The Betrayal Of Self

Chapter 1: The First Crack

The rain hammered against the windows of Saint Jude Psychiatric Institute like thousands of tiny fists.

Dr. Ethan Vale sat alone in his office reviewing patient files. The clock on the wall read 11:47 p.m.

Most of the building was empty.

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead.

He rubbed his eyes.

Another twelve-hour shift.

Another day spent listening to people describe nightmares they believed were real.

The knock on his door startled him.

Three sharp taps.

Ethan glanced up.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened.

A woman stepped inside.

She looked exhausted.

Dark circles hung beneath her eyes. Her blond hair was tangled and uneven as though she had been pulling at it for days.

Ethan checked the chart.

Patient: Olivia Mercer.

Thirty-two years old.

No history of psychosis.

No criminal record.

No substance abuse.

Yet she had voluntarily committed herself two weeks earlier.

"Please sit down," Ethan said.

Olivia lowered herself into the chair across from his desk.

For several seconds neither spoke.

Then she looked directly into his eyes.

"He's taking me."

Ethan sighed internally.

Another delusion.

"Who is?"

Olivia swallowed.

"The other one."

Ethan picked up his pen.

"Can you explain what you mean?"

Her fingers trembled.

"Someone is stealing parts of me."

Ethan wrote a note.

Identity dissociation.

Possible paranoid psychosis.

Olivia leaned forward.

"You don't believe me."

"I believe that you're frightened."

"No."

Her voice became sharp.

"You think I'm crazy."

The room fell silent.

Ethan folded his hands.

"Tell me about the other one."

Olivia stared toward the window.

"He looks exactly like me."

A cold chill slipped through Ethan's body.

Not because of her words.

Because she sounded completely sane.

Not confused.

Not emotional.

Certain.

"He follows me."

Her voice lowered.