Who's the real Monster?

Walking away from the door I had to lean against the wall. My body felt worn out. Guess the adrenaline is finally subsiding I thought. Thankful that no one is around to see me look weak I took a few deep breathes. Centering myself Nightmare told me softly You're not a monster.

How would you know?

Nightmare's response was interrupted by a terribly familiar voice asking "Everything ok?"

Viciously side eyeing Nurse Ratchet she took a step back with hands raised. Closing the distance by throttling her neck memories of a few days ago came to mind. "You couldn't make me scream so now I'll silence you forever."

Gloved hands came into my line of sight. Someone was trying to break my grip. "Stop it! Let her go! You're hurting her!" the woman begged me. Kill her now Nightmare urged me. "Please...don't...hurt...her" Nurse Ratchet squeaked out.

"No, no Emilia stay with me. Please let her go" the other woman begged. Looking away from her to see the other woman, I was met with a look I could never forget for as long as I live. Everyone who I've ever loved or cared for has given me that look at least once.

Moving my focus back to Nurse Ratchet she also had the same look in her eyes. Exhaling slowly I began to loosen my hold on her. When she inhaled deeply I told her "From now stay out of my sight" whispering into her hear I finished "Or I'll pay you back for what you did to me." Nurse Ratchet could barely nod her head in response.

Letting her go the other woman didn't waste time to help her up. "What's your name?" I asked. The other woman didn't respond. Ed answered for her "I think her name is Alexia and she's from the Green Unit." "Screw you Ed" she spat at them. Meeting her eyes again she flinched this time as I told her "Keep your tongue and Nurse Ratchet on a tight leash cause I won't be so kind if you or her step out of line". Alexia glared daggers at both of us before taking Nurse Ratchet away.

Ed came closer to say "We've got a problem." Rolling my eyes I asked "What now?" Ed used his fingers to count out the problems "There's a soldier in the fetal position who won't leave the surveillance room, there's a woman I think who barraged herself in another room, the guards are starting to stink, and we can't find Edgar." The air became heavy with that one name. Knowing which problem to take care of first I whistled loudly.

Booted feet filled the halls as everyone moved away to stare at the man who had made our lives a living Hell being called upon like a trained animal. Seeing him stand at attention in front of me brought a hunger I didn't know I had. Snapping my fingers I ordered "Disarm yourself completely". Edgar replied "Yeah right...what the fuck is going on?" Edgar's body betrayed his mind. In vain he continued to fight against the command. Once he was done I grabbed the bottom part of his jaw to bring his face down to my eye level "Remember from now on your body, mind, and life are now mine to control. You will only speak when I tell you to and act when I say so. You are nothing."

As the realization finally hit him the life slowly drained from Edgar's eyes. Letting go of his jaw he let his head hang there. Turning around I snapped my fingers to say "Follow me." He did so without hesitation. Edgar stayed a few paces behind me as I turned the corner Mark said "That was brutal" and Ashe replied with "Remind me never to piss her off." Ed corrected him "Them not her." I couldn't help the small smile I felt creep onto my face.

Passing Anderson's room I lead Edgar to a room on the other side of the hallway. Making sure there would be no way for them to communicate I ordered Edgar to go into the room, get naked, and throw his clothes out into the hall. Before closing the door I said "You can thank Anderson for being naked. I'll bring some food and water tomorrow, if I remember." Looking at Edgar from the moveable slit I watched him just stand there in defeat. Pathetic Nightmare and I thought.

Walking down the hall I turned the corner to only see Ed. "Where are the others?" I asked. "Mark and Ashe are followed Nurse I mean Emilia for snacks and the other stuff" they said. "Good, why didn't you go with them?" Ed took a moment to think. Giving him some time I walked to the surveillance room. Hearing Ed follow me Nightmare said I don't like this. Leave Ed alone I said.

Make him go away.

Not a chance I spat back.

Frustrated Nightmare used my voice to ask "Why are you following me?" Ed stopped mid step to answer "I want to talk and look after Z."

"Z doesn't need anyone to take care of them and they've got me to talk with."

"That's enough!" I yelled at Nightmare.

Looking at Ed softly I said "I need a minute to talk with Nightmare." They nodded. Closing my eyes tightly I found myself in the void. Nightmare kept the human form. I started off with Listen here asshole that had better be the last time you do something like that.

I don't like them.

I don't care about what you like or dislike, this is my body and you are literally a guest in it.

I would say roommate over guest.

Frustrated I said My body my rules: the first is you don't use it without my permission: second you don't talk to Ed much less anyone like that again unless I say so.

Is there a third?

Right now there isn't although you're pushing it right now. On that note I reserve the right to make future rules. Until then you and I are going to have to find a way to live with each other. If there were a way to only hurt you I would've done so by now. So for now shut it before I put both of us in that room.

A memory of the room I first saw Nightmare in came to mind. My skin prickled with goosebumps Nightmare knew I wasn't kidding with that warning. Yet still pushed You wouldn't. I replied Fuck around and find out. I'd rather be sealed off in a room alone than ever wear a collar again. Opening my eyes slowly I looked to Ed. "Good talk?" they asked. "Nope, although I got my point across" I answered honestly.

Snapping my finger in remembrance I said "That's right you mentioned someone barraged themselves in a room and that Smith is still here." Ed followed next to me to answer "Yeah I saw a woman in a room when me and the guys found Smith? Is it?" I nodded. "He was still in bad shape" they said. Shrugging my shoulders I thought Makes sense I did threaten him with a fate worse than death.

In the threshold of the room I saw Smith still on the floor this time sitting upright curled into a ball. Yelling "Atten hut!" he didn't move a muscle. "Smith get on your feet!" I ordered him. Still no movement. "If you don't get up I'll lock you in a closet." Barely a shudder ran through his body still he stayed down.

Inhaling deeply I was about to use a tendril to lift Smith off the floor when Ed said "Why don't I try." With a shrug I moved away to give them some room. Looking at the screens I saw there was a well dressed woman alone in a room. She looked oddly familiar. Using the intercom I asked "Who are you and where are you hiding?" She looked started for a second before going to her control system to reply "It doesn't matter where or who I am, you're not getting in here."

Taking a shot in the dark I asked "Mrs. Armstrong?" The full body shudder she tried to suppress said it all. With a smirk I knew what to do next.