Eden left the apartment complex walking at a slow pace. She was busy digging through her bag for her phone. Luckily the rain was taking a quick break but the clouds that loomed over head suggested that it would soon begin again and for that reason she kept her umbrella ready at her side.

Eventually she found her phone and began to dial the most likely person to answer which was Carly. The bubbly girl was almost never caught without her phone. Eden just hoped she wasn't too busy. The phone rang twice before a cheerful voice was heard. Eden bit her lip nervously. "Hiiiii!!!" Carly said, already knowing who it was that called. "What's up Eden?"

"Hey Carly." Eden began in a more serious tone of voice that made the other girl become very quiet. After a brief silence, she added, "I just got done visiting Donovan right now.."

"What? Eden are you ok? He didn't actually do anything to you did he? Or was it something he said?" Carly talked quickly sounding panicked. It took Eden by surprise and she stopped walked for a moment.

"No! Of course not! That's why I wanted to call you. I don't understand why you and everyone else is acting like he's some kinda criminal." she said, sounding rather defensive as she spoke of him.

"I'm glad that he was normal around you Eden, but... He's different now, that's why... He's become a lot more angry and violently lately. He nearly knocked Evan out at one point! Evan barely did anything too! He threatened me once too when I went to see him one time." Carly said with a shaky voice. Eden furrowed her eyebrows together. That didn't make sense to her.

"He didn't mention anything about that... He didn't act like that either." Eden argued. She could hear Carly sigh over the phone. "I know you're close to him but you need to be careful... And I'm not lying! Talk to the others they'll tell you the same thing!"

After her conversation with Carly ended, Eden took the time to call up Evan and Jamie too. Each of them spoke of stories similar to Carly's and were slowly beginning to cause Eden to question Donovan and what he had told her. She found herself confused and conflicted. Before long, she had to get ready to go and meet him once again but now she had information to tell him as well as questions to ask.

Donovan had done his best to fill the time which for him went very slowly but it went nonetheless. He never admitted just how much he questioned his own view of things but there was nothing to point to anything else being true, nothing he could recall at least which left a bad taste in his mouth. Something he wasn't aware of was the slow Thursdays were often because of him being there at night which had driven out less tolerant people and even intimidated the tougher crowd who weren't sure what to do if Donovan well and truly lost it. These were the sort of things that he didn't know, he knew the general event but details were foggy which left it hard to reason around, but what was blocking it no one was concerned with because they had a far more present threat to them. Its hard to want to help a person who doesn't want to be helped or doesn't know what is wrong, his mother told him that once and he thought it was an opinion not fact.

On the walk over to The Malt Donovan wore a hooded coat, though he didn't mind the weather it just felt appropriate, just to keep what could turn back into rain off him and he started to drift off while he kept moving along. His other personality was starting to push him to the side glad to be awake and plenty pissed off about having to dredge his way through another god-forsaken night at the shitty dive bar. Sure Eden would be there, she would probably the only thing worth noting the whole night, but unlike his hopeless other this Donovan knew exactly what he had done and frankly didn't care, his so called friends annoyed him with their constant babbling or idiotic little ideas. He also had the feeling he might give Aya something to think about more so than usual, she had borne the brunt of a good deal of hate from him but she just kept testing him, maybe a slap to the floor would get the message across.

Donovan arrived off to an excellent start managing to menace most of the people currently in the bar with a scowl and his presence alone, if anything it kept the deadbeats and criminals away on most nights because not a damn person in the town wanted to be in his path anymore. He paced around a bit before removing his coat and placing it on his chair, people knew it was his now he made sure of that, before making sure none of the other bartenders or the like had misplaced anything and when he cast a searing gaze at a particularly loud out of town customer the man froze up quickly shutting his mouth before the Cajun shoved his foot in it. It was going to be an interesting night to say the least and Donovan was in a surly mood after Eden's visit, not because of her but because his counterpart let himself get drained over such a pitiful subject, if one of the two had been excited for the visit the other couldn't wait to introduce himself to Eden. The smile that followed the thought probably damn near gave the patron who looked over at that moment a heart attack because it was filled with more negativity than someone would think possible from one person.

