Sore.

That was the first thing Wally felt as the sun of Wednesday morning swept into his room.

Sore. He was so sore. For the most part, the slashes around his body had healed. The cuts that had littered his face and soaked his pillow were now closed, leaving nothing but sun-kissed freckles in their wake.

The only physical sign that anything had happen at all was the large cut that tore across his chest.

Damn.

He knew it was healing slower last night, but still.

The cut wasn't nearly as deep as it was before, now barely a sliver that had thankfully stopped leaking blood.

But still…..

Why hadn't it healed yet? Sure he didn't eat as much yesterday, but it been at least six hours since then. It should be gone by now.

He racked his brain for a logical conclusion, but sighed when nothing came. Oh well he'll just have to deal, it probably was a fluke right?

What else is he supposed to do? If he ask Uncle Barry he'll just hound him with questions about how he got injured.

Besides,

"Wallace"

"I'm gonna extend your suspension from the team for another week and also I'm gonna cut your sidekick patrols this week"

"This can't happen again Kid, a hero goes missing and we assume the worse"

Memories of his last conversation with Barry are still heavy on his mind, he 'd rather not add to them.

Plus it was still early, barely five am. Barry wouldn't be up till at least seven, unless a mission called for it.

The pain wasn't unbearable, he's had worse.

And he was already at rock bottom,so Wednesday was only looking up from there.

So yeah, he didn't dwell on his slow healing. Instead he practiced not wincing as he got out of bed and stretched his still sore, still healing muscles.

Walking to the bathroom, he tried to keep the whole 'this will be a great day' mood. But as soon as he looked in the mirror that thought faded away.

Shit! The clothes, Chad's clothes. The once highly expensive garments were torn and stained with blood. Even the shoes, even Chads god damn shoes….everything was ruined.

Shit!

"Well now Chads gonna hate me" Wally murmured before stripping off the tattered clothes and stepping into the small tub.

He quickly showered, brushed his teeth and raked his hand over his hair before shucking on the first baggy outfit he could find and throwing Chads old clothes into the trash.

"Sorry man, my dog tore them so I just threw them away",Wally said with the fakest apology expression he could muster. He figured if he started practicing bullshit excuses now, he would come up with a good one by the time he reached school.

Central City is close but it's still a bit away from Blue Valley after all.

And as much as he'd rather run there in two minutes…...Kid Flash is suspended.

So two hour walk it is then.

….The walk ended up being only an hour and forty five minutes.

It wasn't draining, Wally literally didn't feel an ounce of tiredness once he was finished. But that's expected, he's run around the world before without breaking a sweat.

What he didn't expect was to run into Chad, and Clint the minute he got onto campus. Damn, and he hadn't found a good excuse yet.

He waved at the two as the well dressed teens waved back, well Chad waved back, Clint just glared. They were huddled around a mass of jocks and rich kids extraordinaires. Some Wally definitely remembers from Abigail's party, others, hed wish he forget.

Great, he has to go over there huh. He tried mulling over the five hundred excuses he had created on his way there but sighed when none really stuck.

Shit!

'This is all bull shit' a sour voice echoed in his mind. He nearly nodded to agree with the voice before a hopeful voice whispered in retort, 'Cmon Wallman think positive'.

Okay, postive….postive. Hey maybe Chad won't even bring up the clothes , yeah they're dudes after all. They probably wanna talk about sports or something.

When Wally finally approached the group, Clint shot every postive thought Wally had down the drain, "Look who's back to looking like a nark. What you realize wearing another dudes threads is humiliating or did you get desperate and sell his clothes off for spare change ".

Of course that encouraged the loudest bank of laughter from the others. Some even bother commenting on how pathetic Wally looked. Others took time to note how pathetic Wally was.

Fuck, Clint Strem. Fuck him and this whole conversation.

