Dead Walking

 

Barry knew the world had changed. It wasn’t…it wasn’t the world she knew before the coma. She almost wished that she lived in a world where some amazing scientific machine had blown up and caused some strange storm to emerge and shoot some wicked lightning, one of which would have hit her and put her in a coma that she would wake up from with powers. Instead, the Central City Police station had been held hostage, she did go into a coma, and woke up to the world having become hell.

 

She would have preferred freaky powers over finding the dead was roaming the earth once more, and eating the living.

 

Her once clumsy, unsure fingers gripped the gun tightly as she shot at a walker that was too close. The herd was milling closer to them and they needed to retreat.

 

“Barr, come on!” she heard the shout.

 

She looked to see Eddie Thawne, one of the few survivors of the precinct, looking at her in alarm. She winced and ran towards the group.

 

Along with Eddie, there was herself, Iris, and Singh. She’d woken up in the hospital, followed the wreck out, and was surrounded by the dead –walking around or not. From there, she managed to find her way to the precinct where she found those three holed up, and a whole bunch of the walking dead. They regrouped together and decided they had to leave there, but not before finding Joe, and Barry having to kill him. She’d tried to keep in mind he was already dead, but it was hard.

 

Racing towards Eddie, the two of them found the other two, and they all started to run towards the tree line. They practically dove into the forest and rushed through it, hoping to get as far away as they could. When they were sure that the herd was way behind them, they finally slowed to a walk.

 

“I need water,” Iris gasped, trying to catch her breath.

 

“How much do we have left?” Eddie asked the group grimly.

 

Barry checked their only canteen, wincing as she felt how light it was.

 

“Not a lot. We’ll have to find a stream or something soon,” Barry frowned.

 

Iris nodded tiredly, trying to ignore her parched throat.

 

“I can go look for water,” Barry suggested, subtly eying her.

 

“Absolutely not. I don’t want you going on your own,” Singh said firmly.

 

“Eddie can’t go. He’s still hurt,” she pointed out.

 

He’d been shot at by another group they’d run across and who had wanted the guns Barry’s group had taken from the precinct. Luckily, all of them had medical training, so the limited supplies they had was put to use.

 

“You’re needed to keep an eye on the surroundings and the group, while Iris is dehydrated. I can take care of myself.”

 

Singh scrutinized her, before reluctantly sighing and nodding. He snorted.

 

“And to think, just a year ago, you didn’t even know how to throw a punch, much less shoot a gun.”

 

Barry gave a small grin. “Miss those old days.”

 

She hesitantly left them behind, trekking away from them and heading north. She did her best to listen carefully for any sounds of streams, but had no luck. But then she heard a crack! and she whirled towards the intruder, whipping out her pistol and pointing it at the man who’d come into her view. Her eyes widened as she easily recognized him.

 

“You’re Harrison Wells,” she almost gaped at the unexpected meeting.

 

He relaxed and gave a small smile, slowly putting the hands he’d held up to show he wasn’t a threat.

 

“Yes, that’s me. Please don’t shoot me. I’ve been held up in my summer home, except to get what berries and nuts I can.”

 

Barry hesitated. This may be her idol, but…

 

“Arms and legs spread,” she ordered, and he did so in surprise and apprehension. She began to pat him down, searching for any hidden weapons.

 

“You kill any walkers?” Barry questioned harshly.

 

He gave a pause. “Those…things?” At her nod, he shook his head. “No, I’ve stayed away. I’ve kept to myself in the house.”

 

“What about people?”

 

He looked taken aback. “What? Of course not!”

 

Barry inwardly shook her head in pity. “It’s not the same world out there. I know you’ve stayed out here, in your home, since this whole thing broke out. But these days…people can’t be trusted.”

 

“I…I was hoping I could trust you?” Dr. Wells gave another small smile. “As you can see, I’m not well equipped to defend myself, and when I saw you I just thought…”

 

Barry sighed and gave him a tired smile.

 

“I’m in a group with three other people. Why don’t I take you with me to meet back with them, and then we’ll go from there.”

 

He gave a relieved nod and smile, and Barry hoped that this meant that things were looking up.