Chapter Twenty-Six: Change of Plans

"…We're supposed to have all this power, but – but why does doing the right thing make me powerless against people who don't?" I felt Cara's hand slip away and glanced over my shoulder to see surprise on her face.

I heard Caitlin sigh. "It's not fair, but I don't know what you want me to say, Juliet. Is it better to suffer, or become someone who makes others suffer?"

Cara chimed in from the back, returning her hand to my shoulder. "The world is always going to find ways to knock you down, no matter what. But it's what you do when that happens that makes you who you are. And doing the right thing is powerful."

I didn't feel very powerful right now. And it was hard to be sure if snitching on your friends is ever the right thing to do. Then again, my friends were about to do something that could potentially hurt a lot of people.

A ringing sound filled the car, and my phone begins to vibrate in my pocket. I took it out to see Layla's name flash across my screen. Before I had time to think about it too hard, I'd answered it.

"Jules? Jinn said you didn't come. What happened? Are you still coming?" Layla's warm voice fills my ear, and I felt an immediate surge of guilt. I glanced quickly at Caitlin, but she's focussed on the road, the buttery light of a streetlamp drifts across her motionless face as we pass underneath, then it's plunged into darkness again.

"Ah, I couldn't – but yeah," I couldn't seem to form words, everything sounded wrong. I was smack-bang in the middle of a crossroads, and I couldn't figure out which path to take. I imagined telling them I'd still be there. I'd be leading them into a trap. They were only a year older than me, what if they got put in jail? But what would happen if I let them escape and they still went through with the plan on a different night? Guilt warred with guilt in the pit of my stomach until I didn't know which was which anymore.

"Tell them you'll still be there, you'll just be a little late," Cara whispered, leaning forward from the backseat.

"Uh, I'll be a little late," I repeated, trying not to think too hard.

"Okay, but come soon, 'kay? We have a limited window of opportunity, so don't go chickening out on me!" She chuckles, then turns serious, "We're doing a good thing, Juliet. Just remember what we're fighting for."

The line goes dead, and I slowly lower the phone, staring at the 'end call' screen.

"Good job," Cara says from the back, but I don't respond.

Suddenly, a different ringtone fills the car and Caitlin reaches forward to accept the Bluetooth on the car.

"Hey Cisco, what's up?"

"Caitlin, Barry's all tied up with the protest-turned-riot. There are a bunch of meta teens involved and it's a mad world out there. Where are you?" Cisco's voice came out through the speakers, all business. I sucked in a breath, mind immediately going to the Warehouse. All those meta teens, what if Layla had…? I shook my head to clear it. There was no way Layla would do that, and besides, the people there wouldn't need convincing to make a little trouble so that the Pack could send a message.

"Juliet says the Pack is going to attack the CCPD Station tonight. We were just coming back to the lab to -" Cisco cut her off.

"Don't bother. I'm the only one left here. I can tell Barry, but one of the metas is a teleporter, which is making things difficult. It'd be of more use if you and Frost took care of the station yourself. I'll warn the CCPD too, but they're mostly all out with Barry at the protest."

"Thanks Cisco, just let him know to come when he's done." Caitlin hung up, and, doing a head-check, promptly crossed two lanes. "Change of plans, we're going to the Station."

"What?" I exclaimed, turning to look at her, but her eyes were still fixed ahead. There's a mixture of resignation and purpose there that I don't like. What is she thinking? I don't want to go there! The last thing I want to do is go and watch my friends get caught red-handed personally!

"If we do nothing, people could get hurt," Caitlin said simply. There's a charged pause as the three of us process that. "Now, you need to tell me everything you know about the Pack that might be relevant."

So, I tell her.

Author's Note:

Sorry! I know I'm awful at updating and I'm determined to do better. However, that said, I can make no promises. Do know that I have definitely not forgotten this fic and I absolutely plan to finish it.

Also, welcome to all the new readers! Lovely to meet you :) Every time someone follows or favourites this story I get an email which reminds and encourages me to keep writing, so thank you thank you thank you! I hope I don't disappoint you.

I hope everyone is having/had a good mid-year break and is refreshed and ready to start the new semester!
BellatrixTheStar