Hi friends! I am back! So sorry for long wait! I was out of town for vacation. I will not abandon this fic and from now on it will be updated regularly! Soooo let's get on with next chapter! Hope you guys like it! Sorry for any mistakes.

Enjoy :-)))

The group of people surrounding Barry was in shock. They coudn't believe what they just heard. How can Barry kill someone. The boy had never hurt a fly in his life and now he just confessed killing a human being.

Joe gaped at his son "What are you talking about Barr? That's not true...you can't kill anybody"

Barry was still crying. He was going to answer his father when his vision blurred and he slumed towards his side. Oliver was quick to catch him "Barry!"

Barry groaned clutching his head feeling dizzy "Foo...Food..I need food"

Oliver looked at Joe "We should get him inside and feed him. He needs energy" Joe quickly nodded and together they hauled the boy back inside the house where he was laid on the couch. Caitlin and Joe ran into the kitchen and prepared a heavy nutritious meal for Barry.

While Barry was fed Cisco made a quick run to labs and brought him few calorie bars. The speedster looked much better now that some of the colour had returned to his face. It was now afternoon where all were seated in the hall facing the boy and waiting for an explanation on what he had said before

"Son...if you are up to it...we all want to know what happened to you that year" Joe spoke in a low and comforting voice

Barry slowly nodded and looked at Oliver who gave him a small encouraging smile. He took a deep breath and started his story "I...We were walking back from the school...me and Iris when a black van halted in front of us...two masked men got out and started dragging me in..Iris tried to stop them but they pushed her on the ground..they slapped me when I struggled and tied my hands...we reached to an empty warehouse which was five hours far from the main city...I was so scared..I thought they were going to kill me"

Joe placed his hand on Barry's shoulder and squeezed a little. Barry eyes already had tears in them. He continued with heavy voice "I was dragged by my arm inside the warehouse where I met Kurtis for the first time...there were many other boys in the room...some older and few younger than me...Kurtis rewarded the two men who had kidnapped me and then said I belonged to him..he said from now on I will have to do whatever he asks me to do...if I disagree then...then he will not harm me but will kill one of the boys in the room...he said I will be held responsible for the death of the boy"

Barry hicupped as the memory bacame fresh in front of his eyes. He wanted to erase everything that happened in that year. A part of him knew it was all in the past but the scars still remained in his heart. He could still hear the cries of other kids who were brought without their consent. How Kurtis would punish them if anyone tried to protest. The time when Kurtis actually killed a boy right in front of his eyes when an older boy almost managed to escape

Caitlin brought a glass of water and handed it to her friend "Barry it's all in the past. You are safe now...with us"

"I can still hear them crying Cait! All...some boys were younger than me...they didn't deserve to see death in their age.. I coudn't do anything to help them" Barry said feeling guilty

Oliver frowned and he walked towards his friend "Barry...you were a child yourself. There was nothing you could do. You were scared and alone. You cannot take the blame on you"

Cisco nodded "Oliver is right man! Anyone would be vulnerable in your situation. You are not to be blamed...you were the victim"

Barry remained quiet for a while not totally agreeing with his friends. They were right about him being young and scared but deep down he knew...he knew he was a coward...a coward who ran to save his life...a coward who coudn't do anything to save Stephen...his death was on his head. No amount of encouraging words will ever be able to delete the fact that he was responsible for Stephen's death.

Oliver noticed Barry's eyes were glassy again. He was surely reliving the moments. He felt sorry for the kid and wished there was a way to take away his pain. He sat down beside the boy and wrapped an arm around his shoulder "Hey" he spoke softly "You are not there anymore okay...you are not alone now...we all are here..no one is judging you...whatever happened in that year is not your fault"

Barry blinked his tears away and saw how he was surrounded by his friends and family. He sat between Joe and Oliver with Cisco and Caitlin sitting right in front of him in the small table. All their eyes held only love and concern for him. The boy felt safe in the small huddle was in.

Cisco offered another calorie bar to Barry who munched on it without any protest. Joe and Oliver shared a look knowing the old Barry's appetite was back as well.

"Do you want to take a break? We can continue later" Joe asked Barry

The speedster shook his head "I want to get over it"

Joe nodded "How did you meet Stephen? Was he working with his father?"

Barry smiled at the name. Stephen was the only good thing happened to him in that year. He had found a best friend and a brother in him "I met Stephen two days after I was locked in a small room with no food or water. .. Kurtis said I needed to be taught a lesson before I start working for him"

FLASHBACK

Fifteen year old Barry slept on the cold floor with tears leaking from his eyes. Every few minutes his stomach would growl at him reminding how hungry he was. He wanted to go home. He wanted to eat Joe's delicious pasta. He wanted to play video games with Iris. He wanted to get out of here.

It had been two days now since Barry had last drank or ate anything. He was feeling weak and wondered how long Kurtis was planning to keep him in this room. He coudn't escape after hearing Kurtis's warning. If he tried to escape then an innocent life would be taken.

His thoughts were broken when the door creaked open. Barry saw a boy enter with a plate full of sandwiches and milk. The boy looked three or four years older than him. His wore dark green T shirt and black leather pants. His eyes were black as coal yet he felt calmed by them. He had short hair and was taller than him.

The boy smiled at Barry and walked closer, placing the plate infront of him. Barry stared at the plate for long time. He didn't know if he was suppose to eat before getting a permission

The boy slowly pushed the plate towards Barry and smiled. He then did something which shocked fifteen year old

The boy signed at the teen "Hi! My name is Stephen"

Next chapter will contain more moments between Barry and Stephen. Please leave a review and tell me you guys are still with me :-)))