1 Chapter 1

<Lance Point Of View>

It's late at night, but I'm still busy in front of my computer tapping the keyboard. I just yawned while drinking coffee next to me. I took off my eyeglasses and rubbed my eyes—almost five hours of facing the monitor light.

I need to finish my school presentation this week so that my mind can be at peace. But until now, I still don't have half of what I do. The worst, I was only around for three days.

I just caught in my hurt sense, "Damn!" boring to study always like this! I prefer to lie in bed and sleep soundly. But that is impossible.

While I was busy doing this, my roommate suddenly glared at me, "Lance, are you okay?" he asked me.

I stared at the song, and then I messed up her hair, "Yup, I'm fine, don't mind me. I'm just a little work-up; I need to finish my presentation." I could see in him his sympathy, "Don't make that face, I'm alright. I need time."

He smiled at me, "Okay, just ask me if you have a problem, ah." said my roommate, and then he went back to bed and continued what he was playing. I don't know why he played that; so dull.

I am currently with my half-brother, Archie. He plays with a big Jigsaw Puzzle scattered on my bed. The room is significant; it has a king-size bed, so it's okay for him to hang out here and play. It's also better to have someone with me than in a tranquil room, and I don't want to lose my mind.

I was about to go back to the front of the computer when, "Bro, it's up to your feet." at the same time, he pointed to the Puzzle Piece at my feet. I handed it to him, and then he attached it to the Puzzle Board. "Thank you Bro Lance!" he said happily.

I just looked at Archie deeply.

We're the same age; we're both in good shape because we're playing basketball. I treat like a twin. The only difference between us is, you wouldn't think he was mentally disabled. According to my observation, he feels the world is beautiful as he sees it. Fun and stress-free. He hadn't even thought about seeing a doctor- and he hadn't been to the hospital yet. When I finish this school project, my classmates will pay me- just if we can go to the doctor for a check-up.

According to the observation, there was an accident when we were young due to extreme trauma, so he had a mental crisis.

Moments later, I noticed he yawned loudly. I returned the focus to the computer to oversee the presentation. A few minutes later, he tapped me on the shoulder.

"Bro Lance, are you done?" he asked as he nodded at me.

I adjusted the mirror I was wearing to face the computer properly, "Soon, I'll just finish this ..." I answered sparingly once back to typing on the keyboard.

A few minutes later, he touched me on the shoulder again, "Bro, are you done?" he asked again.

I took a deep breath, "Wait a minute, Archie; I'll just finish this ー" I noticed that he pushed back on the bed and then messed up the Jigsaw Puzzle he was making up.

"What are you doing?" I looked at him thoughtfully as our eyebrows met.

He stared at me as he messed up the puzzle, "Lance let's play, please? It's quiet here in your room. I feel like I'm going crazy here." I didn't expect what he said.

I notice something weird about him, or it's just me since I've been focused on my computer. "Archie, where are you- Argh Nevermind." I'm shaking. I might hurt Archie's feelings; he's still very emotional when told.

I took a deep breath and then faced the computer again. "Wait a minute, Archie, I'll just finish this." ani ko. Honestly, he's such a jerk; I did nothing but understand him, "Just do something that won't make you boring." I said while typing on the keyboard.

"Please?

Suddenly he slapped his hand on the bed. I can't concentrate properly on what I'm doing. "Archie ..."

When I looked back at him, I felt like someone else was in front of me. He looks at me, seriously- ugh, it's just my headache. I was shocked when he approached me, "All right! We're just going to play Pik Pak Boom." Archie whispered.

"Jigsaw Puzzle ... you just ー" I don't know why I stuttered at him. I immediately turned to my computer to avoid him thinking, "I'm almost done workingー."

He turned my swivel chair towards him, "Please?" once puppy eyes.

Ugh, the consistent he begs. He even prayed-hand while looking, pout and make puppy eyes, extraordinary. I took a deep breath.

Archie needs to follow my condition, but there will be a lot of trouble here in the room. Anytime really, it's great to be cute. I took a deep breath and then turned off the computer screen. I turned around and held him on both shoulders with a deep sigh.

"Okay, Archie. I'll agree to your little request in one condition ..." I saw him seriously listening. No doubt, he was earnest about what he wanted to do, "When you think of a good game with proper punishment, I'll let you play." he was delighted when I said, "If not, you'll be quiet there all night and not make noise until I've finished what I'm doing?" I seriously said he was scared.

"But Bro ー" I covered his mouth before he could speak badly.

"Oh, before I forgot. You'll only ask me once. If you failed to comply with my condition, then I'm sorry." then I turned to the computer and opened the monitor while smiling. I feel like I won over his horror.

Somehow he will be more peaceful because he can think longer. I'm awesome!

Time passed, and I had quiet time to do my research while in front of the laptop; I was just about to finish a part I was doing. At the same time, Archie is serious about what we will play. That's fine, and at least sometimes, his mind is sharpened. Even that way, maybe there would be little chance of recovering from his disability.

Over an hour and a half ago, I got a little information for the presentation. I will double-check if the data I got is correct.

I need to do more research about Dissociative identity disorder (DID), also known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Often people who have had this problem have a terrible experience. Not only can it be treated with medication, but it also takes a long process of counseling to help the patient deal with his problem. It's a mental health issue; in exchange, the patient also needs to help himself.

There are already several cases of dual personality disorder here in my country. It is scarce for a person to be confined because of their ability to hide their alter-personality (another personality), and it isn't easy to find information on them. The record is usually purely confidential since I am not allowed to search patients' medical records without consent. There is one on stream site, but I cannot use that for the basis of my research. I need to talk to an actual patient to interview them.

