The voice took some time before answering.

Tilting it’s head to either side as it studied him.

“Your race was created by the Aldurian queen for the pleasure of the Aldurian people. To build, and service the whims of the powerful. Your flesh made of simple carbon, was formed by the great Queen to ensure no threat to the ruling races. Simple but relatively hardy, The Edenian class was a beatific answer to the plight of mineral harvesting across the greater cosmos.” It said stated bluntly.

“Than why are you calling me Gorvandra’Fel if I am this slave race? What happened? And why are the weak little humans still alive if we’re so weak?” Denver shouted jabbing his finger at it.

“Unknown.” said the voice after minutes had passed. “I am but a fragment, left to tend the gates for my master.”

The voice seemed to weaken as it finished. Denver waited for more to come, but he decided it had lost the desire or strength maybe? To continue.

It was minutes later when the pain started again.

Agony exploded within his skull bringing him to his knees immediately. The darkness covered him like a blanket against his thrashing, as he desperately tried to contend with the unbearable pain pulsating from the left side of his skull and his forehead. Blackness overtook him as the tendrils of dark vapour wrapped his flailing body, and consumed him.

The alarm wailed threatening to explode his ear drums as he flailed wildly at the evil black dragon alarm clock a gift he had gotten for his 10th birthday by his Grandma Josie. As his wild attempts to stifle the annoying sound. He laid on his side a moment smiling as the plastic fire breather stopped glowing it’s orange light, he would have to find some more batteries, he just didn’t know where to look, most stores had been sold out of them within the first day. People love there technology after all. He loved that annoying ass clock. His thoughts began to turn darker as he thought of his grandma, he hadn’t seen or heard from her in 4 days now. The day before after his big revelation with his mother had gone by quickly. The had not spoken about that night nor had they spoken about there dreams since. She had allowed him to stay home from school and rest up from his dream walk. But today was business as usual and one did not test Charlotte Johnny once she had decreed business to be done.

With a heavy sigh he managed to force himself from the haven of his double bed and sword and sorcery blanket.

He made a mental note to check on his Gran after school and see how she was holding up. He just had to make a plan to trick her so she didn’t think he was checking up on her is all. Just a grandson wanting some granny time was all. He told himself trying his best to push away his frustration he felt from the less than positive conversation he had with the Voice.

He had been so excited to get back to the corridor and get some real answers. He had indeed received answers, but they just lead to more questions. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror in his shabby Darth Vader T-shirt toothbrush stuck in his mouth lost in thought.

The Voice.. He really had to think of something better to call it at this point, considering it had a body now thanks to him. How did he do that though? What was he?

Toothpaste dripped from his chin to his black T-shirt snapping him from his mental drift.

“Questions.” he said simply to the boy in the mirror. Wiping his face and removing his shirt. Not worth the ridicule bringing that to school. Looking back at the shirtless boy in the mirror. He ran his hands through his short dark hair messing it up before finding another shirt to wear.

His mother had already left for work by the time he had come downstairs. They had barely spoken since there talk. It was just how they were, he knew she also had a lot going on at work trying to figure out what was going on.

School was weird, they had been off when this all happened, Denver remembered being so happy for the Pro D day. Long weekends to hang with his friends and game with his friends. After the flash though everyone seemed to retreat to themselves. It had become pretty quiet around town. The realization that the Council members and other elders were speaking to one another about what to do and there experiences shocked Denver at first so lost in his own effects of the flash. The thought made him feel like a kid. He should take an interest he might be able to help. After all his dream was different. That might mean something. He couldn’t wait to get back to the dream and find out more. He needed to find out what this was all about. It felt as though it was getting easier to stay in the dream though that was the one positive he took from his latest conversation. Choosing to hold tight to that positive outlook he decided to head to his next class after placing his math book in his locker. Looking at the book he was left feeling a little numb with the lack of homework. Half the class was still absent. So Professor Guy just opted to go easy on them today. Of that at least Denver was grateful. He grabbed his gym shorts. At least it was gym class next, and he had that with his friends Terry and Keva, he still wasn’t sure what to do about Terry ratting on him to Marvin. He had always had a bit of a big mouth. But they had known each other since they were 3 years old. They often fought but always had each others back. He just hoped they were doing alright. This was good, slowly but surely things were going to get to normal. He just had to focus on moving forward that was all.

“Hey Denny” a familiar voice called out behind him.

Startled he turned to see a girl with shoulder length bright pink hair done up in a messy bun, her large green eyes were shining with barely hidden delight at startling him.

“Fran Fran!” he said quickly trying to recover no nonchalantly.

Her humour left her eyes as she stared at him. “It’s Keva Bitch..” she said with a mock sneer.

