.
A wave of nausea hit him and if Barry wasn't already sitting, he would be swooning. He pressed his lips tightly together, swallowing heavily. The living room was weirdly silent and he decided to finally open his eyes. The light was dim, just like it had been before he had been...ambushed. The living room was empty, but Barry couldn't find it in him to care or dwell further on it. While in his sleep he had leaned on his left arm, the arm that had been unlucky enough to receive the attention of dislocation. Now he tried to somehow ignore the pain that spread through his entire arm and up to his shoulder. Not to mention that the 'injury' on his neck was excruciatingly painful despite the knife having been pulled out. Barry suppressed a groan, shifting in his seat as he tried to get into a comfortable positions, which he eventually deemed impossible and gave up, resting his head on the back of the chair. He focused on breathing through his mouth evenly, pushing down all kinds of bilious feelings.

Suddenly, the front door flew open, Cyrus entering with a milkshake in hand. Barry immediately grew alert and jumped up. Wrong move. He let out a groan, pain erupting almost everywhere on his shoulders, neck, and arm. Cyrus didn't give him a second glance as he walked straight into the kitchen. Barry eyed the open door. Now might be his last chance. He took a deep breath before vibrating his right hand, silently pleading for his particles to go through the rope. He couldn't stand being held captive like this. Normally, he had a lot more tolerance for his enemies who wanted him dead and in pain. Today was not a normal day. Sadly, his prayer hadn't been heard or his luck was too unfortunate because his hand didn't pass through. He gritted his teeth, frustration seeping into him from all places. He needed to get out of here, save Iris, get the antidote and send these guys back to jail.

A chuckle snapped him out of his thoughts and his head snapped towards the door to the sound of the voice. James closed the door behind him and Axel, smirking. "What did the poor carpet ever do to you?"

Barry assumed he was glaring at the and that was what the trickster was referring to.

"Good to know you're awake, you passed out," Axel snickered. And they let me sleep? Barry thought suspiciously, arching an eyebrow. Upon noticing his doubtful expression, Axel shrugged. "We're not the bad guys here."

Barry snorted bitterly at that.
"Now, now, enough chit-chat. It's starting to be late," James said, exchanging a pointed look with Cyrus who had left the kitchen and reentered the living room. Barry couldn't see Cyrus and he didn't have an ounce of energy to crane his neck to look, nor was he interested in telling them his identity. But whatever Cyrus signaled back, it made James quite happy.

"We need to leave, Mr. Allen," Cyrus said, appearing in front of him with the most fake smile ever. Barry cocked an eyebrow, wondering what approach they were going to try now.

"Tell us who the Flash is and we'll leave," Cyrus said, raising his hands up in the sign of surrender. Barry sighed. Though by now it was clear they didn't believe him a bit, he kept on the 'I don't know' act. "I'm an easy person to crack, I seriously don't know who he his."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Cyrus said with a disapproving hum. He turned to the young trickster. "Axel?"

Axel pulled out a touchpad from his duffle bag, turning it on and he began to scroll through something. He then flipped it around and Barry's heart jumped, eyes widening. Iris was gagged and tied to a pipe, a bomb planted above her. She was trying her best to get out, and she could do it with a little effort, so what was holding her back? Barry studied the bomb carefully and noticed the wire leading to behind Iris's back and disappearing from sight. His heart sank and he pursed his lips. If Iris even moved an inch, the bomb might go off.

"Tell us who it is behind that mask and you both are free to go," Cyrus offered with a sly smile. Barry swallowed heavily. "Okay."
That seemed to brighten their moods, but Barry wasn't easy to fool. "But first, proof that this footage is live."

Cyrus rolled his eyes and nodded at Axel. Axel scrolled sideways and the camera moved to the right, revealing three other hostages. His jaw clenched when he noticed the little boy, sniffling, eyes red. "Those are mine," Axel said proudly, grinning.

Barry felt sick to the stomach, and he deemed the footage as the cause, though the real reason was clear. He wasn't getting any better. If it went like this, it wasn't long before he'd loose his speed completely, and he needed it to escape. In a way that they wouldn't notice or find out that he is the Flash.
"You've got your proof, now spill," Cyrus demanded. Barry sighed. "Can you at least let me sit on the couch?"

"James, release him."

James frowned. "But-"

"Just do it!"

James nudged Axel, who sighed and walked forward, loosing the knots on the rope. Barry felt relief as blood flowed freely through his wrist. He stood up, left arm limp at his side. He supported his arm with his right hand, making sure not to let it dangle at the angle it was in. He then sat down o the couch, well aware of the burning eyes in front of him. But right now, his body was in too much pain. Barry pushed down the nauseous feelings that surfaced and took a deep breath, hand coming up to touch the back of his neck. He recoiled when a wave of shocking pain erupted, despite a gauze having been placed over it.

