Jamie pulled the outer door shut behind him and patted his thigh vigorously, whistling for Bear. The black and tan canine darted through the tall grass surrounding the lake, his coat slightly damp from his rain infused frolicking. He excitedly jumped up and placed his paws on Jamie's front.

Ruffling his pet's head, Jamie smiled at him.

"Are you going to come with me into town?" he asked sweetly.

The warm pink tongue caressed his hands and Bear gave a sharp whine. The grey-haired man nodded in understanding.

"You don't trust him here alone, do you?" he whispered, sighing. "I've got all the medications and knives locked away, but he's always been a resourceful fuck."

Bear settled on his haunches, tail sweeping the dirt as he indicated his desire to remain at home. Jamie wasn't all that surprised, to be honest. Groaning, he knelt and guided the dog's face to look into his.

"Alright. Just stay away from him. Hopefully, he'll still be asleep when I get back. I promise I'll hurry," he soothed the creature.

Pulling his knapsack over his shoulder, Jamie followed the trail down the hillside into town. There were still muddy puddles reflecting the dazzling sun as they dried. He carefully sidestepped these hazards but was still lost in thought regarding David's fantasies.

And, of course, there was still the odd topic of dissociative identity disorder. He hadn't had a chance to discuss the matter before the tyrant dozed off. Jamie frowned slightly.

What made David think he had multiple personalities? Was this a ploy of some kind? Part of a game to amuse himself?

Jamie didn't know much about the condition in detail but looking back over recent days, there were some odd occurrences he was unable to explain.

The missing time, the migraines, today's experience with being coated in sweat, glasses missing, and his neck and jaw throbbing like he'd been in a fist fight. Both the doctor and Mark had been looking at him strangely when he'd 'come to' from whatever state he'd been in.

Was it really outside the realm of possibility with everything he'd been subjected to over so many years? It actually wouldn't surprise him as much as he didn't want to consider it.

But another mental health issue?

Jamie squeezed his eyes shut in frustration. It was all that motherfucker's fault. None of this would be happing right now if not for David's nightmarish torture. However, he would be Jason right now, not Jamie and not living this life that he loved immensely.

Shoving the thoughts aside, he crossed onto the paved roads of town. The store wasn't far from here and he ran through the list of needed items in his mind. Lost in those musing, Jamie pushed through the doors to the store as heavy dark clouds again began to swell in the sky.

The overhead bell tinkled, and Mark looked up from a stack of papers on the counter.

"Jamie? What brings you in? Is everything ok up there?" he asked, eyebrows lifting knowingly.

Smiling gently, the other man approached the wooden divider and plopped his knapsack upon the tabletop.

"Everything's going alright, Mark. I'm just grabbing a few supplies. He's sleeping right now," he answered, before nervously chewing on his lip.

The store owner clipped the various invoices and tossed them in a drawer, noticing Jamie's demeanor.

"Something's troubling you," he stated. "Care to talk about it?"

Running a hand through his hair, Jamie wasn't sure he was ready to investigate what occurred that morning or whether 'other people' were taking up residence in his head.

He shrugged.

"I realize you might want to spare my feelings, Mark but I want to ask you. Did I behave differently this morning when you were there? Because I'm missing time and there's part of me that feels like you might be able to help me," he finally blurted.

He noticed Mark's eyes widen and his face drain of color.

"I did do something then."

Fingers drumming nervously on the wood, the other man gazed pointedly into Jamie's good eye. Mark felt unnerved knowing 'Red' was just on the other side, watching him. He wasn't sure how to proceed, knowing that by being truthful with his dear friend, he risked pissing off the aggressive alter.

Swallowing deeply, he moved a hand to cover Jamie's on the counter.

"You've trusted me with so much. Things that were difficult and painful and private. I want to help you. Protect you. You know that, right?" he asked, speaking more to Red than to Jamie. "I would never do anything to harm you."

Jamie frowned slightly.

"Of course, I know that, Mark," he replied. "You took me in like a stray cat, kept me under your wing when you didn't owe anything. I trust your advice. I trust you."

The store owner nodded.

If 'Red' was going to object, then he was giving him ample opportunity to do so. He kindly patted Jamie's hand for several moments without speaking. He wasn't going to lie to his friend.

"Something did happen this morning. When Dr. Waters was visiting, David wanted to talk to him privately so I found you outside staring at the lake. I had to check on you with all this mess. We chatted for a bit but you were nervous. So we decided to go inside," he began. "When you opened the door, David tackled you like a football. You both hit the floor."

Jamie was stunned. He had zero memory of what Mark was describing. However, his friend had no reason to lie about this.

