Who's the real Monster?

~ Alexia's POV

The second my body stopped producing adrenaline I fell to the ground hard. "Ugh" I grunted angerly. Slowly lifting myself up I felt the dirt for the first time in who knows how many years. I had always hated the dirt, growing up bullies would push to have a laugh at the clumsy orphan. It didn't help that my ankles have always been weak.

Even though the fall wasn't pleasant it felt good to feel something aside form concrete. I had almost forgotten the feel of dirt.

Taking a moment to just be, I caught whiff of salt in the air. Have all of us been on a island since the beginning? Looking around to see that no one else is around. I thought to myself I'm alone again.

I miss Emilia. We were so close growing up. She was my family and then later on my first crush. Emilia never left my side, not even when I asked her to. Such a stubborn bitch. I'd give anything to see her again.

She'd better be alive. Because if she isn't and that Thing that stalks the halls at night got her I'll never forgive It or that girl. What was her name or is it their name? Z? That's right, Z.

While there is a slim chance that Emilia is like me there's also a chance that she died that night. We both got attacked by something that looked like a black goopy blob. The next thing I know I'm being brought here against my will. I haven't seen hide nor hair from Emilia since that night. I need to know what happened to her and if she's here or not.

Heading back to the building that was once my prison I felt myself beginning to spiral. Anxiety has always been an issue for me. Leaning against a tree I began to count down to 10. By the time I reached 1 I still wasn't ready. Remembering the box breathing technique Emilia taught me I began to feel my nerves go steady. When my body stopped shaking I took my time going back.

Slowly rounding the corner I heard a loud gasp followed by an all too familiar voice speaking, "Josh is still trying to disarm the missiles we have less than 10 minutes now".

Taking a careful peek I saw her.

Emilia.

She's alive.

She's one of us?

How did I not run into her after all these years?

Out of nowhere a black tentacle like thing grabbed her. "I should rip you to shreds here and now" a man's voice spoke through Z's mouth.

Watching everything from afar I couldn't move, I could barely even breath. There's nothing I can do. I'm so useless.

"I can help" Emilia said with a strained voice.

Continuing to only watch I heard Z ask, "How?"

"I'm an RN, I can feed off pain and inflict it onto others, plus I know of every way to interrogate whoever you need me to", Emilia explained her tone slightly relaxed.

No.

She can't be.

There's no way Emilia could do something like that. Not my Emilia. She's the kindest, most loving, patient woman I have ever known. She was the only person who gave a damn about me growing up. Emilia is the reason why I got diagnosed with lupus. After that day she studied so hard to become a doctor only to find out you can't be one without having deep pockets or spend the rest of your life in debt.

"You're like us?", Z asked. I think Emilia nodded in response. "Go inside and keep an eye on Edgar. Don't do anything to Josh and stay out of my sight or I'll turn you into compost", Z ordered her.

Watching Emilia go back into the building without another word I saw that she stumbled a little. Did Z hurt her? Taking a deep breathe I leaned my back against the wall to start counting down from 10 again.

With calmer nerves and steady breathing I looked out to see everyone was looking away. Taking my chance to head back inside while no one is watching. Once inside the scent of blood hit me like a truck. Hearing Emilia footsteps going down the hall I followed behind quietly.

Growing up I took any and every chance I had to startle her. At first she would threaten to hit me and then she would try to put some kind of bell on me. Only a few times was she ever successful. We had such fun together.

Keeping my distance I had to wait behind any and all corners for a few seconds. With this turn I didn't hear her footsteps go further down the hall. She's pacing. Emilia could never stay still for too long. Old habits really do die hard.

What am I going to do?

How am I going to approach her?

You can't just say 'Hi remember me? I haven't seen you in years although I think I've heard of you.'

Can I even ask if she is 'Nurse Ratchet'. Everyone who saw her always described Emilia's body type. I would tell myself Emilia isn't the only natural red head who has a thin body frame out there.

