Alters Chapter Three

"Well, hello, Hitomi"  
Hitomi didn't dare turn around. The voice came from behind her and it sent chills down her spine. But something niggled her memory. That voice, she had heard it before. It wasn't just one voice it was several speaking together. It was the voices from her dream. 
"Are you alright?" just one voice this time. Soft and soothing, reminding her of her mother tucking her in as a child.

"I think we scared her!" Another voice whispered loudly, this one had a childlike lilt to it.
"Aw, geez.." said another, a raspier, lower toned voice. Hitomi took a deep breath and turned around. What she saw surprised her. In her room were four women. 
"Oh EM Gee!!" The childlike voiced girl said jumping at her and giving her a hug. "Hitomi!!!!!" Hitomi was speechless. This girl was short, slightly shorter than herself. Her sailor uniform gave her a younger look and her curly hair bounced in pigtails. "We are so glad to meet you!" She exclaimed.

"Umm," Hitomi said not sure what to do.
"Now, Mai, you're overwhelming her. Relax." The calm, cool voice came from Hitomi's desk. The girl sat in her chair, looking at her with a wise gaze. She had shoulder length black hair, cut bluntly, giving her a sharp edge. And yet her voice, it was a mothers voice. It made Hitomi feel calm and protected. The short one jumped away from Hitomi where she was sprawled on the floor from her attack.

"Yeah, you little pest, didn't Amaya warn you to be chill when she came in? You know she's skittish!" This came from the deeper voice. She was sitting on the desk next to the motherly one. Her short blonde hair had a bang that ran across her left eye. Bright red streaks ran through it. She was clearly taller than Hitomi, even while sitting, she was dressed casually and gave off a masculine air. 

"I know, I was just so excited!" The little one said apologetically. Hitomi just stared.
"Who are you? A-and what are you doing in my room?" She asked trying to sound brave but she was scared to death.

The black haired one stood up and took a step forward giving a slight bow.
"Excuse our rudeness, Hitomi. I am Amaya." The blond one stepped forward as well.
"I'm Haruka." She said, winking and kissing her hand briefly. Hitomi blushed bright red.
"And I'm Mai!" The short one jumped up excitedly.
"Toshi?" Amaya said, "Don't you want to introduce yourself?" Hitomi had forgotten the fourth girl sitting in her room. She was leaning against the wall near the window. A cold look on her face. She wore glasses and had a long braid flowing over her shoulder.
"I'm Toshi." She said her sharp voice slicing the air.
"I don't know you." Hitomi said confused.
"You do and you don't, Hitomi," Amaya explained, "We are not real. We are part of your subconscious." 
"I'm going crazy." Hitomi said.
"Oh no," Haruka chuckled "Not crazy, more aware. Believe me, we were just as surprised to find out we could communicate with you for once"
"For once?"
"Hitomi," Amaya smiled, "Have you ever heard of Multiple Personality Disorder? It's when a persons personalities split off into independent personalities, without the main personality knowing of the change. That's what we are. Usually you would never know of our existence but low and behold, it looks like you're special."
"In short, we are parts of you that are separated but are still you. It's confusing and Amaya can be long winded." Haruka piped in, nudging Amaya in the ribs. 
"But why would this happen to me?" Hitomi asked. Amaya took her hand and pulled her onto the bed. 
"Personalities will usually split if the main personality is traumatized in some way and it can't handle it, so another personality will show up to protect it. But you haven't needed us for a long time, not since you were ten."
"Ten? What happened when I was ten?"
"You moved, remember?" Mai said bouncing on the bed next to her. "To this house. Think about it!" Hitomi searched her memories. It was true, she remembered when her family was unpacking in this house. Everything before that, nothing. 
"You're parents were so happy to move here. It was the first time they saw their daughter acting like she used to as a child. They vowed to protect you after that." Toshi spoke up. 
"And so we laid low, in case you ever needed us again." Haruka murmured.  
"But then, why are you here now?"
"Honestly? I don't know," Amaya said sadly. "I think something is coming, something your mind can't handle. I don't--"
"Hitomi?" Her mother asked, opening her door and looking in. Her brows furrowed. "Were you talking to someone?" Hitomi looked around at the personalities sitting around her, realizing this was all in her head and her mother couldn't see them.
"Um, no, I was, uh, practicing, um, some English phrases?" She said unconvincingly. Her mother still looked concerned.
"Are you okay?" She asked concerned.
"Oh, yeah, of course! I'm starving, is dinner ready?" Hitomi asked, brightening to show her mother she was fine.
"Yes, dear, come on down. I want to hear about your day." Hitomi stood up and followed her mother to the dining room. She would have to wait for the rest of the explanation later.