The Flash #39: "No Rest for the Kind"

With everything that’s been going on recently, sometimes you just need to take a breather. Sometimes you just need to slow down your pace and give yourself time to rest. And sometimes you need to be with the people you care about most.

My name is Barry Allen. I’m the Flash. The Fastest Man Alive.

And today is my day off.



I always fall prey to those eyes.

Iris has her arm locked around mine and we’re strolling down the crowded streets of Central City. We’re almost invisible amongst the extensive number of people passing by us, almost becoming one with the entire mob but even as invisible as I may be, I still catch people glaring at me.

“I know you said we both needed some ‘r and r’, Iris, and I know I agreed but come on, can’t we take it in China or something? Where I don’t have a zillion different people looking like they want to rip my head off? You know it wouldn’t be a problem getting there.”

I scan the surrounding faces a bit nervously but Iris just gives me her signature warm smile.

“Sweetheart, you know the only way to defeat your inner demons is to face them head on.”

“These aren’t demons, Iris. They’re way worse---city citizens.”

Iris raises a brow at me and I know I should probably stop talking. She tugs me by the arm and with me barely being able to keep up with my wife(apparently, she’s the fastest woman alive when it comes to shopping), we arrive at a large clothing boutique named Dewey’s.

“Okay, Iris. Meet you back here in an hour?” I say with a smile, hastily moving toward the door but she catches me by the back of my jacket.

“Not so fast, Bartholomew Allen.”

Uh oh. My full name. She means business.

“We’re not just here for me, you know?” She flashes a grin and drags me further into the store. “You’re in desperate need of new clothes and I’m going to make sure you get them.”

“What’s wrong with the clothes I have now?”

“Nothing, Barry, it’s just, fashion is always changing and you being the guy who can move really fast, should probably try to keep up with it.” Iris says and I can even hear herself trying to restrain a laugh.

“Okay, Iris. Since you want me to be with it and all that…how about this?”

I jokingly pick up a red bow tie and hold it up to my collar. She examines the bow tie for a moment before chuckling a bit.

“Doesn’t suit you at all, Barry.”

“Exactly. You know what suits me? My Flash suit. It fits in a ring which is a plus for you because itdoesn’ttakeupmuchspacesoitisn’tapainanditdoesn’tneedtobewashedordrycleanedand-“

“Barry.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going too fast for me again.”



“So…are we going to rescue, James, or what?”

Weather Wizard glanced down at the cards in his hands while his Rogue companions scattered around the little table did the same.

“I’ve been tryin’ but the word I got from some of the other inmates in Iron Heights was tha’ they locked our friend in a room with absolutely no light. Which means no reflection. So I can’t get ‘im out.” Mirror Master said, placing a card on the table.

“They don’t want us anywhere near him, then.” Heatwave said.



As fast as I possibly can, I’m darting in and out of the changing room, showing Iris the clothes she’s having me try on (the majority of them, I hate) and then changing into the next outfit. It only takes about five minutes thanks to how quickly I’m able to switch between clothes and she thinks most of them are nice so she insists on buying them.

We’re back on the street earlier than I expected we’d be and Iris is clutching a few clothing filled bags in her hands. I realize while we’re walking that I actually much prefer to be in the security of a store than out on the streets with these people. Iris brings me to a very large building that has a great big sign hanging off the side of it that reads: Honorable Books.

I feel like I’ve seen this store millions of times throughout my tenure as Flash and now that I think about, I probably have. I’ve never actually gone inside though and when we walk in, I’m amazed by what I see.

Rows and rows of shelves are packed with millions of books. It’s much bigger than most book shops I’ve seen. Definitely a leap from the Fallville Library. I split up from Iris for a bit, taking the time to check out some of the forensics books they have. Unfortunately, I breeze through every book they have in about three to four minutes, flipping through the pages faster than some people can even blink.

I suddenly remember why I’m not a huge reader. Books go by way too fast.

I walk around the store, trying to find something that could relieve me of my boredom and that’s when I see a familiar man sitting in one of the customer chairs, a thick, dusty book in his hands.

“Albert Desmond?”

Sure enough, Dr. Alchemy. Why am I not surprised? He’s not wearing his usual attire that consists of that hood and cloak but his face, that crooked nose and those yellow teeth, is impossible to miss. Can’t I ever go anywhere without being confronted by some kind of super villain? I mean, this is a book store. Shouldn’t Desmond be off robbing a bank or something?

“Hello, Flash.” His eyes shift up to acknowledge me before returning to reading the novel. “I’m in the middle of a rather good book so I apologize for my lack of conversation.”

Dr. Alchemy has always been into his books. Albert Desmond used to go around in a funny looking gas mask and wielding a gun that could transform things into different elements. Fittingly enough, he went by Mister Element back then. Then he found what he claims is the real Philosopher’s Stone, which has the same effect as his old gun but is much more powerful and can change elements almost as quickly as I can move.