When I sat here in front of the computer, my eyes strained, and my back was sore. Do some stretching. Moments later, Archie touched me with a smile on his face. Dead.

"I thought of something! Let's play rock, paper, and scissors." he suggested. "Rock, paper, scissors." he said bubbly as he gestured with scissors, "And It's easy to play." He smiled at me, "The beat will touch the ー" I was shocked when he looked at me below.

"Ha? What do you mean?" I could hardly understand what he said when he signaled. When I looked at him closely, his snout learned from the pants I was wearing. "What are you doing with your snout?" I asked as I frowned.

"When you weren't here in the room, I was on the computer earlier. I saw a game on FB earlier. I was playing Pik Pak Boom. Then the loser, the junior of the others. It looks exciting like you said ー" I immediately looked around at him and answered thoughtfully.

"No." straight I say. I addressed Archie then and adequately pointed the ballpen with the lid at his forehead, "Is that what you're getting from playing your devices? Mention it again; I'll confiscate your phone."

"Ouch! Lance-"

I still looked bad, "Don't act like that, Archie. I'll hit you in the forehead." I threatened him. I was serious, but he just smiled at me.

"What's the matter? I can't think of anything. Why do you have to worry? We're both men, and there's nothing to lose. We're just the two of us here, and no one can see satin." I was blown away by his explanation. How can he speak like that? It was like the distance of his bubbly and quiet Archie personality that I had met. Weird.

"It's up to you. Cut out the puzzles scattered there." I said once again in front of the computer focusing on the data I was copying.

I was shocked when Archie spoke again, and this time, he was already telling me- "Look at yourself, Bro, when you come home, don't change your uniform and go straight to the computer. You didn't even greet me or ask if I had eaten. "I understand you, Bro; I just need you a little time so we can bond." I heard his sad voice. He is different, something extraordinary.

"I still don't want to." I'm serious. I need to ban him from using a mobile phone; he is too absorbed in what he sees on social media, which is pure nonsense. "If you want, play your puzzle. I'll finish it." I say straight, and then I start typing on the laptop. Archie was too young for that game. The hard part there is we're still a guy. Not suitable to look.

"Please? All right, Brother Lance." he was insistent. He didn't stop me. Moments later, he stabbed my waist. Unsatisfied, I closed my eyes. He's already bothering me with my research. I almost deleted my work. "Please ..." It's annoying. Anytime really, as a child with me. "Please." he carved. He even shook my shoulder.

"Archie, don't mess me up!" I shouted, he didn't listen, and he continued to bother me.

"It's up to you, Bro Lance. I'll make trouble..." he shouted in my ear. Annoyed, I took a deep breath and then addressed him. I saved all the documents, and then I turned off the monitor. I looked at him thoughtfully. Now it's like he's going to explode. Her face seemed to cry as I shook my head in dismay.

What is that?

"Shh, stay; I'll let you." Archie was overjoyed. I don't know if we're going to play it right. "Just now. Just a game. No malice ー" I even heard him say 'yes.'

Because Archie wanted to play, he stood up and then took a fighting stance while smiling. I also stood up and prepared for the fighting stance. I can see him being excited about this useless game.

As I looked at him directly, I just now noticed. I was a few inches taller than Archie. But compared to his body, he was more prominent- I don't know why and how that happened; he was even more significant than me. At least at the age of 20 yrs old, I can be proud of what I have in my body.

Archie, on the other hand, even though he is a bit small to me, is vital. Manly, a manly but child-like mind. No, there is no hope for women; in short, hopeless guy. I see him like Dad; this is how we both often play when he's was on leave.

Why do I think that?

"Bro, why are you staring at me like that? Maybe I'll dissolve that?" he even managed to annoy. Archie's weird right now; he's funny.

I just smiled at him, "Archie. Honestly. You look like our dad." I just shook my head when I thought about that thin. after that. I've noticed Archie was holding onto his head, which was out of balance. It's a good thing I caught him.

I patted his cheek, "What happened, Archie? Do you have a headache? I think you need to rest. Let's stop playing-" He sighed. He suddenly shook my hand.

"W-nothing. I'm fine. Thanks for the concern." he said thoughtfully. Suddenly the tone of his voice changed. He looked at me, suddenly changed. She pulled her hair up and looked at me strangely.

Archie seems to have suddenly changed.

"Are you sure? It looks like something has switched in..." he smiled strangely. Weird.

"Don't worry, let's play." Archie- Lance is refreshing; you get organized, stressed, and lack rest. Many come to my mind.

"Okay, you said so." I just shrugged. Maybe that's only natural in his situation.

Archie has already explained the game he made. The weird rules he made, as well as this game. "Here are the rules. If you lose once, touch ー," I pointed at my bulge. I was horrified when he sniffed below my belt, "When you lost three times, you'll take off your clothes." I was suddenly nervous about what he said.

"WHAT?! Was it necessary?" I complained, but he nodded. He looks earnest.

"Of course, Brother Lance. It's only now you've agreed." I was suddenly horrified when he said that. I had no choice but to consent. I don't want to argue with him and maybe cry again... I have to finish this because I have too many things to do, and I don't want to tease Archie. I sighed before answering. "The first to run out of things we wear in our body, the winner will dare." he said. The more he knew, the gimmick. This game is scary.

I shouldn't have consented.

I don't know Archie's mindset right now. If it's just for fun, it's not a good joke. But in his eyes, he looked serious. I rarely see him with that look. Too deep and sticky. I wasn't used to this game before, except when I played with Dad and Mom. There is probably nothing wrong.

As he said, we were both men, and then Archie was sad when I refused. That might even cause us to argue. It's still hard to coax Archie.

Fine, it's up to you, "Fine, Game." I need to finish this game.