#mirage writes

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

To Be Human

She was told her life wasn’t supposed to go like this, but in a world shaped by Speedsters, Karen Starr was lucky enough to be heading right where she should. Even if the journey took longer than the first round.

Chapter Twelve│Understanding Quarter

Chapter Summary: Team Arrow comes to town. Karen’s and Barry’s secrets clash. 

The Arrow appointed her to a meeting at Jitters the next day, mid-day. Jitters. Karen had the worst case of the jitters—no pun intended—accompanied by a hysterical laugh and the feeling that this was going from bad to terrible. No discussion that involved the League of Assassins should be had over coffee.

She was the first one to arrive, wondering about Oliver's sanity, when he came in... followed by Felicity Smoak.

Son of a bitch.

"Okay, what is she doing here?" said the girl, her ponytail swinging from doing a ping pong game in her head, her finger keeping up as she pointed at Oliver, Karen, Oliver, Karen.

"I should be asking that." Oliver rolled his eyes heavenward. Karen got snippy. "You're the one who brought her."

"She kind of followed."

Karen raised her eyebrows as Felicity snapped, "Uh, yeah, cause you promised Barry to meet him here!"

"Wait, what?" The secretary stood, palms on the table, just as the familiar sound of Barry's lightning crackled outside the shop.

The young man walked in, vibrating in excitement. His smile fell once he caught sight of the three of them together. He approached wearily, hands pocketed in his jeans.

"Oh, you've really done it," said Karen, sitting back heavily.

ffn / wattpad

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

Secrets of the Innocent

“What if he were innocent?” Nightmares have been plaguing Anya Barton’s dreams as she deals with the fallout of her previous year at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban to hunt down Harry Potter. Unfortunately for both Anya and Harry, Black is the one puzzle capable of explaining the circumstances behind Cassie Barton’s death.

(The Barton Saga, Book Three) (slight OC/Harry Potter)

Warning: Rated T for language, violence, vague mentions of adult themes such as psychological abuse, toxic relationships, incorrect suspicions of attempted suicide, and depression. Please read at your own discretion. Feel free to message me for more details.

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Chapter Seventeen│Speculating the Past

I dragged Harry back to Hogsmeade powered only by spite. I was heartbroken and furious, and in this case, anger won. So I held his fingers in a vice-like grip that just tightened the more my hand sweat. I had no doubt I was leaving bruises, but Harry didn't complain. Harry didn't say a word, period.

A silent Harry wasn't a bad thing. He was naturally quiet. But with the invisible cape covering him, I couldn't tell if it was a 'good quiet' or a 'bad-about-to-explode quiet'. He could have an outburst anytime now, and the whole town would know he was here. Sirius Black would see he was here, so close to touch—

But the streets were sparse, with no one to laugh or give us—me—a second glance. The snowstorm had grown violent. No one in their right mind would be roaming until it calmed down.

I was leading past Honeydukes when Harry tugged my hand.

"Here?" I said loudly—who would hear but him, anyway?

Honeydukes was filled to the brim, from what I could see through the frosted glass. Darkened by the storm but still colorful, it was hard to believe the sweet shop had a secret passage that led back to Hogwarts. How many students had discovered it throughout the years? Or was it just Harry's good luck at work?

"Yes."

He tried to tug his hand free. I hesitated before letting go.

LINKS: (ffn) (wattpad)

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

Secrets of the Innocent

“What if he were innocent?” Nightmares have been plaguing Anya Barton’s dreams as she deals with the fallout of her previous year at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban to hunt down Harry Potter. Unfortunately for both Anya and Harry, Black is the one puzzle capable of explaining the circumstances behind Cassie Barton’s death.

(The Barton Saga, Book Three) (slight OC/Harry Potter)

Warning: Rated T for language, violence, vague mentions of adult themes such as psychological abuse, toxic relationships, incorrect suspicions of attempted suicide, and depression. Please read at your own discretion. Feel free to message me for more details.

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Chapter Sixteen│Kill Them With Kindness

"He's coming. He knows where you are—where you've lived the last few months."