Yeah---fast, right?

“You know I can’t just let you stay here, Desmond.” Before anyone can even comprehend what I’m doing, I hastily pop my suit out of my ring and change into it, standing tall and boldly in front of the criminal. “You’re a fugitive.”

“I expected as much, Flash. Like the gods of speed before you, Mercury and Hermes, you seem to have a stifling problem when it comes to something as simple as patience. Please, allow me to finish this chapter.”

He’s too big of a risk in a public area like this and he knows it. He’s testing my limits, seeing how far I’ll go to put him behind bars where he belongs.

“You can take your book with you, Desmond, but you’re coming with me. Right. Now.”

I suck in a breath of air, my hand outstretched in front me while I dash toward him in a streak of red. I’m closing in on him and he’s frozen in time, just like everyone else around me. It’s odd though, he’s only looked up from his book once and now, now is no different.

My hand is reaching out for him, meters from his greasy face. I’m so close. One less crook to worry about.

Then, I feel a tingling sensation crawl up my arm and I lose all feeling in it.

I’m not sure if it’s because of shock or just from a distraction, I unknowingly decelerate and trip into the bookcase behind Desmond who licks the tip of his index finger before turning to the next page of his novel.

“What the hell?” I ignore the gasps of the customers, holding my gloved palm in front of my face. I can’t see my skin through my suit but something’s off. I poke one my fingers with my other hand, the one I still have feeling in, and the finger I poke suddenly dents a little.

“Chalk, Flash. I will return you to normal once I have your assurances that you will allow me to finish my chapter. This story is getting quite good.” Desmond says calmly, holding up his Philosopher’s Stone with his free hand. “Now if you’ll please be so kind as to give me some peaceful silence for a few moments.”

“Not a chance, Al.”

I make for his book this time, hoping to get his full and undivided attention on me. I manage to get a firm grasp on the binding of the old dusty book but then, I immediately feel a heaviness sweep over me and my still normal arm suddenly hangs loosely, and I’m unable to lift it up. I look down in horror to find cracks in the floor stretching out from my feet, my legs weighing me down on the floor, not allowing me to even take a step.

“My legs and my other arm…iron this time, Desmond? I could have even come up with something a bit more imaginative.” I snicker, but still unsure of how exactly I’m going to get out of this bind.

“That’s right, Flash. You used to be a scientist for the police, did you not? You know all about chemistry.” Desmond climbs to his feet, closing his book and tucking it beneath his arm. “So tell me, what would you like me to transform the rest of your body into? Hmm?”

He’s standing so close, I can smell just about everything he’s had to eat in the past day. And I promise you this---it’s not pleasant.

“Well?” He asks.

“How about H2O, Al? Maybe then I could hang out with Aquaman more often.” I try to muster all of the sarcasm I have left in me and throw it at him, but my confidence is waning.

I turn my head and see the crowd that has been steadily building and Iris is at the front of it, locking eyes with me and holds out her cell phone silently and it takes me a few seconds but I get what she’s telling me.

“Can I ask you something though, Desmond? You know, since you’re such a prestigious scientist and all that?”

If I’m getting Iris’ message right, then all I need for it to work is time.

“Do you usually prepare for the unexpected?”

“Of course. I always consider the variables.” He says snidely.

“Good. Then you’ll be ready.”

“Ready? For wh-“

My nephew and partner, Wally West, more known as Kid Flash, races into the store. His dominantly yellow suit is only a blur to everyone else but I watch in pride while my protégé passes by Desmond, plucking the Stone from his grasp.

“I’ve been wondering, Doc, where’d you get your P.h.D?” Wally laughs.

I still hear that new flare in his voice. A sign of the new personality he developed during my month away from running. I had noticed that he’d grown up a lot just during that month.

And sure enough, he has.

The way he runs, the way his feet tap against the ground so gracefully, and the way he knows precisely how fast to throw his punches so as not to kill his opponent but to provide them with just the right amount of hurt. It rivals the way I control my own powers.

“Return the Stone, child. You are unaware of the nature its power.” Desmond hisses while Wally’s throwing it up and down in his hand.

“Oh, really?” Kid Flash says.

He glances down at the circular rock in his grasp and then at Desmond who just gives my sidekick a crooked grin.

“Really.”

I see Desmond’s index finger subtly twitch and a bright light emits from the Philosopher’s Stone. Wally lets out a yelp, energy flowing around his hand before he’s thrown back against a nearby wall, the Stone gliding through the air back into Dr. Alchemy’s possession. I’m unable to do anything but sway my right arm, the one made of chalk now, back and forth, my other limbs literally feeling like they were going to fall off.

“Now that that rude interruption is over, let us continue our experiment, Flash.”

Desmond holds the Philosopher’s Stone up so it’s touching the tip of my nose. Sweat pours down my chin and my eyes are wide. This is not good at all. Over, Desmond’s shoulder, I see Iris take a step toward us but I shake my head in disapproval. The last thing I want is for Iris to get caught up in all of this.