What perfect weather and a perfect night to show this old friend just who is in charge, not that pathetic weakling, but me! He isn't anything more than a cover up and I intend to prove such. Donovan thought if it even was him thinking it.

Eden walked into The Malt seeming rather out of place. The heavy atmosphere made her feel uncomfortable the moment she stepped through the door. The people who stayed at the bar were very few and they seemed rather flighty. It made her unease and her usual cheerful look had dulled. It wasn't long before she realized that the reason for this was Donovan.

It felt like she was meeting a stranger and it quickly reminded her of the stories told by the others. She cringed slightly at the thought of it all being true and not a misunderstanding. Slowly she walked up to him and managed to give a cheerful smile despite her discomfort. "Hey Don." she greeted him as she slipped onto a bar stool. "I see what you mean about business being slow." She added in, sweeping her gaze over the few people there.

They stared over at her in amazement, likely thinking her to be rather brave to approach this man so casually. However, they didn't look for longer and no one dared to approach her for the fear of angering Donovan. She even caught the eye of a man who gave her a sympathetic look before taking a long drink from his mug.

Donovan felt a tad bit amused at Eden's reaction to his oppressive presence in the building, she had a better idea of what was in store after talking to the others but it was time to see it first hand. It was probably the first time she had seen someone singlehandedly control the mood of a room and everyone in it especially from someone who normally wouldn't hurt a fly, it was this that was amusing just realizing what kind of hell she entered before a single word was spoken.

Where he stood he could see every look exchanged in the room and it made it all the more funny when the regulars, some rather large tough people included among them, cowering away from him unable or unwilling to do anything about him. A few customers had tried but they were pushovers barely able to land a hit in before they were down and out. The spot of sympathy from one of the men nearly got a chuckle out of the Cajun because the poor bastard knew what was going to happen.

"Well hello Eden, I suppose you might want something. Questions, concerns, a drink? I'm all ears for my favorite friend." Donovan said with an obvious eagerness to talk and an intention to pick at her slowly for now, he wanted to see all the pain of realizing the truth and eventually watching his counterpart deal with it if he could.

Though his words eager and 'friendly', Eden couldn't help but feel like they were very misleading. She doubted this was the greeting she would have normally gotten from him and it just made her wonder all the more what was wrong. Her gaze studied him for a moment, as if trying to decode the puzzle in front of her.

"Ah... Just a glass of water... I have to drive home from here..." she answered him hesitantly. Her expression changed from one of uneasiness and confusion into one of sternness and concern. "Are you ok? Did something happen..?" she asked him, hoping he'd give an explanation for how he was acting.

He had been the same person she had remembered from the past. There was very little change except for being troubled by the recent actions of their other friends but that was understandable. It made her ponder why it felt like she was talking to a stranger right now. He was the same Donovan... Or at least, he was suppose to be.

Donovan watched Eden try to figure out the sudden change in what she still thought was her old friend, though others thoughts were moving about partially his but not all of them. It was a strange thing to be unaware of a second personality which knew everything that went on including much of Donovan's thoughts and feelings. This knowledge gave the far more malevolent side some tools to use against the residents of the town and against its counterpart. He gave a slight but cutting laugh hearing Eden hesitate over a drink, he knew it wasn't the only reason but it was another tool to be used.

"Oh nothing serious, just sobered up and thought about how much I really needed the rest of our friends. Quite honestly, they just seem to get in the way so I got rid of them from my life. After all I've got the only three that matter, me, myself, and I. Of course I got a bit lonely so when you came back it was great to have someone around who could provide intelligent conversation and actually be worth having around." Donovan said going on a bit using thing that had been touched upon earlier to build on Eden's confusion or just upset her, either was worth it to keep breaking the poor girl down.

The word were very much intended to jab at her emotionally and play a sort of mind game. If she started to grasp it better so be it because he could let loose a bit more to give off his more dominant image which he wanted to show sooner than later.

Eden shifted uneasily at his answer. She felt a small hint of frustration with him welling up inside her, along with a mixture of other emotions. She pursed her lips together and became a bit bolder with her words. "What are you even going off about? Since when did you start talking about our friends like that?" she said defensively. The costumers there were listening but didn't dare to look over. Still Eden caught a couple people nearby flinch as she spoke, as if expecting the worse was to follow.

