Short on Time

Chapter 6

I was sitting in Star labs grading more homework and working on a lesson plan when Barry ran in. Caitlin's been having me come to Star labs to do some tests, turns out I am at the very least bioluminescent. "What's up Barry?" I asked as I looked over the worksheets I was grading.

"There's some metahuman who's making people angry." He said.

I looked at him surprised. "That's a new one." I said.

"Yes, tell us more about it." Father said rolling in.

"Anger, hate, aggression." Barry said.

"A Jedi craves not these things." Cisco said, I smiled but rolled my eyes. "No one is feeling that quote?"

"Everyone in the bank went total savage for, like, five minutes. And then they were fine again." Barry said.

"Anger can be a powerful emotion." I said thoughtfully.

"If this meta-human can engender irrational feelings of anger in his victims, he can do a lot of damage." Father said.

"Detective West helped get a copy of the cat scans the hospital did on everyone at the bank. Take a look." Caitlin said.

I looked over her shoulder. "Well, look at this, the emotion centers of the brains are still showing signs of being overwhelmed." Cisco said.

"Particularly the area that controls executive function." Father said.

"That's the part of the brain that stops people from doing whatever random and potentially destructive thing that pops into their head." I said.

"How do you think the meta does it to them?" Barry asked.

"That's the 1/2 million dollar question." Father said.

Barry's phone vibrated. "Hey, if you guys figure it out, just give me a call, okay?" He said.

"Is The Flash off to another rooftop rendezvous with Iris?" Caitlin asked crossing her arms.

"No." Barry said, I gave him a look. "Yeah, but she probably just wants to ask me I mean, you know, him about meta-human stuff for her blog."

"Do you want some advice?" Caitlin asked.

"No matter what I say, I'm getting the advice, right?" Barry asked.

I smiled at him. "Pretty much, you should listen though." I said.

"Don't get involved. As The Flash or yourself. You don't want to be the one to blame for their breakup." Caitlin said.

"Okay. I hear you." Barry said, then he was gone.

Caitlin sighed. "He ignored everyword I said didn't he?' She asked.

I nodded. "He did, not a smart idea. But he's Barry, and he's in love. People do stupid things when they're in love." I said.

"Like you?" Caitlin asked.

I smiled sadly. "I just wish I had listened to your advice." I said.

"Well you can listen now as we run more tests." Caitlin said.

I laughed. "Yes Ms. Snow." I said.

Caitlin laughed with me. "I really think you can do more than just glow." She said.

I looked at her doubtfully. "I don't know about that, I mean it would be nice. But I'm not sure if I can do more than look like a human glowstick." I said.

"Well your cells are attracted to light, that much is obvious. So maybe you can pull light to you, or take it?" Caitlin said thinking aloud.

"Like absorb it?" I asked.