You Got Struck by Lightning Too?

Passing the girl, Barry wandered into the pet shop in a daze. The shopkeeper was blow-drying a puppy's fur at the counter. Spotting Barry, he continued drying while introducing loudly,

"Looking for a furry friend? Trust me, you'll find a companion here that'll stay by your side for years.

They might not understand you like humans do, but they'll definitely be your loyal friend!"

As the words fell, the shopkeeper patted the puppy's head and sent the nearly dry pup off to play. Then he approached Barry and asked,

"So, what do you think? Want to take a look?"

"Uh? Yes! Of course!

Wait, no, no, no—wrong. I'm here to apply for a job!!!"

Barry's words tumbled out, his fingers tangling in panic. This was his first serious job application, and it was for animal care—something he knew nothing about!

He was a detective novel enthusiast, a master of trace evidence. After gaining the Speed Force, he'd self-taught advanced sciences using his lightning-fast brain. But to avoid linking his speed research to the Flash's recent appearances in Central City, he couldn't use his knowledge for lab applications.

No choice. To keep his identity hidden, he couldn't leave any clues. Who'd suspect a pet caretaker of being the Flash?

Wait!

Realizing he wasn't even a pet caretaker yet, Barry figured he should hand over his resume.

"I prepared a resume for this. Honestly, resumes are so hard.

Not the format, but having to introduce myself!

I don't even know how to describe myself—what I think of myself and what others think are probably different, right?"

As he spoke, he pulled out his resume, then panicked at its crumpled state.

The shopkeeper, confused, took the resume from Barry's hand.

Noticing it was gone, Barry mumbled,

"Keeping paper in your pocket always does this. Clothes are like monsters for white paper—one move, and…"

"OK, Mr. Bartholomew Henry Barry Allen, let me see your resume!"

The shopkeeper interrupted, unfolding the crumpled paper. Seeing its state, the female shopkeeper didn't even bother reading it. She simply showed it to the tense Barry.

In her hands, the already crumpled paper was missing a large corner, leaving Barry utterly embarrassed.

Whoosh!

Barry snatched the resume back, explaining awkwardly,

"Why's it missing a corner? Because my pocket has a paper-eating pet!

Whenever I put the resume in, it nibbles away. But I don't mind—I love animals. That's why I'm applying, even if it eats my resume, haha…"

Barry waited anxiously for a response, the air thick with awkwardness.

The shopkeeper frowned, shaking her head.

"Sorry, I can't hire you for my shop…"

Boom!!!

Before she finished, a loud crash echoed in Barry's ears. He turned to see a truck running a red light at the intersection, colliding with a small car!

Barry dashed to save the driver, but in that instant, he recognized the person flying out of the car.

"It's that girl!!!"

Barry's eyes flashed red. His clothes tightened against his body, and his old sneakers burst apart. Time seemed to freeze around him.

He sprinted out, tapping the pet shop's glass door. The smooth glass bulged like a soap bubble, then shattered.

Barefoot, Barry raced toward the floating car, tearing open the window. He gently pulled the girl out, holding her with his left arm while grabbing her floating shopping bags with his right.

He even checked the bags—pet food, including dog sausages. Smiling, he placed the girl on the ground, setting the bags beside her. He gently tidied her disheveled hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. Blushing, he took the smallest sausage from the bag and pocketed it.

"Consider it a thank-you."

He began erasing traces of his rescue, creating an alibi. But as he stood, a shocking voice reached his ears.

"I thought you were just saving her, but fixing her hair and stealing a sausage? That's a bit much."

Barry's eyes widened, staring at the street corner. Heisenberg, in a sharp suit and overcoat, stood there.

Stunned and embarrassed, Barry held up the sausage.

"It's a pet sausage, not a hot dog!!!"

"So you're proud of stealing from a pet?"

"No! I was just… wait, I wasn't fixing her hair—I was just being considerate!!!"

Barry looked down, glancing at the still girl. Suddenly, he realized he was in his own Speed Force world—where physics bowed to his speed, where the car and debris hung suspended.

He was the Flash, capable of freezing the universe if he wished. But he'd already paused time…

Heisenberg watched Barry point at the floating car, then at him.

"You…?!"

"You've shown me your speed—impressive, but not enough!"

Heisenberg smiled, walking toward the stunned Barry. Panicking, Barry backed away. No one had ever kept up with him like this!

"Who are you? How are you as fast as me?"

Bang!!!

Distracted, Barry's bare foot slammed into a fire hydrant, sending water spraying in slow motion. He stumbled backward, crashing into the pet shop wall.

"Ouch!!!"

Barry shut off the Speed Force, groaning in pain.

Heisenberg rolled his eyes, pulling Barry from the wall.

"Careful! My ribs… they're broken!!!

Don't take me to the hospital—I'll heal. No money for doctors!

Wait, you still haven't told me who you are.

Are you like me? Can you run like lightning?

I was the fastest man alive—until now…"

"Cough!"

Heisenberg interrupted Barry's rambling.

"You're as talkative as Spider-Man. Let's find a place to chat."

"Sure. Even if I disagree, I can't outrun you. But before we go…"

Barry pulled out the sausage, walking barefoot past the shocked shopkeeper to the puppies. He fed them the sausage, then feigned ignorance, whispering to Heisenberg,

"You're a hero too, right? If I hadn't acted, would you have saved them?

You're too much—I wasn't scared, but I tripped. So embarrassing.

And Spider-Man's no chatterbox—he's my favorite hero. It's the comic editors' fault.

By the way, what's your name? I'm Barry Allen.

I never thought I'd meet someone as fast as me.

How'd you get your powers? Got struck by lightning too?"