Games of the Mind
by Christina Shuy
cshuy@netcom.com

Author's Notes:

Christina Shuy and Chris Wildbore are, at least in this story, figments of
my imagination. He and I do exist... *grin* (I discovered later Chris
thinks he's a figment of my imagination! Who KNEW! *snicker*)

This story brings up the phenomenon of Multiple Personalities.  I refuse
to label it a disorder because the people who are MP function quite well. 
I do most times.  I am not a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.  I am
someone who has been diagnosed with MPD (DID) and am therefore writing
from my, or, rather, our perspective.  Please note, however, that though
the conversations within the system are shown, they can occur within a
split second.  And sometimes several of them can occur at once.  When that
happens, believe you me, it is loud and confusing. 

Most cases of Multiple Personality Disorder (disorder?  Not generally) are
caused by repeated, sustained, and unpredictable abuse where the child is
repeatedly betrayed by someone s/he trusts most.  It's usually either the
parents or the relatives.  The v ariations within the disorder itself are
as many as there are people on this planet.  The abuse itself does not
have to be sexual in nature.  Physical and psychological abuse alone is
enough to cause something like this to happen.  Regardless, it is not an
easy thing to either live with or deal with. 

There will be times where a breaking point is reached and the person
living with the multiple minds phenomena will be forced into a hospital. 
This is never a pleasant situation on themselves or those around them who
care.  I also need to note that this story might hit a little too close 
to home for some people.  If such a thing happens, I have only one 
request... please don't scream at me about it.  I was trying to be a good 
storyteller, that's all.

I started this story back in March of 1995.  It's a long work, and I thank
anyone who has the patience to read the entire thing.  It is now finished
as of August 1998... and I'm not sure this could be considered a labour of
love, but it was quite a labour...

End Author's Notes