Shadoe: Revisited

Chapter One

"And make sure that you get your order and come straight back. You don't want anyone to find out."
I sighed,

"Yes Mr. Queen, whatever you say."

I know. I said I was living in Starling. But I'm in Central. So I told everyone I was picking up an order. No judging here. And Oliver Queen giving me a year-long lecture about my safety while my brain fell asleep was not part of the 'package' I came to pick up.
Anyways, back to the story ....

I could hear a female voice on the other end; Felicity Smoak. It was muffled but I could just make out what she was saying,
"Tell her to say hi to Bewr for me," I could hear Oliver speaking back to her,
"I don't think that's the best idea, Felicity. Besides you just saw him two days ago," I simply stood there in the middle of a busy walkway, confused,
"Say hi to who?" Oliver sighed, "Felicity says to say hi to Barry for her,"

"Barry as in Barry Allen or Barry as in...uh I don't know another Barry,"

"You don't have to if you don't want to," he replied quickly. I smiled to myself,

"It's ok. Like I said the other day, he wasn't one of them,"

Only Oliver knew how much I went through the first time I was in Central City. How much the people affected me. How much I was hated. Only he understood. I made him swear not to tell a soul. Not even Felicity or Diggle.

I hate sympathy. I mean- I don't mind when I have to show sympathy to others, don't get me wrong. It's just that I'd had enough of it already when my parents were murdered If I was to get rid of something in this world, it would be sympathy. And bad guys.

As I ended the call, I walked into the hotel Oliver graciously booked for me. I was to ' stay there for 6 nights and no more' as Oliver sternly ordered me.

Yeah, as you have maybe gathered, I'm not here to pick up a package. That sounds dodgy in itself. After seeing Barry in Starling City, it made me wonder how everyone was getting on back in Central. If you guessed already, congratulations. Eat a cookie.

I know, some of them treated me like crap, but that was ten years ago, and I may be a deserter, but I'm not heartless.

I don't know why I lied to Oliver. He's the only one I don't have to keep secrets from. But I feel that if he finds out he won't let me do this alone, and I need to do this alone. This is my battle to fight, not his.

Central hasn't changed much in the last ten years. As I walked through the city, there were posters everywhere about a particle accelerator. It's basically where two elements collide to form new elements, X elements, it's called in the world of science.

Yes. I know stuff.

Anyway, particle accelerator was due to be launched tomorrow, and even though I wasn't staying for long, I thought I might as well have gone. But if it consists of wearing a dress, then I am definitely not going. Urgh, dresses. I cringe at the thought of them.

~

I walked into my hotel room and lugged my backpack along. I heaved it onto my temporary bed, grabbed the TV remote and threw myself along with my bag. I switched the tv on and I could see that the particle accelerator launch was all over the news. I considered visiting the opening tomorrow.

"-are gathered around Star Laboratories in an attempt to stop what they believe to be regulation against the safety of Central City." A news reporter stated.

There were hundreds of people behind her holding up signs and shouting and protesting to stop the launch.

"Many more are joining the cause as STAR Lab's Doctor Harrison Wells is stepping out of STAR Labs." The news reporter looked behind her shoulder.

She was right. A grim-faced male with glasses stepped out of the building.

"It now looks as if he will talk to the Press," she commented as the man walked towards all the journalists and cameras,

"Citizens of Central City," he declared,"I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused any of you. However, I am here to announce that the Particle Accelerator will indeed be launched tomorrow,"

At this, all the citizens surrounding him that were against the launch started yelling and shouting. At that, I abruptly turned the damned machine off. I sighed. I swear to God. There will always be one group of people in this world that will never be satisfied.

I looked at the time on my watch: 3:45pm. I had enough time to explore Central City and get back to the hotel in time to call Oliver at 6:00.
He insisted that I call him at 6 every day that I was there. So overprotective it pains me.

I pulled my earphones out of my backpack and checked the charge of my cell. Satisfied, I walked out the door and went to explore my old city.