I'm Not Crazy

“Thank you for stopping by, Mr Russi,” Professor Brady said, peering over his glasses. “We’ve missed you in class. Everything alright?”

Anton frowned, confused. “I don’t take Psychology, Mr Brady.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Brady scoffed. “I know my students.”

Anton's jacket was neat, he turned in assignments promptly, didn't do drugs in term-time. He wouldn't sign up to a class and forget.

Maybe someone played a prank?

Brady opened his mouth, visibly puffing up.

"I'll look into it, Professor." Anton stood abruptly, cutting off the inevitable lecture.

What a pompous ass. Annoyance made his strides brisk.

"Anton!" An unfamiliar girl hurried up to him, smiling.

“What do you want?”

“We were going to have lunch together. Guess not,” Her expression hardened, and she stalked away.

More strange incidents piled up over the following days. His belongings were moved. He received grades for classes he didn’t attend. Mother thanked him for flowers he never sent. People he didn’t know greeted him by name. Am I losing time? Or my mind?

Determined to clear things up, Anton marched back to Brady’s office, but he hesitated at the door because the guy talking to Brady...

is me!

Reeling in shock, he pulled back behind a row of lockers and watched the double walk away.

On Thursday, he was summoned to the campus health centre. A kind-faced woman asked him about his escalating confusion, forgetfulness, and hot-tempered outbursts. He tried to tell her about the other him. She smiled, small and bland. "Wait here, Anton," she said. "I need to make some calls."

Fear, cold and slimy congealed in his belly. He left the room and started running. He didn't even know where to.

When they picked him up it didn't matter what he said. His flight was proof that he was unstable. The more vehemently he tried to explain, the more sagely they nodded.

This is meant to be a place where he can feel safe, get better. But the longer he spends here, the more anxious he feels, and the more he shows it, the more they increase the dose.

Many miles away, Mrs Russi opens her front door and embraces her son.

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Word count excluding note: 366 Submitted on Thursday 15th August at 22:22

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 228 day streak since 1st January. Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day! Rachel Deeming Gerard DiLeo

The story behind the story: I set a goal to write fewer stories in the first person, otherwise that's the perspective I would have used. I'd like to have delved more into Anton's brain and how that felt, seeing his exact double. Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Try these:

Won't Cost You a Penny

The Siren's Call

Mermen's Revenge

If you'd prefer a wanky poem: baby teeth

Here's a recent Top Story:

Here's my look back at July:

Here's my reflections on the recent nonet challenge:

Here's my current Dollar Challenge:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!