Double-sided memory(五)

Night Mask

The door of the coffee shop opened again, and a group of noisy college students rushed in. Under the cover of this sudden noise, Leo suddenly reached out and put his hand back on Oli's.

"I want to show you something," he said. "Come to my apartment at eight o 'clock tonight."

His palm was burning hot, completely different from the cold touch of last night. Oli found herself nodding, although reason was protesting loudly.

Leo's apartment is on the top floor of an old building, spacious but almost empty. There is no decoration on the white walls and very few furniture. The entire space exudes a temporary atmosphere, as if the occupants are ready to leave at any moment.

Welcome to my... Unofficial office. Leo said, leading her into a locked room.

The scene in the room made Ouli draw in a sharp breath. The four walls were all covered with photos, newspaper clippings and handwritten notes. On the long table in the middle, more than ten silicone masks were neatly arranged, each lifelike - faces of the elderly, the young, women and people of different ethnicities... There is even one that looks like a younger version of Leo himself.

"This is..." Ouli walked towards the long table, her fingers dangling above a blonde woman's mask.

"My 'friends'," Leo's voice came from behind her, "Each mask has a complete background story." Old Tom is a veteran and has an old injury on his left leg. Lisa is a rebellious girl who runs away from home. Mr. Chen is a retired chef from Chinatown...

Ouli turned to face him. You... "Become them?"

Leo nodded, his eyes dazed. Sometimes for several consecutive days. Eat, sleep, walk... In their identities. It's much easier to be with them than with myself.

He walked towards a locked drawer and took out a stack of documents. This is my medical record. Severe depression, dissociative identity disorder, PTSD... A gift from the army to me.

Ouli was flipping through the documents, with professional terms and drug names flashing before her eyes. You... Are you receiving treatment?

Twice a week, for four years. Leo gave a wry smile. "But some wounds won't heal, Oli." They are just... Become a part of you.

He suddenly trembled violently and squatted down, covering his head with both hands. No, not now... He moaned in pain.

Ouli knelt beside him, at a loss. Leo? What's wrong?

Here we go again... Here they come again... His voice changed, becoming even rougher. "Get out!" This is my house!

Ouli backed away in terror. Leo raised his head, but his eyes were completely different - Wilder and angrier. Who are you? He roared, "Who let you in?"

"Leo, it's me, Oli..." She said, trembling.

"Leo?" He tilted his head, looking confused and dangerous. "Who is Leo?" I'm Jack. Jack Moran. This is my home.

Ouli's heart was beating so fast that it was about to burst out of her chest. She recalled the "dissociative identity disorder" in her medical records - multiple personalities. The man in front of me seemed to completely believe that he was someone else.

"Jack..." She tentatively said, "I..." I'm here to fix the water pipes.

Jack's expression softened. Oh, yes. The bathroom is leaking. He stood up, his movements even more clumsy than Leo's. "Over there."

The next two hours were the longest time of Oli's life. She chatted with "Jack", listening to him talk about his work at the construction site and his problem of alcohol abuse. Gradually, his eyelids began to droop and he eventually fell asleep on the sofa.

Ouli held her breath and gently pushed aside the hair in front of Leo's forehead. His brows were furrowed, and his eyeballs moved rapidly under his eyelids, as if he were having a nightmare. She didn't know whether to wake him up or let him continue sleeping, nor did she know whether to call an ambulance or a psychologist.

Just then, Leo suddenly opened his eyes wide - the normal, clear-headed Leo's gaze.

"Happened again?" His voice was hoarse.

Ouli nodded, and the sudden welling of tears blurred her vision. You said you were Jack... Jack Moran.

Leo sat up wearily. Jack is my comrade-in-arms in Afghanistan... He died in front of me. His fingers unconsciously touched the scar on his wrist. "Sometimes, he would... Borrow my body.

Ouli didn't know what to say. She merely held Leo's hand, and the two sat in silence, with the city lights outside the window flickering in the night.

"Stay," Leo finally whispered. "Tonight." I don't want... One person faces them.

Ouli nodded. Something deep in her heart told her that this was both a request and a warning.