"Oh uh - well I don't exactly-

Chad chuckled, "Don't mind them man, Clints a sourdick every morning. The rest of us man we're just teasing. Besides we all know Clints just mad cause his big old beef shoulders makes him too big to wear any of my clothes". As if to emphasize his point Chad sauntered over to Clint and rubbed his big shoulders.

Again the large group of jocks chuckled out barrels of laughter and wailed out insults. This time they were direct to Clint.

Clint didn't seem bothered. He simply rolled his eyes and pushed Chads hands off of him, "Think what you want Oberliki but I'd bet money the nerdling sold your shit. I've known him for a while, once a bitch always a bitch". To emphasize his point Clint stalk closer to Wally and muttered, "Go on tell him bastard".

Wally bit his lip and winced.

What exactly should he do?

Telling the truth was definitely out. 'Hey my dad kinda tore up all your shit as he was beating the shit out of me', doesn't get anyone what they want. And going along with Clint's stupid theory was just social suicide. As if he needs the whole, I'm a thief who sells borrowed shit label.

Thankfully before he could even blurt out the first reasonably lie to pop in his head, Chad's unbothered voice rang out.

" Wally's cool man, I doubt he would but even if he did it's none of my business. I gave him the clothes. They belong to him now", Chad said while draping his arm across both boys once more.

Clint immediately shrugged his off while Waly just stood there stunned.

They belong to him? Really?

Its stupid, it is. There just clothes, but it's been so long. It's been so, so so long, since someone normal gave him something and ask for nothing in return.

As if sensing Wally's obvious discomfort Clint smiled and bit out, "What's wrong West, aint ya use to charity"

Wally didn't bother replying, he was still so stunned. Still a bit unsure. He didn't even move when the bell rang signaling school had started. Why would Chad, what would he gain?

Clint apparently took Wally's silence for answer and decided to let out a loud 'guess not' before brushing past the two and walking off. His bank of followers, uhmm correction "teammates" followed after him. Many fist bumping Chad and smacking Wally on the shoulder as they left.

Best part of being stunned, even though the shoulder wacks hurt like hell on his still healing body Wally didn't even wince.

Still hurt like hell though.

"I swear he gets more obnoxious by the day. Come on man let's just get to class, Deaton may already be sleep but I don't wanna risk my perfect attendance", Chad said once Clint was gone.

Again Wally said nothing. He had worried his mind sick since five and Chad, Chad didn't even care about the clothes. It was refreshing really, in that very instance he started to see Chad in a way he has only seen members of his team. Is this what it's like? To have friends in school?

"Earth to Wallyyyyyyy"Chad said while shaking the redhead.

With his fingers deeply pressed into Wally's sore shoulders and his backpack smacking against Wally's thigh, the red could help but hiss "What "

Taking the hiss for anger instead of pain, Chad didn't bother apologizing instead he sarcastically bit back, "Homeroom, we have five minutes to get to class. Are you coming "?

Oh right. They had the same homeroom.

"Yeah okay, umm what about Abigail? Shouldn't we wait for her?"Wally said after a moment.

"Her royal highness has some press meeting with her Dad, won't be in school today. Now come on man, I swear my dad'll freak if I'm late". Chad rushed as he pushed Wally's bag into his hand and began walking towards the already crowded entryway.

"Alright, Alright" Wally answered with a laugh. Quickly following after the brunette he smiled, maybe Wednesday wouldn't be so bad after all.

When the two boys entered the classroom, two things were apparent.

One Deaton has insomnia or something, cause there is no way she should be asleep right now.

Two, nearly half the class was absent …..again.

"Damn, I know Abigail's party was lit and all but seriously two days in a row" Wally said while shrugging off his backpack and popping into the seat next to an already working Chad.

The brunette looked up from his various amount of papers to laugh, "For a science guy your not very observant dude. Half of these people were with us in the quad ten minutes ago, they're not out because of Abby's party. They're out because Abby's not here.

Wait what?