"Talk," Cyrus said, plopping down on the armchair across him. Barry nodded slowly. "I found out a few months later after the particle accelerator explosion. Nine months to be exact," he stalled, trying to come up with a plan. "The metas in the city had become too many and-"

"Why were you adopted by Joe?" Axel wondered. Barry was actually happy Axel asked that. There was no way he could win over these guys with strength, nor could he use his powers and give them exactly what they want. "Well, my mom died when I was little. She was murdered by the Flash's enemy-"

"Axel, that's not important!" Cyrus growled. He then stopped up, tilting his head to the side. "Your mother was killed by the Flash's enemy?" There was no sympathy, not that Barry expected any either, only curiosity. He decided that the only way to get out of this mess was to signal his team. And to do that he'd need his phone. Now where did Axel put it after taking it? "Yeah, that's why he took me in and I helped him."
Barry had to admit, it was a pretty believable lie since it was kind of close to the truth.

Cyrus nodded. "The man in the blue suit."

Barry shook his head, partially distracted by trying to figure out where his phone was without it being too obvious. "That's Zoom. The Flash's previous enemy was the Reverse-Flash." It felt weird to be talking about his major enemies with his enemies, but right now it was also a gateway for stalling. Unfortunately, Cyrus noticed this. He shook his head and glanced at the clock. "Quit stalling. Just say the name and your foster sister Iris will be safe, the same goes for you."

Barry nodded. "Uh...so I was curious as to who it was behind that mask and then one day-"

"Hurry up," Cyrus snapped. Axel rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his touchpad. His brows furrowed and Barry stared at him, searching his face to try to find out what was wrong.

"Uh Cyrus?" Axel whispered. James sighed. "Wait Axel."

"Stalling is not helping your case," Cyrus mused, eyes sharp. In an instant he lashed forward, pinning Barry's bad shoulder to the couch. Barry gritted his teeth, trying not to utter a single word. Just then he glimpsed the screen of his phone over the fireplace, placed upside down."Who is the man behind the mask?" Cyrus asked calmly, applying pressure. Barry opened his mouth to tell him it was a police officer just to get rid of the painful pressure, when Axel suddenly cursed. He looked up angrily. "Cyrus!"

He flipped the touchbad so that Cyrus could see what was playing out on screen. Barry's eyes widened. Oliver was helping Iris stand up, and she rubbed her wrists before looking into the camera. Oliver stared up at it and shot an arrow, making the screen turn to white static.

Barry turned his attention back to Cyrus, whose grip on his arm had slackened. Cyrus's eyes were filled with hatred, shock all over his face. "Arrow..." he mumbled, forcing his gaze away from the screen. Cyrus let go of his arm and stood up, deep in thought. He then nodded to James and Barry watched in confusion as the trickster lunged forward. His confusion was soon gone, replaced by unexpected pain as James dug a finger into the soft gauze on Barry's neck. Barry tried not to cry out as James'other hand kept a tight grip on his neck, his eyes squeezed shut in pain. The pain was different from anything he'd ever experienced, almsot like all the nerves in his body were getting electrocuted. Automatic tears gathered in his eyes and his right hand came up to push James' arm away from his neck, but the excruciating pain clouded his strength. He then tried to kick the guy, but Axel grabbed his legs yet again.

"You have one last chance to tell us who the Flash is. If you don't want to, it's fine. Tell me who the Arrow is, and we will let you go. You don't owe him anything," Cyrus pressed. James looked a little annoyed, but didn't react too much. Barry wished he had time to wonder what they had agreed to as he cried out when James dug his nail under the gauze. "Okay, Okay! I'll spill," he said, all his attempts at pushing James away failing. James let go and Barry slumped on the couch, grimacing heavily. He was sweating and didn't feel good at all.

"Who is it?"

Barry moistened his lips, names going through his mind. "It's Fred Chyre."

"Who, the Arrow?" Cyrus demanded. Barry shook his head. "The Flash."

"What if he's lying?" Axel wondered. James grinned, wiping his bloody fingers off on a tissue. Barry felt even worse watching his gross hands.

"Well, then-" James started.

"It's him. He's a police officer, worked with Joe," Barry said, trying to keep his eyes open. He felt exhausted, his lethargic body not wanting to respond to anything but rest. Barry prayed they would believe him. Fred Chyre was Joe's boss who died the night of the particle accelrator explosion after they tried to apprehend Clyde Mardon, Mark's brother.

Axel frowned, turning to the other two. James looked pretty smug with himself while Cyrus looked like he didn't completely belive that they'd been able to crack him. Barry tried to look guilty. "I've told you guys everything now, what more do you want?"

Cyrys smirked, his voice too calm. "You're right. Thank you. Don't worry, the Flash will understand the circumstances you were put under." He took a step forward. "Or maybe I should say Fred."

Barry understood it far too late and was unable to dodge the punch Cyrus threw at him. His head pounded and he tried his best to keep his eyes open. And as his eyes lolled up in his head, he knew that even if he had been able to dodge, it wouldn't do much. Cyrus Vanch and the Tricksters were far from done with him.

Z-FLASH-Z

Sorry for the late update, I was in England and now finals week is coming up. I'll try my best to update tho! (:
Reviews encourage me a lot, so please review yoour thoughts on this chapter and what you`d like to see in the next one. ^.^