Under the Rose
Chapter 8
"And now we're going to need two volunteers...Jinx? Come up here. And...Elusion, how about you?"
Jinx grinned as she rose from the middle row of the classroom. Farther down, Gizmo and See-More both gave her vicious smiles, the kind that she knew meant something good was going to happen. She stepped into the ring that was situated in the center of the Advanced Combat classroom, eyeing her competition. Elusion was a newer recruit. Jinx had heard about her power, creating illusions and pictures that fooled the opponent's mind in order to escape. A cunning deception, but this mousy brunette was about to be terribly unlucky.
Jinx took her place, head held high, eyes beginning to glow. Elusion took her position as well, eyeing Jinx's hair.
"Whenever you all are ready, begin," the professor said. He settled back to observe.
Jinx could see Billy and Kyd sitting behind her opponent and barely caught the nod that went between them and Mammoth. She snapped, and pink energy surrounded her palms, creating the appearance of having flames in her palms. She turned full attention to the girl in front of her, who seemed to want to run but could not rip her gaze from the hair.
"Yeah, it's pink. So what?" Jinx snarled. She shot a beam and began the fight.
Elusion jumped out of the way, quicker than Jinx had expected. She somersaulted to the other side of the ring, bringing her leg around for a hard kick that connected and knocked the brunette to the ground. Jinx grabbed her arm and threw her across the ring to the other side. Some students began to clap enthusiastically.
Jinx laughed a little bit, giving her short opponent a withering, superior stare. Elusion's eyes began to glow a bright tangerine as she stood.
Jinx found herself in a garden, filled with all the most beautiful roses she had ever seen.
"Your favorite flower? Really? You must be such a softie on the inside." The voice of her opponent echoed inside her head. Jinx frowned.
A solid punch came at her out of nowhere, and Jinx fell across the floor, falling through rosebushes as though they were just smoke. A brief glimpse of the ring returned, a shadow of the fist was seen, and the garden returned, looking so real. A kick in the ribs told her that it was not. Somewhere in the back of her mind the professor was saying something about the great advantage of being psychic, creating illusions. Jinx couldn't have cared less.
"Gonna get up? Thought you were winning, didn't you?" Elusion's voice came back again to taunt her. Jinx stood and just smiled.
"That's what you think...Hive five, make her blind!"
The garden dissolved to reveal Billys and Mammoth holding the girl, letting Kyd's powers around her head render her blind. As See-More shot an eyeball to the floor, Gizmo pressed buttons on a controller with mad giggles, detonating the round device.
A putrid smoke filled the room as the Jinx and her gang made their escape with vicious laughter.
"Swell job guys!" Jinx yelled. The teach hadn't covered the advantage of a team. "Come on-- let's rob the taco stand to celebrate, take the day off." The boys let out a whoop and burst open the double doors to the school. Kyd Wykkyd transported them all into the heart of Jump City with his powers, where the six collapsed in laughter. Jinx smiled. That Elusion girl hadn't seen it coming. The rookie. Hive Five ruled the Academy. Her gang could do anything they damn well pleased, and the world was going to know it someday.
--
"Um, she doesn't look like Jinx."
"Quiet, Mammoth. Our newer, better leader told us she was it."
It was really screwy the way things could change. All it had taken was one persistent hero to zip in and tell her that she could do better. Jinx struggled against the arm that trapped her against the cold brick of the restaurant building, Mammoth's hand firmly at her throat.
Karma. Inescapable Bad Luck. The past was coming back to bite her with a vengeance. She should have known that luck she never had was going to always run out. She was JINX, for crying out loud.
But how did they know?!
See-More, taller, hardened, more cruel than before, gave Jinx a bitter smile. "So hello there...'Rose Thompson'?" He began to laugh jarringly. Billy joined in too, until a glare from the leader silenced him. " Well, ROSE, we've been sent to get you. But what do you think anybody would want with such a HARMLESS, INNOCENT college student?" Jinx flinched as he shot two eyeballs in quick succession, on either side of her head. They buried themselves in the brick, leaving her ears ringing. Mammoth's arm tightened. Her breath began to come in gasps. Her eyes narrowed and Jinx made fists with her hands. Her eyes began to glow behind the contacts. See-More laughed.