When she looked up (damn Lily's stature), she found that the other woman's gaze had gone dazed.

"What?"

"The Secret Keeper—they betrayed your location. You need to run away!"

Lily shook her head. "No. No, he couldn't have done that. He wouldn't." But her dazzlement faded into horror. "How could he?"

Cassiopeia knew. She knew why. But she hadn't had any chance to write it down, to leave a memory vial behind. The knowledge was only hers.

And it would die with her if they didn't act any faster.

"Lily, snap out of it! You and James need to run!"

"How long have we got?" Lily whispered.

In the distance, a familiar sound—not unlike a gunshot, according to Alec—rang out. Both women had their wands out in a second.

"None," Cassiopeia breathed.

It struck her then, the fact so clear she turned as speechless as Lily: she wouldn't get out of this alive. Maybe the Potters, all of them or some—but not her.

Not her.

LINKS: (ffn) (wattpad)

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

Secrets of the Innocent

“What if he were innocent?” Nightmares have been plaguing Anya Barton’s dreams as she deals with the fallout of her previous year at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban to hunt down Harry Potter. Unfortunately for both Anya and Harry, Black is the one puzzle capable of explaining the circumstances behind Cassie Barton’s death.

(The Barton Saga, Book Three) (slight OC/Harry Potter)

Warning: Rated T for language, violence, vague mentions of adult themes such as psychological abuse, toxic relationships, incorrect suspicions of attempted suicide, and depression. Please read at your own discretion. Feel free to message me for more details.

0000•0000•0000

Chapter Fifteen│ Of Break-Ins, Werewolves, and Deadly Matches

There was silence.

Everything around us slowed. Or maybe it was I who slowed down. But most of the faces—the ones whose cheers had been the loudest—began to lose their smiles. It was gradual, how they morphed into grimaces until fear crept in. A cold feeling settled itself on the very inside of me, stretching like sickness until it touched my hammering heart.

The next time I breathed, I saw the visible white puff of air floating in front of me. I tried to hold onto the railing, but it was pure ice. The more I tightened my grip, the more my hands shook. And then, like a whisper that is coming closer and closer, a familiar voice reached my ears, speaking hurriedly as the dementors came into the field.

"Be careful." "I'm always am -" "I suppose the real reason Anya Barton's like this is because she opened her heart and spilled all her secrets to an invisible stranger." "So foolish, the both of you," "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DRO—"

Hermione's voice, so quiet and yet so loud to me, broke in like and cut the despair like a knife. I saw her staring at the sky, eyes wide in horror.

And then I saw Harry Potter's scarlet robes as he plummeted down to the ground.

Closer, closer, closer—

I moved.

LINKS: (ffn) (wattpad)

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

To Be Human

She was told her life wasn’t supposed to go like this, but in a world shaped by Speedsters, Karen Starr was lucky enough to be heading right where she should. Even if the journey took longer than the first round.

Chapter Eleven│Listening Half

Chapter Summary: With Karen’s invulnerability in the open, Barry decides to help her... she’s completely against it, of course. 

A kick to the door brought everyone's attention towards Barry. Embarrassed, he uncrossed his arms and tucked his hands in his jeans' pockets, shuffling one foot behind him. His face, she noticed, was still as red from minutes ago.

Reminded of the moment, she felt her own cheeks heat. Her stomach somersaulted as she recalled Iris West's reaction when finding them in that compromising position.

It had not helped that Barry had worsened the moment. With a panicked yelp, he clutched Karen closer and accidentally pushed her down to the floor, falling with her when his leg entangled with hers.

"Oh my God!" Iris had exclaimed, spinning—Karen saw her wide eyes and gaping mouth—and slammed the door closed.

Karen took stock of her ripped clothes, Barry's hand still glued to the bullet hole in her abdomen in an uncanny imitation of intimacy, his closeness, and reached the same conclusion as West.

"This cannot be happening to me," she complained.

ffn / wattpad

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

To Be Human

She was told her life wasn’t supposed to go like this, but in a world shaped by Speedsters, Karen Starr was lucky enough to be heading right where she should. Even if the journey took longer than the first round.

