Eobard suppressed his frustration, masking his thoughts as he mused over the need to eliminate this sudden obstacle. Composing himself, he glanced at Cisco and Caitlin. "Is there anything else I should know?" he inquired, his voice even but laced with expectation.
Cisco and Caitlin exchanged uncertain glances before Caitlin stepped forward, tapping on her tablet. She took a breath, then began. "Our second patient… he's a complete mystery. We've labeled him as John Doe because we couldn't find any records on him—not even a name. Based on his appearance, he seems to be of Asian descent, probably in his early or mid-twenties. Maybe 23 or 24."
She paused, then continued, "He was found unconscious in the conference hall. It appears the residual energy from the particle accelerator explosion affected him in some way."
Eobard's eyebrows arched slightly, though he kept his reaction subdued. Residual energy? The implications were vast and uncertain. "Go on," he pressed.
Cisco picked up the narrative. "When we found him, he was in bad shape—malnourished, like he'd been through hell. But then something strange started happening. As time passed, his body began to… change."
Eobard leaned in, his interest piqued. "Change how?" he asked, his tone deceptively calm.
Caitlin stepped back in. "He's getting stronger. When we first admitted him, his vitals were faint, barely there. But over the past days, his muscle mass has increased significantly. Even his height has changed. His body is rapidly transforming in ways we don't fully understand."
Eobard's mind raced. A new player, entirely unaccounted for, was now complicating an already fragile timeline. He struggled to maintain his mask of calm, sensing the shifting pieces of his carefully constructed plan slipping further.
"Where is he from?" Eobard asked, his voice measured, though his mind reeled. Was this anomaly just an undocumented immigrant, or was he something far more significant?
Cisco shrugged. "From his appearance, he could be Indian, but there's nothing concrete. No records, no identification. He might not even be from Asia specifically."
Caitlin added, "It's possible he's been living off the grid. There are plenty of people out there with no paper trail, especially immigrants avoiding official systems."
Eobard let that sink in, his thoughts racing. "Have you contacted any embassies to cross-check?" he asked, concealing the growing alarm in his gut.
Cisco shook his head. "Not yet. We're focused on figuring out his condition first. The energy surrounding him is… complicated. We're still analyzing it."
Just then, a piercing siren blared, shattering the tension. The sound echoed through S.T.A.R. Labs, and all three of them turned sharply to the source: the room housing their two enigmatic patients.
---
In the medical room, Swayam lay on his bed, his body still but drenched in sweat. His form had changed drastically, muscles now rippling beneath his skin, though it was the pulsing, multicolored glow emanating from him that made the monitors scream. His heart raced, and he muttered in Hindi, the words a frantic, terrified stream.
Reality seemed to bend around him. The hum of the machines slowed, the blaring siren dulled, and the world distorted. Swayam's senses exploded into overdrive: he could feel every vibration, hear every sound in S.T.A.R. Labs, and see each flicker of light in perfect clarity. It was too much, overwhelming him until, slowly, he found his bearings.
The realization hit him like a wave: Something changed. When that explosion happened, something awakened in me. But before he could process it, the door burst open.
Eobard Thawne—disguised as Harrison Wells—entered, followed closely by Caitlin and Cisco. Swayam's eyes darted to Barry Allen on the adjacent bed, electricity dancing over his still body. Barry's convulsions shook the room, the energy surging around him with dangerous force.
Swayam's heart pounded. This is real. This is the world I watched unfold on TV. Barry Allen, The Flash, lay right there. And across from him was Eobard Thawne—the man he knew to be a villain.
Eobard's gaze shifted between Swayam and Barry, analyzing them both. There was too much happening, and for the first time in a long while, he felt genuine uncertainty. But he masked it well.
The trio worked to stabilize Barry, and as the storm of energy finally settled, their attention turned to Swayam. He sat up, his breath still labored, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear, disbelief, and something deeper—understanding.
Cisco stepped forward, his expression torn between curiosity and concern. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle but unsure.
Swayam blinked, still trying to ground himself. "I… I don't know," he replied, his voice shaky. "Where am I? What's happening to me?"
Caitlin pulled up a chair beside him, her medical instincts taking over. "You're at S.T.A.R. Labs," she said softly. "We found you in the rubble after the explosion and brought you here. You've been undergoing some… unusual changes."
Swayam's mind reeled. The explosion, the particle accelerator—everything was unfolding as it had in the show. He glanced at Barry, now stabilized but unconscious, then back at Caitlin. This is real, he thought, panic threatening to consume him. I'm really here.
Eobard rolled forward in his wheelchair, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he took in Swayam's reaction. "Easy now," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "I'm Dr. Harrison Wells. This is Cisco Ramon and Dr. Caitlin Snow. You're safe here."
Swayam's eyes met Eobard's. He knew who this man truly was—the manipulative Reverse-Flash. Seeing him in person was terrifying, yet Swayam was acutely aware of the high stakes. He was no longer an observer; he was now a participant in this world.
Eobard studied him, the wheels of his mind spinning. I need to understand who this man is, he thought. And if he's a threat, I'll deal with him.
Swayam nodded slowly, trying to steady himself. His world had just turned upside down, but he had no choice now but to adapt. And survive.