Iris gasped for breath. Her lungs felt as if they would explode. She felt her self slipping, and prayed that this time she would. This person, this Reverse-Flash, was giggling as he moved at superhuman speed around her, taking her breath away, literally. The chair floated several feet above the ground, boosted by the whirlwind he had created. Just as the blackness had almost overtaken her., she slammed to the floor, one of the chair legs breaking on impact. The chair tipped to the left and smashed her to the floor. Something inside her right arm snapped and she screamed in agony.
“A little over dramatic, my dear,” said Thawne. “I mean really do you even begin to understand pain? Pain is having your life’s work, your dream, torn away from you by a betrayer to the faith.”
Iris tried to catch her breath, and see through the sweat and tears burning her eyes.
“It truly is a pity, that I can’t kill you just yet. But I need your reporting skills. You will herald in my arrival. Just like that Lane woman in Metropolis did for that stupid fool in the blue suit.”
Iris tried to say, “For what?” but it only came out as a gasping moan.
“Why, you ask? To tell the world! To tell the world that the red suited ninny is an imposter. He stole my power, my life, and my dreams. He trashed my experiments, and made me look like a fool to my peers. All the while standing there, patting me on the back. Telling me it would be alright.”
Iris knew that voice. She knew it. But from where?
“I have the power now. The Speed Force has granted me access to its wonders. I’m a new man. Allen will pay, and with him the Flash will be no more.”
It hit Iris like a mule’s back kick.
Thawne! Professor Thawne! Her eyes widened with fear.
Oh God!“Barry Allen! Barry Allen! What’s so special about him? Thieving impostor! He wanted the power for himself! He betrayed me to Kenyon. Wanted all the glory for himself!” screamed Thawne.
Iris cringed at each word.
Oh, poor Barry. What did Thawne want with him? He had only tried to help. What did this madman have against him? “Why Barry?” she gasped.
Thawne spun and smiled. “Oh, my dear. You don’t know do you?” giggled Thawne.
He stepped closer and leaned towards her face. The odd scent of ionization in the air lingered on his breath.
“Mr. Never on time. Always too busy to see his poor beloved Iris. She sits waiting, watching the clock. It’s ironic really. As fast as he is, he’s never on time.”
“What are you talking about?” screamed Iris.
“This is absolutely wonderful. Allow me to be the first to tell you.” He whispered, “Barry Allen is…bum bum bum…the Flash.”
Iris almost fell backwards in the chair. Had she known all along? Maybe. But why didn’t Barry tell her. What other secrets did he have?
“Mr. Allen will come. He will have to. He looooovvveesss you! Then I will destroy him and I will be the Fastest Man Alive. Are you getting all this, you will need to write this down later?”
He stared at her, noticing something he hadn’t seen before. She was smiling. Well that just won’t do. How absurd. Smiling at a time when he held her life in his hands. Such disrespect. This must be dealt with.
Thawne walked toward her. She was minimal in his ultimate plan. There were other reporters, they would tell his story. She simply didn’t matter. He began to move his hand back and forth rapidly, the sound of a buzz saw hung in the air, and he reached for her throat. But neither her throat nor she was there. Just a chair, spinning in a rush of air.
“Damn you, Allen! You will not take my revenge away from me too!” said Thawne, as he ran through the door shattering the wood into a thousand pieces.
* * *