"That's right, go ahead and blow your cover. What will happen next? Run away again?"
Jinx paled, and the pink in her gaze began to fade. She began to see spots. See-More's threat raced through her...but that didn't stop her from shocking Mammoth's underarm.
The giant let out a howl and Jinx dropped to the ground, rubbing her throat. See-More raised his fists and ordered Billy to do the same.
Jinx could have laughed. Hive was now led by a HUMAN EYEBALL. Flash was right. She could do so much better. He was always right.
Jinx lifted her arms to block a blow that never came. Instead there was a strong gust of air, a strangled yell, and a cheery voice that shouted "Tag!"
Could I get some mustard? This sandwich is a little dry...
And there he was. His costume was different-- all red, the fiery hair covered now. But still he burned with confidence, and energy, and life.
The shortness of breath may have put Jinx on her knees, but the shock of seeing him again kept her down there.
There's something different about you. I think you can do better.
Jinx remembered his glee at having her along to defeat the Brotherhood. His joy when she agreed to join the Titans. It was cowardice to have deserted while he was so far away on a mission, but Jinx had wanted to remember Flash with a smile on his face.
Now he was back, smiling again, and Jinx wanted to spill all of her three years to him if only for the light in his eyes that would appear when he knew she was good now, forever this time.
Jinx chuckled to herself as Billy went flying across the street. They were more than outmatched. And she was safe again.
--
Flash had to admit that the years apart had improved the Hive boys, but the Fastest Man Alive was still on top of things. And after being undercover for a week, he was ready to do some fighting. His surprise punch had stunned Mammoth for the few critical moments it took to create a tornado with his arms, blowing every Billy Numerous right into a giant unconscious pile. When you were motivated by anger-- seeing Rose Thomspon almost choke to death made Wally want to run them into the ground-- fights were so much easier. Another throw into a wall rendered Mammoth in the same state as Billy, and a solid blow to the side of See-More's silly helmet was all it took to have the three villains soundly beaten by the time the police had arrived.
Flash slapped on the handcuffs and shut the door to the armored truck with considerable gusto. He turned back to the scene of the fight. The wall to the restaurant would need serious fixing. The street had some major cracks. A fire hydrant was crumpled and leaking from where See-More had crashed into it.
The remaining crowds stared in wonder at him from behind the police line, whipping out cell phones and cameras to catch a shot of the Kid Flash.
Rose still sat on the ground, the sweatband keeping her black hair pulled back into its ponytail. She still seemed in shock; Flash frowned as he noticed her shaky hands picking up the scratched mp3, dropped in the chaos.
Flash knelt down and held out a hand. "Are you alright, miss?" he asked. It felt odd, acting like he didn't know Rose at all when it was so opposite of the way things were.
That of all people the Hive guys had chosen to go after her made him furious.
Rose chanced a look up at him and regarded his hand with uncertainty, nervousness. Flash smiled at her. "Trust me, it's alright. The police will need to hear your statement and then you can go home, ok?"
Rose looked at his smile and seemed to relax a little bit.
Ignoring the news cameras that had appeared in the crowd, he scooped her up and set her on her feet. "That's better," he murmured.
Rose nodded, finding her voice. "Yes, much better. Thank you." There was something unidentifiable in the look she gave him.
Before Flash could voice a reply, a member of the police force ran to him and urgently called for his attention.
"There's been a break-in at the science labs! Chief McMillan wants you over there."
Flash groaned to himself and reluctantly handed Rose over the the man. She looked back at him-- those same big eyes-- and he chanced a wink at her. "Don't worry Rosebud," he said, " You're safe now." And with that, he zipped away towards the other end of the campus.
--
He looked even more dashing than before-- broader, older. Jinx smiled to herself. Dashing. Ha.
