Who's the real Monster?

There was a loud boom followed by a rush of wind. What happened just now exhausted Z to the point of falling unconscious while they were still standing. I couldn't, no wouldn't let them fall. Knowing how to control the body I kept us on our feet. A memory of their granddad came to mind. He would check in on Z to make sure they were still breathing at night. They look just as peaceful now as back then.

Letting them rest in the void of our mind I moved my focus to our body. This is the first time I've been in a human body that didn't die or explode after complete merging. I feel whole.

"Z? Z...Can you hear me?" someone called out to them. Inhaling deeply to smell that sweet scent in the air. I opened our eyes without a care. My vision flashed white, after a few seconds of adjusting everything was still black, white, with hints of grey. Living beings have a dark grey outline with white and black detailing the shape along with contours.

Looking over to the person who spoke I observed his outline carefully. He has an almost black outline, there's a black core that stretches out to the rest of his body. It looks oddly familiar. Taking a quick look at the sleeping person close by they too had the same color outline and core.

Realizing who I was talking to I knew that I was looking at their power. I asked in my human voice, "Ashe?"

They looked confused while responding, "Z? Or whoever the hell you actually are?"

Straightening my posture I didn't lie "Not exactly". Knowing that Z still needed to rest I decided to introduce myself. Tilting my head in thought I knew of the prefect name to give myself "Call me Nightmare."

Noticing that the others were coming closer I turned around to see each and every one of them with my eyes wide open. Z will probably hate me even more for this.

It needed to be done.

When I laid eyes on Matt who is the closest one he flinched. Z's sunglasses were still in his hand. "Thank you", I told him softly. My words shook him back to reality. "Who are you?" Matt asked trying to keep the tremble from his voice. "You can call me Nightmare, that's what Z has known me as. I actually like it, better than being known as 'the Thing' any day", I answered honestly.

"What did you do to Z?" Eric asked (I think). "Z is currently sleeping. They're completely safe and when they wake up I'll let them talk with each and every one of you" I answered him.

Watching a quiet murmur happen I moved my attention behind me. Ashe was crouching by what's his name? Mark? That's right. Ashe was by his side trying to wake him up. Turns out Mark is a very heavy sleeper. After a few more shakes he mumbled, "Hmmm, what? What?"

"Mark, get yo ass up?", Ashe told him. He eventually sat up asking "What happened? What's going on?" Mark probably felt my presence before he turned to look at us. One look had him on his feet trying to put even more distance away from us or is it just me?

'Us' is that even the right word? In this context I assume so. Z is really going to hate me now. From now on we are two separate beings sharing a body. I am them and they are me. We will find a way to live the rest of our lives together. Or both of us with perish.

Mmmm Z made a noise in their sleep. I waited a moment to make sure they didn't wake. Without another response I left them alone to take a look around. Someone was missing "Where's Anderson?"

Another wave of shock went through everyone.

She must've taken the time to run while the rest were distracted. Inhaling deeply I picked out her scent quickly. "She's on the other side of the building trying to listen in while keeping her distance. Ed would you like to do the honors?"

A low growl came from the big cat in response that told me 'yes'. Ed ran in her direction as I followed behind. Everyone close by gave me a wide berth.

Anderson has kept me prisoner for far too long. It's time for some payback. It doesn't matter that Anderson was Z's family or that Nurse Ratchet is one of us, I'll never forgive either one of them for what they did to Z. To us.