original

Flash: New Journey

Penulis: Auren02

Bab 1: Tragedy Strikes - Mysterious Person

Silence took over the peaceful house as the young wife of the family took a sip of her wine and let out a breath of relief and joy. A smile appeared on her face when she started to reflect on her son's growth and how he has developed throughout the years. Sadly for her son, she and her husband had become extremely busy with work so they were either tired constantly or simply did not have the time to add another family member to the house for him. Regardless, Nora Allen was grateful for her life and what it gave her in the form of two blessings. One of them was her loving husband, Henry Allen, and the other was her son, Bartholomew Henry Allen or Barry for short. In a daze, she stared at the picture of her perfect family as she slowly drank more of her wine and unwinded.

Then something strange happened. The moment she raised her cup, her drink started to float out of it and stayed in the air for a few moments before dropping with the cup as Nora let go of it due to the unexpected sound of her window breaking. During that short moment where gravity pulled down on the cup and the drink, two lightning bolts started to ferociously revolve around her. Fear took over her body and her knees betrayed her. Nora could only hopelessly watch as she started to worry about her family. Her distress came alive when she saw Barry come down to see what the commotion was in a panic.

Both mother and son called out to each other in desperation as Henry came in to see the most unbelievable sight that he was ever laid eyes on. Rushing to protect Barry, he immediately gave him instructions as he looked back at his wife to see if there is any way to save her.

Henry: "Run Barry. Run!" he exclaimed. Without any warning, the yellow lightning grabbed Barry and took him away while accidentally knocking out Henry. Nora screamed out her son's name before she saw a man in yellow who took a knife and approach her.

Nora: "No. No." She whimpered and cried but he didn't hear any of it. The man in yellow shoved the knife through her heart with no mercy and immediately sped away.

Barry was muddled when he saw where he was. He turned around to see the yellow lightning vanish before remembering that his mom was in trouble. Recalling where his home was from the street he was on, he began to run as quickly as his youthful body allowed while he prayed and hoped that his parents were okay. Due to his rush, he fell twice but got up without a word and continued. His breathing became harsh as the long distance to reach home started to tax his body but he eventually got there with his adrenaline still being at peak levels. The sight he saw made him pale and anxious.

Flashing red and blue lights filled the neighborhood as he saw his father being dragged by the police officers to their car.

Barry: "Dad! Why are they taking you!?"

Henry: "Barry! Don't go in the house!" He cried. "What's going to happen to my son?!" he asked the officers forlornly. Henry turned back to Barry.

Barry: "Dad!" he shouted.

Henry: "Barry!" Anxiety filled his words.

Barry: "Dad!!" he shouted louder.

Henry: "Stay out of the house!!" he yelled as being pushed in the car. Barry couldn't understand why his dad told him to stay out when his mom could be there. Instead of listening, he went up the stairs and entered his house that was filled with cops crawling all over the place. There he saw Joe, a man who was the father of his best friend, kneeling beside something that was covered in a blue sheet as he was speaking with another officer. A second later, he noticed a hand that was sticking out from there and he recognized the clothing.

Walking closer, he knelt in front of the sheet and pulled it up. Seeing the unmoving, lifeless look on his mother's face made him tear up and he called out to her. After what seems like forever, Joe came beside him and pulled down the sheet to cover his deceased mother.

An hour later, Barry was in Joe's car as they headed to his house. It was decided that he would raise Barry as his own until Barry became independent. During the ride, Barry swore that he was hearing a voice; a soothing voice that told him that everything is going to be okay. Arriving at Joe's house, he saw Iris, his best friend, come down the stairs in her robes to meet us. Joe questioned why Iris was not in bed and she answered it by saying that she was waiting for him come home with Barry.

?: 'Couch...' the voice paused. 'Talk.'

Joe: "Iris. Why don't you show Barry where the guestroom is?" Iris nodded and smiled as she walked towards Barry.

Barry: "I think I'll take the couch tonight Joe." he spoke. Joe and iris gazed at him with perplexity but stayed quiet to let him finish. "I don't think I'll feel comfortable in a bed so I'll take the couch for now." he finished. "Sorry for the trouble." Barry had his head down as he said that last sentence.