She stared down the road after him, not flinching at the sudden gust of wind. He didn't figure out who she was, although the Hive had made it pretty clear that they knew her. Her disguise was better than she had thought, apparently.
Rosebud...Did Flash mean that as a play on her name? Did Flash have a disguise too?
Oh god. Had she unknowingly met the civilian version of Flash? She thought of Wally's hair. Wally's eyes. But then she thought of how long it took Wally to type on the computer (he'd never learned the correct way), and all the times he had asked her how to spell "conundrum", and how once she had found him with his hand somehow stuck in a drink machine. Similarities aside, probably not. There were other redheads around the JCU campus.
Brian? No, blond hair. Andrew? Too...calm. That guy in the back of her english class? Too antisocial.
Flash gave her roses before, when she was Jinx. Obviously, Jinx figured with a scowl, he gave all his passing fancies roses or 'rose' nicknames, romancing them into following him along. And then three years later there you were, thinking you were special while he passed by in blurs. The scowl deepened.
Police had always put her in a mood. This dumb interrogation needed to be quick.
Whoever Flash was, she hoped he was stopping the reported robbery in the science wing. That answered the question of where Gizmo and Kyd were. She was merely the distraction. What were they trying to steal? Jinx distractedly thanked the officer who held the car door open for her.
See-More had given away one piece of information-- Hive had found a new boss. Someone that wanted her dead, it seemed.
All of her enemies had been...well, good guys. They didn't operate like that.
Jinx buckled her belt in the police car, and the officer with her (a talkative man named Charlie) gave her a kind smile. "We'll just be taking you to the station for a second," he said, almost apologetically. "You could turn out to be a great help."
As if that was going to ease her nerves. Jinx would never get used to a police car. Or a police station.
Kid Flash had always been on the dense side, right? What if an officer saw through her? What if they locked her away too? After all her hard work...Jinx looked at her empty hands and realized that the dye was gone. Her mp3 was probably broken.
She needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Jinx looked out the window. She could bet all her money on this-- Faker Jinx was connected. She needed to be caught.
--
Never before had Flash really been too late for something. This was a first, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. They had used Rose as a distraction, and he had completely missed Gizmo and Kyd. As if her life meant little more than a chance to get away with some small blip of metal for a project that would, inevitably, be foiled anyways.
Infuriating. Flash twisted the ring that normally contained his costume around on his finger. He would need to tighten their bands-- this one had fallen off when he reached inside a drink machine for a Pepsi last week and it had taken way too long to retrieve (Rose had caught him looking stupid). Thank god she was safe.
Flash was eager to be a part of interrogation. He wanted to know why Hive went after her. The hero zipped over to Chief McMillan, who stood inside the science lab. "What did they steal, sir?"
The Chief sighed. "Using that wicked kid's powers, whatever they are, it seems Gizmo got inside this building way too easily. The only thing missing is a particle generator-- something the advanced tech class was making through a grant from Wayne Enterprises. It was almost done."
Flash frowned. "Gizmo could easily finish it, then. What is it used for?"
"I've been talking with that scientist-- Tracy Simmons, young but brilliant. I'm willing to bet she finds her way to Metropolis Labs someday...She basically said that the similitude particle generator can imitate energy patterns." He gravely looked towards the safe that had once held the item. "If it wanted to, it could shock a person like lightning. Or even hit them with a copy of a blast like Cyborg's."
"Basically, this thing is dangerous in the wrong hands." Chief nodded in reply.
"There's not much to do here," he said flatly. "Our best bet at this point is the questioning. Hive knows something."
Flash nodded and began the three-second run to the police station.
A similitude particle generator. What was a thing like that doing at a college, anyways? Sometimes the world really just asked for it.
If it could imitate the appearance and effect of superpowers...it could certainly imitate pink hex waves. Flash thought back to his two previous encounters with Jinx. A crowbar, a kick...he hadn't yet seen the energy. Wouldn't that be easier than a punch for her?
Some pieces were beginning to connect. All he needed now was the real Jinx to prove his suspicions. But where was she hiding?
