Closing her apartment door behind her, Annie was already on edge. The entire ordeal was frightening to her, but at the same time strangely empowering. Her head was spinning as she went outside, and she could hear her other self trying to say something. Her other self scared her. She was ruthless, a murderer at heart. Annie wouldn't dream of taking someones life, so why was this thought in her head right now? Was she not really who she thought she was?

"Annie, listen to me. We're going to do this, and I'm not going to let you screw this up. I'm going to take control, and you will get on the bus, ride it to the stop near Chang's house, and you will get inside. From there, you're going to sneak inside, knock him out, tie him up, and then we'll have fun."

"Is that why you made me get the twine and tape?"

"Yes. Now, do you understand the plan?"

"Ye- Er, no! I don't want to kill him! I mean, sure, what he did was kinda rude, getting the entire class to laugh at me, but I don't want to kill him!"

"It doesn't matter what you want, Annie, it's what I want. Your opinions, your morals, everything you wanted? None of them mean a fucking thing anymore. I'm in control, and you will do as I say."

Annie winced at her other self and her language. Annie always tried to control what she said, and her inner self dropping an "F-bomb" startled her. As she stepped onto the bus and took an empty seat, she felt like everyone was staring at her and passing judgement on her. She hoped that the "Other Annie" would stay quiet for a minute. She just wanted some silence for a second so she could sort out her thoughts.

"Annie, do you understand the plan?"

"Yes, but I don't want to do it!"

"Alright, alright. I understand. I'll just have to force you to do it."

"How do you think you can do that?"

"Just watch."

Suddenly, Annie felt herself shift, almost detach from her body. She was still in it, but she couldn't control what she was doing any more. She watched as she pulled the knife from her backpack and pushed the tip into her palm, being sure to keep hidden from sight as she did so. Annie could feel the pain, and hated the helplessness she felt. She could barely even think when she was in this state, and was relieved when she placed the knife back in her bag.

"Is that enough proof?"

"Yes, yes. It's enough. Just... please, don't make me harm myself any more than you already have."

"Did that hurt? Christ, you're weaker than I thought."

"Who are you?"

"Easy. I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together."

"Did you just answer me with Beatles lyrics? Lame."

"Excuse me? I thought it was good. Anyways, shut up. I told you what you wanted to know."

"So you're me?"

"Yes. Well, rather, the better you. Years of repression and guilt do things to you, Annie. They split you. They break you. They shatter you."

Annie looked out the window and stayed silent for a moment. She watched a police car speed by, siren blaring. She enjoyed the short break in conversation with herself, something she always considered to be weird, something she considered to be a sign of schizophrenia.

"So you're like the evil me?"

"No, no, no. I am simply the better you. The you your parents would hate, the one they, in part, are responsible for. I think tha-"

"What can I call you? Evil Annie?"

"I'm not evil, damn you. How many times do I have to tell you? And don't interrupt me. Let's see... just call me Ann-"

"But you're not a good person! You want people to die! Chang could just apologize..."

"He could, but then he might just do it again. We have to stop him now. But, as I was saying, call me Ann-"

"But he wouldn't do it again!"

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop interrupting me? I can't say anything more than that my name is Ann before you cut me off."

"Is your name Ann?"

"No, it's- Actually, I think Ann will work. How about we just go with that?"

The bus slowed to a stop.

"Alright, Ann... wait, how do you keep getting me to just agree with you and give in?"

"I told you I have power over you, Annie. Now, get off the bus. We're here."

Yes, I'm aware of the delay. But what do you expect from me? Also, I know the chapter is primarily dialogue. There'll be more action in the next chapter, I just wanted to establish a full conversation between Ann and Annie.