Who's the real Monster?

A few suggestions were made 'Genesis' being one of them. I said "We need to find a name for this island. It's ours now. A of lot of people died here. Some of them were people like us. This place stole our lives, after everything we've been through we need to find a name that suits this place for us."

"We hafta take this seriously. For a lot of us, we died back home. So now we have a new life. This could be our after life?" Matt said.

"Hey! I like that. Afterlife" Ashe said. "Got a nice ring to it."

There were other sounds of approval. I thought to myself Not bad. Nightmare told me I don't get it. Stating the obvious "Everyone who agrees on the name 'Afterlife' raise your hand."

Barely a second passed before all hands were raised. "Then it's agreed. From now this island will be known as 'Afterlife'." Before heading to the kitchen I said "Since I cooked I'll leave the dishes and clean up to y'all. I'm going to take a tray to Anderson and Edgar."

Someone muttered sarcastically "Wonder why." Stopping mid stead to address the mutter I said "Just because I was here the shortest amount of time compared to the rest of you doesn't mean I don't see the irony of what I'm doing." Waiting a few seconds before continuing "I'm actually doing this because I'm petty. I'm choosing to be the better person in comparison to the people who were employed here. If we stoop down to their level then they win."

Walking through the sliding doors to see enough food left over I was thankful in a sense. Then the realization hit me. "Hannah I'll need your help" I yelled over my shoulder. She was by my side in less than a second. "You called" she said.

Making 3 instead of two plates I said "I'm going to need you to move Smith to the Solitary Unit".

Feeling the daggers in her eyes I added "If I do it, Smith will be in a worse condition than he already is in. The code to open the doors in the Solitary Unit doors is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5."

Hannah sucked on her teeth to make a 'tsk' noise before leaving.

With the two plates in hand I left the other in the kitchen before walking down to the Solitary Unit.

By the time I reached Anderson's room I almost forgot to input the code. Taking a deep breathe to steady my nerves I input the code. Seeing that Anderson was nowhere in sight my eyes landed on the tray that she barely touched. Figuring that she was in the bathroom I said "I'm leaving some more food for you. When I come back I'd like the both trays empty."

Still seeing no sign of Anderson I closed the door to her room.

Moving across the hall to Edgar's I opened the door to see he had left an empty tray in the slot. He was on the floor still stark naked sitting cross legged I said "Brought some more food. I'll be back for the tray later." He barely nodded his head.

Closing his door I heard footsteps coming my way. Knowing that Smith would lose his shit if he saw me again I was beginning to panic. Nightmare told me while taking hold of my body Let me try something.

I barely had any time to register the control being taken from me. A sensation of heat enveloped every cell in my body. I felt my body changing quickly. My muscles and bones began to elongated. Am I growing? I asked. Before Nightmare could answer me a familiar voice called out to me "Who the hell are you?"

Looking down to see Hannah. Looking down? What the hell just happened I asked Nightmare.

"I'm called Nightmare" Nightmare responded to her. I could feel myself on the verge of spiraling. Nightmare told me Calm down. "Oh my god...how are you alive? I thought you died" Smith asked looking at me or should I say Nightmare in surprise.

Nightmare said the first thing that came to mind "I am dead, this is all in your head. The young lady is here to help you." Smith still looking dumbstruck muttered to himself 'Ok, okay, I thought you were dead. Man am I hungry'. Nightmare said "I'll have Hannah bring you some lunch. Hope you like pasta." Smith only nodded in response.

Hannah could barely tear her eyes away from Nightmare. I felt Nightmare move my hand in a motion to say 'get on with it'. When the door was closed I felt my body shrink back to normal in a matter of seconds. Hannah looked back at me in complete shock. Regaining control of my body I waved my hand in front of her face before saying "Earth to Hannah."

She shook her head before responding "Huh? How? When? Did I just have a stroke?" Replying honestly "I have no idea. I don't think you're having a stroke, do you smell toast?" Hannah shook her head at my last question. Nightmare whispered to me Say 'I didn't want Smith to freak out and I would rather die than be inside a cell again.' I repeated what Nightmare said to Hannah. All she could do was nod.

Still using my own voice I said "I'm going to leave and have a talk with Nightmare. You keep what happened under wraps until I'm ready to talk with the others." Still all she did was nod.

Leaving her dumbfounded in the hall I needed to get outside. Nightmare suggested The roof? With a shrug I went up the flights of stairs to reach the rooftop. Inhaling deeply I made sure I was alone. With the sun on my skin I felt different.

The sleeves were split, sides on the torso were barely hanging on, even my pants were having some trouble adjusting to the difference in mass so quickly. That's when I saw strands of what looked like hair?

Slowly lifting my hands to my head I gently touched my scalp to feel hair, not stubble. Finding the ends I saw that my hair had grown to the same length as when I first got here. The color was completely different. What once was dark brown with natural highlights was now raven. With no tint or hue from the sun. I asked Nightmare How?

I changed your body.

Into who?

The human I take the form of. Your favorite artist.

Knowing which artist Nightmare meant I understood why Smith was so freaked.

Running my hands through my hair I was overjoyed. I always loved my hair. I only cut it short once. That's when my joy turned to rage.

Can you do that again? I asked Nightmare.

I think I can.

Don't ever do that without my permission again.

I could feel Nightmare roll my eyes in protest. I don't think I'll be able to that anytime soon. It took a lot out of me Nightmare replied.

Then why did you do it in the first place?

It was the only thing I could think of.

I was going to reply when Nightmare cut me off I'm never going to be imprisoned again. I'd rather be dead.

I wasn't going to imprison you or myself. I was only trying to find a way to hide for a moment. I would never let that happen to either one of us.

Nightmare didn't respond with words yet I felt there was an understanding between us.

Taking a moment before asking Is there anything else that rattles you?

I really don't like to be cold.

Is it just the cold or ice?

I don't like to be cold. I've seen snow and ice in your memories and it looks 'nice' or is 'beautiful' the right word?

Both are acceptable. Too bad I like the cold.

Feeling Nightmare begin to protest I continued I grew up in the south and that means we are hot for almost the entire year. Whenever we had a chance to wear coats and gloves we were happy. That's what I mean by 'liking the cold'. I like being bundled up when it's cold. I love a cool breeze on a hot day or drinking hot chocolate on a cold day.

Nightmare thought for a moment before responding If I remember correctly I think I might like what you're suggesting about the cold. Still I'd rather be warm. Where I'm from it's freezing cold and I hated every second of my existence there.

Tell me more about where you're from?

I don't think I'm ready for that.

Alright.

I took the moment to bask in the sun. I really like the warmth of your sun Nightmare told me gently.

Some cultures consider the sun a god.

Do you?

No. It's just a big ball of gas that will explode one day.

Nightmare decided then to ask What does Afterlife mean?