Joe: "Are you sure Barry?" he asked with genuine concern. 'He just lost his family in one night. That has to be difficult.'

Barry: "Yeah. I just need some space to myself." he replied. Joe studied him for a few seconds before he gave in and let Barry do what he wanted.

Joe: "All right then. I'll show where it is." he turned to Iris. "Go to bed sweetheart. I got Barry."

Iris: "Okay dad. Good night Barry."

Barry: "Good night Iris." Following behind Joe, Barry started to call out the voice that he had been hearing. 'Hello? Hello??'

?: 'Wait' It was a dry answer but Barry got what he needed from it so he listened and waited.

Joe: "I brought you pillows and blankets. Make yourself comfortable." he said. "If you need anything, come upstairs and knock on my door. I'll help you. The fridge is to the right of the kitchen. There should be some snacks there."

Barry: "Right. Good night Joe."

Joe: "Good night Barry." Joe turned off the lights in the room as Barry laid on the couch made himself comfortable.

?: 'Sleep and focus on me.'

Letting his exhaustion take over, Barry passed out almost immediately. Feeling his body, Barry opened his eyes to spot a white space with a bearded man observing him. What caught Barry's attention was the contrast between the man's black clothes and the surroundings so he stood out like a sore thumb. Impatience started to build and Barry decided to start the conversation.

Barry: "Who are you?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

?: "I am Terrance Walker." he replied in a bored tone.

Barry: "Okay but... why are you here? Why did I have to listen to you?"

Terrance: "You didn't have to. I just simply thought you would want to talk to someone after seeing your mother's death and your father wrongfully imprisoned." he spoke in a gentle voice as he expressed sympathy without any difference in his facial expression. "It seems that I am not welcome so I'll just go back to sleep." Terrance turned around and started to leave. Barry chased after him and tugged on his clothes.

Barry: "Wait!" Terrance looked him in the eye. "You know the truth!?"

Terrance: "Yes. I can see everything you see and lightning bolts battling each other interested me."

Barry: "Then could you help my dad? If you say your part, you could get him out. I doubt the other adults will listen to me." A small fire of hope lit up in his heart. Terrance shook his head.

Terrance: "I can't leave your body." He noticed Barry had his head down as he talked to him. "In fact, I was supposed to take over you as a child and be reborn." Barry took a step back with a new urge to run away from where he stood. "Look. I won't do it. Maybe if I cared about living another 150 years, I would. Fortunately for you, I have no such desire." Terrance said. Relaxing a little, Barry tensed up at the next word and then became puzzled from the complete sentence. "However... I want to help you." Terrance laughed inwardly as he saw the most utterly confused expression that a person can muster. 'That is priceless.' he thought.

Barry: "Huh?" Terrance repeated himself.

Terrance: "I said I want to help you. Problem?" he inquired.

Barry: "Uhhh yeah. How are you going to help me? What are you going to help me with?" He saw Terrance in be in deep thought for a few seconds.

Terrance: "Hmmm. I think we can start with living out your life to its finest potential." Barry had a frown on his face.

Barry: "What you're saying is...that I should enjoy my life as the murderer of my mom is out there and my father is in jail." He couldn't believe what the person in front of him was asking of him. It was infuriating!

Terrance: "Sort of. Trust me, I can help you with both parts after a year on this very day." Getting a vague answer troubled Barry even more. "I'm not going to lie. This will be your toughest year. However, if you manage to follow all my instructions strictly, I can guarantee that your future life will be full of joy."

Barry: "..." Barry stayed quiet and started to ponder. What his young mind was thinking would be a mystery to all but God. In the end, he made a decision that affected his whole life. "I'll do it. I'll follow your directions. Please...help me." Terrance nodded.

Terrance: "All right Barry. We'll start tomorrow. Sleep well." he said as he left Barry alone. Suddenly, heavy drowsiness forced Barry to close his eyes and he went on to have a dreamless night.