Who's the real Monsters?

Feeling myself being pulled out of my body I was brought back into that dark foggy place again. Carefully listening I stayed quiet while the feeling of being watched like a bug under a telescope filled me with anxiety. Steadying my voice I said with my chest, "Show yourself." Red eyes looked down on me in a the span of a millisecond. It's body appeared to be made entirely of shadows and darkness. My heart hammered against my ribs as I froze under It's gaze.

Without breaking eye contact the intensity I could feel from It was unnerving. This Thing was trying to look into my soul if not eat me with It's eyes. Balling my hands into fists I asked, "What are you?" The feeling of my skull being torn apart as a voice spoke into my mind caused me to stumble backward You...me...we. Looking back at It I said, "There is no we. You are a monster. A thing. I am...I was human." Feeling the anger boil under my skin It replied Feel you...feel me. The same pulling sensation tugged me just an inch closer. The realization of this Thing actually having some kind of hold on me broke something inside me. Fueled by rage I yelled, "You took everything from me! You destroy everything you touch! What more do you want?! More of my blood? My body? My life? Take it then! Just kill me." It closed the distance between us to say Need me. "I would rather die than to ever need you!", I screamed.

Before It could respond something brought me back to my body. After a few quick blinks I felt a slight sting on my face. A familiar voice said, "Please wake up Z. I really don't want to do that again." My vision cleared enough to see a hand being raised. Grabbing it mid air before it could land on my face again I said, "If you ever hit me again that'll be the last thing you ever do with this arm again." With my eyes fully adjusted I see that it was Ed I was holding onto. Matt on my other side. He signed You ok? "I guess, how long was I out?", I replied. Moving my eyes back to Ed I let go of his arm. They said, "A few minutes or so, I think."

"Was the slap really necessary?", I asked both. Both nodded and Ed said, "You weren't responding to us and then you started yelling. Can you get up or do you need help?" With a shrug I thought Might as well wound my pride at this point, it's the last thing untouched. Looking up I nodded in response. They both helped me stand. On my feet I had to squeeze my eyes closed due to the pain coming back to hit again. Followed by a burning sensation around my neck and the sting on my cheek. Before I could take a step Ed asked, "Can you walk?" Unable to say the words I pressed my lips into a line as I shook my head.

Matt continued to hold my hand as Ed tucked himself under my arm to place it on his shoulder. With Matt's help I wrapped my arms around Ed's shoulders as he tucked his hands under the backs of my knees. Leaning onto him Ed lifted easily to give me a gentle piggyback ride. A warm feeling enveloped me as I remembered the last time I had a piggyback ride. I was 10 and wanted to stay up late to watch horror movies with my folks. My dad took me to my room, as I got ready for bed he moved my hair away to kiss my forehead. I hadn't thought of that night in so long. Memories of the past, especially happy ones made the hole in my chest get a little bigger.

Looking over to Matt I signed Thank you. He looked a little confused asking Why? I replied For helping me. I knew he was smiling due to the slight crinkle in his eyes. Ed said while walking, "We're going to take you to your room again. Try to stay awake this time." Gently tapping on his shoulders was my only reply. I could barely keep my eyes open as the door to the Yellow area opened. Finally in my room Ed said, "Matt can you move the blanket." Hearing the noises around me begin to fade the next thing I felt was being positioned on the bed. The second my head hit the pillow I was completely asleep.

~ Ed's POV

I had a feeling they needed some more rest. Z began snoring like a drunken sailor as I carefully tucked them in. They'll probably be out cold for the rest of the day. I'd be surprised if they wake up when the lunch bell rings. Nurse Ratchet must've really done a number on them. Looking over to Matt I said, "Let's give them some privacy." He nodded before heading to the door.

