Chapter Two: Stories

Zoey's P.O.V.

Mike has Multiple Personality Disorder. Other than him, he has four other personas that I know about. They are named Manitoba Smith, Svetlana, Vito, and Chester. When he is about to change, he takes a deep breath and bulges out his eyes. While another persona is in control, Mike doesn't seem to remember what happened in that time. There is always a way to tell each one apart.

Manitoba Smith is a risky Australian adventurer. He is usually triggered by a hat, typically a fedora. He has a thick Australian accent and can track anything just by observing the ground below his feet. He is very cocky and witty, with a hint of being sexist. He also doesn't like to eat any carbs.

Svetlana is a Russian gymnast and is Mike's only female personality. She is triggered by her name or simply the word 'Olympian.' She is very helpful with her athletic skills and flexibility. She has, like Manitoba, a thick Russian accent. She revealed herself to be a vegetarian.

Chester is Mike's old-man personality. He is typically, simply a grumpy old man. He is triggered by Mike getting frustrated. When he appears, his back becomes hunched over, his face becomes wrinkled-looking, and he shuts one of his eyes. He is mostly useful for just complaining about the kids the days.

Finally, there's Vito. He likes to be tough and aggressive. He's triggered by Mike losing his shirt. He enjoys picking fights, flirting with chics and obsessing over himself. He tends to be lazy and a little clueless at times. He is an Italian that only eats meat.

I repeated, "Who is Mal?"

Mike sighed. "Mal is another persona of mine. He's... not like the others. He can be very artistic, to say. If he comes back, promise me you won't fall into his charms."

"Mike, Vito and Manitoba can't charm me. You do," I replied.

Mike looked me in the eyes. "Zoey, promise me."

"Okay, okay," I said. "I won't fall into his charms." I smiled trying to make him cheer up. As soon as I saw that cute gap between his teeth, I kissed his cheek and helped him up off the floor.

"How about this," I began, "I'll help you clean up and after, we can go out to the real world and do something fun."

Mike smiled again. "That sounds great. Would you mind cleaning up this water? I'll pick up the rest of it."

He grabbed me a towel, and after, started on the supplies Mal got out.

"What do you think he was going to do with this stuff?" I asked him.

"I don't really know," said Mike. "Like I said, he's very crafty, and I would rather you not trust him."

I started to think about something. "Mike, how could I be able to tell him apart from you? He looked and sounded just like you. I mean, the others have their differences, but what about Mal?"

By this time, we were already on our way heading into town. Mike was leading and I didn't know where we were going.

"Mal is known as The Malevolent One to the other personalities. Before I met my adopted parents, he got us sent to the same juvy center as Duncan from Season One, Two, and Three and became one of the most dangerous inmates at the time. At some point after juvy, I was able to take control of Mal and I sealed him away in my subconscious. He has dark circles around his eyes, which you can only see if you look closely, along with a deep voice. He has his hair normally covering the left eye, unless he is acting like me. Mal is smart, strong, and very perceptive of other people. Once he sets his mind to something, there is very little that can stop him. Along with that, he know Spanish very well. He's not, just knows it."

Once Mike was finished telling me about Mal, I was quiet for a while. I didn't know what to do or say. Then I figured it out.

"I had a lonely childhood. My mom died giving birth to me and my grandma died of old age when I was seven, so my dad raised me. I was always picked on in school and so I had, really, no friends. My story probably isn't as crazy as yours, but it's definitely a different one. I learned how to use a sling shot when I was little, and used it for self-defense and scaring off snakes. My grandpa taught me how to use the bow and arrow, so that's how I got so good at them. Since I had no friends, I would always rely on my imagination to keep me occupied. I would go running, swimming, ride my bike, climb trees, and jump from tree to tree, one rooftop the next. I was lonely, but I was happy."

Mike listened with great care as I told him about my childhood. We didn't say much for the rest of the time. By now, we had entered town and he was leading the way with me still having no clue as to where we were going.