It only fueled her to speak up more though, which might not have been a good thing. "Don, everyone is terrified of you. You even attacked Evan at one point didn't you?" she questioned him again but in a more demanding tone. Even though his presence was rather intimidating at the moment, Eden was blinded by the image of the Donovan she knew.

Donovan was genuinely surprised at the resistance from Eden and it made him want to push harder, no it made him need to push harder to prove his point.

"I started talking like this when they started showing fear and weakness around me, it made me understand that being tied to them only makes me look like them, pathetic and fearful." He said more intensely not bothering any longer to hold back it was far to taxing pretending to be his lesser half. "Oh, poor little Evan, he was always getting into something so I decided to show him what would happen if the weakling got involved in something wrong, sure made an impression." He ended with a harsh chuckle remembering the look on Evan's face before he connected a punch straight into it.

It was then that Aya decided to make her appearance, coming in not for any other reason than to throw herself at Donovan. She wore a short, blue dress possibly thinking it might catch more attention tonight but it was obvious she didn't know Eden was here. The Cajun tensed up almost immediately as she went behind the bar to be closer while he was busy, busy for him at least.

"Hey Don! Miss me?" Aya asked her intentions clear as glass though she at that moment realized Eden was there. "Oh Eden, I didn't know you were back I was just gonna talk with my... Aaaaah!"

Donovan was not in the mood to deal with her insolence and he decided to make a statement to both of them with a backhand slap that sent Aya a good five feet back with a thud, she didn't make much of a sound after the impact.

"I don't have time for that clingy little bitch, sorry for that interruption." Donovan said with a mild bit of satisfaction having launched the pest away from him, not even bothering to check on her.

Eden's eyes widened and instinctively leaned away from him as he spoke so harshly. It was like talking to a stranger... a complete stranger. She was beginning to realize just how much she didn't know about Donovan any more. The others seemed justified in keeping their distance from this person. Though Eden tried to cling onto the person she remembered, she couldn't deny that fear was slowly building inside her.

Once Aya was hit back by him, Eden jumped to her feet, giving a look of horror. "What the hell?!" she yelled at him in a rather trembly voice. The panicked girl hurried past the bar to make sure Aya was alright, daring to put herself in close proximity to the threatening prescence that lurked behind it. Once she had helped the other girl, she now took a defensive step towards Donovan, now standing between the two. She was brave but there was a clear gleam of fear in her wide eyes.

"Enough! Are you out of your goddamn mind?!" Eden snapped, her voice still seemed to tremble. It seemed to be a rather pathetic sight since she was at a clear disadvantage. It was like a mouse standing up to a lion.

Donovan finally got results and got to let out some of the rage all at once, if only everything else was as easy. The façade that Eden kept of his weaker half finally seemed to have gone away making it all the better. If anything her reaction to him striking Aya was exactly what he wanted seeing her crack under the pressure and it drew out a sickening smile, a smile that showed he had enjoyed every second of it. He watched as Eden ran over to help Aya who was most definitely unconscious which finally shut her mouth but what surprised him if only a little was Eden getting between them. She was afraid but willing to try and stand up to him regardless despite everything being in his favor, this made him better understand his other half's reasoning for being around her, and he took it as a challenge stepping forward to face off with the smaller girl.

"I don't see a problem here, after all only fear and pain make people understand just where they belong. But you...you saw her test my patience and then defend her as if you have a chance. It makes me wonder just which one of us is the crazy one here. You had all that time in the big city to get away and learn how things are yet you come back more naïve than ever, you just can't put the signals together can you? Things have changed and if you can't handle it maybe you should just stay away, not like you would ever make a difference even if you had as much strength as you try to show. But I suppose I can't expect you to learn from my words so I'll show you what I mean." Donovan said knowing just what to say to hurt Eden and it was intended to push her far away from his other half.

Donovan moved to the side to get a better angle for another strike before a loud bang rang out from behind him causing him to clutch at his back needing to lean against the bar to regain his balance while his shirt turned red. He looked back to see the bar owner who was present but was not holding the gun, though he looked like he wished he was, it was one of the few men in town that could stand eye to eye with him and it was his father who was seething.

"So this is what I come back to, my own son terrorizing the town acting like someone he ain't. Well if you wanted to teach by force maybe you should learn from that and leave." His father said making a statement to the now wounded Donovan that he wanted him gone.

