Who's the real Monster?

Using the intercom I asked "How long will the supplies last you?" She responded "What's it to you?" Starting to get a headache I decided to put this woman in her place "I guess Hannah got the attitude from you?"

Ed asked "Hannah? You're talking to Hannah's mom? She's here?" I gave a thumbs up in response. Mrs. Armstrong slammed her hand on the desk before replying "How do you know that? Nobody should know."

"Now a few others and myself know about it. So if you don't want to ostracize your daughter even more cooperate with me."

She took a moment to think before replying "Fine, to answer your question there's enough supplies to last me years."

"Good then you won't mind some company."

"Who? Is it my husband?"

"No, he's a soldier who's in shock."

"What do you want me to do with him?"

"Just watch him."

"Is that all?"

"Either watch him or I'll take you to Hannah by force."

She took a moment to think before replying "You're a sick SOB."

"What floor are you on?"

"Fifth floor, last door on the right, code is 941057, you can't miss it."

"Much obliged".

Turning around to see Smith finally on his feet I was about to say something when Ed shook his head. Smith kept his back to me mumbling something to himself. Putting two and two together I understood that if Smith saw me again it'll probably cause more trauma. I signed 'Did you hear the directions and code?' Ed replied 'Write it down, please'. I found a notepad and pen close by, after writing everything down I handed it to Ed. They gently lead Smith away "Alright Smith we're going to go to the fifth floor, I'm going to leave you there with a woman" Ed told him softly. "A nice woman?" Smith asked. "I hope so" Ed answered.

Waiting a minute or so I took a peak to make sure both of them were a few paces away before I went down the hall in the other direction. The stench of rot hit me before the sight. Dead bodies and blood covered both the floor and walls. Still think I'm not a monster? I asked Nightmare.

They had it coming.

True, especially the grabby one I slightly shuddered with that memory. Now what to do with the bodies?

I could eat them.

Really?

What?

I'm not a cannibal.

I'm not a human.

I am and I don't want to eat people, much less people who are already rotting.

Doesn't matter to me.

I don't care neither one of us is going to eat them.

Then what can I eat?

Not them.

Think of something quick, I'm starting to get hungry.

My stomach just had to betray me with a growl. Thinking out loud 'Let's see ways to dispose of bodies; there's chemicals I'm sure there are plenty here, burial seems too good for these assholes, fire would be nice although the smell is godawful, hmmm I guess there's always feeding the sharks, or...'

"How about the freezer?"

Turning around to see non other than Hannah with a radio in hand. "What the Hell are you doing with my mom?"

"I think the better question is 'What the Hell is you mom doing here?'"

With narrowed eyes she folded her arms trying to look intimidating. Taking a lucky guess I asked "Was your mom supposed to be on that helicopter?"

She grunted in response.

"Ah! No wonder you're more bitchy than usual."

"Don't call me that."

"Very well, about your mom, she wasn't supposed to be here at all. Although it's helpful that she is, cause now she'll be babysitting Smith for me."

"Who's Smith?"

"He's a soldier who worked in IT, I put him in a state of shock and forgot that he was still here. So now your mom is going to keep a eye on him while staying safe herself."

"What makes you think I'll let that happen?"

"Do you think you can take me on?"

Hannah tapped her finger in thought. Feeling the exhaustion even more I took a chance at defusing the situation "You mentioned a freezer before?" She nodded in response. "Well if you want to keep your mom a secret to everyone outside of here or tell the others about her that's your business. I just want to know where the freezer is at."

"Who else knows about my mom?"

"Probably everyone here; Alexia, Nurse Ratchet, definitely Ed and Smith."

Hannah ran her hands over her face. After she weighed the options she said "Alright if I help you, will you make sure the others won't say a word." With a shrug I answered "It's not my secret to tell. As for the others I'll at least put in a good word." She let out a huff in response "Augh! The freezer is in the floor above us there's a big cafeteria on left side with a meat sized locker in the back. I'll get some bleach and mops to help with the blood."

Hearing the others coming our way I asked "You guys find the goods?"

"Hell yeah we did!" Ashe said.

"Good do you have any protein bars?"

"Yeah."

Presenting an open hand Ashe threw me a bar. Looking over to Hannah she opened her mouth slightly in hunger. Handing her the bar I opened my hand for another. Before eating I looked to others to say "Y'all keep a lid on knowing about Mrs. Armstrong, ok?" All of them looked from Hannah to me to give a form of agreeance. Scarfing the food down I had never been happier to eat something in all of my life.

Feeling the food already giving me energy I used multiple tendrils to strip the guards of all weapons, then I lifted each of them off the floor. Mark and Ashe said "Thanks" as they walked by. When it came time for Alexia and Nurse Ratchet they both just looked ahead. As I began walking to the stairs I heard Hannah say "Thank you". I lifted my hand in a peace sign in response.

I went up the stairs as quickly as I could. The snack is already beginning to wear off. The door opened before I could touch the handle. Ed saw me first before seeing the guards floating just behind. I was about to ask when they said "I'll hold the door open." Giving him a tired half smile in response I followed Hannah's directions.

"Heading to the freezer?" Ed asked.

"Uh huh" was all I could say.

"I can help with the doors."

"Sure."

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Nope."

