Embers & Ice

Chapter Forty-Three

"So let me get this straight,” said Barry through a mouthful of the burger clamped in his hand, “You brought both Jennifer Smart and Eli Akerman back to life from a cryonics state, and now you’re travelling across the country to find a man who can help you get Eli’s memory back when it was your fault he lost it in the first place, is that right?”

Joshua sighed. I’d kill for a time machine right now. “That’s pretty much the gist of it.”

“And how in God’s good name did you get your hands on the technology to actually revive someone from the dead, or at least from a coma in sub-zero temperatures? None of this shit has even been invented yet Joshua.”

“I have connections, okay?” Joshua lifted his cuffed hands onto the table and rested his head on his palms. “Look, are you going to wrap this up or not? And also, I need to use the bathroom.”

“Well you’re just gonna have to hold it,” he picked up his jacket, took another bite of his burger and opened the door. “I’ll be back.”

“Wait! Where’s Eli and Jenny?”

Barry grinned at him, and Joshua winced at the sight of the food squeezing through his teeth. “They’re in exactly the same tricky situation you are, only they’re supposed to be dead. Hang tight.”

With that, he was gone and the door locked behind him.

You should just tell him, the Iceman coaxed inside him. It will make your life easier.

“How?” he said aloud, not realizing that he was probably being watched from the other side of the glass. But the people behind the glass wouldn’t be able to see the blue Iceman sitting in the chair opposite him. “It goes against every fiber of my being to make my powers known, and to this guy? This man of law and logic? No way.”

He’s human, said the Iceman. I’m sure if you laid out the basics he’d probably believe you. Hey, make him a popsicle. That ought to sweeten things up.

Joshua snorted. “What good would it do?”

Think about it. If Barry knows the truth, he’ll go the FBI. He flicked his thumb in the direction of the door. The FBI will find ICE, probably arrest all the scientists there – including Dr. Wolfe – and Hunter and all the other kids trapped inside will be free. Now tell me that’s not a good plan, huh?

“But he’s not going to believe me, even if he knows about my powers. First of all, showing him my abilities is basically a confession because Eli and Jennifer were killed by ice. Second of all, he’ll laugh at me if I tell him an evil scientist has kids locked up in a secret lab somewhere, including Hunter.” He sunk down on the table, the cool steel numb against his cheek. “It’s completely pointless.”

You just need to prove it to him. And I have a plan for that.

“What is it?” he asked, sitting up fast.

The blue Joshua smiled. Take him there.

“You’re crazy! Can you imagine what could happen to those kids if I brought the FBI to ICE? What Dr. Wolfe might do?”

But if Dr. Rosenthal has done his job, the kids won’t even be there. Look, this Barry guy has been searching for the missing kids for half his life. If you lead him to them, this whole investigation will be over. It’ll probably open up another box so big, Barry will completely forget about your little ‘crimes’. You will save lives.

Joshua frowned. “Okay, since when do you care about the greater good? You’re completely evil.”

He chuckled. Just think – you’ll find Hunter, reunite her with Eli after restoring his memories, the FBI will take care of ICE and you’ll never have to worry about the Agents hunting you down again. Life can go back to normal, for you and for those poor kids under Dr. Wolfe’s knife at this very moment. He leaned back on the chair and put his hands behind his head. I’m telling you, this plan will solve everything.