--
"I was just jogging...and I stopped in the store...and then when I came back out they just grabbed me."
The policeman looked at her sympathetically, and it all felt very surreal. "What were you buying?" he asked.
Jinx tapped her fingers against the underside of the table, nervous. "Um...a sketchbook," she offered. She decided to let them think her hair was naturally that dark. The dye might lead them in a direction too close to the truth. "I'm in the art program," she added quickly. The drumming of her fingers got a little louder. "I like to draw unicorns and flowers and landscapes and children I have no clue why they'd go after me I'm just a girl." God, could she just leave already?
The officer gave her a kind smile. "Don't be nervous, we're just trying to get all the information. Why don't I give you a quick break? Want some coffee? Just a couple more questions. You should be out of here very soon."
Jinx nodded. "Sure...um, please."
--
Flash was back at the station just a few minutes before the armored truck was anticipated to arrive. He settled himself on a couch next to a table of donuts and coffee. He began drumming his fingers, the movements blurring together with their superhuman speed. A foot twitch joined it soon after. He looked casually around the office. All in all, a nice place. Maybe he'd get a job here sometime.
A policeman came out and began making two cups of coffee. Flash got up and grabbed a donut as well as a styrofoam cup. "Hey there Jared-- are you the one questioning Ro...the witness?"
Jared nodded, still pouring the first cup. "Here," Flash offered. Two seconds later, three cups of coffee sat on the table. Jared grinned.
"What a useful power."
Flash clapped him on the back. "It's useful most days." Flash looked back towards the room where he knew Rose was probably sitting. "Do you mind if I ask her a question or two?" Jared waved him ahead. Flash grabbed the coffees and walked in.
Rose looked up with surprise. Flash grinned and set down her coffee. He relaxed into the chair across from her and watched her take a sip.
Silence...Flash began to tap his fingers.
"...This tastes like candied syrup."
The speedster took a sip of his own drink and grimaced, switching the cups in the same second. "Sorry, I guess they got mixed up. I take mine with one cream and...um, thirty-seven sugars."
Rose gave him a look that Chemistry Buddy Wally West knew quite well. Flash chuckled. "So you seem alright," he observed after a beat. "Any idea why they were after you? All those other people around...why you?"
Rose rubbed a thumb up and down the side of the coffee cup. "No clue," she finally said. There it was again, those big eyes from before. Flash blinked and leaned his chin on his hand, regarding her. Rose didn't say anything. They both continued to drum their fingers.
Rose took a breath. "Thank--"
"Flash, the Hive has arrived for questioning." Jared had popped his head in.
Flash stood, offering Rose a kind smile. She looked so nervous..."Thanks Jared. We're done here, I think you should just let her go home."
Rose was visibly relieved as she was led to the door. Flash gave her a wave and walked in the opposite direction. He had some questions for See-More.
--
"They aren't saying a word!" The Chief slammed his fist against the table. "Stupid kids."
"Temper, sir!" Flash replied coolly, rocking backwards in a wooden chair. Across the room, a recorded tape from Rose's questioning was about to begin playing. Flash paused it and stood, adjusting one of the lightning bolts by his ear with a swipe. "Could I try?" Without waiting for reply, Flash blew into the room where the three of them sat, handcuffed to their chairs. All of them were looking smug, and that annoyed him immediately. But that was probably just what they wanted. He raised an eyebrow instead.
"What's shakin'?"
"We're not telling you anything, crud-sniffing retard!" It seemed Billy was taking his cues from Gizmo. Flash gave a short laugh and zipped across the room, leaning against Mammoth's shoulder.
"That's too bad. So big guy, why'd you think Jinx would be here?" Mammoth shook his head silently. Flash just grinned a little more. "Wait here buddy, okay?" Three seconds later, Flash was back with a bag of tacos, letting the smell waft through the room. He bit into one with enthusiasm. "It's almost eleven, and boy am I hungry. Want one?" He offered the bag to Mammoth.