" Most people only come to this school because of Abigail Caperson. You really shouldn't be too surprised" a kid from behind adds.

"I-I'm not" Wally bit back, his cheeks tinted red. Seriously how had he not noticed this before? He guessed he was to busy hating school, he never really bothered to pay it any attention.

Chad chuckled, "Don't sweat it, man, pretty sure that's what Abby likes about you. You're not all caught up in her ya know, kinda like Trix".

Trixi not caught up with popularity and status. Yeah, he could see that, instantly Wally mind began to play through every moment he had with her.

He couldn't help but smile.

It's silly, really. It's only been two days but he feels like it has been years since he's seen her.

"Hey, do you know if she's coming back today? Or is she gonna pull the whole no Abigail no me thing too" Wally asked as he finally pulled out some of his own work.

This time not even looking up from his work Chad shrugged, "Trix is a tough one. Like I said she's not all caught up in Abby that she'd miss just cause Abby's missing. But I swear she loves to be absent at least twice a week. Like I surprised she hasn't been picked up by truancy yet. So yeah... not sure. You could text her and see, remember I wrote all our numbers down in your green notebook. Super unorganized green notebook"

"Yeah yeah, I remember," Wally said as Chad began to lecture him once more about his lack of organization skills. When he finally reached the page he smiled and carefully fished in his pocket for his phone.

Shit! His phone. He doesn't get many calls nowadays but still. How could he forget his stupid fucking phone broke.

"Yeah- I uh can't..kinda got grounded" Wally muttered.

This time Chad winced, "Damn and here I thought you were just a bad texter. Guess your 'rents weren't too pleased yesterday.".

"Yeah, not in the slightest," Wally said while struggling not to shudder.

Pleased? Iris and Barry were livid, and Rudy...he was

No not pleased at all.

" Bummer! Next time we'll set it up like your on some youth leadership thing instead. As for Trix, you can text her through mine" Chad happily added as he chucked his phone towards the redhead.

"Uh thanks" Wally muttered as he searched up Trixi's name. He quickly found it and paused before he could press send.

Is this weird? He's never really talked to Trixi through the phone not to mention it's through Chad's phone. Sure he put the whole' Hey it Wally' opening sentence, but still. Plus she never really gave him her number, Chad did.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, it's definitely weird.

And maybe he's a bit scared.

"I'll just wait till Chem to find out," Wally said after deleting the unsent message and chucking the phone back at Chad.

The brunette rolled his eyes but didn't bother pressing about it. Instead, he changed the subject to moaning about how many school events he had to organize and how Wally has to become more organized so he can help him.

The two boys remained playfully bickering about Wally's lack of organization skills for a little while. Before Wally knew it, homeroom had ended.

Sending Chad a quick, see ya in English, Wally practically sped walked to Trig. Without Chad, it seemed the student attention he had acquired this week had turned bitter.

Instantly the whispers and the sneers had come. Many purposely bumped into him on the way to class. He grunted at a few, irritated with both their behavior and the pain. It was almost unbearable, to instantly be hated.

Apart of him misses being invisible.

Trigonometry is boring. No not the subject, just the class. Like homeroom, more than half the class was gone. Mrs. Ngyuen blamed it on the weather but everyone else simply looked at the empty seat next to Wally.

Abigail Caperson was worse than the plague.

Because of the lack of students, Mrs. Nguyen decided to reteach her boring lecture from yesterday. Fantastic right? Because it wasn't boring enough the first time.

Again not the subject, just the class. Wally honestly felt he didn't need to be in Beginning Trig. Numbers never really tripped him up, its words he struggled with.

So instead of listing to the most boring lecture for a second time, he decided he would at least attempt to work on his English homework. Even if he hates it.

He was nearly finished with it too before Mrs. Nguyen's loud ruler banged on his desk.

"Wallace" Mrs. Nguyen bit out.

