It started when the damn stuffed rabbit was beheaded. Linka opened her eyes, trying to rub on its head in a loving way, and burst from her bed screaming when the head was missing. No, not missing. The head was on the floor, with white shreddings. Linka took it, trying to hopelessly reattach it to the body.

"BUN-BUN! NO!"

The door was kicked in, and all her brothers came in.

"What's wrong Linka? Why are you screaming?"

"Did you, like, have a nightmare?"

She was stuttering, shaking her full hands and holding the destroyed stuffed rabbit up to them.

"It's Bun-Bun! Someone... Someone hurt him!"

Loki slapped the back of Lane's head. "You're literally horrible, Lane. You've gone too far."

"What? I didn't do this!"

Loni helped up his sister. "I can stitch him up, Linka. Like, don't worry."

Linka sobbed into his lime-green tank top. "Please."

"Come on, Linka. Bring Bun-Bun."

Loni led Linka back to his room, while the others were still blocking the doorway. Lane felt all the eyes on him.

"Oh, come on. Luke? Bsck me up."

"I'm a heavy sleeper, its easy for you to sneak in and out without me realizing. I don't know."

"Ugh!"

"You'll apologize to her." Loki moved the bunch away from the room.

"I'm not the one who did it! It was probably Lars, this is his particular thing."

"Incorrect. I was praying for Cthulhu. I thought it worked when she screamed."

"Levi, do you have some genius insight on this?"

The little poindexter pushed his glasses more securely, and looked around. "So, Lane, Lars, you both positive you did not enter her private premises and decapitate this fluffy play thing?"

"Uhhh, no?" They replied.

"Well, someone did it. Alright, whatever the case, let's all just take a breather, and go back to our respective lives."

"You're right, Levi. I'd better go check on Loni and make sure he doesn't poke himself or something. And then I'll go back to sleep. Its only seven in the morning."

Lynn was the only one to sense something was off, but he could not deduce what made him feel a bit on edge, or why it was so. Everyone knew how much the rabbit meant to Linka. No one would dare do such a thing. Lynn closed the door behind him, still having that cloud of darkness pass through him.

Minutes Later

Loni finished up. "Okay, Linka, Bun-Bun is all set!"

While the stitch marks where visible, the stuffed rabbit was good as new. Linka hugged it and Loni both at the same time. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Anything for my sweet little sister. Anyways, I'm going back to sleep, Linka. Maybe you should get dome too. Loki's taking us out for pancakes later this morning."

"Yay" Linka kissed his cheek, and left the room happily ever after. She returned to her bed, and laid down while still holding her prized possession.

In the room of Lars and Lynn, the two were quietly talking about this little ordeal. "You sure you didn't?"

"Why are we still talking about this?" Lars got under the covers. "Can I get the sleep?"

"You loser."

"Whatever, be quiet."

Luke was keeping an eye on Lane. In the rocker's mind, there was a chance the comedian did do it. After all, he was the king of pranks in the Loud household. Lane was already sleeping on his side, and Luke had his headphones on high volume, listening to Drowning Pool.

Hmmm...

Later

Over two hours had passed. Loki knocked around the room, waking up whoever had gone the rest of the sleep. Linka held her breath, hoping that Bun-Bun was the way he was when she fell back asleep. Yes, he was okay, much to her relief.

She looked outside, and groaned at seeing the line for the bathroom already formed. Linka closed thr door, and waited for the next fifteen to twenty minutes for the line to disperse. Linka heard a voice.

"Linkaaaaaa... Linkaaaaa..."

It was a voice deeper but similar to her own. She thought she was merely being tricked by her mind.

"Linkaaa, leeet meee ouuut..."

She looked around. The voice seemed to be everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time. "Hello?"

"Gooo baaaack tooo sleeeeep..."

Linka raced out of the room. "LOKI, LONI, THERE'S SOMEONE IN MY ROOM!"

Linka hid behind Loki, and pointed back to her room. "I heard someone, in my room..."

Loki looked to Lynn. "Get your bat, kiddo."

Lynn handed Loki his bat, and the two closed in on Linka's room. Loki looked around. "No, its not possible that someone's in here. They'd be noticeable in this small room."

Lynn checked under the bed. "No one here. The room's all checked."

