Who's the real Monster?

Watching Ed sprint he had what's the word? Grace? They had a certain grace about the way he moved. A cry of pain rang through the air.

Continuing my stride without picking up the pace. I had to remind myself of a quote 'You have to learn to walk before you can run.' Getting adjusted to the physical form is taking a lot of energy and focus. The feeling of being corporeal is still so new.

What are those cartoon things called? Mechs? That's right, as a child Z once thought they were just a brain inside a meat mech suit. In a way Z is still the brain in the meat mech suit, while I'm an alien taking refuge inside. That's kind of funny. A weird sound came from my throat. Was that laughter? I'll have to ask later.

Rounding the corner to see Ed coiled and ready to pounce a few feet away from Anderson. By the look of it there appears to be blood around her. Anderson is holding the lower part of her leg tightly. Ed followed Z's orders. She had the same dark grey outline without a black core. Interesting.

Taking a closer look at Ed he had the same black core as Ashe. Only theirs is in a different location of his own body. Looking at Anderson she flinched at the sight of me now. My mouth morphed on its own as a memory of what a smile is supposed to look like. The subtle shudder didn't go unnoticed.

More memories flooded my vision, all centered around this woman. Things she did to me, things she made me do. All these years I had dreamt of this day. Knowing exactly what to do first I ordered Ed, "Leave us."

They let out a low whimper, his fear nearly matched Andersons. She shook her head before yelling, "Don't! If you do this Thing will kill me!" In a second I had my clawed hand was around her mouth to say, "I. AM. NOT. A. THING!" Inhaling deeply I dug my claws deep enough to draw blood before finishing, "I have a name and you will know it before I kill you, I am Nightmare."

Her scent engulfed me. I going to enjoy this. Licking my lips hungrily I was on the verge of unhinging my jaw when a familiar voice yells Don't! We need her alive!

My jaw snapped shut on it's own. You're awake.

~

Waking to the sound of my alarm clock blaring I turned it off before getting out of bed. My day is about to start.

Walking downstairs in my favorite PJs the first thing I hear is both my grandparents bickering over what to make this morning. The sight of them made my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Giving them both a loving hug I got started on the coffee. Papi sat down to leave me and grandma alone in the kitchen. He read the daily paper like usual. By the time breakfast was done my folks came down the stairs.

Sitting down last I was about to dig in when Tia Patty came in through the front door. Odd I thought. Tia rarely visits and whenever she does it's usually for dinner. Her work always came first. We had all accepted that.

Instead of pulling up a chair she came to my side to say, "Tamara...Amara I need your help". Confused by her plea I asked, "Tia what are you talking about?"

"Amara I need you to wake up".

Wake up? I'm already awake. "Mija that Thing is going to kill me!" She begged.

The Thing? A sickly sweet scent encompassed me. I know this smell. My body jolted as I broke into consciousness. Sitting upright I realized that I'm still alive.

Taking a quick look around I knew where I was. Hearing voices in the distance I followed them. The scent only intensified as I got closer, Anderson's scent. An unknown thought came to mind 'Eat...her'.

Before I could think the words spilled out of my mouth, "Don't! We need her alive!" It replied a heartbeat later, "You're awake."

The darkness of the void faded for me to see Anderson's face merely a inch away from my own. Were you going to eat her I asked.

Yes.

I have no idea why I'm surprised this Thing has eaten others like me for over a decade now I thought to myself.

Don't call me that.

What? I didn't say anything.

I heard your thoughts.

You can do that now?

I've always been able to. It wasn't until recently that you've been able to hear me.

My shoulders slumped with that ton of bricks falling on me. Why did you stop me? It thought.

Taking a moment to think, really think. Tons of thoughts came to mind; First she was family to me at one point, second I've already got enough blood on my hands, third she's more useful to all of us alive than dead, and forth there are far worse things than death and I want to repay her for everything she made me go through.

Hmmm the Thing chimed in.

What?

All your thoughts are correct.

