The Flash: Broken Bonds: A West-Allen Family Story

Chapter Three: Barry West-Allen

Chapter Three: Barry West-Allen

Central City, 2019, The West-Allen Apartment

Barry looked down at his warm melted ice cream. It always made him feel better when he was upset to try and make his insides hurt as much as his heart did.

Iris hadn't talked to him since their conversation yesterday, even leaving the house early so as to not have to see him. Even if she had, he wouldn't have known what to say. He just felt really hurt right now. And being here probably didn't help.

As he looked around at the walls, he remembered all of the memories that the three of them had shared this last year. All of the laughter, heart, and love that had been so prevalent just a few days earlier.

How could she have lied through all of it?

Barry's thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door that slightly startled him.

He got up and opened it to find Cisco, Catlin, and Ralph standing outside.

" We know how hard these past few days have been, but you shouldn't stay inside moping all day," said Cisco.

" It's not healthy, and we know that you can sometimes beat yourself up over something if left to dwell on it too long," added Catlin, smiling softly.

" Guys, I really just want to be alone right now," Barry sighed.

" Come on Barry, I'm going to bring some cake!" Ralph said coaxingly as he showed him the big box of cake in his hands. Barry appreciated his friends trying to help cheer him up, but he really didn't want to go out and party. Or do much of anything for that matter.

" Thanks guys, but I think that we should just get back to Star Labs and find Cicada. I'll meet you there." he told them.

Before they could object, Barry had sped out of the apartment and was off to Star Labs, leaving his concerned friends behind.

As the others were continuing to look for clues as for where Cicada was hiding, Barry was trying to run off some steam in the training room. Running always made him feel like everything else was melting away. Nothing but the wind, the Speed Force, and his thoughts. It was calming, and gave him a chance to try and clear his head.

Why did you lie to us? You had every opportunity to tell us what was going on, yet you still chose to keep your partnership with Thawne a secret. And then you chose to keep trusting him, even after you learned about what he did to my mom. Why? Why work with him, Nora?

As he slowed down and came out of the track course, the last of his orange lightning dissipating, he saw Joe enter the room.

" I've been looking for you all day, Bar." Joe said concernedly, Barry averting his eyes.

" I think that we need to talk."

" What is there to talk about?" Barry asked, knowing the answer but really not wanting to talk about it.

" Pushing your friends away, your fight with Iris, all of the stuff that went on with Nora." Joe answered, as he sat down on stairs between the track and the observation deck.

" Yeah, everything sure fell apart quickly." Barry sighed, as he sat down next to Joe and ran his hand across his face.

"You don't have to do this alone Barry. You have me, your friends over in the next room, Iris, we all want to help."

" And I appreciate that, but I think that I just need space for a while. And I haven't even seen Iris since our fight yesterday. I don't think that she wants anything to do with me right now."