"Linka, at best, you just had a nightmare."

"No, I was awake! I-"

"Linka, I think its best you get some sleep. We'll bring you back some pancakes, and a mocha frappe we know you love."

"No, don't leave me alone." She cried.

"Loni, you wanna stay and babysit?" Loki made up his mind.

"But, she's a child. You mean child-sit?" Loni scratched his head.

"You'll stay here with Linka, I mean."

"Oh, sure, I'll do that."

"I..." Linka was stopped by Loni.

"Let's go get some sleep, Linka." The two left the hall.

"Great going, Lane. You gave her nightmares."

"I didn't- Oh my god."

Luke exited the bathroom. "Alright dudes, I'm done."

Loni tucked her in "I'll stay here, keep you company."

"Loni, I really did hear the voice. You do believe me, don't you?" She formed puppy eyes at him.

"Linka, I'm sure this was only a nightmare. Do you hear this voice now?"

She shook her head, holding Bun-Bun tightly.

"There you go, my sweet little sister." He kissed her forehead. "I'm here, Linka. Don't be scared."

She grabbed his hand, and held it tightly. "Okay, Loni." Her eyes began to close, and she then drifted into sleep.

He stood there for five minutes, and then slowly exited her room. "She's asleep."

Loki nodded. "Alright. We'll be fast. You want pancakes, too?"

"That, and an orange juice."

"Right, we're just waiting for Lynn and me to take our showers. Damn Lars literally takes too long."

"Gotcha."

Loni returned back to Linka's room, and laid beside here. He, too, began to doze off.

30 Minutes Later

Loni rolled, and felt that there was no one there beside him. "Ugh..." He moved his hand around. "Linka?"

He played a round of hide and seek, looking everywhere around the upper floor. She was nowhere around, so he headed downstairs. He found her on the couch, sitting like a statue.

"Linka? Are you okay?" Loni saw reflecting objects below her feet. "What are-"

Kitchen knives were spread out around her feet.

"Oh, my god, Linka!"

The girl was still, not even blinking. Loni carefully moved the knives into the sink. He then returned back to Linka, still seeing the frozen poster she maintained.

"L-Linka?" He bent down, zooming close enough to see if she was-

"AAAAUUUUGGGHHH!"

Loni fell back, very much spooked, as if he was in a movie theater by himself, watching a horror movie. "Linka?!"

The girl looked around. "What, what happened?! How did I get here?! Loni?!"

He stayed on the floor, still freaked out by this horrifying ordeal. "Linka?"

The way he said it, it was through a soft voice, and the tone, afraid to speak louder than he was, of not knowing what she'd do, how she'd react. Linka seemed to be confused almost as much as him. She stared onto him, with her own fear that shone in her eyes. "I don't remember coming down here..."

She headed upstairs, withdrawing into silence afterwards. Loni was breathing hard, almost hyperventilating, and did not notice it until Linka was gone, and he drowned in the sounds of it. He stabilized, slowly getting up.

The knives, the frozen Linka, what was happening? Then, he remembered the stuffed rabbit. Was it possible she herself cut off its head, but not remember it? She was sleeping with him not long ago, but was gone when he awoke. Sleepwalking? What was going on? This was very much unlike Linka.

Loni texted Loki.

How long until you're back?

Loki replied, stating that they'd all be back in about ten minutes. Loni stayed below, still afraid. He decided to look through articles of it through his phone, and found it was all similar to Linka. Only, she seemed to be awake at the time, but frozen, while as reported sleepwalkers were constantly mobile, moving about.

He sighed, not knowing if this was that exact thing or not. Maybe he needed to tell them, and that was what he planned to do.

At last, the rest of the brothers returned, laughing wildly. Loni stopped right in front of Loki, pointing above.

"What is it, Loni?" Loki looked upwards.

He had trouble describing what he had seen. "Its-"

"Don't tell me the sky's falling down again." Several laughs behind Loki spawned.

"Linka. There's something up with Linka."

"Is she still sleeping? Go wake her, we brought back you guys' breakfast meals." He held two plastic bags in one hand, and a cupholder which consisted of Loni's frappe and Linka's orange juice in the other, one of each which Loni took.

"Loki, Linka... Was sleepwalking."

