Darkness. That's all there is. Everything around her is pitch black. No light. No path. Just what feels like an empty endless room. She tries to look down at her hand but, her eyes are still having trouble adjusting to the dark. All she can see is darkness.
The sound of her breathing is the only noise that fills her ears. She wraps her arms around herself seeking warmth as a slight chill engulfs the area. She bites on her lip, debating her thoughts before trying to clear her throat.
"Hello?" her small voice echoes. She sniffs, fear consuming her body. "Whe- where am I?" her voice shakes as she searches the darkness.
Taking a leap of faith she takes a step forward as her foot feels around with each step after. However, it seems she is just walking endlessly to nowhere. Her shoulders shrug - giving up on looking. She feels so empty - so cold - unlike her normal cool body temperature, thanks to her mother's alter ego this cold feeling is different. It feels deathlike and it is scaring her.
"Mom?" she cries. "Mommy where are you?" her tears running down her cheeks in defeat. "I want my mommy!" she screams, falling onto her knees. Her little chest is hyperventilating with each growing second and it then clicks to her. Her powers are not working.
It's too overwhelming. She feels faint until it hits her - the last memory she can recall. She was in StarLabs with her mother and Uncle Cisco after a horrible episode. So now how did she get here? Before her thoughts start to plug pieces together a voice sounds through her mind.
'Close your eyes'
"Who said that? Who's there?" she rambles, looking around to no avail.
'Close your eyes Valerie'
The voice is firm but having a slight calmness to get. As if from a memory that she just couldn't pinpoint at the moment. "Who are you?" she questions as her eyebrow scrunch in confusion, debating to trust the hidden voice.
'Trust me. Close your eyes and you will get your answers.'
For some reason, she can picture the person smiling - a sweet smile - a mothering smile. She takes a deep breath and slowly shuts her eyes tight as images of her mother float in her head. "I want my mommy," she whispers under her breath.
Suddenly, a whoosh motion jolts her up in fear. Her eyes are wide open as she looks around and finds herself in a bedroom - a boy's bedroom - on the bed. The scene is strange but, the room is familiar in a sense. Slowly, she gets off the bed, lightly stepping on the wood floors. She looks for clues on her whereabouts mixed with the blue walls, book and puzzles, a telescope, and dinosaur posters.
"Am I-" she mumbles, looking around, and sets her eyes on a picture frame on the bedside table. She walks towards it, the image growing bigger with the family portrait. Her breath hitches, "Da- dad?"
A knock on the door causes her to jump and look directly at the entrance. There stood an older woman with long red hair that she had only seen in pictures. Her mouth drops in shock, finding it hard to breathe. "Gra- grandma?" she squeals in confusion.
"Kinda," she smiles, cocking her head. "Come follow me," she says, reaching out her hand.
Without much of a fight, Val quickly runs to the woman's side, taking her hand tightly in her grasp. "Where am I?" her voice small - almost babyish - as her nerves quicken.
Guiding the child down the stairs into the living room of the Allen household, the woman remains silent. She only smiles at the little girl, who contains wonder and confusion in her eyes. She leads them to sit on the couch, Valerie practically on top of her craving answers.
"You had a nasty episode, didn't you?" the woman voices with an arched eyebrow.
Valerie looks at her with slight annoyance and confusion. "Yes..." she stresses. "But that doesn't answer my question," she whines, tugs on the figure of her late grandmother. "Where am I?" her patience running thin and it wasn't helping that her powers are of no use here.
The woman chuckles at the child, "You are very much like your father. I see so much of him in you especially the eyes," she comments, tucking some hair behind Val's ear and cupping her cheek so delicately.
Valerie's eyes perk up - a spark of hope ignited. "My dad? Is he here? Am I... am I dead?" she whispers the last part, worry of her mother being left all alone now.
"You are not dead, littlest Allen," the woman smiles. "In fact, you are merely in a void per se," she explains, placing her clasp hands on her lap.
"Am in the speed force, aren't I?" she gasps, pieces coming together to create the answer she has been longing for.
The woman looking like Nora Allen nods her head. "You are. We brought you here once your mind was fully relaxed. Sorry about the overdrive to your head. So many things were happening at once," she tries to explain but Val only expresses a blank face. "We couldn't keep up with all the changes that were happening simultaneously."
She blinks her eyes as her face scrunches in confusion. Too many things to process and comprehend. She is still just a little girl - 6 years old - and here this figure that looks like her grandma is speaking to her as if she were an adult. It's too much. She doesn't want to be here anymore. She shakes her head to wash away all the process thoughts.
"Why am I here?" she mumbles, her glassy eyes pouting at the figure before. "Why did you bring me here? I've done everything you've asked of me," her voice cracking. "I just want to go home to my mommy, please," she begs as tears build up in her eyes.
"You will, in due time," the woman reassures. "Right now, you just need to wait it out until the connection courses through you again."
