Edwards P.O.V.
The moment that the simulation glitched, I knew something was going on. Ridley had been doing an ok job so far, though she could've done better. I was just about to put her into a simulated version of one of my Challenge Rooms when the system had suddenly changed on me. At that moment I didn't know how or why, but I recognized Mad Hatters Wonderland, or rather, what Ridley was going through in response to it.
To any other person it would've seemed that her desire was to have a normal family, but to me, it was a concept of something that would never come to pass. Her perfect world was one where she could speak and know what her childhood was like. That's what she wanted. I couldn't let her figure that out though. It wasn't because I wanted to protect her from it, but rather as a way from me to have some sense of self-preservation. I could keep things together if I didn't think about it.
Seeing Ridley's Wonderland had admittingly scared me, but what was there to be scared of? It wasn't the simulation itself, more like what might happen because of it. Too many questions that I would not be willing to answer. Or were they the ones that I wouldn't answer period? It was wrong to keep something about her past from her, especially if it was about her parents, but how do I explain that I was good friends with her mother? It was possible that she would blame me for what had happened to her, after all, it kind of was.
Shaking my head violently, I became angry with myself. It didn't do any good to dwell on something that would never happen. I wouldn't say anything and keep Ridley in the dark for as long as I could. Marching over to where Ridley was sitting, I ripped the headset off before it could do any damage. It was risky by itself to take the headset off in the middle of a simulation, but it was necessary. Under any normal circumstances I would have waited until the simulation was over, but I couldn't allow her to learn or figure out anything.
Ridley blinked, trying to get her bearings after I'd ripped the headset off and her lips parted in surprise.
"Get up." I snap, dropping the headset on the ground and hauling her to her feet.
She winced at my harsh tone and stumbled as I pushed her towards the door. Her hands flew wildly as she tried to ask questions and get her thoughts out at the same time. I caught a few words here and there as I continue to get her out of the room.
... help... what... Understand?... happening... was that?
I chose not to make any sense out of it as I tossed her out before slamming the door shut. Letting out a groan, I leaned against the door before sliding to the ground. I was officially losing it. This was worse than my impulses to leave clues at crime scenes, and my stress levels just kept rising. They had been rising since the moment I made the decision to take her back. She was the last thing that was related to what happened all those years ago.
Putting my head in my hands, I let out a forceful breath. What the hell was wrong with me?
A/N: Sorry for this one being so short! I hope you enjoyed it though, as well the story as a whole! What do you think of it so far? Leave a comment with your thoughts!