Only Because I Need You Too

Chapter 8: Ceedy

Caitlin felt the icy wind wrapping around her body. Tall scaffolds rose from the ground below her, high up into the clouds. The building they entombed was blackened with age. Arching, colourful windows lined the top portion of the building. A huge Bell was displayed at the top of the church, its gold glistening in the red, orange light of the sun. Pink clouds dotted the warm sky. Leaning back against the deteriorating stone wall behind her, Caitlin took in a deep breath. The image of Killer Frost flashed before her eyes. She remembered the heat, the unbearable heat that seared her skin and lashed out at her. Everything was engulfed in orange flames. The intricate windows shattered with long plumes of black bellowing out into the night air. The suffocating heat.

With a shake of her head, Caitlin pushed thoughts from her mind and focused on her cold counterpart. 'I'm here.' Frost's icy breath echoed inside her brain.

"I know. I know this is something you want no part in, but please, will you take over for me when Dawn is born?" Caitlin felt a swirl of emotions erupt in her alter ego. Frost did not reply. "You know why I took you here. I know you remember. It only happed last year," Caitlin hummed, stuffing her hands loosely into her pocket. Silence persisted. "This is where you and I lost our first civilian. If it hadn't been for Ethan, we would be dead right now." Rocking in the balls of her feet, the doctor began to stroll towards the towering building. "I remember feeling how upset you were. Just think, that is how we will end up if you don't take over."

"But Caitlin, it's not my child. It was bad enough I was there when she was made." Frost grumbled.

Caitlin suppressed a smile. Heat tickled her cheeks. "If you don't, then we will both die." She stated. Ice rattled down her spine and the air gained an extra bite. Cuddling close to her scarf, she wrapped her arms around her body. "Frost-"

"Okay. I know. I'll do it. I was always going to do it. I just...." the icy meta drifted off.

Caitlin allowed her lips to quirk downwards. "I know. Thank you." The air around her was still. Even falling leaves fell straight down. Every muscle in Caitlin's body seized up. Panicked eyes scanned the area. "Frost, can you fee-" she froze. There, perched in the scaffolding was a dark silhouette with a long, arching bow. Caitlin staggered back a few steps, her eyes wide and mouth open. The shadow shifted. It was a person, a person black body armour with a large open hood. On its back was the distinct shape of arrows in a quiver. A black, demon-like mask sat upon their face. Caitlin's heart was pounding in her ears. The long bow was armed with an arrow, directly aimed at the doctor. The shadow fired. Everything seemed to slow down for Caitlin. Electricity crackled through her hair and lapped at the back of her neck. Squeezing her eyes shut, she lifted her handbag in front of her face, curling up behind it. A sharp rip and a thud alerted her the arrow had hit. With a glance at her stagnant assailant, Caitlin made a beeline for the church. Energy pulsated through her veins. Before she had even thought about it, she was standing behind the massive, arching doors of the building. The church itself was cavernous in size. Detailed, colourful paintings hung from the walls. A large marble alter stood like a trophy.

Breathing hard, Caitlin ran into one of the pews. Flinging herself underneath it, Caitlin pulled out her phone. After typing in a crazed frenzy, she sent the message. Tension lifted from her muscles as she sat in wait. Staring down at her handbag, she noticed the long sturdy arrow poking out from the leather. The noise of a door echoed through the grand open space. Almost inaudible footsteps began to draw closer. Gripping her forehead, Caitlin could do nothing but listen and wait. Gritting her teeth, Caitlin thought of Frost. If the meta wouldn't take death lying down, then neither would Caitlin. Springing to her feet, the doctor turned to face her enemy.

There it was. The shadow. Looming over Caitlin from her crouching position atop the pew. The villain's gnarled, expressionless mask glared down at her, it displayed rows upon rows of carved, sharp wooden teeth poking out from underneath a wicked grin. Not to mention the two dark eyes that glared out from underneath the mask. Once more, Caitlin found herself staring at the tip of an arrow. 'Change to me.' Frost urged her. Clenching her fist, Caitlin placed a hand on her stomach. Cold began to web across her skin.

A whoosh of air rushed through the church. "CAITLIN?" Ethan's strained voice cried out. Both the archer and Caitlin whipped around, there he was standing just at the entrance of the church. His body was haunched over, his mismatched eyes narrowed at the bow man from beneath his black and blue cowl. In a split second, the archer aimed upwards, releasing an arrow at one of the large chandeliers that swung monotonously from the ceiling above them. A deafening ping filled the room. The doctor let out a squeal of fright as the form of the chandelier began to grow. Squeezing her eyes shut, she braced for impact.

Instead, she felt her whole body being whisked away in a matter of milliseconds. A loud bang and shatter erupted into the air. Ethan's quick eyes scanned her. "Are you alright?" He asked, a hand still wrapped around her forearm. Caitlin blinked, staring around. They were still in the church, just ducked behind the thick alter. Caitlin rose to her feet, Ethan matching her every move. The chandelier lay in tatters, leaving the pews below it as nothing more than a pile of splinters.

Caitlin swallowed hard. That could have been her. "I'm fine... where is the archer?" She cocked a brow, peering around the speedster and scanning the room before her. Nothing. Not a trace of a shadow where it wasn't supposed to be.

"They escaped," Ethan spat. His top lip curled upwards. Caitlin hummed, pressing her palms against her stomach. The speedster turned to her, his expression softened. Without warning he pulled her into a tight hug. Caitlin breathed in his sweet scent and relished in his warmth. "This needs to stop happening. I don't know many more times my heart can stop like that."

Caitlin chuffed a laugh and squeezed him back. "I'm just glad to be alive."