Don't Blink

Danger on the Home Front

Trying to open the doors to my work, I found that it was stuck. After forcing it a bit, I gave up, knowing that I looked like an idiot. It made no sense, unless they were broken or getting fixed. There was a way into it the studio through the back so I headed round there. Once there, I fumbled through my handbag, trying to find my keys. When I had, I went in through the back door, without a second thought.

There was an eery feeling as I stepped inside. No music could be heard, not even faintly. There should be at least one studio blasting out music. But to my confusion, there was just silence. Getting to one of the corridors, I slowly walked down it, unsure of what was happening. Peeking into the window in the door of the first studio I came upon, I saw everyone in there, but they were against a wall. Some were crying, some were looking terrified, others couldn't look up. Then I saw a man with a gun.

Ducking under the window, I started to panic. Why were our dancers being held at gunpoint? What would they want with us? On my tiptoes, I looked into the next studio along the corridor, they were in the same position. There were many men with guns in the building. Sneaking back over to the back door, I got my phone out, calling the police.

"911, what's your emergency?" The line spoke.

"I need the police. There are people being held at gunpoint!" I whispered, trying to remain calm. Looking in my bag, I tried to pick out the keys without making them jangle.

"Police, what's your emergency?" Another voice repeated.

"I'm at Central City Dance Studio, people are being held at gunpoint." I also repeated.

"Where are you situated in the building miss?"

"I'm about to exit through the back door. The main doors are locked."

"Ok, do that miss. Once you are outside, find a safe place away from the building. Stay on the line. What is your name?"

"My name is-" before I could finish, I heard footsteps. Someone was getting close and I didn't know who.

Forgetting I was on the phone, I dashed down another hallway, dropping the keys in the process. I did a double take on them, knowing that it was risky to go back for them. There was no time now anyway, I could see their shadows. If there was no other way out of the building (there probably was, but they were all out of my range), I would have to hide. And I chose the most cliché place to do so.

We had a huge store cupboard, it held all of our equipment, old clothes from shows, cleaning supplies and whole load of essential items. It was more of a mini warehouse really. Weaving through the stacked boxes lying in the middle of the room, I tried to make my way to the back. Moving a few boxes out of the way, I huddled in the corner, stacking the boxes back up in front of me so that I was out of sight. Now all I could do was wait.

"Miss? Miss, are you still there?" The voice on the other end of the phone almost made me scream. Luckily, I clasped my hand over my mouth just in time.

"Yes, I'm here. My name is Bethan Hills."

"What happened?"

"I heard someone coming and I had to run and hide. I couldn't get out in time." The realisation hit me, I wasn't able to get out of this. This could be it, the end of me. Would Barry come for me? Wasn't he already at a crime scene?

"Ok, stay there but keep talking."

"Is anyone coming?" My voice was trembling now.

"Yes, the police are on their way, calm down. You can only stay there until the police get you."

"But they can't get in unless they ram a door down!"

"Miss, do not worry about the police. Just remain calm and stay there."

"I know but-" The sound of the door opening stopped me mid sentence. I heard footsteps again.

"Bethan? Bethan-" I hung up on them, knowing that thy would give away my spot with their loud voice.

Keeping my mouth covered with my mouth, I felt the tears fall down my cheeks. These men had guns, they were taking hostages and I had no clue why. Items were being thrown around, smashes were echoing all around the room, some were getting quite near me. It took all the restraint I had in me to not scream out for help.

In the distance, I could hear gunshots. They almost sounded like they were in the room. Were they now shooting people!? What for?! What had we done to anger them so!?

BANG! Another gunshot was fired.

Someone shouted for the men to help with the rest of them. I had no clue how many there were in the room, but it was silent when the door slammed shut. There was no way I could move, I was too shaken. And I wasn't allowed to move, I had to wait for help; if any came in time. But seeing a shadow beside me wasn't something that I wanted to see. It was getting nearer and I had no escape.

The boxes collapsed onto me, some of them heavier than others. I tried to push them off of me, scrambling on the floor. I froze as a gun was held to my head.

"Get up slowly." I was ordered.

Doing as he said, I got onto my feet, only to be knocked back down as he kicked me hard in the stomach, making me double over. He laughed wickedly, enjoying my pain, before he punched me in the face. Spread out on the cold floor, I couldn't do anything. His laughing soon ceased as he was suddenly thrown across the room, being knocked unconscious. A person stood in front if me in a red suit and I let out a sigh of relief.

As The Flash pulled me to my feet, I threw my arms around him, holding him to me tightly. He too wrapped his arms around me, his face buried in my neck.

"I got here as soon as I could. I was too late." He mumbled.

"You got here just in time." I cried. It was hard for me to stand after the pain and shock that was running through me.

"I'm getting you out of here and then I'll come back for the others."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Once again, I was cooped up in the police station, awaiting for the detectives to ask me numerous questions. I, along with some others from work, were being seen to by a medical team. My head had only needed a cold press, to soothe the pain and I was just winded from the kick to the stomach. No one had any serious injuries, and luckily, no one had been shot. None of us had any clue as to whether or not the men were caught. Kind words were sent to each other, especially those thanking me for calling for help. All I could reply with was a nod, still shocked from the events that had happened.

I prayed that Barry wasn't injured in the process. What I wanted to see now was him walking down the corridor and towards me where I could hold him again. There had been no sign of him here and all items were confiscated until they had all been examined which also included my phone.

"It was her!" Someone screamed. Looking up, I was suddenly pushed out of my chair, a searing pain spreading over my head due to my recent injury. Hissing, I tried to get back up but someone was straddling me.

"Lucy! What are you doing?" I raised my voice. I had only worked with Lucy on two performances but I still knew her quite well.

"It's your fault! You attracted those gunmen because of all those times that fucking superhero saved you!" She let out a blood curdling scream, hitting me with her fists. Blocking them with my arms, I also screamed but for help.

She was soon pulled off of me and I was helped onto my feet. Two policeman dragged her away, she was still thrashing about. Turning to see who had helped me up, I squealed in delight. Barry was here for me at long last.

His arm wrapped around my lower back, the other holding the back of my neck."I thought I lost you when I heard those gunshots."

I pulled away, looking in his eyes."I thought I was going to be gone too. But I knew you'd be there." He pecked me on the lips, still holding onto my tightly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this moment," Joe said to us,"but we need to ask you a few very serious questions. And it's going to take quite a while."