Running Over Water

[21 - Blames and Regrets]

Percy

Before I even thought about going after the thief, my first thought was to help the old woman. I ran up to her. "Hey, are you okay?" I grab her hands, and lead her up to her feet where she steadies. She was so fragile, I was scared if I pulled her up too quickly, she'd simply crumble in my hands.

She nodded, an angry expression on her face, "Don't worry about me, son. Go get that little roach."

I grin, and make sure she's leaned against the wall as support before running after the man. I felt there was no need to summon water and use it against him, that would simply end the battle too quickly. Besides, I wish to have a little fun with this.

The street is quiet, so we're running in the middle of the road. But before long, I'm right behind him, and he begins to notice me chasing after him. Instead of looking afraid, he seemed having a bit too much fun with this.

I extended my arm just a little bit, and my fingertips just barely grasped his shirt. I grunted, tired of playing tag, "Come back here," I mutter under my breath. You know what? I've always wanted to play football. Once again, I gather my strength and try to grab the thief's shirt. I muster enough energy to grab him by the collar and tackle him before he can run any farther.

We fell to the ground in a jumbled heap. He groaned from the impact. I, on the other hand, landed on top of him, meaning he lessened the impact for me. That's one good thing he's done today.

His grip on the purse weakened, but I was totally prepared to fight him for the bag again if he didn't let go. I pull him up to his feet with his arms pulled back behind him, "Could you pull my arms back any farther?" The man eyes me and I simply eye him back and pull his arms back even more. Holding him by his arms, I lead him to the elderly lady, who came waddling happily towards me saying she had just called the police. She gave me a fat kiss on the cheek when I handed her bag back. When she wasn't looking, I wiped her saliva off my cheek.

She looked at the thief who was looking down at the ground shamefully. She walked up to him and I definitely hadn't expected her to slap him in the face. I had to cover my mouth from laughing too hard.

After about five or so minutes, a cop car turned around the corner so I decided to leave the rest to them.

I wanted to get lunch because, well, I was starving. I bet you'd be able to hear my stomach growling from miles away. But by the time I was more than halfway to Big Belly Burger, I realized I forgot my wallet.

So then I had to go ALL the way back to S.T.A.R. Labs exhausted, hungry, and hot. By the time I was inside the building, I felt relieved when the chilling air conditioner hit my body.

I was so out of it, I was totally ready to take a nap.

I wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead with my shirt as I walked out of the elevator and into the Cortex. It took a moment once walking in that I realized Caitlin, Cisco, Wells, and Barry were all awaiting me, staring at me expectantly.

I stopped in my tracks, confused why they were looking at me with such an expression. I tilt my head, "Uh, hi?"

"Percy, why'd you have be so careless!" Caitlin casted me a frown.

That struck me. What was she talking about? "What do you mean?"

"You think we didn't know about your little hero act just now?" Wells asked, and I gave him a questioning look in response.

"What's wrong with that? I always go out on patrol like this and that lady needed help, was I just supposed to stand there and watch?"

"It's not that. It's the fact that you ran into trouble when you weren't wearing your designated attire," he looks down at my cargo shorts and t-shirt.