The giant's eyes widened. "Someone told us Jinx would be here," he said as he reached out his arm. Flash took out a few tacos and tossed them to him. See-More groaned, shooting Mammoth vicious glares. "Boss said not to give away anything," he hissed angrily. Flash ran over and held a taco out in front of his nose.
"So there's a new mastermind, eh? What do they want with Jinx? And if you're looking for Jinx, why go after an innocent bystander?"
"I'm not saying anything," See-More sniffed. "I hate tacos."
Flash flicked the air in annoyance. "Um, false! I'm not stupid. Now listen here, eyeball," he said, setting down the bag of food, " you're going to tell me something about Jinx right now."
"When you find her, are you going to turn her in, or run away with her?" Billy Numerous asked, reaching for the bag.
"I'll answer your questions when you answer mine," Flash snapped, pulling the bag away. He looked at the clock-- the only decoration on the off-white walls. Five minutes. It was like it had been an eternity.
See-More gave him a dagger of a glare, and then before anyone could blink, Flash had him out of his handcuffs and pinned up against the wall with his arm, knocking the clock to the ground with a clatter.
"It's like he's the good and bad cop all by himself," Billy whispered to Mammoth. Mammoth stuffed another taco into his mouth and shrugged.
"She just up and left," See-More began quickly. "Everything was gone, except for a letter and empty envelopes, all from JCU. We just put the pieces together is all. We figured stealing the loot and attacking someone would get her attention." Flash set him back in his chair and recuffed him.
"Yeah, and you made that plan with the help of someone else. Who? Where are Gizmo and Kyd? Why do you need a similitude particle generator?"
See-More, out of the dangerous position, reverted back to stony silence.
Chief McMillan walked into the room. "Thank you Flash, we're going to take it from here. Jared and Charlie are watching the tape of that Thompson girl's questioning. You can join them."
Flash waved cheekily to the prisoners and ran out of the room, back to the TV. He settled down between the two other policeman and folded his hands behind his head.
Poor Rose. Her face clearly showed considerable anxiety and shock. She kept adjusting her glasses, grasping strands of hair, tapping the tabletop. For the most part, her eyes were trained on a square of linoleum behind the questioning officer.
"Um...a sketchbook."
Flash could have laughed. Of course it made so much sense to her to be out buying more paper late in the evening. She lived for art class. It was why she always came into the chemistry room like a breath of fresh air. Flash had never seen anyone happier with graphite.
"I'm in the art program. I like to draw unicorns and flowers and landscapes and children..."
"I like to draw unicorns and flowers and landscapes and children..."
"I like to draw unicorns"
The video had continued, but that line was on loop in Flash's mind, freezing him from the inside out, locking his legs in place and shocking him.
The dark hair. The glasses. The brown eyes, the pink tinge he had seen before-- the pale skin, the unicorns, she was tall, she was slim, she liked black, he liked her...An old conversation ("Bad luck there." "Just what I've been trying to avoid.") The big-eyed look had been recognition. Memories returning.
Suddenly his instant attraction to Rose Thompson made so much more sense.
Hive hadn't just attacked willy-nilly the nearest girl. There had been so many other bystanders. They had attacked her.
Beside him in chemistry class had sat the one girl he'd been searching so hard for this whole time.
The exuberance was overwhelming.
"Don't be nervous, we're just trying to get all the information..." The tape played on, but Flash didn't care.
Jared yawned. "What was this girl's name again?"
"Rose," Flash replied instantly. His fingers shook imperceptibly fast, and he felt like when he was on the verge of a winning battle or when the wind was ruffling his hair as he crossed an ocean.
Rose. Rose because he convinced her-- because she couldn't just go back to crime-- because now she was good!
Rose because of roses.
Her real name is Jinx and she is good and I have found her-- "Her name's Rose Thomspon!" he said it again, louder, elated.
"Um...thanks." But Officer Jared had replied to an empty room.
This Kid Flash was out circling the world, because at his happiest, he had to be running.
--
-Silver Miracles :D This chapter was fun to write.