Donovan didn't really have a choice in the matter so he made a much of a gap between Eden and Aya he could to move by before adrenaline kicked in letting him run out the door. The direction he went out was towards the woods which didn't surprise his father who lowered the gun, his old .38 magnum, and finally exhaled seeming as if he didn't think it would have stopped his son but at the same time feeling guilty for having injured him. His father, Marlon, placed the gun on the counter and moved over to Eden to check if she was still alright after Donovan had menaced her and Aya, both of whom worried him at the moment.

"You alright? I tried to wait until he was far enough to the side." Marlon said more concerned with making sure he didn't do more damage than he thought.

Eden felt even smaller as he took a step towards her. Her heart began to beat fast out of fear and adrenaline pumped through her veins. In a situation such as this, it might have been wiser to choose flight instead of fight but anyone who knew Eden well knew that she usually didn't run from conflict. Even when she as at a very clear disadvantage. She took notice of him getting ready to strike and prepared to try and dodge, since that seemed to be her last option, until a loud bang rang out. It made her cringe and when she looked at Donovan again, she noticed the red staining his t-shirt. A brief look of shock and concern passed over her. Despite all that he had said and done, his image as her close friend had not been completely destroyed. In that moment it was clear to see that she still cared for him.

Eden then looked over to the man who had shot him, his own father. She relaxed a bit realizing Donovan was not seriously wounded as he hurried past and out the door. She could help but look relieved now as she was out of danger as well thank to Marlon. Still shaken by all that occured, Eden seemed to be physically trembling now, as if all the fear she had been attempting to hide suddenly came out now that Donovan was gone. Her tough act unfolded as she no longer felt the need to try and control her emotions. The reality of what her friend had become was not only shocking but horrifying.

"I'm fine... Aya was the one who got the worst of it..." Eden informed Marlon giving a small nod towards the unconcious girl behind her. "Thank you... I'm sure that wasn't an easy thing to do.... I just don't understand what's happened to him.." she breathed shaking her head. The thought of how normal he had acted when she first saw him made her feel a pang of sorrow. "Was it the accident..?" she wondered out loud. The thought of some split personality didn't really cross her mind until now. Likey because she had been so caught of guard with his behavior. Still, she questoned how such a thing could just suddenly effect someone, if that was the case.

Marlon was glad to see that he prevented more injury though feeling guilty he hadn't gotten into position before Aya was knocked out. He had seen Eden's concern for his son and it matched his own, but then again seeing Donovan act the way he did also angered him seeing the boy act high and mighty. He felt for Eden, especially given the trembling, because besides himself and his wife she knew his son best maybe better than them sometimes and it was a conflicting situation wanting to help Donovan but trying to prevent him from hurting others. He was keeping his calm listening to Eden while checking Aya who looked like she was going to be out for awhile prompting the bar owner to call for an ambulance just incase.

"It had to be done, but I know that ain't my boy talking in there, just doesn't seem right." Marlon said agreeing mostly with what Eden managed to get out and hearing her talk about the accident. "I went up to the hospital after a return trip, only got back here a couple days ago, but they seemed real afraid of him. His shoulder was shattered and he hit his head pretty hard from the truck, but yet here he is able to move and do as he will a couple months later. That ain't normal to heal from that so quick or so I've been told and apparently he was more hostile after that, at nighttime come to think of it."

Marlon hadn't quite thought of split personalities yet, he was not particularly savvy with medical knowledge, but he knew there was something wrong. His recount from the hospital was all he knew of the incident being unable to get ahold of his son until now and it made him wonder about how injured the boy had actually been. But one thing he did know was that Donovan had run for the woods and while he had gone on walks with him the boy knew them far better than him, though it gave him an idea of sorts come morning time.

"Eden, you ever go out there with him? Know someplace he might go to hide or the like?" Marlon asked thinking it might be better to find him than the other way around. After all Donovan was injured, lightly but still injured, and the way he was forced out he might go find a place to lick his wounds.

