Who's the real Monster?

~ Mat's POV

That was odd. Haven't ever seen Ed act or look that way since I've known him. He and I had gotten here around the same time. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one in the Yellow Area. Everyone in the Green area treats you like lepers once they know you don't belong in their group.

I remember when Dani came into the picture. They were something else. So full of spirit even after a visit to Nurse Ratchet. Had a hell of a mouth on them. Depending on the day they either went by he or she pronouns, yet always responded to they/them as a default. They barely lasted a month or two before there was a Code Black with their name in it.

Ed and I only had each other yet again for what felt like years. Now Z is here and it looks like they won't be here for too long either. I hope that the same fate doesn't befall them as it did Dani. I actually like them, even though we barely know each other. They remind me of my sister Cara. My closest sister.

Remembering my other two sisters; Maeve the oldest and Riley next in line. They took care of me and Cara for the most part of my childhood. Our dad died when I was six and Cara was eight. After the funeral mom had to work herself to the bone supporting the five of us. We all took odd jobs around the neighborhood during summer to save what little we could.

Lost in nostalgia I went to the book I doodle in for fun. Looking at the flowers that remind me of my family. I couldn't risk drawing their actual faces. We were all being watched 24/7 here, especially those of us in the Yellow Unit. The first drawing is a lily for Maeve she was the artist in the family. She would spend hours of the day drawing whatever she could. Sometimes it would be the same thing only enhanced by hard work. Luckily for my sake she loved drawing mum and da. I didn't have as much memories of him as my sisters had. I envied Maeve for that.

Next was a tulip for Riley. She was the strong sensitive one in the family. She loved to read whenever she had any down time. She was the one who read me stories growing up. She would also keep the house clean whenever she got home and did her homework before bed time. Her and Maeve would cook all of our meals. Depending on the day Cara and I would help whenever we could. All of them loved my cooking I usually made dinner to help everyone out.

Cara was a sunflower, a tall wild beauty. She was the fighter in the family. If I ever came home with so much as a scratch on me she'd be asking for names. The very few times I got into a fight the next day Cara would teach them a lesson. It didn't matter that she got into trouble for it. She always took care of me growing up. Then her and mum would have their own battles. Mum used to say, 'If you like to argue so much then become a lawyer'.

Thinking of my family fondly I looked at the last page of flowers to see a pair of daises for my parents. From what I heard they sure were wild before Maeve came along. After her birth they got normal jobs to take care of her and then the rest of us. God how I miss all of them. I couldn't help a small smile reaching my lips.

Turning the pages to the most recent drawing I've been working on to see a dark shadow with red eyes. I at least think it has eyes. I've been seeing it lately in the vents. The only comfort I have is that it hasn't tried to attack me in the middle of the night. Right now I'm not sure if I'd put up a fight or not. I'm so tired of being here. If I can't go home I can at least wait with da in the afterlife. Keeping the tears in my eyes I close the book at just the right time for the dinner bell to ring.

After putting the book back I went to wait in line at the very end. Waiting for Z and Ed to join me. He's been getting real chummy with Z lately. I hope they don't end up breaking his heart like Dani did. Unable to get a good enough read on Z to see if they're only trouble or just have a hard shell about them. So far all I really know about them is that they don't like to be touched, they're tough as nails, and they always need their sunglasses.

The line had just started to move when I heard both their footsteps approaching. Taking a good look at both of them to notice Ed didn't appear to be as nervous or tired with worry from before. While Z seemed to be the same if not still as tense as this morning.

With the trays in each of our hands Z and Ed followed me to the our usual spot. Taking a better look at both of them it looked like they just shared something intimate with each other. Not saying a word I ate with them in silence. Knowing that it wouldn't be long before the Lights Out alarm would sound.

The second I was done eating the clamp on the mouth piece closed. Being used to it after all this time I rolled my eyes before taking the tray back. Catching Z glaring daggers at the guards not caring which one had the clamp close just now warmed my heart. Seeing more and more of Cara in them I couldn't stop the smile touching my mouth.

All of us left the cafeteria quickly. Seeing that everyone else was already in their rooms waiting for morning to come. I lead the way to the Yellow Unit. When each of us were on the other side of the door I looked between the two to sign 'Did I miss something?' Both looked at each other before saying in unison, "Not really." Crossing my arms while raising my eyebrows I waited for an actual answer to be said. Ed caved in to reply, "We'll talk about it tomorrow." Looking at Z with narrowed eyes to see if I can spot a tell. Still couldn't get a good enough read on them. They mimicked my stance with the narrowed eyes based on the slight crinkle at the corners. Before I could ask another question the bell for Lights Out sounded.

Shocked that the bell rang so much sooner than ever before since I've been here. Seeing the same fear on Ed's face I only moved when Z passed by me in a flash. We didn't have long before the doors would lock. They waited outside the door to see Ed and I outside of our doors. We all walked into our rooms safely. Z watched the both of us cautiously they looked like they were going to say something yet were cut off as the doors closed.

Taking a moment to myself just standing right in front of the door I thought I don't know how long I'll be able to last here. I don't even know how long I've been here. I just hope my family is safe. Poor mum, she was probably told that I died. The mouth piece unlocked for me to take it off as a few tears escaped my eyes.

After taking some deep breathes I sat at the edge of my bed to pray. On my knees with my head bowed I said out loud, "Heavenly Father I thank you for today. Please bless me and my family..."

"Matt, Matt don't move", I heard someone say.