“Farewell, Flash. You should have just let me finish the chapter.”

“I bet it wasn’t even a good book anyway. Hands up, Uncle Barry!” Wally storms from behind Desmond, grabbing him by the shoulders.

Hands up?

I shift my perception to ‘speed mode’ making everything around me come to an abrupt halt. Everything but Wally that is, who’s running toward me slowly, making sure I have enough time to react. I do as he said, using all my strength to lift up my arms (the chalk one was much easier than the iron, I must say).

Wally pushes Desmond at me and just as he’s about to slam him against me, I switch back to my normal perceptions. In an instant, Wally, now just a streak of yellow, brings Desmond right into my left arm, the one that’s now made of iron. I hear Dr. Alchemy’s jaw break on impact while he’s clothes lined onto his back, the Philosopher’s Stone rolling away from him.

“Here you go, Uncle Barry.” Kid Flash picks up the magic rock and aims it at me. There’s a flash of energy that engulfs me for a moment before I feel light as a feather once again.

“Thanks for the backup, Wally.”

“You’re welcome.”

There’s a strange silence between us, as if we’d only met days earlier.

“Well, guess I better be bringing Tolkein here off to Iron Heights…you know…because well, you’re not really allowed to.” Wally says a bit awkwardly.

“Yeah. Good idea.”

Iris walks up to us, looking down uncertainly at the defeated crook.

“Don’t worry, Iris. He’s down for the count.”

“Good. Alchemy’s always been one of the creepy ones.” She says. “Thanks for coming, Wally.”

“Least I could do for you guys.”

That uncomfortable quiet hovers over us again. Wally’s green eyes avoid my own stare and he leans down to pick up Dr. Alchemy.

“Catch you guys later?”

“Yeah.” Is all I can bring myself to respond.

He drapes Alchemy over his shoulder and I can tell he’s struggling to do so. Despite his mature demeanor, I’m reminded that he’s still a kid. He turns to the door of the book store, moments from running when I speak.

“Don’t be a stranger.”

Wally freezes on the spot and slowly, jerks his head in my direction. I see something in his young face, not sure whether it’s hopefulness or surprise. He raises a hand in goodbye.

“Goes both ways, Uncle Barry.”

And then, my sidekick is gone from sight.



After a few minutes of me repairing the book store(books had become scattered around on the floor. Big mess.), Iris and I are back on the streets, hands held tightly together.

“Glad Wally showed up when he did.”

“Yeah. I honestly didn’t think a guy like Desmond could give me as much trouble as he did. I almost became a model for a high school chemistry class.” I laughed but Iris just smiled thinly.

“You two haven’t really been the same since that month. Something’s missing…you and Wally just don’t seem to be as cheerful while working together as you used to be.”

“Well, Wally’s grown up. I don’t think he’s sees me as the all powerful hero he used to see me as. Especially not after everything that’s happened.”

“Barry-“ She tries.

I cut her off.

“It’s true, Iris. I let a lot of people down.” I shift my gaze to my feet as we walk, my concentration wavering a bit. “A whole lot of people.”

Iris stops beside me and puts a hand on my chest, looking up at me with intent in her face.

“And I’m not one of them, Barry.”

She plants a kiss on my lips and for a moment, all that guilt disappears like it was never even there to begin with. That’s what I love about Iris. I can never guess what she’s thinking so everything she does seems to come as a surprise. She does what I doubt many other women can do.

She can keep up with me.

We keep walking down the street with Iris pointing out window display after window display when during one particular strange outfit in the window, I see something in the reflection of the display case.

A person strolling down the other side of the street.

I turn to get a better look and as the man makes his way through the crowd, I stare in confusion. He’s a young man with short reddish hair and a small goatee. There’s something about him I can’t quite place. I stare hard at what I can see of his face. It’s so familiar.

He’s turning into an alleyway and then---it hits me.

I know who he is. But it isn’t possible. He’s supposed to be dead.

“Be right back, Iris.”

I don’t even give her a chance to respond as I’m already leaping over the hood of a car, the entire world freezing around me. I land on the sidewalk and sprint to the alleyway but when I finally reach the area he entered, I find myself alone.

He’s gone. The Pied Piper is gone.

Was it a ghost? No, I really doubt it. My imagination? Possibly.

I stand alone in the alley, examining my surroundings as if I will just suddenly figure out where he is out of thin air. People continue to walk past me while I’m perfectly still, anxiety running through my body.

It had to have just been a mistake. Piper’s dead. And even though Cold denied that the Rogues were involved with his death, it doesn’t change the fact that he was murdered.

My mind was playing tricks, that’s all.

I step back toward the street to return to Iris when I hear a crunch beneath my sole. I lift my leg up to find a small handheld mirror lying on the ground, the glass cracked beneath my foot.

My mind playing tricks---maybe not.