"Is there anyway I can help?"

"Doors first then food."

I followed behind Ed and as he opened the freezer the cold air hit me hard. Nightmare told me in a rushed tone Whatever you're doing make it quick. What? I asked confused. NOW! Nightmare demanded. Using my hand I pushed Ed to the side and threw all the dead bodies into an empty corner.

My legs gave out from under me. Ed caught me at the last second. "Z, hey are you alright? What's wrong?"

Holding onto him for dear life I reply "I don't know."

"Holy shit...Z you're bleeding? Did you get shot?"

"I am?" Looking to the floor I saw a few drops of red fall away from my body. I could only reply to the first question. Ed looped his arms around my body, one under my knees and the other across my shoulders gripping my upper left arm. This is the second time they've held me like this and it's the first time I could actually see them. If this were a fantasy story he'd probably be a pirate taking me away. If things were different I'd let Ed take me anywhere. Yuck Nightmare said.

Fuck 'yuck' what the Hell just happened?

I don't like the cold?

That's would've been good to know a few minutes ago.

Ed said "I'm going to put you down. Don't move I'll find a first aid kit." I think I nodded my head.

I didn't know what a freezer was.

Bullshit! I've been feeling you root around in my memories for hours now.

That doesn't mean I know everything?

Well now you know that freezer means cold.

Now I also know that you are in love with Ed.

"What?!" I think I said out loud.

Ed asked "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, my bad."

"Ok, still looking."

"Take your time."

Take your time as I close the wounds Nightmare mocked.

If you can do that then why did they open up just now.

What's the phrase 'still fresh'. Plus I need fuel, which is food for you humans.

Not until I get these wounds cleaned and covered.

Well...

Don't!

Fine. You will be alright as long as you eat some protein, soon.

You can digest human food.

I've eaten people and what's the word 'livestock' before and had been ok for days on end.

Days?

The guards and scientists barely fed me to keep me weak.

Finally something you and I have in common.

It felt like Nightmare was going to respond when Ed came back with the first aid kit. Handing me the case they said "I'm going to wash my hands, can you undo the bandages on your arms?" I replied "Sure". Carefully undoing the bandage I caught sight of the hole Edgar put in me. Well this is going to be awkward I thought. Huh? Why? Nightmare asked.

Again I need Ed to clean and cover this hole.

So?

So...I am what's known as AFAB and that means Assigned Female At Birth, it also means I have different reproductive organs than Ed. Which means I have breasts, even if I'm down to either an A or B cup they're still breasts and people like Ed don't have them.

Why is that an issue?

Aye! I don't want Ed to see me half naked.

Why didn't you just say so?

I let out a low growl as my response.

Nightmare took control of my right arm and turned my index finger into a claw. You better know what you're doing I thought. Nightmare made me loop my finger into the hole and pull. The fabric tore easily. Nightmare got both holes to make it easier. Clenching my jaw I took a deep breathe before swallowing my pride to say two words I thought I'd never tell Nightmare. Thank you.

Carefully taking my left arms out of the sleeve I held my breath to keep from making a noise to indicate how much pain I'm still in. Ed stood in front of me with gloved hands. I was going to ask when they replied "When you're dealing with blood it's best to have clean hands under gloves." Remembering the medical dramas I used to see as a kid they never did anything unless they were wearing gloves. I nodded my head in agreement.

Relaxing my body for a moment I felt Ed clean the bullet wound first. It was an inch or two below my left clavicle. Had Edgar's aim been better he probably would've killed me. "Am I hurting you?" Ed asked. Meeting their eyes to reply "No, I'm ok."

He took a close look at me to ask "Are you sure?"

Holding their gaze I said "I've been better." Ed gave me a kind smile. I stayed still as they cleaned my wounds.

"You got lucky" Ed told me.

"I don't feel that way".

"Had it been anywhere else this would've been a kill shot."

"I know, which surprises me that Edgar missed."

"Edgar did this to you?"

"Either him or one of his cronies. It doesn't matter."

"Guess no one can say 'you're all bark and no bite'."

Looking into their eyes I smirked while saying "Good thing I like to bite."

Ed's whole body shifted slightly, their fingers went past the gauze on my forearm to touch my bare skin. The sudden touch didn't bother me. From what I could see before they turned around a blush was creeping in. Holding in a chuckle my smirk turned into a shit-eating grin.

Barely raising my left shoulder I winced at the pain. Ed turned back to me as the blush began to fade. Focused they asked "Do you need help?" Irritated with the sleeves I said "Could you cut the sleeves off? I can use them as a sling." He nodded grabbing the dull scissors medics use. Carefully cutting the sleeves off Ed tied both ends to make a sling for me to use. With my arm now stable my stomach decided to growl. Using my right hand to squeeze my temples I thought Of all the times it had to be now? Nightmare replied Don't blame me, I was willing to eat the guards and that would've been filling at least. Crossing my eyes under my hand I said From now on people are off the menu.

Moving my hand away Ed said "I'll make us something quick. Do you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions?" Taking a minute to think I reply "None to both." Ed said over their shoulder as he rounded the corner "Perfect". I barely waited a minute or two for them to come back with two sandwiches on top of plates.

Taking the one they offered Ed said "I hope you like ham and swiss."