All of a sudden, Barry felt like foam being washed from a sink into the drain, rapidly pulled out of the present world by some force. Then he found himself floating in a universe made of golden light, hearing a voice shout in his ear.
"Run, Barry! Run!!!"
Without realizing it, he followed that voice and started running. In this void, free from physical constraints, he ran faster and faster, more and more freely, as though all the frustration and grievances he had endured lately had been cast behind him.
Keep running, Barry reminded himself. If this is a dream, then I have to outrun every trouble. At least when I wake up, I won't be startled awake from a nightmare in a cold sweat.
"Do you think this is a dream?" a voice asked.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Barry instinctively slowed down, seeming to wait for the figure to appear.
When the voice spoke again, it said, "Don't slow down. Keep accelerating, and then you'll be able to see me."
Barry had no choice but to lower his head and keep sprinting. Faster, faster, faster...
The golden light grew denser and denser, shifting from a thin pale gold to a rich golden yellow. Barry turned his head and saw a phantom running alongside him.
As his speed increased, the phantom gradually became solid. At last, amid the endless light, they stopped. Yet they did not leave this world, instead floating quietly within the warm radiance.
Standing opposite Barry was another version of himself.
He was very young, looking like a college student. He wore a hoodie printed with a cartoon design, the kind Barry would normally like. His face still retained a little baby fat, his complexion was rosy, and his eyes were bright. He looked exceptionally