"Yes," Wally meekly replied back, as he not so slyly shuffled the English homework behind his green spiral.

If she noticed Mrs. Nguyen didn't bother acknowledging it, instead she pointed to the phone and said, "Office just called you're going home".

Huh? Home? He never gets called to go home early! Never! Not even when his Dad's at his angriest.

"This must be a mistake," Wally said after a moment.

"If it is please don't come back, just go to the English class you seem so devoted to" Mrs. Nguyen half-heartedly replied with a shrug. She slipped the boy a sneer that seemed almost as bitter as the coffee in her cup.

Chugging said drink down, she didn't bother quieting her class as they all laughed at Wally's expense.

"Thanks a lot"Wally muttered as he shrugged the backpack on his aching shoulders once more and hurriedly left the room.

When he reached the hallway he let out whatever stupid breathe he had been holding. Seriously, out of all the teacher Nguyen had to be the scariest.

As he walked to the office he wondered, who in the hell was picking him up. And why in the hell would they pick him up today?

Rudy was a definite no. The man wouldn't get up from his grand life on the couch to pick up Wally early. Not even for the nastiest beating. He'd, much rather wait till the boy got home to do it.

Mary was a no as well. She wouldn't pick him up, not unless Rudy ordered it and the man seemed pretty adamant about letting Wally go to school yesterday soooo yeah, she's out.

Aunt Iris was another definite no. A stickler for education. Iris would always encourage Wally to go to school, even if he was sick….plus he's pretty sure he's not her biggest fan right now.

So that just leaves Uncle Barry, which again was a hard no. Why? Well two reasons, really.

First Barry almost never picks him up from school early for hero business. It leaves a written record and it's honestly way faster to just text Wally to sneak out.

Second, Kid Flash is suspended. Barry usually sticks with his suspensions, even if he desperately needs help. He always asks a member of the league or the team just so Wally can get the point.

"Probably a mistake", Wally murmured turning to his left to open the office door. When he finally entered he was more than a bit surprised.

There in the waiting room, usually reserved for the bad kids was Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris. Neither looked to please to be there. Aunt Iris looked worse than yesterday and Barry, he looked worn down.

In less than a second, a million thoughts ran across Wally's mind.

What are they doing here?

Why are they both here?

What's wrong?

Is it his fault?

"Ah there he is, Wallace your parents are taking you home. You have all your things right" a peppy secretary asked.

Wally mutely nodded not sure what else to do. Normally he would've corrected the lady but he just couldn't. He couldn't speak, he couldn't because both Barry and Iris are at his school, when they should be at work.

They both had been so devoted to their new work schedules, so devoted Wally hadn't really hung out with them in months. He had seen them as Kid Flash, but as Wally not really.

Honestly, if he really looks back these past couple of months the most time he had really hung out with them as Wally West was yesterday, and that was purely because he's such a fuck up.

So what was this?

Why miss work two days in a row?

What did he do?

"Let's go Kid" Barry muttered as he grabbed both Iris and Wally's hands.

Not sure what this all meant Wally could only follow. Barry and Iris weren't saying much, which made him nervous. Were they going to permanently take Kid Flash away? Was he ever going to see them again? What was this?

In the car, the silence was more than maddening.

He couldn't take it! Neither Barry nor Iris were saying anything, not even to each other. When they finally pulled up at his Blue Valley worn home, it took everything out of Wally not to shiver.

It's the second time they have done this. And again he's not sure why?

This house, this small blue suburban shack was the last place he wanted to see. Ever! He's rather be in school.

They must be still mad about yesterday right?

His attitude and leaving and just being..stupid. That must be what this is about?

But why home, why the hell pick him up from school just to drive him back to his prison.

"I'm sorry", Wally bit out, sounding more desperate than actually sorry.

Both Barry and Iris looked at him puzzled as the later turned off the car.