Unknowing to the group Donovan had been doing just that running towards a rather large tree near a creek, a spot he went to with very few other people though usually alone, but a good place to take shelter if forced to. He had run quite a ways to get there and laid up against the tree to rest and stay out of the rain but the light wound wouldn't last and the darker side knew it so it did its best just to let his body recover in the mean time having lost the adrenaline that carried him there. He might end up just staying there for the night, it was safe enough and his other half would wake up to some serious confusion, so it was a satisfactory plan.

Eden gave a small nod in acknowledgement of Marlon's words. "That makes sense... He was normal when I met up with him earlier today.. Like nothing had changed." she mumbled, her voice sounding distant. With those words she was quickly reminded of how Donovan was really like. It seemed that this dark side of his had failed in destroying the previous image that she held of him as she reenforced it in her thoughts now. She thought back to how he had spoke of their friends and being upset with their sudden distancing. A small pang of guilt hit her as she realized how close she had come to agree with them. If it wasn't for Marlon appearing, she just might have fallen down that path as well.

Eden quickly straighted up a bit as Marlon's voice interrupted her thoughts. At his question, she recalled a tree that he had taken her to about once or twice. She barely ever went out therewith him but there had been a couple occasions. "I might.. But it's been a while and I'm not sure if I remember how to get there... It's this big tree near a creek. I didn't go very often with him but it's all I've got." She informed him seeming a bit unsure.

"I'll go with you." She added in there quickly. A determined gleam flashed across her eyes now as she was beginning to recover from what had taken place. "But, uh, if he's like this only during the nighttime... It might be best to wait until sunrise?" Eden said, clearly still holding both caution and fear towards this 'new' Donovan.

Marlon was glad to see Eden seemed to understand the situation and the explanation got it right in his head too. He had looked over in time to see the guilt play out on her face which he guessed was her realizing Donovan needed more help than he let on, especially with his second half attacking people preventing it. He gave her a return look of understanding because he had the same thoughts when he first got back but he had his hope reinstated with someone else able and willing to help. When Eden mentioned the tree and creek it took a few moments to remember in what general direction it was, Marlon often went out with him when he was younger but let Donovan have freedom as he got older. It was the determined gleam that managed to lighten the situation for a moment making the man feel better about they're chances though waiting until morning was probably for the best.

"Your right there, we go now and we probably wouldn't be able to do much more. You should probably go home and get some rest, stay with your folks for a bit, and we can try to find Donovan when he's himself." Marlon said looking at Eden and seeing someone who probably needed rest after what he could have assumed was a busy day. " I've got a bit of cleanup to do here so you go ahead and I'll meet you tomorrow...and that sounds like the ambulance."

Marlon sort of trailed off seemingly wanting to help the others and get his mind off the confrontation for a few moments if anything. There was plenty of stress to go around with everything happening but he sure as hell wouldn't let it get to him if he could help it. He just hoped Eden could keep Donovan's violence from her mind and rest because he had a feeling they would both have to be in top shape to help the poor boy.

"Ok... I'll see you tomorrow then." Eden agreed softly. Once the ambulance had came, she was already heading out. She bit her lip nervously as she looked out at the forest, pausing before she ducked into her car. Plenty filled her mind as she returned home. So much so she could barely focus on much else. Despite her previous remarks of procrastination, she ended up spending a good amount of her free time unpacking as she did not feel quite up for sleeping just yet. She didn't manage to finish and there was still a good amount to unpack by the time she decided to go to bed, most of it being clothing.

---

When morning hit, Eden woke up earlier than usual, having had a very restless sleep anyways. She quickly got dressed and rushed to get into contact with Marlon. She questioned if Donovan would have returned home but was informed otherwise by Marlon. Without protest, she agreed to meet him at the forest's edge where they would then head out in search of him. For a while, Eden tried to dig into her memory to figure out the path that would take them to the tree and creek she had spoken of. Four years away had made her memory hazy and vague though causing for plenty of uncertainty.

Eden let out a soft sigh as she arrived at the forest's edge. She quickly spotted Marlon and hopped out of her car walking up to him. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket and looked up at him. "I'm ready.. Shall we go?" she asked glancing out at the forest.

