Always Running

Anonymous Tip

"Caitlin stopped him." Joe says.

"But for how long? If she keeps working against him, Jay's affections for Snow won't mean a thing." Harry argues. "Next he assembled all the metas. Those who refused to work for him, died."

"We have no way of knowing if that's what he'll do here." Cisco argues.

"Where did the police go?" Barry asks.

"They're gathering at Jitters." Joe tells him.

"They're not safe there." Harry says. "They aren't safe anywhere. We need to stop Zoom." He turns to Barry. "There is only one way to do that."

Barry sighs. "Not until we know no one else will be hurt."

"People are going to be hurt with Zoom here." Harry argues. No one responds. He turns to Cisco, hoping to get some voice of reason, but Cisco is turned away. He sighs and walks out, turning before he leaves. "You're letting people die." He spits back. "You're letting her die."

Barry cringes and looks down, gripping his hair and rubbing the back of his neck.

"We're gonna figure out another way, Bar." Joe assures him.

"This doesn't have to all be on you, son." Henry says, following behind Joe.

"Tell me why I shouldn't do it?" Barry begs. "Tell me why I shouldn't let Harry try to give me my speed back."

"What is the cost?" Henry asks. "Barry you were in a coma for nine months last time. Who's to say you won't be again? People died. Hundreds were injured or turned into these meta humans."

"It's been over two years and we're still recovering from the first accelerator explosion." Joe adds.

"But what if we can't recover from Zoom at all?" Barry asks. "We can't stop him without my speed."

"We'll find another way." Joe says.

They all turn when they hear a beeping on the computers. Harry runs back in from around the corner. He opens a message on the screen.

Rupture attack Jitters tonight.

"The message came from CCPD." Harry informs them, tracking the signal.

"Cait." Barry breathes out.

"Who is Rupture?" Joe asks.

"Meta human from my earth." Harry informs him. "Against the Flash I wouldn't worry, but a group of cops...yeah. He's a threat."

"Then let's give them the Flash." Joe says, looking at Cisco.

***********************

"Everything set up?" Joe asks. Barry nods.

"Did you call the Flash?" Singh asks Joe. Joe nods. "Good. We'll need him."

Barry takes a deep breath and looks around. "Are you sure we can do this?"

"No choice now." Joe says.

Barry nods. "It'll work." He reassures himself.

"Alright everyone. Get in position." Singh orders.

Barry runs out to the van Cisco has parked outside. Joe and the other cops get behind the counters. Rupture breaks down the door.

"Where is everybody?" He taunts.

The Flash runs in.

"The Flash. This is unexpected." Rupture says. "You'll be a nice warm up."

He directs his scythe toward the Flash who runs away in time to dodge it. He throws blast after blast trying to hit him, barely missing each time. The Flash finally appears in front of him long enough to get hit. The success distracts Rupture long enough for Joe to appear behind a counter and shoot him with a meta cuff. He drops his scythe. Singh walks up and cuffs him, handing him off to two other officers.

Barry and Cisco high five in the van after Cisco turns off the hologram.

Back at CCPD, Caitlin is watching the newscast covering the attack. The reporter informs them that the attack was stopped with no casualties.

"You warned them."

Caitlin turns to see Jay standing behind her, pissed.

"How?" He snaps.

Caitlin stares coldly at him.

"How?" He yells. She doesn't flinch. He looks and sees the evidence boxes under the table next to her. "Oh, you are smart." He breathes out. He looks up at the smiling reporter. He smirks down at Caitlin. "Your lesson is about to begin."

Jay sets Caitlin down on the upper deck inside Jitters. She looks down to see the cuffs aren't there. He races through Jitters, killing the rest of the cops and reporters inside, leaving only Joe, Singh, and Rupture. He holds Singh up by his neck.

"No!" Caitlin yells, but he doesn't react.

Barry runs in.

"I told you what would happen if you disobeyed me." Zoom growls.

"Stop! You've made your point." Barry begs.

"Barry." Caitlin breathes out.

"Not yet." Zoom responds. He turns and picks up Rupture, pinning him to the counter. "You're the biggest disappointment of the night." He growls. He shoves his hand through Ruptures chest.

He walks over and picks up the news camera.

"The Flash that has been running around your city is nothing more than a trick." He says into the camera. "A hologram to give you hope. But there is no more Flash. There is no one left to protect your city...from me." He says coldly. He throws the camera to the ground.

Caitlin makes her way quietly down the stairs.

Zoom picks Barry up, throwing him against the wall and holding him by his throat.

"And no one left to protect you." Zoom taunts.

Caitlin looks around, knowing begging won't work this time to save Barry. She sees a dead officer behind the counter next to her.

"Stop." Caitlin says calmly but firm. Zoom turns at the sound of a gun cocking. "Me or him." Caitlin says, her face stiff and eyes cold. She's holding the gun to her head.

"No." Barry chokes out. His eyes are pleading.

"He dies, I die." She warns him.

Zoom turns around to face Barry. He takes a deep breath. "She can't protect you forever." He growls. Barry drops to the ground seeing nothing but blue lightning before Zoom and Caitlin both disappear.