WITHOUT A TRACE

THE CALL

Barry finally found the perfect opportunity to talk to Iris. It was during lunch break. She was sitting in the kitchenette drinking a cup of tea.
He walked up to her and sat across from her.
She looked at him and smiled but he could sense she was worried about something.
Barry: Hey.
Iris: Hi.
Barry: Are you okay?
Iris: Yeah. I'm fine.
Barry: Iris....
Iris: I'm fine. Really.
Barry: Talk to me. Something's wrong. I can feel it.
Iris: It's nothing really....I just.......
Just then her phone rang and she quickly retrieved it from her purse to answer it.
Iris: Hello?
Caller: Miss West? This is Principal Kane.
Iris: Is everything okay? Is Benny alright?
Caller: He's fine. I need to talk to you. Can you come by the school?
Iris: I'll be right there.
Caller: See you soon.
Barry: Are you okay?
Iris: Yeah. That was Benny's Principal. She wants to talk.
Barry: I'll come with you. Don't bother trying to convince me otherwise.
Iris: I know. Let's go.
During the drive to Benny's school, Iris was very anxious and Barry tried to assure her that he was fine but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with her son and if Barry was being honest, he felt the same.
The principal was waiting outside her office when they arrived.
Principal Kane: Please, come in Miss West.
Iris: Thank you. Is Benny alright?
Principal Kane: He's fine. Please sit.
Iris: I just can't shake off this feeling.
Principal Kane: Who is this gentleman?
Iris: This is Barry Allen. He's Ben's Dad.
Principal Kane: I see. Nice to meet you Mr Allen. I'm Principal Kane.
Barry: It's nice to meet you. What was the reason for your call?
Principal Kane: Yeah. About that. We can't find him.
Iris: What do you mean you can't find him? Where is he?
Principal Kane: We had some visitors today and everyone was assembled at the hall. When the children returned to their classes,his teacher noticed that Benny was not in class. We looked for him everywhere but he's nowhere to be found. I'm so sorry.
Barry: How is that possible?
Iris: Where is my son?
Barry: Iris,calm down. We are going to find him okay? We will get him back I promise you.
Just then Iris got a message from the last person she expected to hear from. It reads: If you want your little brat back, come to Rover Park in 30 minutes. Come alone or the boy dies - Patty.
Iris was both angry and terrified and her expression did not go unnoticed by Barry.
Barry: What happened?
Iris: I have to go.
Barry: You have to tell me what's going on.
Iris: Principal Kane, can you give us a minute?
Principal Kane: Of course.
Barry: Okay, what's going on?
Iris: I have to be at Rover Park alone in 30 minutes.
Barry: Why?
Iris: Because your psycho bestfriend has kidnapped our son.
Barry: Why would Patty do that?
Iris: I don't know but I have to go now.
Iris hurried out of the office and drove off to Rover Park. On getting there,she found Patty sitting on a bench with Benny by her side.
Benny: Mommy...
Iris: Are you alright? Did she hurt you?
Benny: No...I'm fine.
Iris: Don't worry baby. Everything's going to be fine.
Patty: Enough already.
Iris: What do you want?
Patty: It's pretty simple actually. I want you to take your little bastard baby and leave town.
Iris: Leave my son out of this. Benny's a gift from God and he's not a bastard.
Patty: Whatever. Just leave. Stay away from Barry.
Iris: Look lady, I don't know what your problem is. I don't know what your relationship with Barry is but leave me and my son out of it. If you ever come near my son again, I will make you hurt in ways you never thought was possible. Do you hear me?
Patty flinched, surprised at what she heard. She didn't think Iris was capable of such anger.
Barry who was standing on the corner heard everything that transpired and walked up to stand beside Iris
Patty: Barry? What are you doing here? You won't believe what happened. She just showed up and started accusing me of kidnapping her son..
Barry: I heard every word you said Patty. How could you? Why would you involve an innocent child?
Patty: I did it for you Barry. I did it for us.
Iris: I don't even want to know what's going on in that crazy head of yours but you come near my son again and I will end you. Come on Benny, let's go home.
As Iris drove her son home,there was only one thought on her mind. She had to keep her baby safe.......
Meanwhile Barry was at a loss for words at the lengths Patty would go to in her obsession with him. The girl clearly needed help....
Patty: Barry....I'm sorry. I meant no harm...really. I just wanted to scare her a little. That's all...I swear..
Barry: I don't care Patty. I'm done. I never want to see you.... ever....
Patty: I said I was sorry..
Barry: Do you realize what you've done? You put my son in danger. You kidnapped him....
Patty: Well,the school should have had better security...
Barry: Are you even hearing yourself? You are a lost cause and I'm done trying to help you.
Patty: You can't just cut me out of your life....I'm your best friend Barry.
Barry: Not anymore....
Patty: You can't do this to me....
Barry: Watch me......
Patty: If you leave me,I'll die. I'll jump in front of the first moving car I see....I'll overdose... I'll......
Barry: Do whatever you want. I'm done.....
Patty: Barry,I'm sorry. Please don't leave me.....I'm sorry......
Patty kept crying for Barry not to leave her as he walked away determined not to fall for her lies and tricks anymore..... Even as she continued to threaten suicide if he left her,she knew she wasn't going to do anything to herself but she had threatened him with her life for so long that whenever things didn't go her way,they were her last resort....and it always worked until now.............. which is when it occurred to her that maybe she had gone too far this time..... maybe she had crossed the line...... maybe she had lost him for good.......

AUTHOR'S NOTE
Did Patty cross the line this time?
Is Iris going to fight for Barry this time or is she going to run............ again...........
Is Barry going to forgive Patty again....or is he really done......
Let me know what you think......
Until next time........