Chapter 14: A New LeadEltan Storm"I feel so bad, Faith. I kind of feel like it's my fault. Especially since it happened the day after I turned him down. Maybe I was too harsh on him?""No, Candy. It wasn't your fault. It was just an accident, not a suicide."I listened to the conversation between Candy and Faith while leisurely sipping my drink at the bar counter. Today was Faith's first day back at work after her week off, and Candy was expressing her sorrows to Faith."I think someone may have cursed him," Faith added, giving me a narrowed look.I simply continued enjoying my drink, not a shred of guilt tugging at my heart.Candy nodded and said, "I should go now. Or else, Boss might think I am slacking off.""It's alright. You're allowed to mourn as much as you want, but just don't hog Faith when I'm here, okay?" My expression was normal, but my tone was only an edge below threatening.Both Faith and Candy seemed like a shiver ran down their spines. Faith too because she now knew
Chapter 15: Road RacingEltan Storm"Hey, Dr. Parkins, I thought you were dead," I greeted my family doctor sarcastically over the phone."Sorry for ghosting you with Ms. Mabel's reports, Eltan. Some family emergency came up, so I was unable to check her reports and brief you on them," he replied."It's okay. She seems better now. I have been making sure she's eating healthy.""That's great. But um..." he paused ominously. "By the way, I checked the reports just now. Do you think you can drop by my chamber?"My heart dropped. "Why? Is there something wrong with her reports?""It's not life-threatening. Just some issues. Why don't you pay me a visit whenever you can and we can talk it over?""Since you are so chill about it, I guess it is not life-threatening," I said to myself. "Anyway, I think I can visit you tomorrow afternoon.""Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Eltan.""Goodnight, Dr. Parkins."After hanging up the call, I stared at my dark phone screen and wondere
Chapter 16: LookalikeEltan StormFaith was standing in front of me in a biker's outfit, and I couldn't connect the pieces of the puzzle. She was the one who said that motorcycle racing was a straight way to death, and here she was."Faith, what the hell are you doing here?" I couldn't stop the anger from seeping into my voice.I looked around and all I saw was danger for her. This place filled with criminals and offenders wasn't suitable for her. She shouldn't be here, let alone participating in such risky activities.At my question, Faith's earlier grin was gone and replaced by annoyance, which was an expression I had never seen on her before. "My name is Mutiny," she responded in a clipped tone, choosing not to answer my question.I bit back a groan and said, "I get that it's your alias here. But my question is, why are you here?"She placed her helmet on the bike and retorted, "Why should I answer you? What are you, my boyfriend? No, right?""What are you saying—" I paused abruptl
Chapter 17: Expressing Myself Eltan StormI tapped my foot impatiently after ringing the bell of Faith's apartment for the third time.It was eleven in the morning. Was she still sleeping?Come to think of it, I didn't know whether she was a light sleeper or deep sleeper or early riser or late riser. I wanted to know that about her. I raised my hand to ring the bell once again when I heard shuffling from inside a few moments before the door swung open and soon I found Faith standing in front of me rubbing her eyes cutely like a panda, dressed only in a long oversized t-shirt."Eltan?" she mumbled sleepily."Sorry to wake you up." I gave her a sheepish smile. "I was just worried about you. Why weren't you picking up your phone last night?""Oh, that." She stopped rubbing her eyes and pushed her hair strands out of her face and yawned. "I was out with some of my friends."As she yawned, I could smell alcohol in her breath."Were you drinking?" I asked in disbelief. Didn't she say that
Chapter 18: Vexing WomanEltan StormI was walking on clouds ever since Faith and I made things official until a text from an unknown number burst my bubble."Meet me alone at the XX street alley at 2 pm sharp - Mutiny."I twitched my lips in annoyance. I had to meet Dr. Parkins as well in the afternoon. But I had no option with Mutiny. I promised her a good payment. So I decided to drive to her location. It was close to where Faith lives. I had just left her house an hour ago.I got there ten minutes earlier and waited till Mutiny made her appearance.When I saw her again, my heart jumped as my first instinct was to think of her as Faith and get happy. But when I noticed her high-heeled boots and black leather jacket, I reverted back to my stoic expressions."So have you decided what you want as a payment?" I asked, my hands buried in my pockets.She tilted her head to the side and asked, "Did you get any call yet?""What call?" I asked, cooking an eyebrow at her."About Turqo," she
Chapter 19: Faith and MutinyEltan StormI was flabbergasted as Dr. Parkins explained to me what dissociative personality disorder was.Hearing one or more than one voice inside the head? Having more than one distinct personality? It was like two or three people living inside a single body. The behavior was controlled by the personality in charge.Faith had this mental health condition.She didn't just have headaches. Her entire head was fucked up."But I have never faced any of her other personalities—" I paused as a few images from last night and earlier this afternoon came to my mind.It didn't take me long to come to a jarring conclusion.Shit."Mutiny is Faith's other personality," I murmured, then told Dr. Parkins about it."So you have met her other personality? And she is called Mutiny?" he asked, noting it down.I nodded my head, still in a trance. "I just met her last night. She… she is the complete opposite of Faith. She’s like a psychopath."He hummed and asked, "But are y
Chapter 20: Challenge Accepted Eltan Storm The next day, I went to the casino directly, instead of Faith's apartment. I didn't want to meet Mutiny. That woman could go to hell—wait, saying that felt wrong. Faith didn't deserve hell, but Mutiny did. Ugh, I swear it was so confusing. Nevertheless, I wanted to see Faith. During the time of her work shift, Faith should be there. As expected, I found the auburn-haired woman behind the counter, her back turned toward me, putting a few glasses on the shelf. A smile made its way to my lips at her sight, but it dropped a little as I remembered our last conversation. I hoped she felt okay now. She seemed terrified until Mutiny's switch got turned on. I honestly didn't understand how it all worked. Though I was going to try my best. Sensing the presence of a customer behind her, Faith chirped, "What would you like to have, sir?" "You," I answered without hesitation. Her shoulders squeaked hearing my voice, and she quickly turned around t
Chapter 21: Old MemoriesEltan Storm"Hey, it's unexpected of you to call me at this time of the day," I said over the phone while getting ready to head out for an assignment in the afternoon."No, I just suddenly felt like talking to you," Faith mumbled shyly. "And I was thinking...""Yeah?" I encouraged her to speak."Um, we haven't been on a date ever since we became official," she let out abruptly.I went blank for a moment before blurting out, "Oh, shit, that's right." I got too caught up with Mutiny and forgot to plan a perfect date for the two of us."What do you think about today? A