Winding Away

Mind

A/N: *Nate approaches an odd star floating in his subconscious* Knowing that you might one day defeat Natemare fills you with determination.

Nate hugged his knees. It was all he could do. He'd tried and tried and tried. But nothing he ever did worked. "Matt," he said as he watched his friend being cut all over, "I'm sorry." He knew Matt couldn't hear him. He knew that he hadn't physically apologized for the pain he was causing. But he still felt that he had to say it.

A few days after Matt lost his mind...

Nate couldn't see anything out the giant window-like thing that showed him what his body saw. His body was asleep, his eyes closed. The place he was in was almost pitch black, including the "window" that seemed to be connected to his body's eyes in some way. There was someone standing in front of the "window" with their back turned on Nate and their hands in their pockets. Nate was filled with resentment as his gaze fell upon this someone. This someone bad ruined his life. This someone had cost him Morgan, Brett, and now maybe even Matt. This someone was Natemare.

Enough! Nate thought. I have to keep trying! I can't let him win! With that thought in mind, Nate stood up and crept up soundlessly behind his enemy.

Mare took no notice of Nate. Nate had long since given up fighting. So Mare didn't worry about him anymore. How foolish of a decision that was.

Nate realized he didn't know what to do. It also occurred to him that this was his subconscious. Could he kill Mare? Was it even possible?

Out of nowhere, Nate remembered he had been wearing a belt the last time he'd been in control. The entire outfit he'd been wearing had followed him into his mind. Nate couldn't hold back a smile as he started undoing the belt. He did it extremely slowly so as not to make any noise. Impatience gnawed at him. He wanted to get rid of Mare as soon as possible. But he forced himself not to speed up.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the belt came out of the final loop. Nate suppressed a sigh. I sure hope this works, he thought. Then, with all the speed he'd been holding back, he threw his arms over Mare's head, put the belt on his neck, and pulled his arms back. Mare made a strangled yelp as the belt pressed down on his throat. His immediate instinct was to grab at the belt. Then he elbowed Nate in the ribs. Nate winced but didn't dare release his grip on the belt. Until Mare elbowed him again, harder this time. Nate doubled over. Mare grabbed Nate's hair to hold his head in place so he could knee Nate in the face. Pain shot through Nate's face. Mare smirked. "I thought you were smart enough to realize you can't win," Mare said.

"I won't let you beat me again!" Nate screeched. Anger clouded his judgment, making him fight viciously, throwing punches and kicks anywhere he could despite how Mare blocked most of them with ease. Then Nate got in a lucky shot on Mare's throat. Mare fell over coughing. Nate was on top of him in a flash, pressing down on Mare's throat with his thumbs. Mare clawed at Nate's hands. His eyes bulged. He gasped for air. But Nate didn't allow him to get any. He cut off Mare's oxygen until his opponent finally let out a large sigh and went limp. Nate got off and laid down, the end of his adrenaline rush leaving him exhausted. He turned his head in time to see Mare dissolving into ashes. A wide grin spread across his face.

Nate was free.