Deciding to ignore the voice, "I ask that you continue to look after my family..."

"Matt it's me Z. Don't react", the voice said again and this time I knew it sounded just like them.

Opening my eyes to look around I said, "Lord Jesus help me I think I'm hearing things."

"Oh for the love of Pete. Matt look into the bathroom", the voice sounded a little irritated.

Lowering my head to say, "I'll continue later, Amen."

Slowly looking to the bathroom I couldn't believe my eyes. It was the shadow with red eyes looking back at me.

~

Matt's eyes widen as he finally saw me. "Please don't scream", I said hoping that he would pay attention. He stared in disbelief for a moment. "Matt I need to talk with you so you can either bow your head or come into the bathroom."

He bowed his head to say, "Lord help me I'm dealing with a demon aren't I?"

Unable to help the eyeroll I replied, "I'm not a demon and I know you recognize my voice Matt. It's me, Z."

"Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and our Holy Mother please banish this demon."

"Again not a demon and no prayer is going to make me leave."

"Heavenly Father and all the Saints above please watch over me."

With my patience at it's limit I said, "Matt I'll say it again, I'm not a demons. It's me Z and I can prove it. The first night I got here you prayed for me, just like you're doing right now. For the past few days you've treated me with kindness even though I don't deserve it in the least."

His body relaxed just a little before asking, "Z is that really you?"

"Yes. I can explain what I'm doing and the reason for it. If you need more proof I'll give it."

Matt was deep in thought before replying, "The only thing that can prove you are who you say you are is the note."

"You and Ed left a note under my pillow. There was a P. S. from Ed saying that he'd like to see me smile more often. I had to eat it after reading it."

"Ok, that's as good enough proof as I'm going to get. Now tell me what are you doing and how are you here? Are you even sure it's safe to talk like this?"

"Your room is actually one of the safest ones here. It only has video and no audio. I'm doing what's known as astral projecting. Its like have an out of body experience. While I shouldn't show up on camera or be recorded in this form, I'm not taking any chances. I'm talking to you because I need your help to break out of this place."

Matt let out a humorless laugh before saying, "You really think you can get out of here? If the guards don't kill you that Thing will during a Code Black."

"I've been doing some recon for the past few nights aside from the time spent with Nurse Ratchet. During that time I found the surveillance room which is on this floor passed the double doors we all brought in through. This building has five floors including a sub-basement it's where they keep that Thing during the day. There's also a helicopter on the roof."

I gave Matt a minute to process the information.

"If you know all of that why would you need my help then?", he asked.

After letting out a heavy sigh I reply, "First off I need you to make me a promise."

"What kind?"

"I need you to make Ed run with you if and when that Thing comes after me."

"I don't think that'll be an issue Z."

"You don't get it Matt. That Thing has been after me since day one. It's even talked with me a couples of time now."

"What?"

"That Thing has been waiting outside my door since the first night. If it gets out It'll come straight for me and either hurt or kill anyone in It's path. That's why I need you to make Ed run away from me."

"Z I don't think I can do that. Ed and I care for you. Neither one of us wants you dead."

"I don't want either one of you to die either."

"Z I don't think you understand..."

"Please Matt. I need you to promise me", I felt my voice hitch.

His whole body slumped onto the bed in defeat. "I promise Z", he whispered.

Wanting to reach out to him I could only say, "Thanks." There was a brief moment of silence as if cementing the reality that I won't make it to tomorrow. "What are you going to do for the rest of the night?", Matt asked. "I have to get to the surveillance room. From there I can disarm the collars, your mouth piece, the doors both here and in the Solitary Unit. The plan is for everyone to get out of here by any means necessary. As long as Anderson and Armstrong don't let that Thing out we have a fighting chance to be free."

Matt replied, "That seems a little too simple to work." "That's just Plan A, hopefully we won't need to go with B." He shrugged his shoulders. What would Plan B Eric asked. See for yourself I responded. "I have to leave Matt, try to get some sleep. You'll need all the energy you can muster for tomorrow", I told him. "Good luck Z", he whispered as I left. Taking one last look at him before going down the vents I thought Eric make sure he keeps that promise. Leave an pen in my vent and I'll make both of them follow me out of this hellhole he replied. I'm going to hold you to that I thought.

Heading to the breakrooms I found a few epi pens in one go. Leaving three in my vent I left the last one in Eric's hoping that non of us would need to use any of them.

Sneaking into the surveillance room to see Smith watching the cameras diligently. Sure enough that Thing was waiting outside my room. Waiting for me. Smith started flipping some switches and turn some dials I saw that the time was 6:45 am now. That Thing was very reluctant to leave my door.

Watching It go back into the sub-basement I took the opportunity to use the shadows quickly to keep Smith from making another move. His reflexes were slow for a soldier, probably why they kept him here. Luckily for me he was the only one here.

Making myself known to him I watched as his eyes widened in fear. Before he could let out a sound I gagged him. "You are going to do what I say or I'm going to do horrible things to you. Nod if you understand", I told him slowly.

Smith took a moment before nodding.

"Good, now you're going to turn off the collars and unlock all the detainee doors", I moved the gag away from his mouth.

"I can't. They'll kill me", Smith squeaked out.

"Either they kill you quickly or I take your balls. Your choice", I squeezed him to emphasize my sincerity.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Name's Z, although you and the guards know me as Inmate Zero."

"Zero?"

"That's right."

"If I do what you want the guards will know and get guns."

"I know, so stop stalling and do what I said." I squeezed his throat.