TW; mentions of murder, descriptions of anxiety/panic, dark rooms, guilt, big ol creepy lanky boys, and overall Scotty having a bad night
Characters; Montgomery Scott, Redjac, plus the 3 girls murdered in Wolf in the Fold
FYI; this story takes after the previously mentioned episode
Scotty knew he didn't do it.
He knew the facts. He'd been there for the case. He'd watched everyone get a shot, and even though he was pretty high during it, he remembered that evil being beamed into space.
Those murders? He didn't do it. He wasn't in control of himself, he'd been puppeted by Redjac- Jack the Ripper, whatever.
All that mattered was that it wasn't him.
But despite that, every night Scotty was still haunted by what happened. Kara, Karen, Sybo. He could still see all their faces behind his eyes. The three beautiful women he had unknowingly slaughtered.
And it was getting worse.
The ship's doctor declared him clean of any lobe tampering, so this was all mental. Physicality was out of the question. But thinking back on it now, Scotty wished it had been that simple.
Sat alone in his dark quarters, the chief engineer clutched a camera device. He knew everyone thought he was insane. He wasn't dumb. He knew what the whole crew thought of him.
“Another great worker lost because he can't get over his own problems.”
“I'm not crazy…” He begged hopelessly to the darkness around him, silently praying that someone or something would hear him and help this burden.
The click and flash of his camera filled his senses. It was a quick flood of white light occupying the room before it sizzled out like a flame. Besides the usual surfaces, nothing was there. But Scotty could feel it. It was simply hiding.
“I know yer there…” Bravery was lacking in his words, instead replaced with genuine fear. He knew he should've probably shut his mouth, but maybe talking to it would gain some sympathy points.
Another photo- same click, same light, same empty quarters.
“Ye can't be Redjac, I know that. Ye have to be something else… Some other thing feedin off me.”
Another photo. Still nothing. He could hear his own heartbeat quickening.
“If yer a new species, I won't tell anyone. I swear. Ye don't have to come out of hiding for the crew immediately. Ye just… Need to be more sparing with me. I'll help ye get accustomed to humans.”
Again with a photo. Everything looked the same, save for the barely noticeable pale white hand that curved around the wall of Scotty’s doorway that led into the living quarters of his room. It was getting closer. It was listening.
“The Enterprise is full of great people. Very friendly people. I know the Capt’n would be thrilled to have a new species on board.”
Another photo. The being stood right in the doorway within a second. It was incredibly tall, with almost no meat on its bones. Pale skin stretched out uncomfortably to cover itself, face contoured into something unrecognizable. It could've been human, it could've not. It was definitely humanoid in shape, if you forgot the several additional limbs that extended from its body in an unnatural way.
Scotty felt his chest tighten, and as soon as he took that photo, he took another.
The flash screamed out as it covered the area- but the thing was gone again. Back into the darkness.
“No, no, no…” He knew he was begging now. It was obvious in his voice. Photo after photo came, frantically snapping to get more light in the room. But it was empty again. That thing was gone.
Scotty had to stop. His hands were shaking, his body ached from being so tense. He needed to relax. If the thing was real, then it must not want to be bothered. You can't force something to come out.
“I’ll… Leave ye alone for tonight, then.” It came in a soft defeated whisper. Despite his words, Scotty couldn't help himself from taking one last photo to ease his worries.
