000 I don't own Enterprise at all 000 Well after not updating this since last October I realised this deserved some attention, it's nearing it's end, a couple of chapters left I reckon. Thanks to all those who reviewed its nice to know people are still reading this even if it is slightly more confusing than I would like but hey never mind :D so hopefully you'll like this chapter 000
At first there was nothing, only darkness. But Malcolm feared the darkness, he feared what he would see when it cleared, he feared the unknown monsters lurking just out of his reach waiting for him. Movement was impossible, a combination of fear and sheer exhaustion kept him rooted to the spot.
Then it began.
The darkness receded and his was back in his childhood bedroom. The model boats sat on dust free shelves and no toys were out on the pristine carpet. The only teddy of the room sat on the desk, just out of reach from the bed. But the wardrobe door was open slightly as was the bedroom door just letting in the thinnest shaft of light from the hall. Malcolm glanced down at himself, along with the surroundings he'd also changed. He turned his hands and shivered in the darkness from his perch on the bed, desperately trying to draw comfort from the thin shaft of light.
His adult logic was pushed back and his childhood fear of the darkness returned.
'Monsters come out at night Mally,' Matthews voice echoed. 'Especially 'cause when the monsters in the dark get you no one can hear you scream!'
The bedroom door slammed shut and Malcolm dived under his duvet.
'See, even though you know that this isn't real, your adult self is telling you to stop being stupid,' said Matthew thoughtfully. 'But your child self is afraid. Can you feel it Mally? Can you feel the fear? Your heart rates increasing, you're even beginning to sweat.' Matthew chuckled. 'Hell you might even wet yourself in a minute.'
The wardrobe shook ever so slightly and the door creaked open an inch further.
The duvet was ripped from him and Malcolm cried out.
But nothing happened. Breathing heavily he opened his eyes that he didn't even realise he'd closed.
The dark had returned.
'Where next?' Matthew's voice echoed round him. 'Older memory? Newer memory? Urgh, definitely older can't stand the sentimental crap of these newer ones. The "I'll never leave a man behind" crap that that Captain of yours keeps spouting. And the animal analogies don't even get me started on those!'
The scene shifted again to a long dark street. It was raining and Malcolm realised his clothes were soaked through.
'Oh the cliché,' Matthew drawled. 'Dark, stormy street, the stuff horror films are made of. Next there'll be lightening and some dark mysterious figure lurking in the shadows.'
Suddenly the scene froze.
'I wish those feckless idiots would stop trying to rouse you,' Matthew snapped. 'I'm gonna have to bring them here at this rate.'
"What?" Malcolm's head snapped up momentarily free of the restraint of his memory. "You leave them out of this!"
'Or you'll do what?' Matthew scoffed. 'Scream me to death? In case you've forgotten I'm already dead, extreme blood loss will do that for you.'
There was a long pause.
'You're afraid of them being here,' said Matthew a twisted grin on his face. 'Typical Mally, I'm trying to scare the crap out of you and all you're worried about is your commanding officers being here to see it. Christ you need some serious therapy! Priorities Mally! Priorities!'
Matthew suddenly appeared in front of the extremely surprised people in sickbay and casually sat on the empty biobed next to Malcolm.
'Look, could you stop with the trying to save him act,' he said impatiently. 'It's seriously distracting from what I want to do! I mean have you any idea how hard it is trying to work out his mind while having annoying voices constantly trying to wake him? And you know what the sad thing is? While I'm trying to keep his attention the one thing he's worried about are you lot and his sister. He's worried about himself obviously but he seems to have just given in. Disappointing really.'
"Sonofa," Trip lunged for him but his fist past straight through Matthew's face.
'I really wish you would remember you can't hurt dead people,' Matthew sighed melodramatically. 'Seeing as how I'm already dead.'
"But you aren't dead," said Archer stepping protectively in front of Trip and Malcolm. "You are not Matthew Reed. You're the entity outside and therefore I can hurt you."
'I'm quaking in fear I assure you,' Matthew yawned 'You won't do anything because you want to save Mally here. God, I love you people! I tell you that from everyone who's been to see me I like you lot the best. You're so interesting, I've really liked learning from you Captain honestly I have.'
"If all ya wanted to do was learn what the hell are ya doing with Malcolm?" Trip spat. "That isn't learnin'! It's torture!"
Matthew suddenly leapt forward and disappeared. Archer and Trip let out a gasp of surprise before hitting the deck plating.
"MATTHEW!" Malcolm yelled. "I GIVE IN! BRITISH BULLDOG! BRITISH BULLDOG! YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
Matthew tutted.
'Mally, it's just not that simple any more,' he said patting Malcolm's head. 'Now you stay still a moment.'
Malcolm froze completely helpless.
'Good boy,' said Matthew patronisingly. 'Now you just stay like that while I get your friends settled-you have to be on your best behaviour for guests Mally.'
000 Please review, criticism and helpful comments always welcome 000