All The Time in the World [1] // the flash

31: Atlas

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Barry sat in the vortex, his gaze locked on his Flash suit. It seemed to be mocking him in a way. On the metal mannequin the suit shined in glory, but the feelings weren't mutual when he put it on. He felt all the weight of the world grow heavier everytime he put on that suit.

"You know, staring at it won't make things better," Joe walked in and stopped next to Barry. He took one look at the speedster and already knew what he was thinking, "Don't even start with me."

"Joe it's all my fault," Barry looked away from Joe and at the suit, "I'm an idiot for trusting her."

"I still don't believe it. Out of all people how can Gen, the Gen who would refuse to kill bugs because it was cruel, be an assassin?"

Barry shrugged and stood up from his seat, "I don't know, but Dr.Wells knows something about her which means nothing good for us. We need to find her and turn her in."

He began walking away from Joe, who quickly turned around and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Barry think about this. What if she's not even an assassin, she just made up this crazy story for a different reason."

Barry turned around and shook his head, "I wish that were true Joe, but I know Gen. I know when she's lying and telling the truth." He felt tears sting the back of his eyes. Quickly he turned away once again and began walking out of the cortex.

"She wasn't lying Joe..." was all Barry whispered as he finally left the room.

Joe stood there in confusion and sadness as he watched Barry walk off like a hurt puppy. A very hurt and confused puppy. This all didn't make any sense to him.

When Barry first came to him, mad as hell, spewing a story about Gen being some masked assassin he thought the boy hit his head one too many times, but the look in his eyes told Joe something was wrong.

A part of him wanted to go to Iris about all of this, maybe she'd talk some sense into Barry. But the warning Barry gave to him rolled around in his head.

"Joe please, don't tell anyone what I told you. This can only be between you and me."

Joe sighed and turned around to walk out of the cortex, but was met with a figure hiding in the shadows. Joe immediately pulled out his gun and aimed it at the mysterious figure.

"Step out where I can see you," Joe's voice was low and stern. All he got back in response was a spine chilling chuckle. The figure stepped out from the shadows, their hands folded behind their back.

"It's a pleasure Detective West, truly. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm a friend. Also, I'm sorry about this," quicker than the blink of an eye, the man whipped out a gun and shot Joe in the neck with a tranquilizer.

Joe had shot, but was so stunned by the dart he missed, hitting a light. He grabbed his neck and pulled out the dart, but the drugs were already in affect. Slowly falling to his knees, Joe weakly said, "I don't know who you are...but you won't get away with this..."

With that, Joe collapsed on to the ground. His attacker eyed him for a few seconds before smirking, "See Mr. Allen, now was that so bad? Tranquilizer darts are much cleaner than bullets." He turned to look at a half conscious Barry who was gagged and bound to a wheelchair.

The man walked behind Barry and began pushing him towards the elevator. He reached over to press the button, but stopped. Slowly turning around he faced a small camera tucked in the top corner of the walls. A sadistic smirk tugged at his lips as he pulled out his gun and shot the camera.

Cisco and Caitlin watched Cisco's tablet in horror from a broom closet as the feed turned to static and Barry Allen was kidnapped.

And you thought shit had hit the fan before...