Wally, unfortunately, didn't notice their confusion so he kept blubbering, "I promise I won't sneak out again. And I'm really sorry for my attitude so please, whatever this is, just stop. I don't- "

Barry now less than confused simply shook his head and sighed loudly, "Kid you don't understand this isn't- look just go get your suit and I'll explain".

His suit? They wanted his fucking suit! He was right! They were done with him, and now they wanted Kid Flash back.

No, no no no!

Wally now hysterically edged away from the couple, "No you don't understand I can't. I need Kid Flash! You can't! You can't fucking make-".

"Wally, Wally! Kid Calm down!" Barry nearly shouted."Kid, this isn't about your suit, I'm not taking Kid Flash back. "!

If Waly heard him he didn't make an effort to show it. Instead, he continued shouting, pleading to both Barry and Iris.

Please. Please, Please!

He was shaking to the point of vibration, eyes watery and shouting like he was about to be murdered.

"Wally please" Barry tried again only to be met with more shouts and desperate shakes at the door.

"Wally cut it out"

"Wally"! Barry shouted. He raised his fucking voice in a way he never has. One that oozed desperation and need, Wally only felt the anger.

He flinched at Barry's harsh tone.

Barry still a bit upset, and not noticing Wally's obvious discomfort continued yelling, "This would've been a lot simpler if you answered my calls. Or at least listen to my text. Damn it! I told you to stay home today. Kid what's been going on with you. You're not even trying to hear me out".

Wally wanted to yell back to his uncle that he doesn't have his phone. He wants to yell back the phone is broken because of his stupid fucking Dad. But he still shaken at his Uncle tone.

It was too much like Rudy. Way much.

"What?" Wally shakingly asked. And for the first time that day Barry truly looked at him. He looked and saw that Wally had been vibrating so hard he had burned the car leather, he had tears in eyes and he was looking at Barry like he was the scariest being in the world.

"Kid" Barry softly said as he reached over to soothe the young boy. Wally flinched so hard, Barry had to stop his hand midway.

Shakingly, knowing he looked more than a bit like a kicked puppy. Wally let out a small laugh, "Didn't know you could yell like that. Surprised me"

Barry said nothing, instead for the first time that day Iris spoke, "Wally just go get your suit, kay baby. We're going to the Garrick's and we figured you'd probably wanna race again". She finished her statement with a small smile that didn't even reach her eyes.

Wally couldn't help but widen his. Something bad has happened. Something really bad..

"Whats wrong" he finally asked, after staring at Iris face a bit longer. He couldn't bring himself to look at Barry right now.

That didn't stop Barry from speaking to him though, "Kid, nothings-

Ugh! Why? Why did people lie?

Wally shook his head almost as if he was a disappointed parent, "The last time we went to Garrick's was months ago, Iris also called me baby then too. You both said we were going to race and hang out but really you just wanted an easy way of telling me you both got raises and won't be around as much".

It was at this moment he finally stopped shaking. He needed his nerves back. He then took a deep breath and slowly continued, "Look just tell me okay, don't make me wait. I'm not a baby just..whatever it is you have to say. Say it.

Wally's final word was spoken with such conviction, such bravery and heart. At that moment Barry could truly see how strong his ward was becoming.

He didn't want to be the one to break that strength, so instead of listening to Wally, he sighed again and told him once more, "Kid really you're overreacting its not-

Wally seethed,"Stop lying to me, somethings wrong and I know it. I'm not some fucking retar-

"Language" Iris irritably interjected. She then sighed and looked to her blonde husband, "Barry, sweetie maybe we should just tell Wally here. He has a point, besides I think a feud is the last thing we need right now".

Wally would have grinned at Barry's defeated frown if he understood what the hell was going on.

What exactly did she mean when she said 'the last thing we need right now'.

"Fine, come one kid lets go inside" Barry regretfully replied.

Despite home being the last place he wanted to be, Wally begrudgingly followed both his aunt and uncle into the tattered blue shack.

