Who's the Monster?

Again Ripley reluctantly nodded her head. I could practically see the steam shoot out of her ears.

Starting off with Eric and Shelly's demands I left out the priest. If they really wanted someone to officiate the wedding I would do so.

"You think the US government will let you and the other In--" I felt my eyes go red with Nightmare just under the surface. Ripley corrected herself to add in a tight tone as she gritted the words out "the others get married?"

"I could care less of what you and the US government think when it comes to the others and I getting married in general. I want a tuxedos and wedding dresses in all sizes, plus the rest of the demands to be brought here without any issues."

Watching a muscle pop in her forehead widened my smirk into a shit eating grin.

Continuing with the rest of the list Ripley replied once I was done "Is that all?"

"Almost..." I left her in suspense for a few seconds "I know of the other Spawns."

Watching Ripley trying to play it cool I held her gaze as she replied "I have no idea of what you're talking about."

"I know there are others like us in different facilities. I want all of them to be brought here where they will live freely."

Ripley tried to stall "I still have no--"

"Don't play dumb!" Nightmare growled. I told Nightmare Cool it. "I'll only say this one more time 'Bring the others here'. I want all of them alive and unharmed."

Ripley took a deep breath. My grin didn't waver as I waited for her response.

"It'll take some time" I could hear the self restraint in her tone.

"How much?"

"Rough estimate one year."

"You've got 6 months to make that happen."

"That's impossible."

Shaking my head slightly "Not my problem. Until you meet our demands there will be limited contact with me initiating it from now on. If I change my mind or need to add anything onto the list I will do so at whatever time I see fit. If by chance you pass the due date I'll have our hacker here start leaking files. You have until" I looked onto the corner of the screen to see that we're in September of 2026 "the end of March next year to meet our demands fully." I ended the call with that statement.

Needing a moment to take a breather I felt Nightmare trying to comfort me. Standing from the chair I snapped my fingers. Anderson flinched before coming to my side. Looking into her eyes so filled with rage I said "I'm taking you back to your room where you will stay for the next 6 months if you're lucky." Anderson tried responding through sealed lips. Unable to care of what she says I told her "Let's go".

She followed behind me as we went back to the Solitary Unit glaring all the way with occasional muffled words. Dropping her off Hannah was there in replacement to annoy me "So what now?"

"In what regard" I had to ask.

"Well for my mom."

"As of right now your mom is safe. Ripley is both Anderson and your parent's boss. I gave her a list of our demands with a 6 month waiting period. In the mean time I suggest you and your mom have a long talk."

"Why? About what?"

"Ripley wants Smith, Anderson, Edgar, and your mom. You need to ask her if she wants to stay and then you have to ask the others if they are willing to live with her."

"Why? Can't you ask everyone to accept her?"

I stopped to look directly into her eyes. "First of all she's not my mother, second I will not force the others to accept anything that they disagree on. Everyone here has had their choices taken away from them. Thirdly if you want to keep her here fight for it."

Leaving her speechless for the second time in a hallway I kept on walking. Going past the surveillance room I was making a bee line for outside when I heard Josh clear his throat to say "Boss we need to talk."

Exhaling an angry breathe I make a 180 to go into the room. The first thing I said "What did I say about calling me 'Boss'?"

Josh shrugged his shoulders in response "If you don't like it stop being so bossy."

Crossing my arms over my chest I glare daggers at the side of his head. Even though Josh has the height and muscle against me, I doubt he knows I'll fight dirty. He eventually looks at me from the corner of his eye. "I still stand by what I said" he told me while keeping his focus on the screens.

"Are you a gamer?" I ask.

"I'm a hacker what do you think?"

"Have you ever played PlayStation games?"

"Of course I have."

"Good, so don't call me 'Boss'."

"It suites you though."

"I will not guarantee your safety if you keep calling me that or if you're being this cheeky."

"Then you're going to have to live with it."

Stifling a growl I felt Nightmare trying to gain power over me. "You had better have found something life saving or I swear--" Josh cut me off "Ripley's location."

Folding my arms to wait for the response Josh left me in suspense.

"Found her in Italy. I also hacked into everyone's files who have ever worked here. Everything from pre-k schools to vitals from their last check up."

"That's good and all. Why did you call for me though?"

"I'm in the process of finding the other facilities."

I nodded my head before replying "Good job, is that all?"

"Uh huh" he said while keeping his eyes on the screens. Leaving the room I heard him continuing to click all the buttons on the keyboard.

Walking outside I inhaled deeply. Holding the fresh air I exhaled slowly to feel my shoulders drop slightly. Even though I had barely been inside the building for a few hours it felt like days if not weeks. I was beginning to feel like a caged animal.