The Lightning Gave Me Hope [DISCONTINUED]

The Moment of Impact

Central City was buzzing with its usual evening energy. The hum of traffic, the chatter of people on the streets, and the flashing lights of nearby billboards all created a constant, rhythmic pulse that made the city feel alive. Barry Allen, a forensic scientist at the Central City Police Department, was trying to shake off the weight of another long day of work. The quiet hum of his crime lab offered him a welcome sense of solace, though his mind continued to race.

As a CSI, Barry was no stranger to solving the city's mysteries, but sometimes the weight of his job—coupled with the unresolved pain of his past—felt like too much to bear. Yet, tonight, he felt a sense of urgency in the air, something that made the quiet of the lab feel like it was bracing for something.

Barry sat at his desk, his hands tapping lightly on the keyboard as he skimmed through his case files. The lab was quiet, the only sound was the soft hum of the machines as they ran the various analyses. He glanced at the clock—another hour before he could call it a day. He sighed, glancing over the fingerprint analysis he'd been working on. His mind was elsewhere, though. He needed a break.

Before heading home, Barry decided to stop by McCulloch's Bar. A brief stop wouldn't hurt; maybe a quick drink to unwind before he tackled the next case.

When he entered, the usual warmth of the bar embraced him, the sound of clinking glasses and quiet chatter filling the space. He made his way to the bar, ordering a soda. As he waited, he noticed a woman walk in through the door. She was dressed casually in dark jeans and a green jacket, her hair loose and flowing. There was something about her—something that drew his attention immediately.

The woman walked up to the bar with easy confidence. She glanced at the bartender, her smile easy and warm. "Gin and tonic, please," she said, her voice carrying a spark of energy.

Barry couldn't help but overhear. It was rare to hear someone ordering something so bold. He couldn't resist making a comment. "Gin and tonic, huh? Didn't take you for a hard drinker," he said with a playful grin.

The woman turned toward him, her expression both surprised and amused. Her smile widened as she leaned in. "And what did you take me for?" she teased, her voice light and teasing, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

Barry shrugged, enjoying the moment. "Maybe a wine cooler kind of person?" he joked.

She let out a laugh, a sound that was bright and infectious. "Well, I guess I like to surprise people," she replied, taking her drink from the bartender. "Name's Kara, by the way."

"Kara," Barry repeated, feeling the name settle on his tongue with ease. "I'm Barry."

They exchanged small talk, and before long, Barry found himself genuinely enjoying the conversation. Kara was different from anyone he'd met recently—bright, confident, and easy to talk to. They talked about their jobs, their lives. It was easy. And for the first time in a long time, Barry didn't feel so alone in the world.

"So, you're a CSI?" Kara asked, intrigued. "I bet you get to see some crazy stuff, huh?"

Barry smiled, but there was a shadow in his eyes. "Yeah, some days it's like walking into a crime scene right out of a nightmare."

Kara raised an eyebrow. "Well, I guess someone's gotta keep the city from falling apart."

Barry chuckled lightly. "I try."

Kara flashed him a playful grin. "Well, I bet you're doing more good than you think."

Before Barry could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen—it was Joe West, his foster father.

"Sorry, I've gotta take this," Barry said, excusing himself as he stepped away from the bar to answer.

"Barry," Joe's voice came through, urgent. "Get back to the lab. S.T.A.R. Labs' particle accelerator just malfunctioned. Something big is happening, and we need you there."

Barry felt a knot form in his stomach at the mention of the accelerator. Something was off—he could feel it. "I'm on my way," he said, cutting the call short.

He turned to head out, but as he did, Kara caught his attention again.

"Looks like duty calls," she said with a smile, raising her glass. "Take care of whatever's going down, Barry. And remember—next time we swap stories, I'm not holding back."

Barry smiled, genuinely this time. "Deal. Take care, Kara."

The city felt different now. The air was thick with anticipation. Barry hurried back to the police lab, his mind racing. He wasn't sure why, but everything felt wrong. The storm outside had grown worse, the lightning flashing so brightly it seemed to light up the sky.

He entered his crime lab and quickly made his way to his desk, where the fingerprint analysis waited. He barely had time to process his next move when a sharp tremor ran through the building. The lights flickered once, then went dark. The low hum of the lab machines ceased, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.

Barry frowned, confusion mixing with unease. The ground beneath his feet seemed to vibrate, and his phone buzzed again. This time, the notification was worse.

S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator Explosion.

His heart skipped a beat. He had heard about the problems with the accelerator, but this was different. This wasn't just a malfunction. This was something bigger. Something... catastrophic.

He grabbed his jacket, moving quickly as he stepped toward the door, but before he could open it, the unmistakable rumble of thunder reverberated through the walls of the building. The lights flickered, and the temperature seemed to drop.

Suddenly, with a crackle of energy, a blinding flash of light burst into the lab. The lightning didn't just strike the windows, but Barry himself. The force of it was immediate, a jolt of energy that surged through his body, slamming him against the metal countertop. His muscles seized up, his vision blurred, and the air around him seemed to crackle with pure electricity.

He could barely comprehend what was happening as the energy coursed through his veins. Pain shot through his entire being.

As Barry collapsed to the ground, the world around him became nothing but a haze of light and sound.

In that moment, the lab door crashed open. Kara, having followed Barry out of the bar just in time, burst into the room. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw him on the floor, convulsing from the energy surge.

"Kara, help me..." Barry's weak, pleading words barely reached her ears. She rushed to his side, her heart racing as she knelt beside him. She didn't think twice—she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into her lap.

"No! Barry, no!" Kara screamed, her voice full of panic. She held him tightly, desperately shaking him, trying to rouse him. But there was no response.

Kara's hands hovered over his chest. In her moment of complete panic, she did what she thought was instinct—pressing down on his chest in a desperate attempt to restart his heart. But she had no idea what she was doing, only that something had to happen to save him.

In an unexpected twist, a surge of warmth passed through her hands as the faintest glow surrounded them. She pulled her hands back quickly, unsure of what just happened, but to her shock, Barry's heart began to beat again.

His chest rose and fell, but there was no change. His breathing was shallow, but he didn't wake up. His body remained unresponsive, and his eyes didn't flutter open.

Tears filled Kara's eyes as she continued to hold him, her voice shaking as she screamed, "Somebody help! Please! Get an ambulance! Now!"

She ran her fingers through his hair, her hands hovering helplessly over him. She didn't understand why he wasn't waking up—why her powers hadn't brought him back fully. But she couldn't stop herself from holding him, desperate for something, anything to change.