Téa took the night flight to Chicago. She wanted to sleep on the plane so when it arrived she could get right to work. Her plane arrived at 8:10 a.m. CST and she obtained a rental car from the airport, praying she was not caught in the horrors of Chicago traffic, she had heard about. After a quick stop at a Dunkin Donuts for coffee, she made her way to Northside High School. She was surprised to see students milling around on a Saturday. She parked the car and went inside, following the students. An older teacher stopped her right before Téa went into the room where the students were.
“Can I help you Miss?” came the teacher’s voice. Her hair was a blend of grey and white and she wore an old school marm dress.
“Hi. I’m…Téa Delgado. I’m an attorney from Llanview, Pennsylvania and I’m doing some research on a man named Todd Manning,” explained Téa showing her a picture of Todd, “Do you remember him?”
“Yes, I remember Todd. He was an angry boy,” said the teacher, “Always in internal suspension on a Saturday.”
“Did he do well in school? Have any friends?” asked Téa.
“Todd did poorly in school. He had a tutor – her name was Michelle. Michelle Michaels. She’s married now with two children of her own,” explained the teacher.
“Do you know where I could find Michelle?” asked Téa.
“Just a minute,” said the teacher. She went inside the room and a young woman walked out. She motioned for Téa to walk down the hall with her.
“I’m Michelle Michaels. Mrs. Potts said she couldn’t remember your name but that you were asking about Todd Manning.”
“I’m Téa Delgado, an attorney from Llanview – Mrs. Potts said you were his tutor?” asked Téa.
“Ah…Todd. Yes, I was his tutor,” said Michelle, “After his freshman year he wasn’t much of a student…” said Michelle obviously caught up in memories.
“Are you the same Michelle who saw him on his fourteenth birthday?” asked Téa.
“How do you know about that?” asked Michelle.
“Todd…mentioned it to me,” said Téa.
“Todd lived with his father. His father was not a nice man. Before I left that night, Todd’s father made several threats…several ugly threats…” started Michelle.
“What kind of threats?” asked Téa.
“Well, Todd’s father told him if I didn’t leave…he would…rape me…” said Michelle softly “He said I was too pretty for a boy like Todd – that I needed a man – like him.”
“Oh, I see…” said Téa.
“Todd got mad…when he heard that…said his father would have to…rape him first…before he would lay a hand on me…Todd’s father replied that after he was through with him then he’d use the lighter…to burn Todd…to death…” continued Michelle making a face as she relived the threats.
Téa made a face just listening to her.
“Then Todd just snapped and he became loud and belligerent as his father – screaming at me to leave – that he could handle his father – that I didn’t want to see what was going to happen next, so I left. Todd wasn’t the same after that night,” finished Michelle.
“I see,” said Téa softly.
“Do you mind if I ask why you are asking me this?”
“Todd’s been plagued by recent emotional problems and now he’s disappeared,” said Téa.
“All right. But why are you asking the questions? Why not Sam Rappaport? He’s an attorney as well?” asked Michelle.
“I’m… I’m…I’m also…Todd’s wife…” whispered Téa looking down at the ground.

Téa had gotten instructions to the Manning estate from Michelle. The estate was deserted. Téa tried the key that Todd sent her but no luck. It didn’t fit. She walked around the grounds until she spied an unlocked window. She went inside the house through the window. She walked through the house. There was a light layer of dust and everything appeared orderly. A housekeeper must come by…probably once a week…to keep the house in shape surmised Téa. She found Todd’s room. Football mementos and trophies adorned the room. Old clothes were still in drawers and hanging on hangers. She sat on the bed. The bed was old but the sheets were clean.

“Let’s see – what do I know?” asked Téa thinking outloud, “Peter Manning was a monster. He abused Todd emotionally and physically – probably sexually too. Todd’s mother left…but I’m unsure of the picture…Todd’s mother…had an affair with his biological father, Victor Lord…who had Viki…Victor Lord sexually abused Viki…sexual abuse is usually the key trigger to DID. Viki had an alter who impersonated her. DID is hereditary.”
Téa paused before continuing, “Conclusions based on these facts…Todd’s DID is real and Pete had impersonated Todd. It was Pete who said “To hell with Starr” – not Todd. Pete was created on Todd’s fourteenth birthday – the possible night Peter Manning began sexually abusing Todd. Viki once told me violence and love were interchangeable in Todd’s mind – is that because Todd and Pete are interchangeable?”
“But…where is Todd? And if this key isn’t to this house – what house is it too? And where Todd is…he reads newspapers and has access to a post office. Damn it! The postmark! I never checked the damn postmark on the packages he sends me! Isn’t it possible…is it…Todd is in a clinic…why would Todd be in a clinic? Could it be on an outpatient basis? Is it possible – Todd’s re-integration really began that night in Viki’s cabin? Could it be possible that Todd didn’t believe the DID was real until that tape played…but knowing Todd…knowing he’s not good with words…he couldn’t tell us – and me and Viki and Sam were too hurt to believe what he had to say anyway… so Todd ran…finally knowing he was sick…wanting to protect us from his alters…from Pete? Are there medical records that can conclusively prove the abuse?”
Téa sat on the bed in silence for a minute letting her musings sink in, “Or, am I the fool entertaining these thoughts?”
She stood up, “Todd will send me another clue. He’ll send it to the diner. And I’ll have to have a talk with Roseanne about throwing my packages out. I’m not sure what Todd wants me to find – him? The house? Conclusive proof the DID is real? But I will find whatever it is out. And maybe the key to understanding Todd is understanding Victor Lord and Todd’s mother. I need to talk to Viki again. If I can understand Todd’s train of thought, maybe, just maybe I can find him.”
Téa continued to walk through the house but it gave up no further clues.

Todd’s room…

Todd looked out his window. It was snowing outside. He didn’t want to go out in this weather. He picked up the phone and made a phone call, “Dr. Rhodes.”
Pause.
“Well – I’ll leave a message. It’s Todd Manning. I’m canceling my appointment because of the weather.”
Pause.
“I don’t know. Ask him. I’ll be in tomorrow – if there’s not a blizzard.”
CLICK.
He glanced over and looked at Téa’s picture.
“What’s going on in your mind, Delgado? What did you find out in Chicago? Did it all make sense to you? Is it coming together for you? You’ve got to find me – I can’t find you… you’ve got to come back to me…”

“And I forgot…to tell you…I love you…”
“I grieve in my condition, I need you so…”