Lynn and Lars overheard as most of them were already heading upstairs. They stopped a fourth of the way up.

"Sleep- Loni, what are you even saying? Linka isn't like that."

"I know it sounds impossible, and unlikely, but I'm not kidding. She was, and-"

"Ugh, I don't wanna hear this, okay?" Loki pushed past Loni, and disappeared past the staircase.

"Don't worry about him. Some bozo dented the rear, and drove off. Anyways, Loni, are you serious about this?" Lynn's voice tone was that of a skeptical one, but not too much to turn away from it.

"I'm, like, very serious about this."

Linka was reading some comics, trying to forget her mysterious, spooky episode she couldn't explain. First the voice came, and then she found herself in front of the TV, after falling asleep in her room. She remembered the last thing the voice said. Sleep, it told her to go back to sleep. Not a nightmare at all...

Loki knocked. "I have your breakfast, Linka."

"Come in." She rolled from her stomach.

"Oh, good. You're awake. Here, but eat downstairs. You know mom and dad don't like food crumbs around the rooms."

Linka closed the comic book and gently grabbed her breakfast and drink. "Thanks, big brother."

Loni shivered at the sight of Linka once she stepped foot in the kitchen. Lynn and Lars were also there, using their phones- Or so she assumed. She sat alone in the kiddie table, not really having an appetite to eat at the moment. Linka sliced up her pancakes and picked them up with the fork. She chewed slowly, slower than a turtle, and had her mind to where she woke up.

She, like Loni, was scared completely, freaked out. Maybe it was nothing. Perhaps she was sleepwalking. That was all, wasn't it? What else could it have been? But, the voice-

Linkaaaa, leeet meeee ouuuuuut... I'm sooooo looonelyyyy..

The chair made a screeching sound when she stood back. The voice had returned, and it sounded louder this time. Lynn and Lars looked at their sister, while Loni became petrified.

Linkaaaa, freeee meeee. Liberateeeee meee...

She felt an invisible force push her into the wall, keeping her pinned. She let out a horrified shriek. Lars and Lynn dropped their phones and went over to her.

"Linka, what's with the scream? Are you okay?"

"The voice! The voice is still-"

"What voice, Linka?" Lars took a glance around. "There's no one here."

LINKAAA, LEEET MEEE OUUUT OOOR I'LL KIIIILL YOUUUU!

"There it is! Did you hear her?!" She covered her ears.

"Hear who? Linka, you're freaking me out!"

YOUUU DOOON'T DESERVEEEE THIIIS LIFEEEE!

"STOP IT, GET OUT OF..."

Lars and Lynn stepped back, and Lynn noticed that Loni was gone from his seat.

"...MY HEAD!" Linka faced the wall and smashed her head onto the wall with all her might. She was quickly rendered unconscious, and Lynn screamed. "LINKA?! LINKA!"

Loki appeared at the scene. "WHAT DID YOU MONKEYS DO?!"

"No, she hit herself on the wall! She was screaming about a voice or something!

"A voice?! Are you three seriously-"

"Its true", Lars cut in. "Why would we want to hurt her? We didn't touch her or anything. But we saw everything."

Loki picked her up, and squirmed at Linka's graze she received from herself. "One of you, get Levi and the first aid kit and meet me up in Linka's room! Now! And get an ice pack, too!"

He set her down on his own bed. The others circled around as Loki applied a bandage on Linka's forehead. He checked her arms and legs, seeing if she needed the ice pack in one of these areas. He gently shook her. "Linka? Levi, run a diagnosis on her, please!"

The genius climbed onto the bed. "Curse my adolescent height." He felt for pulses around, and then opened her eyelids. "I need an extremely luminous illumination directly centered on her pupils."

The brothers looked at each other, confused.

"I need a bright light, guys."

Loki used his phone, setting it to its maximum brightness, and shone it over Linka. Levi scanned the eyes. "Hmmmm. She seems to be fine. What happened?"

Lars and Lynn both talked. "She hit her head on the wall, and knocked herself out. She was hearing a voice, according to her."

"A voice? Loki, bring her to my room. Try not to wake her. Lynn, Lars, stay out while we work." Levi activated a helmet with multiple sets of wiring of all colors, connected to her computer. "Put this on her."

