In Time | The Flash

Chapter Seven | Aspen

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."

- J.R.R. Tolkien

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CHAPTER SEVEN

>>> Aspen's P.O.V. <<<

It takes almost a whole day to clean up after the mess that was Eobard's attempted escape and ultimate demise. Caitlin made sure everyone was checked up, especially Eddie and the Fl--Barry. Joe, Ronnie, and Cisco cleaned up the mess that Barry made. Professor Stein made certain that the wormhole stayed close, thank the goddess. I can't even imagine what would've happened if it had re-opened after Thawne was defeated and Eddie was healed.

Tril and I take a few moments to ourselves. We talk over what happened the day we got our abilities. She tells me how she's been a part of Team Flash since close to the beginning. She tells me that she met Caitlin Snow in college at UCC, University of Central City, even though they were in completely different programs. While Caitlin is a doctor, Tril prefers art and, occasionally, music. They crossed paths on campus and became quick friends.

"I went to Cait when I got my powers to see if she knew anything about it," Tril tells me as we're sitting in the Cortex. She plays with her broken paintbrushes and sighs. "Cait didn't know what to do about my case, so she contacted Cisco and Dr. Wells--I mean, Thawne. They told me to come in for some tests. I did, and before I could leave, we had an emergency."

"What kind of emergency?" I ask, pulling the shock blanket tighter around my shoulders.

Tril shakes her head, as if not wanting to re-live it. "An exploding soldier. It wasn't the best day, but after it ended, Dr. Wells and the team agreed I should stay. One thing lead to another, and pretty soon I became who I am today."

"And who is that?" I ask. "The Łizhin?"

{A/N: Łizhin is pronounced "Shizin"}

Tril nods with a smirk-y smile. "You heard my name?"

I roll my eyes. "It's on the news with the Flash every other second at work. Łizhin: Navajo word for black. I should've known it was you, you and your Navajo pride."

"Just like my Ama," Tril replies, using the Navajo word for her mom. Her smile fades as she asks, "What were you doing at the Boulevard Building, Penz?"

I cross my arms over my chest and heave a heavy sigh. "Aeri Sado came to my office a couple days ago and threatened to take the building back if I didn't catch up on my rent. I told her no, even when she made an offer to buy it from me. When I went to the building later that day, it was abandoned, empty. No one was there, no people or animals. The furniture was gone, there wasn't anything except an eviction notice and a note from Sado saying that I should've listened to her."

Tril scoffs in disgust and fake gags. "That bitch! She had no right."

I rub my face. "She had every legal right, Trillium. She came there on behalf of the bank to warn me to catch up on my rent or the building would be taken back. I just...didn't think she would do it that quickly."

"Yeah, well, the law sucks. That's why I'm a vigilante."

I give her a playful glare. "That's what triggered my meltdown that caused you and Barry to come to the rescue. My emotions got the better of me. I still have no idea where the animals or volunteers are. Some Christmas present."