"Rudy?" Iris said as soon as she stepped inside the building.

"Oh Iris is that you" Mary West said as she shuffled into the living room.

From her appearance it was obvious the women was cleaning. That's probably why the usually pile of beer bottles and shattered china were not scattered across the floor.

She took off both her bright yellow gloves before embracing Iris and nodding to Barry.

Iris still in the embrace continued speaking "Nope just an evil clone, bent on the destruction of all Blue Valley. And I've brought my villainous husband with me".

Barry attempting to play along muttered a tight "Mwhaahaha aha" and finished with an unintimidating glare.

Marry laughed an all to fake laugh, that Wally just had to grimace at. Unfortunately for him, his mother looked at him the minute he grimace," And Wallace too I see. What are you doing out of school"? She asked.

She asked? The women actually asked as if she cared.

Rolling his eyes, Wally decided to play the same jokster schtick as everyone else but with a twist.

It's clear based on their oh so fake smiles, Barry and Iris aren't going to tell him whatever the bad news is in front of his mother. So he's going to need a bad enough joke to make the submissive sack of potatoes leave.

Immediately he smiles and leans a bit into his mother, "Oh ya know ditching home was so fun, thought why not try school. And much to my surprise your here. Cleaning, is that blood on your gloves, maybe she's the real evil clone hey guys?".

Neither Iris nor Barry laughed at his joke, but mission accomplished, Mary looked uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the mention of the blood staining her apron, Wally's not a gambler but he'd bet a his entire Flash collection the blood is his. He practically left a pool on the kitchen floor last night.

Not missing a beat, yet still uncomfortable Mary quickly bit back, "Yes, well I'm cooking a ham and unfortunately manage to drop it on the floor. Blood just everywhere and dinners ruined too".

"Need me to go to the store for more meat" Wally asked. He asked, but both he and Mary knew he really was just telling her to leave. The question was, would Mary listen.

" No, that's fine I'll go. I could use the fresh air"Mary quipped.

That's right even to her son, she bends.

With Mary West now gone, there were only three people in the tattered blue house.

"What are ye doing here all alone, where's Mary" a rough voice asked as a bulky figure stumbled down the stairs.

Great, make that three people and a demon.

Honestly Wally shouldn't even be surprised. Rudolph West barely leaves home and hasn't been to work in years.

About two years ago, Rudolph got into a minor construction accident. Now because the accident happened on the job, and because Rudolph was able to dramatize the pain, he got paid for it. His leg, which supposedly was broken, was the main injury. Rudy swore to his bosses and anyones else that it was damaged beyond repair.

Is it real?

Wally's not too sure, the man seems to have no problem kicking the crap out of him with his damaged leg. And he definitely only drags the leg whenever there is company.

Whatever, fake or not. Wally of all people should have known Rudy would be home.

He should've known. And now he just wished he would've kept his fucking mouth shut and went to the Garricks. Or atleast the store for Mary.

"Hey Rudy, Iris and I was wondering where you were. This house is to quiet without your energy. Doesn't even feel the same" Barry said, as soon as the man reached the foot of the stairs.

Rudolph West smirked and nodded along with Barry's praise, "Swear it was my home 'fore ole man gave her to me. She's me in every way"

"Yeah, she does fit you more than daddy that's for sure" Iris laughed.

"Rudy grinned once more and slung an arm over his sister, "Yeah well the ole man grew out of this old shed the minute he decided to move to the city and have you. But I'm tellin ya Iri, you should've seen it in his prime. Back when I was sixteen, old man cared fo her like a baby. Real country men shit, I know thats hard to understand being a lil ole city girl. "

Iris rolled her eyes," You love to rag on my city don't ya"

"And your age" Rudy quipped.

"Your not that much older" Iris argued. She was trying terribly hard not to laugh but the unimpressed smirk Rudy was sending her way didn't help.

"Yeah okay Iri"

"I'm serious, Rudy I'm 27".