Loki set her down, and lifted her head with one hand, while placing the helmet with the other one. "What are you doing?"

"Looking for abnormalities within the cerebral cortex. Anything that could be detected as something out of the ordinary. Scanning now."

The helmet whirred and beeped with no pattern. "How long should this take?"

"No more than five minutes." The computer was already forming an X-Ray scan. Levi began to find something that seemed off. "Nothing damaged, had to make sure. Brain scan initiating."

Loki held Linka's hand, worried for her. "How does something like this happen?"

"We don't know what exactly this is."

The brain scan had finished, and Levi checked on the results. His mouth flew open at the sight of it. "This cannot be."

"What it is, Levi?"

From the brain scan, everything was almost normal, except for a few black spots around the brain."

"What's this? What does that mean?"

"It means Linka is... She is not well, Loki." Levi removed the helmet, and powered down everything.

"Not well, what do you mean?! Tell me!"

"Those black spots were from a disorder, and there's no doubt about it. Linka is... Sick, and she needs serious help."

"Disorder? What exactly is this disorder we're talking about?"

"Its called dissociative, mainly. Its Linka, who isn't always Linka, like there's a hidden stowaway inside of her. Whatever voice she's hearing must be the other her."

"You mean split personality? Like that?"

"Correct, but I wonder why its happening now. It doesn't usually happen to children. We've found the problem, now you can take her back to the room. Watch over her, and call me when she's up."

Later

Linka seemed dead to the naked eye. Loki was sitting on a chair beside her. "Oh, Linka..."

Lars and Lynn silently came into the room. "How is she?"

"Not good. Who knows when she'll be up?" Loki still held her arm, now with both of his hands. "Please wake up, Linka. I need to know you're okay."

Lynn looked down, uneasy. "Did Levi say anything about her condition or something?"

"No", Loki replied, not facing the two. "I don't know what's going on with Linka. Get back to your room, I'll take it from here."

The two younger brothers exited in their worry. The clock in Linka's room did most of the talking. Loki had been bombarded with various texts from his girlfriend Bebe Santiago, but he did not bother replying, for this was a more urgent matter at hand.

"Linka, please wake up." He put a hand over his forehead and sighed in pain. He found Bun-Bun, and placed it on her chest. "He'll keep you company. I'll be right back."

He decided to try and see if there was something that could be done about this, so he headed back to Levi's room. Linka's eyes then opened without warning.

Loki decided to call Clarissa, Linka's best friend, who had an obvious crush on him. Maybe her expertise could be some help. As he was halfway through typing, he halted upon hearing a series of thuds and crashing from the hallway. "LINKA!"

His frightful scream was more of something to focus on rather than the sounds that came from Linka's room. Levi, Lars and Lynn hurried right behind Loki, knowing this was the signal to check upon whatever was wrong. And something was wrong. Very wrong.

"LINKA?!"

The girl was surrounded by the mess she made. She was humming, and petting her favorite toy.

"...Linka?"

She looked up, and spoke in a soft, but in a more louder tone. "Hi, Loki." Linka took a look around. "I'm sorry about the mess, I'll clean it up, I promise."

"Linka, are you feeling okay?"

She smiled, and hugged her oldest brother ever so hard. "Why, I've never been better! Thank you!"

The room was indeed a mess, but no sign of anything off normality with her.

"I'm glad you're awake, Linka. Are you okay, now? What about the voice?"

"The voice, I haven't heard it anymore, and-"

Loki was pulled back outside by Levi, who somehow displayed such strength. "This does not strike me as normal. This is something else. Remember what I've explained?"

"Stop it, it's Linka! She looks fine to me! Maybe you were wrong about this disorder. That's our sweet sister, darn you!"

"Maybe... But the scans caught something. Explain that!"

"Retake it then. Take Linka back!"

Levi shook at Loki's shout. So demanding, so strict. Even he was terrified. "Fine. Bring her then."

Minutes Later

"Duh...This is impossible! Where did the abnormalities go?!"

Loki was content at the results this time. "Told you, there is nothing wrong with her."

Lynn and Lars were still behind Loki. "What about the voice? And the little-"

"Its nightmares, nothing more. She's hearing things. We're gonna have a long talk to whoever was responsible for cutting Bun-Bun. Emergency meeting, right freaking now."