"Connection?" Valerie questions, her eyebrows arched high into her forehead.
The woman laughs with a smile, "Your spark connection." As the child continues to look at her with confusion, the woman clears her throat and takes hold of the little girl's hands. With a heavy sigh, she starts to explain to the child. "One time when you were just a baby, you had an extreme overdose of your mental abilities. It was so much for your small mind that it started to decay your brain cells that your regenerating healing abilities couldn't keep up. At the same time, your mother and father were trying to figure out what was wrong with you. Unfortunately, they would never be able to pick this up on their scans as your abilities were able to basically hide your meta abilities from any and all tests," her words are slow and gentle for the child to understand.
"Like an invisible shield?" she asks, seeking answers.
The woman chuckles, "Yeah, kind of like that." She smiles sweetly at the girl and continues her explanation, watching Valerie's expression for any indication that she lost her. "Well, you, my dear child, so tiny and scared reached out for your parents - for a connection. With each parent taking a designated hand, a spark flooded your system."
Valerie's eyes widen in disbelief. "Like a jump start?" she pipes in with wonder. Her mind reeling to all the times she would hold onto both her parents' hands and being filled with such relief - peace. Along with a slight sting of electricity that she always thought was a result of her father's ability.
"Yeah," she nods. "Kind of. More of like a reset for your mind," she adds with a smile, playing with the girl's hair.
A gasp escapes her lips, as thoughts click. "Is that... is that why my episodes are getting worse?" she asks with worry in her tone. "Because my dad is gone and not there to help reset me anymore?" her eyes moving back and forth as her brain processes the past six months of pain.
The woman swallows a lump in her throat. Val can see the hidden pain in her eyes before she slowly nods her head. "I'm afraid so Val," she speaks so softly.
Tears well up in her eyes and violently shakes her head. "I don't want to die," she cries. She stands to her feet, aggressively wiping away her tears with her arm. "I want to go back! I want my mommy!" she screams in a tantrum.
"Valerie you need to calm down," Nora says, trying to comfort her but is met with force. Val pushes her arms away, struggling to get out of her reach.
"No! Leave me alone!" she yells, slapping, and hitting the woman. "I just want my mom! I just want my mom," she cries repeatedly.
"Let her go," a booming voice echoes throughout the room.
Valerie stills her actions as she looks at the person standing a few feet away. Her breath stocks at the man before her. He still looks the same as if time hasn't past and maybe for him, it hasn't. She studies him, looking at all his features. Her little heart rate pounding in her ears with mixed emotions. It's all so overwhelming as the tears blind her eyesight. She blinks them away as they stream down her face. She composer crumbling by the second.
"Daddy!" she cries running towards him. In a swift motion, he picks her up in his arms, hugging her tightly as she buries her head into his shoulder. Her arms wrap around his neck as her legs wrap around his waist.
"My baby," he cries, tightening his hold and kissing the top of her head. "My baby girl," he smiles through his tears and kisses her cheek. His hand rubbing her back in a circular motion - calming her cries. He whispers into her ear in a soothing voice, "Daddy's here. Daddy's got you," he repeats until she is calm in his hold.
With each word, she buries her head deeper into her father's shoulder and tightening her grip around him. Scared if she lets go he will vanish. "I missed you so much," her small voice cracks, choking on her tears.
"Barry Allen, you were supposed to wait outside," the voice of Nora Allen rings into her ears.
Barry instinctively wraps his arms tighter and steps back from the figure. "Not when I hear my daughter screaming in pain," his voice dripping in anger. "She is a child," he growls. "My child," he adds as his hand clasps over Valerie's head - holding her closer to him.
"You need to put her down," Nora Allen demands, stepping forward. "We are not done talking to her. Our time is limited, might I remind you," she adds with a bite to her tone.
Whimpers leave the child's lips as Valerie tightens her hold out of fear of being ripped from her father's arms. "No," she whines. "Don't let me go daddy. I don't want to die," she cries in his neck as her tears stain his shirt.
Barry looks at the figure of his mother in anger as she stares back with the same fire in her eyes. "Barry you need us to help her. She has to go back and if she's not prepared neither will you," she reminds him.
His mind races before he gives his child one last hug and sets her down, kneeling so he is at her eye level. "Val I need you to listen to me," his voice soft with evident pain as he holds her small hands in his.
"Please daddy," she cries, shaking her head and wanting to be back in his embrace but he holds her still in place. "I don't want to die! I can't leave mommy all alone! She can't lose another child," she cries, the ache straining her voice. "I should have been me," she adds, her voice cracking as the tears stream faster down her face.
Her words break his heart as he pulls her back into his arms - hugging her tightly. Looking over her shoulder, he sees Nora's face drop in sadness. He kisses the child's head and slowly pulls away to see her face. He lets one hand softly wipe away the tears as the other tilts her chin to make her look at him.
