100 Ways

89. I noticed.

Whoever this second speedster was led him on a wild goose chase. They had him running all over the city, state, and surrounding areas for two hours. Every time Barry thought he could catch up to them, they outran him again. Barry's body was being pushed to the limits, and it was only when they got away for the fifth time that he finally listened to Caitlin and ran home to S.T.A.R. Labs.

Two things were certain, though. Barry was certain that this was the speedster that killed his mother. The yellow suit, the red lightning…even though Barry had only caught glances and glimpses from when he'd gotten closer in the chase, he was certain.

The other thing was that, whoever this speedster was, they were faster than him.

Barry fell to his knees when he stopped in S.T.A.R. Labs. Caitlin immediately rushed to his side, helping him to his feet and over to an exam table.

"C…Could you tell a-anything about who…who it is?" Barry asked.

"No, nothing," Cisco said. "The speed force traces are remarkably similar to yours, but different. I don't know if that's normal across speedsters or not, though, since you and this guy are the only ones we know of."

Barry gulped down the glass of water that Caitlin had brought to him. "He's fast."

"Too fast," Cisco agreed.

"How am I ever going to catch him?" Barry asked.

"We'll find a way," Caitlin said. "We'll amp up your training starting tomorrow. Whatever we can do. We know what this means to you."

Barry nodded, his eyes slipping closed as he slumped forward, elbows on his knees. His mother's face swam behind his eyelids, and he imagined her laugh. Always the same laugh, from the childhood video Joe had given him. In it, Barry and Iris were at the park, and Barry had pushed Iris so hard she fell off the swing. Instead of crying, though, Iris had turned around and pushed Barry right back. Behind the camera, Nora was trying not to laugh but couldn't help herself as Henry wrestled the children apart.

"I know this will cut into your time with Eddie, but I'm sure we can—"

Barry's heart dropped into his stomach. "Eddie," he breathed.

"If you want to still prioritize your time with him, we can. However you want your schedule—"

"No, no, shit, what time is it?" he asked, dread crawling its way up his throat.

"7:20," Cisco replied.

"Fuck!" Barry yelled, slamming his hands down on the exam table. "I have to go."

"But Barry—"

"Caitlin, I have to go," he said, pulling his mask back over his face.

"Your clothes are in the training room," Cisco said.

"Don't need 'em," Barry said.

Cisco frowned. "Okay? Like TMI, but—"

"I'm going to tell Eddie," Barry said.

"Tonight?" Caitlin squeaked.

"Now," Barry replied. "See you guys tomorrow."

Barry ran out of the building and toward Eddie's apartment before he realized he didn't quite know where Eddie was. He changed course and called Eddie.

"Barry," his boyfriend greeted tersely, picking up on the first ring.

"Ah, you've probably already noticed, but I'm late to dinner."

"Yeah, I noticed," he said bitterly.

"Are you still there?"

"No, they only hold reservations for fifteen minutes, Barry. I just got home."

"Okay, good. I'm coming over." He changed direction.

"Barry, I don't think—"

"I need to tell you," Barry said quickly. "I need to tell you what I've been keeping from you."