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CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE what a brutal way to die
⊱ ──────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ──────── ⊰
BARRY ACTUALLY WASN'T that hard to find. Juliet had only searched for a little bit until she found him, standing in one of the rooms in the basement, where Harry had built the whole contraption that would help Barry get his speed back.
Juliet slowed her pace, clasping her hands behind some back. "Mind some company?"
Barry let out a breathy laugh. "I always want your company, J."
"That's good, because I would be a little concerned if you didn't." She leaned against one of the walls, glancing up at the complicated machine. "Seems like you've got a shit ton of things on your mind."
He leaned against the wall opposite of her. "It should be an easy decision. Why isn't it?"
"Getting hit by another Particle Accelerator explosion isn't an easy decision," Juliet insisted. "You're changing your entire body, not going shopping. There's a very high chance that something could go wrong, and something bad can happen again. You shouldn't beat yourself up over weighing your decisions."
"I thought bringing my dad here would make this easier. It's just made it a lot harder."
"You also have to understand why he doesn't want you to do it. I mean, Barry, he lost the love of his life. He technically lost you when he spent all those years in prison and didn't watch you grow up. All he wants is for you to be safe." Juliet gave him a small smile. "He just doesn't want to lose you."
He nodded to her. "What about you? I know you told me you would back up whatever I decide, but I need to hear your opinion."
"I can't make the decision for you, Barr."
"You won't." Barry stared at her pleadingly. "Just . . . tell me your thoughts."
Juliet let out a deep breath. "I just . . . I've watched you ever since you lost your speed. You feel lost. Empty, even. And no one can blame you — you've had speed for well over a year, and it was ripped away from you in the blink of an eye. Now Harry's saying that he's found a way to give it back in a more controlled setting, and . . ."
"And?" Barry urged.
"If it was the other way around, and it was me who gave up my powers, I would want to get them back, too," Juliet admitted, something she hadn't really fully realized until now. "And if that meant doing another Particle Accelerator explosion . . . it's risky, but it's the option that makes the most sense."
