Timeless Wells (Flash) - Speedster

Chapter 10

It's hard integrating into another universe. When you were stuck at Star Labs it was more about survival. A part of you expected everyone to look at you the way Barry did.

A greeting you received this morning had caught you off guard. You can't remember the last time someone has smiled at you so kindly. Even if they were just serving coffee. You take the bill from the woman, nodding your head as you walk out briskly.

Harrison has pretty much given you free range to do what you want. He'd offered his home to you, but there was something unsettling about being with him like that. Almost like you're waiting for him to turn on you.

So after much convincing, you'd bargained to sleep in Star Labs extra rooms until you could make enough money to support yourself. He was against it at first, but he never pushed, which you respected.

He wasn't trying to force anything, you know that in the back of your mind. He's kind.

Honest.

But your mind won't give you the satisfaction of letting your guard down. You lecture yourself not to get too comfortable. Exiting the shop, you don't expect to see him casually standing outside.

"Good morning."

You're a bit tense, and you nod.

"I thought I'd meet you and we could discuss your integration as a hero in this society."

"I'm not going to be a hero."

You've already gone down that road once. You have no interest in doing it again. Harrison walks in step with you, making small hand gestures as he tries to make a case. Your eyes drift over the people as you pass by.

It's crazy just how different these earths are, yet so similar. Maybe that's where your heistance comes from. The fact that you keep seeing your mistakes played back to you no matter where you end up. It's like a record that continues to reset on the same song, just a different version each time.

"You're only saying that because you don't see the bigger picture. I already told you, you're destined for greatness. You just haven't seen it yet."

You aren't sure if he's naive or just simply delusional. Nothing good could ever come of you trying to save lives. Not after what has already happened. You don't get why he doesn't see that. He's like a ball of hope and enthusiasm and it's a little off putting.

"Did you forget what I did? I blew up a power grid. I could have killed so many people. Just like my brother did. There's nothing great about us Thawnes. We're all monsters. It's in our blood. I was stupid to think otherwise. "

You click a button to cross the street. Your eyes stay focused on the light, and Harrison looks as though he's about to further argue his point. Your gaze spots a ball in the distance. It rolls into the road, and you're shocked when a boy follows it out. The light is still green, and you don't see a parent or guardian running to his aid.

Your heart feels as though it's stopped.

Everything else around you has. It's maybe a gut reaction, but your legs move before your brain fully catches up.

The bodies around all move slower than you are, and you grab the boy by his arm, just at the last second, pulling him down. Your feet skate, and the boy stumbles as the car's tire screeches to a stop.

Time returns to normal and you're breathing heavily. You hear a mother calling for her son and she practically tackles him into a hug. She's crying and laughing as she looks over, thanking you. Harrison's eyes shift in your direction, and it doesn't take long for him to put together what just happened. There's a bit of a stand still in the street. People are gathering around to view the commotion.

Harrison makes his way across to you. When he's right in front of you, he smiles.

He doesn't say anything, you can read the expression on his face.

He does enjoy being right.