Marlon had been waiting leaned up against a tree looking more tired than anything but nonetheless he perked up when Eden arrived ready to get the show on the road. He had a feeling the two of them could probably find Donovan but explaining what happened would be a hell of a thing, Eden would likely know this best having heard accounts from him herself. However, the older man was going to hope they found him in decent condition still concerned about the grazing shot which could still be hurting him quite a bit. He wished he could help with navigation but it was one place he hadn't seen in the woods so he would do his best to keep up with Eden and keep an eye out for his son and on her wanting to prevent anything from going wrong if possible.

"Sooner in sooner out." Marlon said yawning a bit but standing back up still so they could get moving ready to follow the girl wherever this spot was.

Eden nodded in agreement with his words before taking the lead and heading into the forest. She took her steps hesitantly and with uncertainty as she attempted to recall the way to the creek. It was all vaguely familiar and she thought that she was heading in the right direction based off what she could recall. As they wandered deeper into the woods, the faintest sound of running water ahead gave her a spark of hope. Eden increased her pace as she became more certain with herself that it was up ahead. Sure enough the trees revealed the creek but her calculations had been slightly off. The tree that Donovan had taken her to was a bit further up the creek but it was at least in view. She gave a small sigh of relief, knowing she hadn't gotten them lost, and then began to head in that direction.

Her steps slowed down as they reached the tree. She fell back behind Marlon. The uncertainty of Donovan's current condition made her hesitant to be the first one to reach him.

Marlon had been keeping an eye out into the woods watching for any that might look to harm them while keeping up with Eden. He noted her uncertainty about the direction they were walking but had a feeling she would get them there regardless putting his trust in her. The creek made its presence known as they got closer which was a good sign and it had seemed to invigorate the girl since she had remembered well enough where to go, though the tree was a little ways away. As they got up near the tree he noticed Eden step back and he couldn't blame her with his son's actions the night before. Marlon had no issue letting her stay behind him while he moved around to try spot the boy around the tree or general area.

Donovan laid partially up against the tree away from the town to stay better covered if anyone came looking during the night. He just barely heard the movement of Marlon and Eden causing him to shift slightly to which he was greeted by a pain in his lower back to which he groaned. It sort of roused him from his sleep prompting him to sit his back up against the tree, him being mostly oblivious to his father and friend, not in that moment sure where he was or why he was there. He took a moment to clear his eyes before looking to where he thought he heard movement ending up finding the two being hit with another wave of confusion as he just sat there staring sleepily at them.

"Whats going on?" Donovan asked quite obviously having no idea what had happened but needing to voice his confused mind's thoughts.

Eden remained behind Marlon as Donovan came through. She watched him, carefully trying to judge where his current mental state was at and hoping he was back to his regular self. At his confusion, she couldn't help but feel a bit of relief. Surely he was back to normal if he had no idea where he was now. Eden felt sure enough of this to then move past Marlon and up to her friend.

"It's a bit hard to explain..." she said giving a faint frown, the thought of the night before fresh in her mind. "You... You just weren't yourself the night before..." A brief flash of fear crossed her eyes as she spoke. "Somethings happened and you ran off... We came to find you and make sure you were alright." She spoke very vaguely for now. He had just woken up and she wasn't quite sure how to explain everything yet. The main issue for now would be making sure he was alright after being shot the night before.

Donovan watched the two of them for a moment while there was a pause noticing Eden was behind his father, it didn't really register but he noticed it. When she started to explain as vaguely as it were he couldn't help but see the flash of fear which upset him. It sobered him up faster than the moments before it because whatever made her afraid had to be dealt with, he noticed Marlon having a similar reaction though he seemed to know more. One thing that became clear was it had to do with him and it sort of scared him that he didn't know but there was a pang of guilt thinking if what he had been told about his behavior was right then he was going to feel horrible about doubting his friends. He shifted again feeling another small wave of pain hit him from his back which he reached to feeling his torn shirt but oddly enough nothing more than some very sensitive skin which he unintentionally pressed making him grit his teeth slightly.

"Eden...I need to know what happened. If it made you afraid and dad nervous its something serious. I'm guessing this was part of it." Donovan said with much more clarity than before while twisting a bit to give her a look at the reddish patch of skin where he got shot.

There was a bit of dried blood below it that Donovan hadn't quite felt but the fact there was no wound would be news enough. It seemed to be in the latter stages of healing up still fighting off any infection but covered up by the new skin that was not happy with the Cajun for his probing.