"Iris he's 44" Barry quipped.

"Your not helping, seventeen years is not that big of an age difference" Iris whined. When she was met with silence she pouted and laughed, " Silence means compliance"

"Sure honey" Barry teased.

Rudy laughed," Women, aye Allen. Can't live with em, can't live without 'em".

Iris of course laughed, wholeheartedly disagreed with her brother and began another range of playful banter.

Wally grimace at the scene.

The most important women in his life, the women he loves more than anybody is complimenting the man he hates.

Wally couldn't think of anything more sickening.

"Hey Rudy, how's the leg" Barry asked after a minute of stupid laughter from the siblings. Rudy faked another wince as he moved said leg and shrugged, "Oh ya know, 'm not er pussy so I just grin and bear it". He then looked toward Wally and grinned, "Hey boy, how ya holding up".

How's he holding up? Yeah, at first Wally shrugged believing the statement to be some ignorant joke about last nights beating. But then he saw Barry and Iris wince and then he just knew.

Barry and Iris have no idea..about the beatings. So Rudy couldn't have been alluding to them.

Which could only mean he knows. He knows the bad news, Barry and Iris told goddamn Rudy before they told him.

This shouldn't hurt this much.

He said nothing for a minute, still reeling on the revelation. The more he thought about it, the more stupid he felt for not knowing.

Of course they told Rudy about it. That's why Rudy wasn't strung out on the couch with a thousand beer bottles at his feet. That's why Mary was cleaning so meticulously, even though it was obvious she was more than tired. That's why Rudy's not surprised at their visit.

Rudy expected company.

In the corner of his head, Wally heard Iris whisper to Rudy ' we haven't told him yet'.

Told him? Ugh so it is about him. Instantly his mind began filtering with the worst scenarios.

Barry and Iris getting longer hours.

Barry and Iris moving.

Barry and Iris done with him.

"What it is" Wally slowly asked. He sure whatever it is he doesn't want to hear it, but he figured they have wasted enough time.

Iris pressed her lips together and grimace, " Why don't we get some snacks before we talk, kay baby".

Wally wanted to scream to her, 'no this isn't okay. No, he isn't a baby but before he could he saw his father stop Iris in her tracks.

"Kitchen's a mess, don't go in er" Rudy quickly interjected, he then paused as if his rushed attitude was purely a misinterpretation, "Mary's been more frazzled since the boy's runaway thing. Starting to worry".

Placing an understanding hand across her brother's chest, Iris sighed "I know that's why we didn't tell her. I don't think she would handle it well".

Again Rudy pretended to be concerned and basked in the concern both Iris and Barry sent him, " Probably for the best. Yer said the arrowboy was runts age huh. Red hair too, women would have a fit. To die so young -mfhm".

Barry tried to place his hand around Rudy's mouth before the words reached Wally's ears. He tried to do so without hurting the people around him. He tried to rush over to Rudy without his superspeed.

He failed.

Wally stood silent.

In that moment everything just stopped. His lungs had stopped moving their usual pitter patter of inhale,exhale. His eyes were wide open, not even blinking as the tears flooded out of them. His legs stood as tall as a flower stem, lean yet so obviously fragile.

His chest ached, but somehow he just knew it wasn't from that cut.

He would swear to you at that moment, his heart stopped.

Arrowboy?

Die?

None of this could be true.

"Wally, baby" Iris tried to grab him, but whatever frozen entity had left him immobile finally decided to give him back the strength to move.

Nearly tapping into his super speed he ran to the other side of the room. He crashed into a cupboard, shattered some more of his mother's china but didn't flinch.

It didn't hurt, nothing could hurt as much as his heart right now.

"Your lying" Wally shouted to Rudy. "You're a lying piece of shit and I hate you" He screamed.

Rudy's eyes glinted, not use to this level of disrespect, he growled out," Boy what the fuck would I lie to you bout this. Aint ya use to this, don't most of yer little friends go boom".