Yes and?

I agree more so with thought number 4, make her suffer.

Then she stays alive.

Yes under one condition?

What gives you the right to start making demands?

It's a small one that will go a long way.

Deciding to know rather than worry I asked What is it?

I want you to start calling me Nightmare.

Confused I felt my brow furrow. Nightmare?

Yes, I am not a Thing and I also don't like to be called an It either.

Taking a moment to think. I shrugged my shoulders before replying Ok Nightmare, do you have or know what pronouns are?

Yes I know what pronouns are. Just call me Nightmare or Night for short.

Fine then.

A sense of warmth flooded inside me. Thank you Nightmare told me softly.

Sure no problem was my default response to a 'thank you' I wasn't expecting.

What do we do now?

We? There is no 'we'. This is my body. You're just an intruder that found a way to burrow yourself in.

I could feel an unease coming from Nightmare. It felt like Nightmare wanted to reply and thought better about it.

To answer your question, I will be taking control of my body again and you will stay hidden.

Fine then Nightmare used my own words against me.

A pins and needles traveled from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Taking a deep breathe I twitched both my fingers and toes. Knowing that I'm in control again I thought Nightmare listened to me. Always Nightmare replied immediately. I never thought I'd live to hear that word from a being like Nightmare.

Opening my eyes slowly to see that I'm still color blind. Only now I can see more details than before. Everything is still black, white, with shades of grey. I can see things better than with my sunglasses on.

Observing Anderson closely the look of pure horror brought an evil smile to my own face. Carefully raising my clawed hand to her face I tapped her nose gently. She opened her eyes as I whispered low enough for only her to hear, "You're not getting off that easy." Before she could react I gave her a strong back handed slap knocking her out cold. Her body fell hard on the sand. Making sure she was still breathing I stood up slowly.

Turning around my eyes landed on Matt first. His core is located in his throat. Looking to the others I saw that everyone's was in a different area. Ed still as a tiger took a small step forward. Matt didn't hesitate to order "Don't hurt Ed." Meeting Matt's eyes first then Ed I replied "I could and would never hurt either of you." Ed let out a slight whimper in response. Matt asked, "Z is that really you?"

Don't you want the sunglasses back? Nightmare asked. Taking a moment to think I do, although I'm willing to wait for Matt to give them back to me.

Taking the most minimal of breathes I knew everyone was afraid if not terrified of me. The terror is nearly palpable. Feeling a drip sensation from my hand I had forgotten about the blood earlier. Wiping it from my fingertips on my pants. A few people gasped or made a sound of disgust if not worry. I never liked being the center of attention and it's only gotten worse now.

Because of you we look more like a monster than ever before. 'We? You just said 'we' Nightmare said.

Slightly shuddering with anger I replied I meant to say 'I' not 'we' and you know it. Clenching my hands I continued It doesn't help that you're using me as a host. From now on everything you and I do people won't know who's actually in control.

A strange sensation went through my body. Ignoring it to reply with sincerity, "Yes it's me".

"How can we know for sure?", Hannah spoke up. Meeting her eyes "There is no way for me to prove it. Nightmare knows everything I do. You'll just have to put some faith in both Nightmare and I. Neither one of us will harm any of you on purpose."

"GUYS! Guys we've got a problem!", Josh yelled while running to the head of the group. He stopped in the middle of the gap between me, Anderson, and everyone else. All of our eyes landed on him.

He took one a long look at me to say, "Are those your real eyes?" Confused I reply, "Yes, they are now." Then Josh proceeded to say something completely out of pocket, "You look like a pissed off cat."

I had to cover my face by pinching the bridge of my nose to keep anyone from noticing the smirk that reached my lips. Not bad I thought. Everyone close by either held in a laugh or let out a light chuckle.

Schooling my face I clapped my hands to say in a serious tone, "You had something to say Josh?" He let out one last chuckle before answering, "I have all the files on everyone who's ever worked here, funded this place, visited, and more."