He couldn’t help but laugh. He knew she hated that nick name. Children could be so cruel the chorus of Franny franny fran fran.. played in the back of his mind. She hated that.

“Nobody calls me that anymore.” she said trying to sound angry, but he knew better.

“Yes, but that’s why I still do, it speaks to our bond.” he said placing his hand over his heart.

“you used to call me that and put gum in my hair.” she said punching him hard in the shoulder.

“And you kicked me in the nuts. Fair trade i think.” he replied rubbing his shoulder.

She laughed and made a sad face at his new injury. “Awe muffin did a girl hurt you?” holding her hands together and blinking up at him in mock sweetness.

“Shut up.” he laughed. “How was your weekend?” he asked her as they headed to gym.

“How do you think? I haven’t been able to check Facebook in days!” she pouted.

“Now who’s the muffin?” he managed a quick giggle before the second strike connected “Owe!” he said rubbing his shoulder again. “you know this is abuse right?”

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“please, you can take it.” she snorted. “My outsides hurt less than your insides I’m sure.” he snorted back before smiling.

Keva rolled her eyes, opting to stop the their little back and forth routine. She paused a moment and just stared up at Denver a far away look in passed her face.

“Take a picture, it will last longer creeper.” she chided punching him again. “We got that stupid assembly to go too c’mon”

Rubbing his poor shoulder again, he tried to ignore his growing concern for his friend. He had known Keva since they were kids. She had always been the rough and tumble type. Always picking fights with the boys.

He had never seen her look so lost before. But with the flash and the weirdness going around he supposed the fact that they were in school at all was kind of a miracle? Or curse. He was always a glass half full kind of guy though.

The students whispers created a buzz through the gym as everyone tried to guess at what was going on. The principal Ms. Brooke stepped up to the podium telling the room full of chatting students to be quiet.

Ms. Brooke was a handsome woman, with silver streaks in her short blond hair. She smoothed out her dark blue skirt and jacket while she waited for the students to quiet down before speaking again.

“Good morning students.” her voice was stern but polite. “As you all may know, the events of last weeks strange flash has caused a bit of confusion around town. Many students have been pulled from classes indefinitely due to the lack of information regarding the flash. And the effect it has had on our internet and telecommunications. Sheriff Derkson has dispatched deputies to the surrounding communities to detail the effects the flash has had on them. They are expected to return in the next few days. Hopefully they will be returning with good news and a return to normalcy. For the remaining students of Dickson High, it will be business as usual. I and the rest of the teaching staff will appreciate

understanding of all it’s students during this time. Thank you.” she said looking out at them.

Keva scoffed as the principal walked off the podium and the students began to stand to leave.

“that’s it!?” shaking her head “she got us all here to tell us that we have to still go to school and be good little students? What the shit is that about?.” she said as they stood to leave. “She did say that they had sent out deputies to find out more info?” the squeaky voice of Trevor piped up through the whispering crowd of students. Both Denver and Keva turned to look at the friend. His freckled face flushed red with embarrassment as he met Keva’s eyes. He quickly put his head down as Keva returned to complain loudly at the ridiculousness of this school and the faulty leadership for the principal.

Denver felt pity for Trevor, he knew he had a crush on Keva. He knew ever since they were little. Sometimes Denver wished life was a little more like a sappy story book and Keva would see Trevor’s infatuation and they would both ride into the sunset on a golden unicorn..

But the truth was, Keva would never be happy with Trevor and nor he with her.

He hated it, but he really hoped Trevor would get over it and find someone more in his lane, otherwise it would threaten to tear the trio apart.

Trevor didn’t know but Keva knew about his feeling she had confided in Denver many times about the strain and guilt she had felt about the situation. She had even considered giving it a try just to save the friendship. He had never seen her like that before, her rough edges were softened for one night of earnest conversation and it ended with Denver feeling heartbroken for his friend.

Both of them were hurting over this but ultimately it was Keva who was in her opinion the one that was going to get blamed, at least that was her fear. He had told her it was not right for her to do something she didn’t want to do, just for the sake of a friends ego. This was Trevor’s problem and he would get over it. He hoped.

The rest of the school day went by quickly, the loss of cell service pushed people to actually talk to one another. A skill most of the younger kids never really got to develop. At least that’s what the trio thought at first. It wasn’t until they had left Trevor at work, staying for their customary milkshake before the evening rush began and their friend was too busy to talk to his friends. This had been their tradition ever since Trevor’s mom had gotten sick and his dad had asked him to come help out with the family business. For his part Trevor never seemed upset about working at the family diner, and Denver and Keva didn’t mind neither since they got free milkshakes out of the deal, it was definitely hard to complain.

Denver and Keva had lived next to each other since they were 3 years old, and managed to stay close. They had often taken to waking through the local park on the way home from school after they dropped Trevor off. It was there that Keva finally let out a big breath and stopped Denver.