"Rudy" Iris reprimanded, while Rudy simply shook her off. She knew what Wally said hurt, but damn why did Rudy have to say….that.

She knows her brother means well, he's just…..Rudy. He doesn't understand not everyone is as strong.

She tries to talk to Rudy but he doesn't want to hear it. Says sugar coating won't help the boy, he should know what business he got into. The siblings started arguing, leaving Barry and Wally isolated from the conversation.

Still crying , still breathing heavy, Wally continued his mental mantra.

He's lying.

He's lying.

He has to be fucking lying.

Barry wanting nothing more than to help his nephew slowly walked over to the boy and put his arm around him, "Kid, while this isn't the way we wanted to tell you. You can't take it out on your Dad, What happened to Roy isn't his fault-.

Fuck!

He couldn't listen to this.

Not thinking of nothing, but escaping, Wally ran as fast as he could out of the house. He ran, ran in civies, dressed as Wally West.

He didn't think. He didn't think about his aching muscles that definitely shouldn't be stretched right now, he didn't think about his Uncle or his Dad. He didn't think about a single thing except escaping the idea that...Roy.

His good friend Roy.

was ..

The person to always give him his food even though he was probably hungry himself.

The person who always made sure he laughed once a day

The same person who always called him and Dick knuckled heads, even when they were being level headed.

The person who he had not seen in months and regretted it.

Roy. His friend. One of his best friends was dead.

Wally had stopped running for a minute to catch his breath. He wasn't tired but his chest ached. Upon further inspection, he realized in his haste his cut had reopened and he was bleeding.

That only made him breathe harder.

God, why the fuck was this not healing.

When he finally caught his breath, his vision had began to blur.

He blinked twice when it focused, he wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. Fuck. Why in the fuck was he standing in front of Abigail Capersons mansion?

Great Wall-man. Not only did you say fuck a secret identity by running around in your fucking civies. You also ran to the most secure place in Central City.

Fuck! Fuck ! Fuck!

"Wally", a voice said. Immediately Wally was met with the bubbly blonde, Abigail Caperson.

She seemed undisturbed by his presence smiling her usual bubbly smile. Wally only sighed in return.

How much did she fucking see?

….

Queue suspenseful music lol. So yeah I'm really sorry that this is such a late update, I haven't had much time to write lately.

But I'm back now...so cool right.

Anyways back to good ole Wallman. And well lets just say he's not taking Roy's "death" well. This chapter was kinda slow, but I wanted to put in some plot bunnys for later, so the slowness was needed. Rudy's job/ injury for one thing, will definitely be brought up again. I also wanted to display the relationship Rudy has with Barry and Iris.

I constantly get asked how would Barry and Iris not know Rudy's scum. The answer, he hides it pretty well, I promise to develop this more through this series. But I want to stress to Barry and Iris, Rudy is strict a little rough around the edges but a 'good' person overall. Especially to Iris. I purposely tell you guys of their age gap, because I want to stress Iris has never lived with her brother. She is his half sister, his 17 year younger half sister. He is her big brother, her strong construction worker big brother, who sometimes speaks before he thinks. He grew up in a different environment than her. She knows sometimes he comes off as rude, but to her the excuse 'that's just Rudy' is justifiable. Why? Well keep reading the story to find out.

Review Responses

Nana1995

Thank you for your kind reviews! I'm glad you love the darkness of this story! Your English is fine dont worry about it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

thebestoftherest

Thank you for reviewing my story! I'm agree, Wally definitely needs to make a return..Everywhere lol. I have hope he will in Young Justice season 3, he already kida has in beast boy's dreams soo yeah. Hope they will return our fiery redhead! Hope you like the update!

And yeah thank to everyone else who read and favorited or followed. I really appreciate it. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Don't forget to tell me your thoughts and Review.

Much love!