Looks like Z got the note and either hid or got rid of it. Walking out of the their room Matt and I went back to the Green area. It should be around that time to go outside and I've been feeling a little stir crazy recently. Matt followed my lead. We walked to the shaded area, our usual spot. Looking past the red line the same thought came to mind Would it be worth it? Matt gave me a tap on the shoulder. He knew that my mind wandered to dark places when we're out here and I'm still.

Looking his way to say, "Thanks man." He just nodded. Looking at everyone trying to enjoy themselves a question popped out, "Have you noticed anything weird recently?" He gave me a look that said 'Define weird'. "Ever since Z came here I've been feeling like everyone is on edge. Plus at night I've seen something red like a pair of eyes in the vents." With wide eyes Matt tapped the back of my hand. In our code that meant 'yes'. Knowing that we had a short window of time to talk freely I asked, "What do you think it is?" A slight foot nudge followed by a shrug meant 'not a clue'. "Have you noticed that the Thing has been staying just in the Yellow area recently?" Another single tap. "Do you think it's after Z?" 'Maybe' was a snap of the fingers. "I don't know what's going on, although I've got a bad feeling there may be a Code Black for Z soon." A head tilt said 'unsure'.

Looking out at the others I wondered if everyone had given up on trying to escape. Far too many people have tried to do so and failed. Most recent one being Danni who had the ability to walk through walls. They barely lasted a couple of months before trying to phase out of the collar for the umpteenth time. Stubborn bastard wouldn't stop trying to get it off. I hope their at peace if there is an after life.

Matt gave me a slight push to keep me from spiraling. He signed You looked lost, were you thinking of Danni again? After letting out a low sigh I replied, "Yeah, can't hide anything from you." Matt signed We've been friends for years I better know you by now. I miss them, too.

A slight headache was creeping in. Recently I've been having weird dreams. When it comes to dreams I usually don't remember or forget them when I wake up. Numbers and breaking doors were the exception for the past few nights. I think the one from last night was 4 maybe 5. Unsure if it was just my subconscious being weird or something if not someone trying to influence me. I'll tell Matt about it if I have another one tonight.

Poughkeepsie. I made a startled sound in my throat before looking around to see if any of the guards were trying to prank us. That word held memories of my life before coming here. I hadn't told anyone about Eric's and my safe word, I don't even think Shelly his girlfriend knew about it. Matt's brow furrowed before asking Something wrong? Shaking my head I replied, "Thought I heard something." Thinking to myself I'm either officially losing it or something is going on.

Poughkeepsie. Ok that time I know I heard that word being spoken. Looking over to Matt I said, "I've got a headache, going to lie down and see if that helps. I'll check on Z before heading to my room." Matt lifted the back of his hand to place on my forehead as if he could check for a fever like that. He signed You're looking a little pale, I hope the nap helps. I got up to head to the Yellow area.

Taking a quick look back at Matt I caught a glimpse of Shelly out of the corner of my eye. If certain things hadn't happened she would probably be my brother's wife by now. Maybe I'd be an uncle. Every time I caught sight of her in whatever way those four words rang in my head 'Your brother is dead'. It still didn't make any sense to me. The last time I saw him was when all of us got attacked by that Thing.

At first I thought it was denial or shock that kept me from processing through the grief. Since being detained here I'll occasionally get phantom pains like when we were kids and either one of us got hurt the other felt something, too. Those brief moments of pain is the only hope I have that Eric may be alive. Even though Shelly and I have stopped talking to each other I doubt her love has died for my brother. That's one of the reasons why I keep my distance and make sure no one bothers her.

Having no idea how long I had been lost in thought I walked into Z's room. From the looks of it they haven't moved since Matt and I left. They just kept on snoring. I stayed quiet as I got closer to them. At the edge of the bed I saw a peaceful look on Z's face. This is probably the only time that they can actually relax.

As I turned to leave I heard that word again. Poughkeepsie. Turning back around I leaned in as if to adjust the blanket to whisper in their ear, "How do you know that word?" They turned away and said so low I could barely hear them, "Tonight."