“Look, Denver I-I think I need to talk to you.” she said as they were passing the familiar pine tree’s signs on either side of the paved walking path showed pictures of different birds who frequently returned to nest in the area. Denver personally always loved watching the Robins fly around, but he would never admit it. “Oh” he said taken a little by surprise. He noticed she had stopped and was staring out at the nest of Robin’s the little babies chirping up for there mother to feed.

She had her arms wrapped around herself, her face a blank mask.

Denver immediately knew something was very wrong here. “What is it? Are you alright?” he asked concerned. Moving to put a hand on her shoulder he was quickly enveloped in fierce hug.

The speed and strength of the embrace nearly took his breathe away. Shocked he fumbled for words and gingerly wrapped his arms around her. He could feel wetness on his neck and collarbone. The wetness baffled him at first before he finally realized she was crying quietly into his neck.

The raw emotion took Denver by surprise. He had never been the best at handling his own emotions let alone other peoples emotions.

As his friends slight body gently trembled in his arms with every new rush of tears he forced himself to deal with the discomfort. Keva was his friend- if not his best friend and he had to be there for her. She never did this kind of thing. Not for no reason.

“Shhh.. It’s okay” he soothed as she sobbed quietly. “Keva, whats the matter?”

he asked trying to match the strength of her embrace not sure if talking was exactly what she needed or if it was just the hug. He hoped he made the right decision in asking.

Wind blew softly carrying the sounds of chirping birds and blowing leaves. The sounds of nature always helped Denver, and he hoped it would help relax Keva too. After a short while her trembling began to slow and than stop. As she slowly pulled away and blinked her tearful green eyes up at him. He noticed her dark eye shadow had begun to run. His heart was in his throat. Looking down at his friend. His mind went to many dark places trying to think of what might be the problem, what could affect his tough as nails friend like this. The only other time he had seen anything remotely like this it had been the night she broke down talking about Trevor. He opened his mouth to speak but she placed her finger on his lips closing her eyes she let out a breath. “It’s not about Trevor” she said breaking the embrace and putting her hands on his chest. He looked down at her bewildered. “than wha-” he began but was cut off again. “The Flash Denver.. something.. something happened to me. It- it changed me. There’s something more going on Denny! Something really strange is going on.”

Reaching up he placed his hands over hers and gently cupped them in his. His dreams rushed to the surface, the gushing blackness, and The voice’s body forming before him taking it’s first steps like a newborn. These images rushed through his mind as he stared down at his friend, sympathy and love overwhelmed him. More than that the feeling relief for not being alone. His curiosity peaked and he couldn’t help but wonder what her experience was.

“Whatever is going on Keva, you can tell me.” He said.

as he said it, he eyes grew wide staring up at him. “You know!” she said pulling away “Oh my god Denny! You too!” she was nearly yelling with surprise, he couldn’t tell if it was alarm, anger or excitement that was causing it, nor could he tell how the heck she knew.

“Wh-What are you talking about” he bumbled trying to catch himself up. Looking around to make sure they were indeed alone he closed the growing gap between them. “Whoa, whoa Keva slow down. What are you talking about?.”

she was practically vibrating at this point. Smiling and wiping at her wet eyes, smudging her make up further in the process. “I can see it Denny. You are like me!” she said breaking free pulling her hands from his and giving him a more gentle than normal shove. “Why didn’t you say something!?”

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Keva what are you talking about?” he said holding his hands out in front of him in mock surrender.

“The Flash!” she all but screamed. Smacking his hands away and jabbing a finger in his chest.

“The Flash changed you too!” she said emphasizing each word with a finger jab.

Denver didn’t know what to do. He struggled to find words.

She smiled up at him now, the look of triumph a stark contrast to the dark makeup streaking her face.

“Ye-yeah I have been experiencing some weird stuff too. But what do you mean by you can see it?

do I have horns or something?” he said reaching up to touch his head.

“No, um I mean I seen it. The hallways full of doors, and the man in the dark?” her voice quieted as she spoke of the voice’s new body. “What is the shadow man Denny? It’s really creepy.” she said

Denver was didn’t know what to do. He was in total shock. How did she know.. any of it!.

“How?” was all he could manage in his bewilderment.

Her smile faded slowly until she stood there looking a little sheepish. “Well I..” she started and than stopped suddenly, she seemed to roll something around her tongue for a moment.

“Well Keva, what the heck is going on!?” Denver finally demanded.

Keva face once thoughtful turned playful as her lips into a Cheshire grin. Blinking more cutesy than Denver ever thought possible for Keva she blinked up at him kicked her foot behind her, shrugged and said “I read your mind stupid.”