Linka was escorted back to her room as the others all gathered in Loki and Loni's room. She laughed silently, and took a loom through her blue notebook. Various messages were written all over, and most of them took up each a page.

"LET ME OUT."

"I WILL BREAK FREE."

"I WILL LIVE AGAIN."

"YOU'RE NOT THE REAL LINKA."

That and more, throughout the notebook. Linka set it away, and laid down, doing a snow angel on her bed. She looked through the mirror in her room. "I win, Linka. I'm free now. And you can't stop me."

She stayed listening through her door, waiting for the meeting to end. The second it did, Linka entered the room of the two oldest brothers.

"Guys, I can't sleep..." She had her rabbit in one hand. "Can I stay with you?"

Loni shivered, while Loki welcomed her with open arms. "Sure, Linka. You can stay with me. You won't be afraid, okay?"

She nodded at him, with puppy eyes. "Thanks, big brother."

Night

She made her way out of his bed. Linka tiptoed over to Loni. He opened his eyes, and threw his covers in front of him, and fumbled on the opposite side. He made a meaty thud, and woke up Loki.

"Loni, what are you doing?"

Loni pointed back at Linka- Who wasn't where he saw her. "She- She was right there!"

"Wait, where's Linka?! Loni, where is she?!"

His arm finally caught the gravity. "She was right there, I, like, swear!"

Loki found the girl covering herself in fear from Loni. "H-He scared me... I just wanted a glass of water..."

"Aww, Linka, you poor kiddo! Here, let's go sleep in your room. It should be better there." Loki gave Loni a cold look that said "You idiot!"

Loni took his sheets, still in his terrified state. Only he, Lynn and Lars still believed something was wrong. Levi was likely just trying to fix his machine he believed was faulty, if not currently sleeping.

"He scared me," she told him. Loki barely fit onto the small bed. "He won't, okay? You just get some sleep, that's all."

"Okay, Loki."

She tried again, heading back into Loni's room. There he was, sleeping, unguarded. And Linka leaped onto him. "Wake up, blondie." She slapped him hard.

"Ow, what the-" His blood went cold.

"Hiii thereeee, Loniiii."

"What do you want?"

"Don't get me on my bad side, Loni. Stay out of my way, I'm not going back."

"Back? Back where?"

"The dark placeeee..." Linka pinched his cheek. "I lovee youuu..."

She kissed his cheek, and left.

Next Day

"You sure that's what happened?"

"Levi, I'm almost positive. She threatened me, without the scary wording. What will you do?"

Levi was already scribbling away in his notes. "I know what exactly we need to help Linka."

"What would that be?"

Levi formed a creepy smile.

Later

"Dang it." Linka was coloring about, humming.

"Hey, Linka."

"What do you want, Loni?"

"I just thought I'd see how you were."

"You're interrupting me. Go away."

"Who are you? The Linka I know isn't rude."

"But... I am Linka. Loni, how can you say that?" She teared up. "I thought you loved me."

Loni was stuttering. "I... Linka- I'm sorry..."

She turned her back to him, trying not to giggle.

This is just too easy.

"Loni, you're my brother, please don't hurt me." She used her sisterly charm on him, giving him a warm hug. "I'm sorry I scared you..."

"Linka-"

"I'm okay, Loni. I'm fine, I don't hear the voice anymore, I promise. Loni..."

"What is it, Linka?"

"Can we go to the park? I wanna spend some time with you."

He smiled, agreeing to it. "Sure, Linka. Sure."

THIS IS JUST TOO EASY, She thought.

The two, already set to go, were watched closely by Levi.

This is extremely simple, he pondered.

Halfway through the walk, she'd do it. She would push him onto the street, as a car would pass by. Hopefully she was good at the timing. She kept looking front and back, while Loni took no notice.

Girls, he thought.

A dark red van was coming from far behind. Here was her chance. "Hey, Loni, could you stand there?" She pointed to an opening in between two cars. "I'm gonna take a picture, you know, for the memories."

Loni did as she requested. "This good, Linka?"

"Its perfect." The van was closing in. Closer, and closer, and closer. Linka snapped the pic. "Okay, done." Close enough. She moved quickly.