"I kicked David off. I thought he was trying to kill you, Jamie."

Mark paused, glancing around to make sure no other patrons were within earshot. The sky had become turbulent again and a few individuals had come in seeking shelter before the weather let loose again.

"He started saying something about how he had to be ready to 'grab him.' Then you were up and at him like greased lightning! You were both fighting like wild dogs all the way out of the room! He called you 'Red'."

Jamie stammered in surprise, his chest tightening.

"Red?"

Mark nodded.

"When Red realized we were still there, it distracted him long enough for David to grab you in a choke hold," he went on.

Jamie's hand absently went to his neck. No wonder it was hurting so bad. It wasn't just a crick from sleeping on the old couch.

"I'd never seen anything like I saw this morning. Dr. Waters started trying to talk to you, but you said you weren't Jamie. Your voice was different, even your facial expressions. You looked different. And boy, you were extremely pissed off."

Now, Jamie's cheeks felt like they were burning; it wasn't just Red Rages he had to consider anymore. He felt embarrassed and afraid that Mark was going to shun him or think him too insane to be around anymore. Tears started welling despite his efforts to keep himself under control.

Mark noticed the redness of his friend's eyes and his quivering mouth.

"What did I say?" Jamie whispered. "Because I don't remember this at all."

Tightening his grip on Jamie's hand, the other man gave him a smile.

"Red did let us ask him questions even though he wasn't happy about it. Dr. Waters thinks that Red is a 'protector' and his job is to look out for you and Jason."

Jamie's eyes squeezed shut.

"So, Jason's in there too, huh? Mark, I just… I don't know… I can't…" he struggled, lowering his head.

Moving swiftly around the counter, Mark motioned for his friend to come back to his small office.

"Come on, let's talk about this back here."

Silently, Jamie walked behind the counter, hands fidgeting with his glasses. It was cooler back here and he felt better without the potential of so many eyes on him. If anyone overheard this conversation…. He sniffed and stuffed his hands in his pockets to still them.

Mark pulled out a chair and took one opposite. When his friend settled glumly in the seat, he reached out and placed a hand on his arm.

"Hey, its ok, friend. You're safe. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," he soothed, feeling Jamie's form starting to shake.

"How did my peaceful existence erupt in such a fucking massive train wreck? Why is all of this happening to me? Haven't I suffered enough? I don't know what to do, Mark!" Jamie suddenly sobbed.

He placed his glasses on the desk and covered his face with both hands, overwhelmed and frightened.

"It's all too much! Finding out that asshole's still alive and having to fucking live with him for God knows how long, dealing with my PTSD, trying to figure out this new threat, and now….. I find out I'm crazier than I thought!"

Now, Mark hauled himself out of his chair to crouch in front of his distressed friend.

"I don't know what to do about this 'multiple personality issue'," he wept. "I knew I had 'Red Rages', but I was me when those happened. What happens when I'm not here? I didn't know I became someone else entirely!"

"Hey," Mark called gently, catching Jamie's attention. "Look at me a second."

He waited while slowly the shaking hands lowered back into the man's lap.

"Why do you have to do anything about this right now? You've lived all this time up until now with more than one personality. I did some reading on the subject and I'm no scholar, but its not surprising that since 'David' came back, Red's had to assert himself more. If he hadn't survived, I think you might have never known about it."

He took a deep breath.

"Jamie, from what I've read, when Drakkon was torturing Jason, his mind was looking for relief, trying to save itself. He dissociated into Red, someone who could bare the brunt of Drakkon's treatment. It wasn't happening to Jason, it was happening to someone else."

Jamie blinked rapidly, wiping at the tears that continued to roll.

"And me? How did Red become me? Because I don't see why I would be needed. I'm not brave and strong," he asked hoarsely. "What purpose do I serve?"

"Dr. Waters referred to you as the caretaker. Red admitted he would never be able to live in a normal world outside of Drakkon's demented Wonderland. You living your life just as is, that's taking care of both Jason and Red."

"How long do I do that?" Jamie sniffed. "Until Jason wakes up and takes his body back? Then 'poof' I disappear forever?"

Mark lowered his eyes, wishing he had more answers.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Red told us that he couldn't get Jason to wake up."

A loud boom of thunder shook the walls suddenly and the lights flickered.

"Not again," Mark huffed. "We've already had our storm for the day."

Shivers went down Jamie's back and he pushed his personal woes aside as he reached into his pocket to clutch the black gem. He held his breath listening intently.

Then they both heard it.

A loud, drawn out howl of pure anger.