CHAPTER 39

The thought of taking a man's life was one thing, but actually carrying out the act was an entirely different experience. Since the subway incident, the image of the lifeless man's face keeps flashing before my eyes whenever I am lost in thought or close my eyes for more than a few seconds. 

I know it was clearly accident but my response to the situation came as a surprise to me. It made me wonder what else could have changed about me and how much this verse had affected my state of mind without my notice. 

I know the change was natural due to my new environment but still, I might be losing a piece of myself as I adapt to my new norms around here.

The first time I noticed a change in my personality was when I first woke up in this world, and I knew exactly what caused it. It was the betrayal I experienced from my uncle in my previous lifetime, which led to my untimely death. Now, I view the world with a more cynical perspective, keeping people at arm's length and not letting anyone over the walls I've put up. 

I don't mind the changes though, just that I would like to keep tabs on them and keep them in check. If I don't have control over them and I somehow develop a selfish ideology down the road, then Central City might have another villian on their hands. 

My thoughts on heroes and villains still remained the same. I think it would be fun to be a villain but that's kind of a hassle if you asked me. Then again they are free to do whatever they want and whenever they wish to, without feeling obliged or carrying the expectations of the public on their shoulders. 

The constant plotting and scheming, always looking above your shoulders when you are up to no good as you keep making enemies or frenemies along the way because you just can't trust anyone. One thing is clear, every villain is a hero of his own story… as fucking if. Psychos were psychos, backstory included. 

Heroes on the other hand, I think they are sick with the need to help people and keep order within their city and another where their help was needed. It was the heroes' job, and they hardly took breaks from heroism because they believed in the phrase 'Evil never sleeps.' A phrase that suits this world more than anything, as they put their hearts and souls into protecting their beloved city. 

If I want to live a long life in this world and enjoy the endless thrills it has to offer, I need to get stronger. Only the strong can survive here, and I don't mind reaching the top level as long as I can do my thing without interference from heroes or villains. 

… 

[Barry Allen's POV]

I was back in Central City and Wally has been acting weird since I arrived, I don't know if it had everything to do with the vigilante he promised to bring in, but whatever it was I hope he'll speak up soon. 

Reports of beaten thugs hadn't been spotted in a while and all trails had gone cold. Maybe he had ceased all late-night activities for the time being and started keeping a lower profile, or something happened between him and Wally which he is not telling me about. 

I glanced at the young speedster who was watching TV and seemed to be avoiding me, while I finished up with the sandwich he was preparing in the kitchen. 

"Hey Wally, got a sec?" I said to the young lad as I gave him a sandwich. 

"Sure Barry."

"Did anything interesting happen while I was away?" I asked. 

"Anything like?" Wally asked as he tried to camouflage the incident in hopes of me not asking about the vigilante, because it would be embarrassing to fill me in on how he had his ass handed over to him. 

"You've been avoiding holding a conversation with me since I got back and it is so unlike you to do so. So tell me, what happened."

"We found the vigilante." Wally said as he averted his gaze from me. 

"That's great, why didn't you tell me about it?" 

"That was because things went south and that night ended painfully for me."

"You engaged him? Wally, I've told you several times that violence is not always the answer. You should have reasoned with him and given a fair warning not to engage in such activities again, or else the police would come for him," I scolded.

"Of course, I tried to be reasonable with him. I confronted him and tried to have a rational conversation, but he didn't care to listen to what I had to say," Wally defended himself.

"I'm guessing it didn't go well and it led to something else." I said to him, sensing that there was more to the story.

"You must have guessed it already, but it escalated into a fight in which he seemed to have had the upper hand." He sighed. It was embarrassing to admit he was beaten hands down, even though he didn't go all out. 

"Was he really that strong?" I asked, I wondered how Wally could be overpowered by the local vigilante. 

"I wouldn't say he was that strong, he just had some tricks up his sleeves and I still couldn't figure out how his powers work." 

"Well at least you got to witness him use his powers. What kind of powers were they? I could finally ask the question that had been nagging at the back of my mind since the first time I saw the reports, cases about brutally beaten thugs who testified that the culprit didn't come in contact with them but yet tossed them around like ragdolls. 

Sigh! 

"That's a tough one, because I still haven't figured it out yet." Wally said with a defeated tone. 

"Okay, but what was it like?" I asked him as I  wondered if I could figure out the nature of his abilities from the information Wally could provide. 

"First off, it definitely wasn't telekinetic like we had assumed it to be." He paused and took a bit of his sandwich. 

"I had a feeling his ability might be more than that."

"He did not put in much effort into fending off both Gar and I." He said with a low tone. 

"I knew Gar didn't just decide to visit Central City just for the opening of that new art gallery the news was talking about. Well, continue." I gestured for him to proceed while I kept munching on my delicious sandwich. 

"At first, he released what seemed to be an energy burst. I managed to get close to him, but then he messed with my center of gravity, which made me unable to move for a brief second. I broke out of his hold just in time to dodge a punch he threw at me, and that's when things got a little crazy," Wally explained.

"What do you mean by 'crazy'?" I asked the younger speedster who seemed a bit confused, I was curious about what had happened next.

"I clearly dodged the punch but yet something came in contact with my face."

"How's that even possible?" I wanted to hear more about it, this was our first time dealing with this kind of meta. 

"I don't know, it just happened."

"Any other thing?" 

"Yeah, he sent Gar who had transformed into a gorilla, half way across the street with a single punch." 

"Wow, does he possess super strength?" For us speedsters, that level of strength was normal. But not for a normal meta unless he possessed some kind of super strength. 

"I'm not sure he does, if he did then he'd get involved physically with those victims. But I did notice the crowbar he used as cuffs on some robbers who tried rubbing a jewelry store."

"Wait, what? He turned a crowbar into handcuffs?"

"Yes, yes he fucking did." He replied as he gave a slight chuckle. 

"Wow, that was something I never expected . Anything else?"

"Yes, he pulled a very annoying stunt on me. I sped at him so I could knock him out and end the scuffle, but just as I was about to deliver my punch, it felt like I punched a force field and it sent me flying, almost like it deflected the force back at me and it led to a dislocated shoulder." He held this shoulder with his other arm, then flexed it a little as he spoke. 

"Now that's something. How's your shoulder?" I asked, with a worried expression on my face. 

"I'm fine, speed healing, remember?"

"Sure, do not let your guard down next time okay." I said to him as I patted him softly on his shoulder before attempting to take my leave. 

I could tell from the way he spoke, that he intended to settle the scores if he gets the chance to do so. 

"Wait, you are leaving already?"

"Yes, I gotta catch up with iris. We've got dinner plans for tonight." I replied him while I reached for my jacket hanging on the coat rack. 

"You know that's not fair right?" I stopped with my hand few inches away from the door nub as I slowly turned to him, wondering what the fuck he meant by that. 

"Not fair how?" I asked the teenager who seemed like his only plans for the night were to sit on the couch all night and binge watch TV series I'm pretty sure he has seen already. 

"I told you what went down in the city while you were away, and about my encounter with the vigilante."

"So….?"

"Of course I want to hear what happened over the past few days, I know something juicy must have happened during your time away. Unless you would have been back to the city a few days ago." He said with no doubt in his eyes. I had a dinner date planned out with Iris in less than an hour, I wouldn't want to be late for our date like always and just show up on time. 

Then again, I'm the fastest man alive. I'm sure I could squeeze in a few minutes and feed Wally's curiosity. He was right about me not being fair for holding back on what actually happened. It was League business and I was not supposed to discuss it with him, but he had earned it. 

"Okay Wally, scoot over. It's time I filled you in on what really happened."