"What are you doing?! Linka!"

The girl built up great momentum and gave Loni a big heave right into the incoming van. It plowed its way through him, succeeding in actually hitting him. Loni hit the hard street pavement as the tires screeched to a halt. Loni rolled, succumbing to a painful experience. Half of his face was exposed to multiple cuts and openings, and his sweater was ripped in many places.

"Hckkk," he coughed violently. "Luhhh..."

Levi revealed himself, holding one of Lane's owm cameras. "I announce myself as witness, and present evidence! Linka, you are not yourself!"

Linka gasped. "GIVE THAT TO ME!"

Levi broke into a run, with Linka in hot pursuit. "LEVI, DON'T FUCK WITH ME!"

He was too fast for her. When Linka returned to her familar front lawn, Loki, Lynn, Lars and all the others were there, staring at her like they knew. Maybe they did know, as the camera was at Loki's feet. "Linka... Where's Loni?"

"I..." She pointed back. "He fell..."

...Damn it!

"Or did you push him? Luke, Lane, go find him."

Linka and Loki had an intentional stare off. Both of them were nervous, scared on what was coming next. "Linka, its all in here. Why did you do it?"

She clenched her fists. "I didn't do anything!"

"LINKA, THIS IS NOT A GAME! YOU HURT LONI!"

"No..." Linka growled and screamed. She made a frantic charge at Loki. "I'M NOT GOING BACK!" She pounced on him.

Days Later - Dark Bay Asylum

In the corner of the long, cold, dark room, Linka kept twitching, and being shifty with her eyes. Her own guard returned to her for her daily medicine, injected forcibly to her. She stood up, alarmed. "No, please, she'll take over! Don't let me sleep!"

He, being a quiet, bulky, and bald figure, paid no attention to her. Linka was nearly picked up by one hand, and felt the needle sink its head into her squirming hand. "No, please."

She dropped on her knees, rubbing her arm, which she felt like the needle was still inside, and did not move it about as much.

"She's..." The drowsiness took its sneaky form. "No, don't-" Linka laid down, easily defeated by the medication. "Lihhh..."

That's riiiight, Liinkaaa. I'm freee...

She heard the heavy metal door shut with such a racket.

"Who are you... Why are you doing this? Why did you hurt Loni?"

I don't waaant tooo bee hereee, heee kneeew. I'm thee reeeal youuu. Youu took myyy liiiife, aand I waant out.

Linka closed her eyes, unable to keep the convo ongoing. Within a few minutes, Linka opened them, and stood up like she was some zombie rising from the dead. She moved about her hands. "Finally, I'm me again."

Here she was, the voice that haunted Linka, possessing her body again, for the Linka persona was suppressed. No, this was the voice's body, and Linka was the real threat.

"Why won't you die, Linka? Why can't you leave?"

I just want to play...

"Play by yourself. As long as I don't have to worry about you taking over, we'll have no problem. Well, apart from having your voice in my head."

I just wanted to be happy...

"And I wanted you gone. How did you even get... created?"

Maybe its just you... We're the same person after all, Liberty.

"Well, maybe you're not that bad. They loved us- You. They love you, they care about you..."

No, they care about us, that's why we're here, in this asylum. Are... We crazy?

"No, I... I don't know. But I'm not insane, and I'm sorry I scared you."

You were mean...

"Well, I was in your position. I didn't want to be the voice."

Liberty?

"Yeah, Linka?"

I'm sorry...

"And I'm sorry I hurt our brother."

I forgive us, and for also hurting Bun-Bun

Silence followed afterwards. Regardless of the time Linka would be here, she knew one thing; she'd never be alone here. Linka was relieved Loni would be okay. And the others would be, too. She hoped so.

Looks like we're gonna be here awhile. Linka giggled.

AN: Confusing? Tl;dr

Linka is the secondary persona all this time, and real Linka had dubbed herself Liberty, while lurking around the mind of a friendly, sweet eleven year old girl. Has this been done yet?

There were many ways to take this. I thought about having Linka being insane, and the brothers being only real to her. This one was tricky, unscripted. Maybe that's why its gonna feel off when I reread this in five months.

Next; Shattering.