Who's the real Monsters?

Making my way to Aunt Patty's office I saw that she was burning the midnight oil. Moving through the shadows in complete stealth. I reached into the filing cabinets again, this time looking into the people who were in the solitary area. Eric's name came up first. Looks like it's not just his brother who's been detained here, his girlfriend as well.

Her name is Shelly and she's in the Green area. She has the power of manipulating light fragments, doing so she can create force fields and become invisible. Strange that she isn't in the Yellow or Solitary area. I wonder if Eric has been informing Aunt Patty and Armstrong of any troublemakers to keep her in the Green area.

Sifting through some more files I saw one that was labeled subject's families. Everyone here has one. Looks like they're all still alive. I wonder what lie they were told about the people here, probably dead by some tragic accident. I also wonder if it's better to let someone think you're dead instead of finding out you're no longer human. Memory of the past tried to distract me. Ignoring both the past I caught sight of Project Omega's which was strangely attached to my own.

Before I had the chance to read I was thrown back into my body. The deafening sound of the morning bell was ringing in my ears. Using my hands to block out the noise as much as possible. When the bell stopped ringing I removed the blanket to slowly sit up. Doing so proved to be harder now more than ever before. My whole body ached with every move I made, even breathing hurt. Looking at my fingers I wondered if I had the time to cover them up before Matt or Ed knocked on the door.

As if they were mind readers instead of Eric I heard both knocking on my door. Yelling as loud as I could, "Hold your horses!" It took all the strength I could muster to get off the bed and walk to the door. My muscles were on fire since I woke up. Taking a moment to shake it off I raised my hand for the door to open. Seeing both of them for the first time since I was taken away knotted my stomach. Their faces and eyes held such an intense worry that was quickly replaced by relief. I hadn't had anyone look at me like that in a very long time. Ed let out a heavy sigh and Matt's shoulders slumped a little. Ed rushed into the room to wrap his arms around me before I could say a word. "I'm so glad you're ok", he whispered in my ear.

The second Ed released me Matt came in to take their place. When Matt let me go Ed reached for my wrist. On instinct I pulled away to curl my fingers into fists. Wincing at the pain from my fingertips where my nails should've been I eased them open slowly. Relaxing my hands I said, "Old habits." Ed had some medical supplied in his hands, must've grabbed it when Matt hugged me. Lowering my hands Ed took my right one first. He gently placed a piece of gauze on my pinky for starts as Matt wrapped them carefully. It took a few minutes for them to finish. The entire time I had to keep a straight face so neither one knew just how much pain I was actually in. Looking at both of them I said, "Thanks guys." They looked to each other before replying, "You're welcome."

My growling stomach broke the brief silence that fell between us. Ed chuckled, Matt shook his head, then I began leading the way to the cafeteria. The pain in my muscles didn't subside, even with my breathing technique. My body felt like it was filled with lead. Keeping a moan down I had no idea how long I could stand let alone walk. My energy was fading fast. Ed came to my side to ask, "Are you ok to walk?" Matt signed 'You don't look so good.' Gritting my teeth I could only nod as a response. I didn't want either one of them to know just how weak I felt and probably am right now. Pain means you're alive I kept telling myself.

All of us made our way down the hall to reach the cafeteria for breakfast. With a tray in each of our hands we went to our self proclaimed table. The cafeteria was still packed, everyone eyes landed on us or specifically me. The would take a glance and then whisper to someone else. Looks like gossip is beginning to spread. Ignoring everyone to eat the disgusting shit all of us had to call food.

I looked to Ed and Matt who were watching me closely. Feeling my brow furrow I asked, "What?" Matt looked to Ed and they answered, "We're still surprised that Nurse Ratchet let you go, let alone that you're still capable of moving in general." Setting the spoonful of gruel down I said, "As you can see she gave it her best shot." Matt quickly finished his food to say while the clamp was still open, "What did you tell her?" Hearing the accent again I knew for a fact that he was Irish now. Looking down at the word cut into my arm I replied loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I didn't tell that bitch a thing!" Everyone stopped to stare at me.

Making eye contact with everyone before landing on Hannah I asked, "Anyone else want a go?" A flash of fear touched her eyes as she broke contact. Continuing to the nasty shit they call gruel everyone who stayed to watch me began to leave. Finishing off the last few bites I slowly got up. Matt noticed I was struggling to get up and grab the tray from me. Before I could protest Ed came to my side to try to wrap an arm around me. Holding a hand up to keep him from feeling me shiver I said, "I'm ok and I don't need any help." Giving him a hard look to keep him from protesting he stayed within arms reach behind me.

Walking out the cafeteria a shock went through my entire being. My body became too heavy to carry, I barely caught myself on my hands and knees. Looking up to glare daggers at Edgar he said while holding the remote, "That bitch sends her regards." Another volt came and I was on the floor my whole body was seizing up. Holding onto consciousness I looked up at him from the floor to threaten, "When I'm free you're the first." He smirked down at me before saying, "Never going to happen." Before I could take a breath he pushed the button again.

This time I did lose consciousness.