Dawn West-Allen

10

Nora was sitting at the dining in the kitchen as I stood at the sink filling a glass with water. We sat in silence beside the sound of Nora sniffing or clearing her throat every few seconds. I was glancing at Nora noticing a single Tear would slide down her cheek and she would quickly wipe it with her hand. I was curious as to what happened tonight but I could tell she didn't want to talk or if she could talk about it. I've never seen her so sad, I mean, of course, I've seen her cry but this was different, she seemed broken. I handed Nora a box of tissue followed by a glass of water.

"Thank you, " she said in a low monotone voice as she stared down at the table.

"Your welcome!" I replied in the same manner as I sat on the chair across from her.

Every so often Nora holo would say, "call from Mom!" and then it would stop, only to repeat minutes later. Until it suddenly stopped minutes before the front door opened and in walked mom. I jumped out of my seat and ran to hug mom.

"Hey baby, " mom said kissing my forehead as she hugged me. "Are you okay, where's your gauntlet, I've called over a hundred times?!?"

"I'm sorry, my gauntlet broke but I fine-, I'm just glad you're home!" I replied.

"Me too!" Mom's said as her eyes wandered upward until they landed on Nora who hadn't acknowledged her." I need to talk to your sister in private!" mom said indicating I should go to my room.

I tried looking back at Nora but turned my head back to her before mom assured me she had it from there. I nodded before heading towards my room as mom watched me close my door behind me not noticing I left it slightly cracked.

"Nora!" Mom said softly." I heard about Lia, honey I'm so sorry. I know how it feels to lose someone you love"

I could hear the clicking of Mom's heels as she took a few steps forward.

"if you don't want to talk about it right now, that's ok-or maybe you just don't want to talk about it with me...Nora can I just make sure that you're okay?" mom said worried.

"I guess lighting doesn't hurt as much when you already have it coursing through your veins!" Nora said barely loud enough for me to hear." Does this look familiar?"

A familiar static sound echo throughout our home followed by the sound of Nora's voice as she appeared in my view range.
"How about Now?" she said ominously.

"Nora-"

"Lia found it before she died!" Nora said cutting mom off.

"you put this inside of me, mom?" Nora's voice broke."To dampen my powers? You've lied to me my entire life!"

"I know..." Mom replied softly.

My eyes widened after hearing mom say "I know", Nora had powers this entire time? And mom knew. But Mom never lied to us, she's always told truth no matter what. My mind began racing again, I lost myself in thought as I tried to make everything make sense.

"who else Knows?" Nora asked angrily.

Mom didn't answer.

"Who else?" Nora said louder.

"Everybody?" mom blurted out.

"Everyone that I love has been keeping this from me, why?"

"Because I told them to, for you and your sister's protection!" mom replied."From this city-from-from Meta humans-From your self!"

"Wow!" Nora laughed sarcastically.

"Nora you don't understand!"

"No I don't understand, How did I get my powers what do you have against speedsters?"

"Nora, I have already lost so much, I can't risk losing you or your sister!"

"Well, it's too late you lost me!" Nora replied.

Yellow and purple lighting appeared and Nora was instantly gone leaving behind a light breeze that blew Mom's hair as she stood there frozen like a statue. My feet felt glued to the floor as I thought about everything else mom possibly could have lied letting more bodyweight than I intended onto the door causing the door to squeak. Mom's headshot towards my door tears swelling into her eyes, she was staring at me through the door crack.

"dawn-"

I slammed my bedroom door before mom could get another word out.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

I stared at my ceiling watching the shadows form from every car that passed by with music playing in my earphones. Every so often I'll try to close my eyes but they never stayed closed long enough before I was checking the time again.

"11:08!" I said softly to myself.

I put my glasses back on and began scrolling through songs on my holo until I settled on poker face by lady gaga. Listening to that song made me think of Lia and what she said about oldies being the best music, it made me smile all over again. I wish I had told Lia that she was like my other sister in some ways, she looked out for me just like Nora did. My eyes began to swell with tears as I turned on my side to look out the window. I yawned and shut my eyes as the music began to carry me away until I suddenly had the feeling of actually being carried away.

"Dawn!" I heard Someone say.

I opened my eyes to bright white lights surrounding me.

"What?" I said looking around." Where am I- am I dreaming!?!"

"What? No, this isn't a dream your at the flash museum!" Nora replied.

I rubbed my eyes under my glasses and looked around again. This was the flash museum hallway.

"Why are we here?" I asked."How did you-"

"I need to show you something follow me!" Nora said counting the wall panels until she made a complete stop. She placed her knuckle on the wall and a secret door opened.

"Woah"

"come on!" Nora said leading me into the room.

The room was dark and looked like a broom closet but instead of cleaning supplies, it contained rings and costumes that weren't on display in the museum. I ran my hand through the costumes hanging until Nora called me over. I walked towards the back of the small room where she was standing in front of a white podium.

"How did you know this room was here?" I asked.

Nora didn't reply as she placed her hand on the center of the podium. Suddenly the room lit up with bright white lights. A blue holographic head appeared behind the podium causing me to jump.

"Welcome back Nora West-Allen and hello Dawnelle West-Allen!" The holographic head voiced.

"It knows our names!" I whispered to Nora ." Wait, how does it know our names?" I questioned.

"It knows everything about us and our family,"   Nora replied softly. Nora had a blank expression not even a little amazed at the robot.

"Why are we here?" I repeated.

"This is why!" Nora turned away from me and placed her hand back on the hologram.

"Gideon, play My video!"