(???? PoV)

Darkness.

Darkness was all I saw. And all I have been seeing for the past year or so. Maybe more. Who knows, I haven't seen true daylight in forever.

That thing. That thing. It talks to me. Controls me. Tells me things that make me question myself.

We are one.

You and I are alike.

We are the same.

You are my puppet, and I am your master. You will listen to me. Et cetera.

When it sleeps, it stares at me. Two tiny red dots, just staring through the dark at me. Watching me.

Like it was guarding me.

Preventing me from escaping.

Which makes me think there's a way out of here. To take it down.

I've learned all I can about it. All I've figured out was that it was some kind of... anomaly. An experiment gone wrong. Mistreated by whoever created it, I assume.

But questions still lingered. How did it escape? What is it truly, besides just an anomaly? How is it controlling me, like some kind of possessive demon?

I haven't even seen it up close for myself. The dots and the voices are all I see and hear, besides darkness and silence that's driving me insane. Quite possibly more than the voice.

But now? Now I know it needs to be stopped.

I've never been fond of this creature, anomaly, whatever it was. It uses my body to kill innocent people. Blood forever stains my hands.

But this time, however, it took it too far. By forcing someone else to murder for it. One of the crewmates for the mission that I was supposed to lead.

And I do lead them. Just not in my right mind. It's always in control. I've tried overtaking it, but it's too strong.

And the headaches. They get worse every day. Like a parasite, worming through my mind. Multiplying, multiplying, until it is all that remains.

I'm not even question how you can have headaches when you're stuck in your own head at this point.

The only time I ever seem to take control is when it rests. Sometimes, it needs to regain some energy to stay in control of my body and mind, although not that frequent. It's only ever happened twice, and both times I've tried overtaking it. However, it plans its rests when I, myself, am also tired (like, say, the middle of the night), so I don't have the strength to fight back.

And it's like I can feel the outside world still, even deep down here. I don't hear, and I don't see, but I can feel it.

Blood covering my hands.

The smooth grip of a knife.

Just generally anything outside of my body, I feel. Without sight, nor sound.

It's driving be beyond insanity. I've found myself talking to myself more and more often, and am afraid that I may be too far gone if I ever get rid of this thing.

The voice.

It's returning.

I hear its hacking voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Sickly. Inhumane.

It spoke to... itself.

Maybe we are similar.

No. I mustn't think that way. I'd only be helping it.

Finally, the red dots returned. They pierced through the dark like daggers to flesh. Shining their light on me. Haunting me.

Then, with a cough-like growl, they disappeared again.

It's like it was... checking in on me. Making sure I was still in here.

Could it be resting?

I slowly stood up and walked forwards, even with no ground below me to support my body.  I peered through the dark where the dots disappeared. It stood there. Unmoving. Its eyes closed. Its two tentacles curled around its black, gooey body, and his stomach opened to a large mouth, with a long tongue similar to the tentacles.

It was more horrific than I had imagined.

But it was resting.

This is my chance.

—————————
(Meme PoV)

I was doing some midnight work in MedBay, just kind of touching up the scanner and such. Sorting everything in the cabinets lined against the wall. Y'know. The kind of things you do when you're bored.

Suddenly, I heard heavy breathing in the doorway.

I quickly whipped around to see none other than Socks standing there, leaning against the doorway, gasping for breath. By the looks of it he had run all the way here.

"Socks?" I said, "What're you...?"

I was cut off when Socks looked at me. His eyes weren't their normal bright red, but a warm hazel brown.

"Do you have contacts?" I questioned.

"N-no," Socks breathed, "Wait, what's your name?"

I looked at him, confused. "My name's Meme. You've addressed me by my name before, how do you not know it?"

"Look, Meme, I need your help," he said quickly.

I shrugged. "Sure."

"I don't have much time," Socks said. "It only rests for an hour or so at a time. And this is the first time in months I've had control-"

"I'm sorry, what?" I said. "Who's 'it'? What are you talking about?"

"The Socks you've been talking to is not the real Socks," he explained, "I am. I don't know what that thing is, but it's been in control for I don't even know how long, and I need you to help get rid of it before I hurt anyone else!"

Before he hurts anyone else.

He couldn't be...

"Socks... are you the murderer?"

"No. But it is. That thing. It uses me to kill, to do its bidding. I've been trapped in my own mind for ages, and it's starting to drive me insane, and-"

"Socks, calm down!" I said. Socks was breathing heavier than he was earlier, and tears brimmed his eyes. I walked over to him and very lightly put my hand on his shoulder. I flinched when I touched him, but he didn't react, so I kept it there.

"Here, sit down," I said. Socks nodded, and sat down on one of the beds lined on the wall.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, "I just... I haven't talked to a real person in forever."

"Hey, it's fine," I said.

Socks shifted uncomfortably.

"So," I said, grabbing a notebook and pen from my pocket, "Tell me everything you know about this thing."

———————
G a s p

S o k  B o i

And now Meme knows about him. TAKE THAT 541!

(Funny thing. I was listening to my playlist while writing, and Rewrite the Stars from the Greatest Showman started playing when Meme was talking to Socks. Stop it brain there are no ships in this book-)

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