NO HERO · BARRY ALLEN | ✘

Nineteen: Destroying the Evidence

As much as the pain is gone on my upper extremities, the legs aren't doing to well. One side of both my arms are charred but my legs aren't lucky. I can feel them now while the pain is still unbearable.

I can hear the people coming in and out, talking to me, dropping things off, and leaving. They talk on the side and in the halls.

Layla visits the most (she visited thirty times in the last few hours). Barry comes a close second with Joe tagging along.

"I wish I'd pushed you to stay at home," she sobs. I feel her head on my stomach and her tears soaking through the sheets. "I feel like such an idiot. I'm so sorry."

She's not the only one to apologize. Barry comes in alone at one point (I define alone as him going inside while Joe stands guard or something). "I wish I'd gone to get you as well. I wasn't fast enough, and I'm so sorry. I want to turn back time so I wouldn't make the same mistake I did today. God, I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat."

His voice almost makes me wake up. Almost.

At one point I do wake up, but no one's there to see me that time. I don't feel like calling for a nurse.

Then while I'm lying there and staring at the holes in the ceiling I hear shuffling in the hallway. I close my eyes and pretend I'm asleep.

It's Barry, Caitlin and Cisco. Joe stands outside (obviously) and the three are inside.

"Does she look like she's improving?" Barry asks.

"Bro, it's been two hours. It's okay if she isn't feeling that well right now."

"I know, I'm just worried. I really wish I'd saved her, you know?"

"It's okay, Barry. I think we should take her in to STAR Labs just in case " Caitlin suggests.

"Why? The doctors can take good care of her."

"Barry, you can't protect her if she's in the hospital. You can back at the lab."

"Sure. We should talk to Joe about it; he's still outside next to Singh's room. He's not doing so well."

"We'll give you time to think about it," she decides. I hear the sound of footsteps becoming quieter.

Then Barry sighs. "If you can hear me, just know that we're going to take you to STAR Labs so Wells and the others can watch over you. You'll be up in no time."

I hear him walk toward the door. "Surprise, bitch," I whisper.

The footsteps stop. "Wait. Evie?"

I open my eyes. "Sup."

"Oh my god, you're awake! How-"

"Pfft. I don't know. I just woke up like ten minutes before you guys came in. And uh, I don't really want to go to STAR Labs."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to go," I say defiantly. I don't want to be near Wells.

"You have to give me a reason why you don't want to," he sets his jaw. His hands are folded across his chest.

"I just don't want to! Why can't you respect my decision?"

"Have you seen the burns? And what if Mardon comes after you? He basically almost killed you once and now he knows who you are, who's to say he won't try to kill you?"

"I'm worried about Wells," I mutter.

"Wait, why Wells? Iris was trying to ask stuff about him. Did she try to get to you too?"