Chapter Eight│Struck By Lightning

Chapter Summary: An unexpected visitor turns the tables of the mission; Karen makes a deal with the Arrow. 

"Where are the trucks headed?" asked Diggle.

Karen clicked fast. "A warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Northeast." She hesitated. "Slade Wilson's last known hideout."

She'd read about Wilson. A terrorist who'd paraded as a philanthropist in Starling, he'd set off an army of drug-enhanced individuals on the Glades, the city's poorest area. Before that, he'd murdered socialite Moira Queen in cold blood. Nobody knew what had happened to Wilson, but she had a feeling the Arrow did.

"The C.C.P.D. cordoned off the area after Deathstroke's defeat," said Arsenal. "The Mayor declared it a hazardous location."

"Set a foot in there, you're bound to get your one-way ticket to hell," Karen agreed.

The teenager frowned at her. "You're pretty grim. I thought the people of Central City were... peppier?"

"I live in Central. I grew up in Gotham."

Understanding dawned. Harper's eyes lit up suddenly.

"Hey, does that mean you've seen the Batman?"

The Arrow manifested between them like a wraith.

"Batman's an urban legend concocted by the G.C.P.D. to scare away the lunatics," he said. "Let's go."

ffn / wattpad

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

Secrets of the Innocent

“What if he were innocent?” Nightmares have been plaguing Anya Barton’s dreams as she deals with the fallout of her previous year at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban to hunt down Harry Potter. Unfortunately for both Anya and Harry, Black is the one puzzle capable of explaining the circumstances behind Cassie Barton’s death.

(The Barton Saga, Book Three) (slight OC/Harry Potter)

Warning: Rated T for language, violence, vague mentions of adult themes such as psychological abuse, toxic relationships, incorrect suspicions of attempted suicide, and depression. Please read at your own discretion. Feel free to message me for more details.

0000•0000•0000

Chapter Thirteen│What You Fear the Most

Summary: Anya gets a rewind of her past—specifically, the close reflection she shares with her murderous relatives.

The murmurs started. The first voice that rose was Lavender's.

"She's gotta be joking—that boy's gorgeous!"

Tall, thin. Dark-haired and pale. A smile that had the girls behind me swooning, the boys making disgusted sounds, and my fingers shaking.

His eyes were clearly different colored. Clearly empty as he spoke.

But the voice that came out wasn't his. It was mine.

"We are the same."

My heart thumped against my will. My legs felt like jelly; like if I took a step forward, I would fall. Tears of frustration stung my eyes and I covered my mouth before I could answer the mirage.

"What will you do, Anya Barton, when all your friends turn from you?"

I closed my eyes tightly. Took a deep breath. And recalled the time Harry had first attended St. Louise's Vendredi des films. 

"Riddikulus," I murmured, then repeated the incantation louder, "Riddikulus!" 

LINKS: (ffn) (wattpad)

[wrapped-in-all-your-colors]

To Be Human

She was told her life wasn’t supposed to go like this, but in a world shaped by Speedsters, Karen Starr was lucky enough to be heading right where she should. Even if the journey took longer than the first round.

Chapter Nine│Made of Steel

Chapter Summary: Karen knows about Barry’s alter ego. Then she confronts a man of steel. The odds don’t go in her favor.

Sirens rang in the distance. Tony Woodward froze.

"I think you should leave," Karen said to him, standing up.

It happened suddenly. Her table went flying to the other side of the café as he seized her hoodie and lifted her to his eye level. Several people screamed. His arm, she noticed, was gunmetal.

Iris yelled, "Tony, no! Let her go!"

"You called the pigs on me," he hissed into Karen's face. "That was very stupid of you, blondie."

"I don't have my phone in view, you idiot. How could I have done it?"

Karen thought she would choke with the way he was holding her. But she barely felt the pressure on her throat. Bolstered, she lifted a hand and curled it around his wrist.

And squeezed.

Tony dropped her, his face contorting in pain.

"You bitch!"

ffn / wattpad