128

"Mom?" The sound makes my attention snap right where the sound came from, Nora standing there, holding a bowl in her hands, Barry watching from the kitchen, "I cut some fruit up for you."

I gape at her for a second, before sitting up, setting down the cup that held a few sips of whisky, giving her a weak smile, the smile being my thank you gesture.

She hands me the bowl, giving me a comfortingly smile, before seating herself next to me.

I pick at the fruit with my fork, staring at the news that played on the tv screen, Barry slowly walking over, seating himself on my other side, wrapping an arm around me.

He took the fork out of my hands, my eyes slowly watching him, as he fed me the fruit that was at the end of my fork.

I exhale through my nose, looking at him with a unreadable expression, as he wraps an arm around me, Nora and Barry now taking notice of the news.

Suddenly, the entire scene changes, causing me to grab the remote and change the channel, only for it to be the same thing on every channel.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, as I took notice of what was being broadcasted, Barry quickly sitting up at the words.

""

I stared at the tv screen in front of me, feeling as if my entire past had been pulled, slapped onto a paper, and shoved into my face.

"Zee-" Barry began, slowly sitting up, staring at the tv screen.

I shook my head, staying silent, as I remained since we got home, staring at the tv screen.

-

Barry sits up next to me a few hours later, my eyes snapping open tiredly at the sound of banging at our front door. My eyes land on the clock on Barry's nightstand, the time reading 3:02 am.

I looked at him, slowly getting up, as does he, him quickly putting on a hoodie and sweatpants.

I remain in an oversized sweater, one that fit me like a dress, my legs bare, comfortable shorts on under the sweater.

Barry and I slowly made our way down the stairs, my eyes landing on Nora, who was gaping at the door from the couch.

"The hell?" I glance at Barry and Nora, before walking to the door, opening it, my eyes landing on none other than my father.

My eyes widen, my hands instantly pushing on the door to shut it, only for him to push back, stronger than me, shoving me onto the ground.

Barry was quick to have him up against the wall, Nora helping me up.

Barry was defensive already, his eyes filled with hatred, his jaw clenched, "If you lay a finger on my wife- so help me God, I will murder you."

I slowly grabbed the handcuffs that sat next to my badge, walking over, putting my hand on Barry's arm to signal I want him to let go, my eyes glued on my father.

Barry slowly let go, stepping away, as my father stared at me for a second, before grabbing me and pinning me to the wall, a sharp object what I assumed was a knife pressed against my stomach.

"Mom-" Nora began, only to be cut off when my leg flew up, pushing James back, catching him off guard, pushing myself up, getting onto his shoulders, flinging myself back, bringing him down with me, pinning him to the ground on his stomach, handcuffing him.

"Mom- that was so schway!" Nora quietly cheers from next to her father.

"James Zolomon you are under arrest for the violation of-" I began to say, speaking for the first time since I've gotten home.

He cuts me off, "We can be together. We can die together- we can be with your mother again."

"Anything you say or do will be held against you in a court of law-" I tried, only for him to cut me off again.

"I should've killed you along with your mother." He spat at me, now upset that I wasn't giving in.

"Well-" I got up, pulling him up with me, "You didn't. And here I am, ready to take you right back to your execution."

"Zee-" Barry grabs my arm, looking at me with a concern look.

"Just-" I looked at him, "Speed him back before he tries anything else, please."

As if on cue, James turns after I loosen my hold, his leg flying up, only for Barry to whoosh him off, a sigh leaving my lips as I picked up the knife that fell onto the ground.

"Mom- your leg." Nora points at the gash that somehow made its way there, a shrug coming from me as I toss out the knife.

"It'll heal." I mutter, looking up at her, "Nora, I'm sorry, I didn't-"

Nora cuts me off, engulfing me in a hug, as I let out a shaky breath, hugging back tight. Barry runs in, looking at Nora and I. Walking over to us, he wraps his arms around us both, his chin resting on my head, as they both tried to comfort me.

-

"Zee-" Barry grabs my hand after I slip my sweater on, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I use one hand to fix the hem of the white sweater I had put on, dusting off my blue jeans for no reason, my legs exposed due to the many rips, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I mean, with your father being pronounced dead this morning-" Barry began, "And what he did last night- and all-"

"I'm okay." I dismiss, slipping on a pair of black platform heeled ankle boots, letting go of his hand, turning away from him, running my hands through my straight, medium length hair.

"Zee." Barry grabs me by my forearms, turning me around so I faced him, "We're not leaving until you talk about this."

"Barry, what is there to talk about?" I question, "My father legitimately wants me dead so we can reunite with my mother."

"God, that sounds even more insane out loud." I huff, looking away, trying to hold back tears.

"It does." Barry admits, "But, this is exactly what we need to talk about. You can't just bottle it all up, I'm here for you."

"I know." I looked up at him, putting my hands on his chest, trying my best to stay strong, only for my voice to come out weaker than I intended, "But, I'm afraid if I start letting it all out, the pain won't even stop."

"Grief is a part of life." Barry pulled me close, "You gotta let it out."

I stared at him, tears almost instantly filling my eyes as I let out a choked sob, hugging him tight. Every thought, every moment, every second of last night to this morning filled my mind. I tried not to think about it, but the more I tried, the harder it got.

"It hurts." I sob quietly, "It hurts so much. I didn't think I'd be so upset about this twenty years later- I didn't think he'd show up- I didn't think he'd be even worse than he was then-"

Barry rubs my back comfortingly, letting me vent it all out, "I'm so sick of feeling like this. The undeniable pain- first it was because of you disappearing in the future, then it was because of my future self- and now it's because of my Dad- I- it hurts too much, please make the pain stop- please make it stop-"