totally meta

chapter 36

The evening air hung heavy with tension as Henry entered his small apartment, still buzzing from the day's events. He had spent hours with Dr. Harris, discussing not just their relationship but also the challenges that lay ahead with the new meta-humans. But the moment he stepped through the door, he felt the weight of an impending confrontation.

His mother, seated at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, looked up sharply. The worry etched on her face made Henry's stomach drop. "Henry," she began, her voice tight, "we need to talk."

He sat down across from her, bracing himself. "What's wrong?"

"I know about the meta-humans," she said, her gaze piercing into his. "You shouldn't have kept that from me. I'm worried about you. You don't know what they're capable of."

"I can handle it, Mom," Henry replied, trying to reassure her. "I'm not just a bystander. I'm—"

"You're what?" she interrupted, her voice rising slightly. "A superhero? That's not something to take lightly! You could get hurt, Henry. You could get killed. I don't want to see that happen."

His heart raced. He had kept this secret for far too long, but now, faced with his mother's genuine concern, he felt the truth pressing against his chest like a weight he could no longer bear. "Mom, I have to tell you something important. I'm a meta-human. I'm the Flash."

The silence that followed was deafening. His mother stared at him, her expression shifting from worry to disbelief. "What? You're joking, right? This isn't funny, Henry."

"I'm serious!" he insisted, his voice rising in desperation. "the night I got struck by lightning, it changed me. I have super speed. I can help people. I'm trying to make a difference."

She blinked, her eyes wide with shock. "You— you really expect me to believe that?"

"I can show you," he said, urgency seeping into his tone. He sped his hand up so much it looked like nothing more than a blue, a bit of electricity sparking off them. "you have to understand. I can't just quit. I'm part of something bigger now. I'm working with Seven Labs. They're helping me control my powers, and they're working with the meta-humans to ensure no one gets hurt."

"But it's dangerous!" she replied, shaking her head as if trying to shake off the information. "You need to quit that job. I can't lose you."

Henry swallowed hard, feeling tears prick at the corners of his eyes. "I can't quit. If I do, I'll be giving up on everything I've worked for. I want to be there for the meta-humans. I want to help them control their powers so they don't hurt anyone. I want to be the hero I always dreamed of being."

His mother's expression softened, but her eyes were still clouded with worry. "You have to promise me something," she said slowly. "Promise me you won't fight criminals or meta-humans. Just for right now. I need time to think about all of this."

"I promise," he said, though he felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of stepping back. "But you can't tell anyone I'm the Flash."

"I won't," she assured him, though her voice trembled. "I just need time to process this. I can't believe my son is a superhero."

"Maybe go for a run or something?" she suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "I think it would help you clear your head."

"Okay," he said, standing up. "I'll be back soon." With that, he took off, the familiar rush of wind and adrenaline surging through him as he ran out of the apartment and into the night.

---

The world blurred around him, a kaleidoscope of colors as he ran. Each step felt like liberation, but beneath that exhilaration lay a nagging anxiety about his mother's reaction. What if she couldn't accept his new life? What if she never looked at him the same way again?

In mere moments, he found himself at Seven Labs, skidding to a stop outside the facility. The bright lights of the building stood in stark contrast to the darkening sky. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. He needed to talk to Dr. Harris and explain everything that had just happened.

As he entered, the familiar hum of technology greeted him, along with the faint smell of antiseptic. He rushed down the corridor to Dr. Harris's office, his heart pounding in his chest. She looked up, surprise etched on her face as she saw him.

"Henry! What's wrong?" she asked, standing up and walking toward him.

"I need to talk to you," he replied, his voice urgent. "It's about my mom."

"What happened?" she asked, concern flooding her features.

"I told her I'm a meta-human, that I'm the Flash," he explained, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "And now she's scared and wants me to quit. She doesn't understand."

Dr. Harris's expression softened, and she stepped closer. "Henry, that's a big revelation. It's understandable that she's worried. But you did the right thing by being honest with her."

"I just wish she could see that I'm trying to do good," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I can't quit. I want to help those meta-humans. They deserve a chance, just like I did."

Dr. Harris nodded, understanding shining in her eyes. "You're brave for sharing that with her. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable like that. Just give her time. She'll come around."

Henry nodded, but a weight settled in his chest. "I hope so."