"Valerie Jade," he voice stern with a fire in his belly. "Like I told you before. You are not made to carry the burden -"
"But it was supposed to me!" she cries interrupting him. She looks over her shoulder at Nora Allen then back to her father. "They said it was supposed to me - not you. You should be with mommy so then she won't be alone," she cries.
"Hey hey hey," Barry coos, cupping her face and wiping away the fresh tears. "You are not going to die, you hear me. I will not allow it and neither will the speedforce," he says looking over at Nora Allen, who nods. He swallows some built-up salvia and gives the figure a nod before looking back at his daughter. "I need you to take a breath and listen to them. I will be right here next to you," he reassures with a smile.
Valerie takes a deep breath and slowly breathes out before nodding her head. Her father smiles at her then stands up. She wraps her hand in his as he leads her back to the couch. She sits on his lap and pulls his arms to wrap around her with a peaceful smile - enjoying the moment. He kisses the top of her head and gives her a tight squeeze causing a small giggle to escape her lips.
Nora smiles at the small exchange then clears her throat. "Now Valerie, I understand that what I said scared you but, there is hope to fix you. Remember how I said we are waiting for the spark connection?" The child nods, uncertain. A small laugh leaves Nora's lips. "Well with the appearance of your father's younger self will help with that."
"But he's not supposed to be there," Valerie comments, pouting her lips.
Barry looks at Nora confused, "I never traveled to this future," he adds.
Nora nods, "You didn't - before. But something went wrong causing you to appear in this future," her tone, disappointed. "You never seem to listen to our warnings and now your family just may pay the price."
Barry's face scrunches in concern. "So what does that have to do with Val?"
Before an answer can come, an echo shakes the room. The voice is so familiar to the duo that Valerie jumps off her father's lap, looking up at the ceiling. "Mommy?" her voice a mere whisper.
'Val please wake up.'
Nora's face fills with worry. "She's about to wake up. We are running out of time," she snaps, quick to her feet. "We need to get her back upstairs, now."
Barry grabs his daughter and runs up the stairs. He gently lays her on his childhood bed, sitting on the edge, and wipes a few stray strands away from her face with a smile. "I'm gonna miss you Snowflake," his voice cracks.
"Am I ever going to see you again?" she asks as her eyes glass over in sadness.
"You will," Nora now turning into Caitlin says.
Barry stands to his feet, shielding his daughter as his hands clench into fists. "I told you, you are not allowed to do that. You do not get to look like my wife," he growls at the appearance.
She rolls her eyes and scoffs at him. "Simmer down, will you?" she walks over to the other side of the bed as Barry's glare follows her every step. "It will just be for a moment to get Valerie back home." She turns to the child, who looks up at her in fear.
"How do you turning into my mom help with getting me back?" Val squeaks, scooting closer to her father.
The woman squats, with a soft smile. "So we can replicate the spark to wake you up," her voice comforting as she motions for Val to move back into place.
The little girl looks up at her father for reassurance. He still has a tight lip with a fire in his eyes - his anger is still very present. However, Val tugs at his arm to catch his attention causing his face to soften. She gives him a weak smile with pleading eyes.
"I'm gonna miss you," she chokes as he sits back at the edge of the bed.
He opens his mouth but the speed force intrudes. "You will see him again Val. We promise. We just need you to help get his younger self back to his time," she adds.
"How am I suppose to do that?" she complains, shaking her head. "I'm just a kid," she adds with a heavy sigh.
"You are more powerful than you know," Barry adds, cupping her cheek. "You are the daughter of Barry Allen and Dr. Caitlin Snow - the Flash and Frost. You are our miracle child - born from an opposite pair," he smiles then kisses her forehead. "You are more than just a kid because you are my kid. I love you, Val," he breathes.
Her eyes clouding with tears, "I love you, daddy."
The speed force gives the duo a nod, indicating it's time. Valerie lays down, closing her eyes to start drifting. Barry takes her hand as his thumb rubs back and forth across her knuckles. Just as the speed force is about to take her other hand, Barry jumps to stop them.
"Wait," he demands then leans over and whispers something into his daughter's ear. A small smile appears on her face as a single tear escapes her closed eyes - cascading down her cheek - and she nods. Barry smiles back then looks over at the speed force Caitlin with a nod. "I'm ready," he sighs.
With a single breath, she takes the other hand and they watch as the little girl vanishes from their sight.
Visions flash in her mind as she comes back to her mind and body for them to quickly disappear. The spark still coursing through her as it jolts her up. The conversations and interactions still present on her mind that she keeps her eyes shut - afraid the memories will vanish too. Her emotions getting the better of her as the tears fall down her face. She wants to go back. She wants her father back.
Warm arms wrap around her, pulling her close to their chest. It finally clicks in her head where she is. She is safe - for now. She needs to help her mom to ensure their future. But first...
"I saw daddy," she breathes then looks up with glass eyes. "He told me to tell you something..."