Leaning against the wall I actually had time to think. All this time I had assumed the worst and prayed every night that I was wrong. When we got attacked that night I barely saw Emilia at all. Now I know she's alive and well. Looks like only the ironical prays ever get answered.

Finding my center I told myself 'There's no going back now. I have questions that need answers.'

"I know you're there," she said.

Sighing heavily I finally turn the corner to see Emilia standing in the center with her hands on her hips until she recognized me. I smiled in relief, she hasn't changed at all. With a gasp her hands moved to her lips.

"Alexia?" she asked moving her hands away. I could only nod my head as I replied, "Emilia." Barely a second passed before we were in each other's arms again.

"I thought I'd never see you again", Emilia told me. Hearing the tears in her voice I could only reply "Ditto". Knowing that she was smiling I pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. A perfect cloudless blue.

Emilia's eyes scanned my face. I could see nurse mode being activated, "Are you ok, are you in any pain, did you did anything strenuous?" Tears of joy slipped from my eyes I was about to say 'no' when a booming noise reverberated through the walls.

Emilia took my hand tightly before running to the exit. In the threshold of the door leading outside all of us looked to the sky to see some of the clouds turn black. That noise must've been the missiles exploding. We survived the attack.

All the fear and tension left my body. Taking the chance to finally say what I've been dying to all these years later, "I love you Emilia". In reply she turned to say, "I know." Taking her other hand I had to continue, "Emilia I'm in love with you. I've always been in love with you. You're all I think about and I want to spend whatever time I have left with you." She gave my hands a gentle squeeze before replying again, "I know."

"Sorry ladies coming through", someone said barely running past us. He was a very tall and muscular guy. With the mood slightly ruined I said, "I'm going to murder whoever that idiot is." Letting out a breathy laugh Emilia said, "Some nerd by the name of Josh, I think."

~

Before another word could be spoken the sound of a gun being fired rang through the air. A memory of the gun range came to mind, I knew that sound wasn't made by any civilian pistol. That had to be a high caliber riffle. Wielded by anyone that shot could probably even kill us.

On instinct I began running in the direction of the sound. Ed and Hannah waisted no time running right beside me. Thinking wasn't it just a few days when this exact action happened between the three of us. If I was religious I'd say that fate or the gods really do have a plan for us.

Someone asked while trying to keep up, "What that a gun shot? Why are you heading towards it?" Yelling over my shoulder, "Somebody stay behind and watch over Anderson."

Hearing another shot I ran faster. Hannah stayed at my side, even though she's the fastest out of everyone here. Probably because she doesn't want to get shot Nightmare thought. Most likely I replied.

I hate that Nightmare may have a point. Hannah is a military brat who may have a soft spot for daddy dearest. Still unsure where her loyalties lye I'd rather have her close than out of my sight.

Maneuvering through the trees my vision went white all of a sudden. Closing my eyes tightly I knew that I must've passed through the edge of the forest just now. Slowly opening my eye lids the first thing I see is the ocean ahead.

Turning my head to the right to see a freight ship docked while there were armed guards on the beach at the ready. Ed let out a low growl beside me. Walking away I told everyone who followed us "All of you stay hidden. Hannah if anything happens tell the others."

Ed stayed by my side. Hearing Eric's muffled voice trying to tell me something, "They won't leave you." Looking to Ed I sent a message to his brother "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt them."

At the edge of the ship's shadow I told Ed "Get behind me." About to take another step someone shot close by my feet. One of soldiers yelled, "That was a warning! Halt or be shot down!"

Feeling Nightmare get restless I said Don't make me do anything stupid. "I want to speak to the captain" I raised my voice for everyone close by to hear.

"The captain has no business with filth like you."

I'm going to kill that asshole Nightmare growled. Later I reply.

"Either I talk with the captain or..." A familiar smell was carried by the wind. He's still alive Nightmare growled. Inhaling deeply I lifted my eyes to meet his.

"Going somewhere?", I asked Colonel Armstrong with a malicious grin.