My Enemy, Myself-2 by Lynceus Duela Dent was a good girl. She got good grades. Never got in trouble. But all that was about to change, thanks to a new friend named Janice...

---

I couldn't help but sigh as I walked home. It had been unusually cold all day, and not for the first time, I was glad I'd worn my hoodie. Granted, wearing the hood over my long red hair was guaranteed to muss it all up, but I'd rather suffer through a bad hair day than get a head cold!

Practical as always, Duela. Which was part of my problem. All my life, I'd played it safe, never took risks. Tried to be a good girl. I got good grades, never got in trouble, and I knew my parents were proud of me.

But that also made me kind of boring, I guess. 'Dull Duela', they called me. Sure, I was pretty, and smart, but I guess that only gets you so far. It's not that I didn't have..urges. I did, all the time! It's like in the cartoons, where someone has an angel and a devil on each shoulder. My devil was always whispering to me. Trying to get me to do something that would be 'fun'.

And I'd want to, but every time, it wouldn't even get to my personal angel. I'd think to myself 'Daddy would be upset'. And I stop right there.

It's not that Dad is strict or anything. He's never held me up to some insane standard. The problem is though, he's so...perfect! I mean, seriously. He's tall, strong, handsome, really smart, and I can't remember a time when he wasn't the best Dad a girl could want! You ever see that old movie, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with Gregory Peck?

That's pretty much my Dad in a nutshell. When I was younger, we'd joke about it, and he'd call me 'Scout'. God I miss those days. Sometimes I wish I could go back and be a kid again. Things changed between us when I started to turn into a woman. I don't know what it was, he would just get this pained look in his eyes. Had I done something to make him ashamed of me?

I knew that couldn't be it, but even though I worship the ground he walks on, we're not as close as we were back then.

I really should have taken the bus, but I needed to think, and I can't do that sharing space with a bunch of screaming kids. Like Jessica Conroy. God I hate that girl! She's a year older than me, and, for some reason, she hates me. There was a time, before things between Dad and me changed, when I would have started punching her and never stopped.

When I was a kid, I didn't take shit from anyone. Boy or girl. Didn't matter how old they were. Daddy always stuck up for me. Even when he sounded disappointment, I could see a proud gleam in his eye. But now? I'm afraid I'll just make him upset. So I just let people like Jessica walk all over me. God, I'm so pathetic!

That's when I hear the honk of a car horn. Turning, I saw a new Mustang, just like Dad's, but black instead of white. Behind the wheel was a very pretty blonde girl, only a few years older than myself! She was wearing a black leather jacket over a white dress; the combination made her look rebellious, yet still feminine.

“Hey hon, need a ride?”

I walked up to the car. “I don't live that far, but if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it.”

She winked at me. “Well get on in, if you want, I can take the long way.”

I got into the car, setting my bookbag at my feet. There was something really familiar about the other girl, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. “I'm Duela.” I offered her my hand.

She took it with a firm grip. “Janice, pleased to meet you. Does fast driving bother you?” She revved the engine.

Oh wow. Every time I'd ridden with Dad, I'd hoped he'd let the engine out a little, but he never broke the speed limit. But...I didn't know this girl, or how safe a driver she was. “...a little.”

She snorted. “Liar. But hey, you buckle up, and start screaming if I go too fast.”

She put the car in gear before I could even latch the seatbelt, the Mustang taking off like a rocket! I should have been terrified, but oh man, was this fun! I laughed in spite of myself.

Janice grinned at me. “I didn't think you were really that boring. Who are you trying to impress?”

“My Dad.” Why did I tell her that?

“Mmm. He strict?”

“God no! He's...” I frowned. “Perfect.”

“Oh is he now? Well hon, trust me, the more perfect someone is, the bigger the secret they're probably hiding.”

I frowned. “Hiding? Dad? I don't even think he knows how to tell a lie!”

“Everyone lies, honey. So you lived here all your life?”

I nodded. “Pretty much, you?”

“New to the area. I only have one friend, really.”

“Oh? Who's that?”

She winked at me. “Why, you, hon! I was just driving along, and I saw you and said to myself 'Jan, that girl looks like your new best friend'!”

I blinked. “You decided just like that? You don't even know me!”

“I know all I really need to. You're clean, and well-dressed, so I know you're not a criminal, you try to play it safe, so I know you're not dangerous unless someone pushes you, I don't think a religious nutcase would have gotten into the car...so what do I need to worry about?”

“...huh. When you say it, it sounds logical.” I couldn't get this girl, how could she be so carefree?

“Logic has nothing to do with it, Duela. Logic is all good and well, but it's kind of boring, right?”

About then I realized she'd passed my house. “Hey turn around, we missed my place.”

“Are you sure you wouldn't rather hang out with me some more? I'm a lot of fun!” Something about the way she smiled at me...I couldn't say no!

“I..I guess it's ok. I should call though.”

“What, are they gonna call the cops if you stay out late or miss dinner?”

“Well, Dad does work for the District Attorney.”

“Ooh. Well better stay on his good side then. Just a little. Go on then, better call.”

-

I called Mom, and, to my surprise, found that she was going to be late herself due to some car trouble. I told her I could get my own dinner, and she said that was fine. Mom has been trying to get me to socialize more, so she didn't even give me a token argument. Just told me to have fun!

“I love you too, Mom.” I looked over to Janice. “Guess I'm a free woman.”

“Not yet, baby, but you will be!”

-

And that's how Janice and I became friends. She was an amazing person, really. I'd never met someone so comfortable with themselves, or so open about their life! I mean, she told me everything, even stuff I probably didn't want to know. She'd get a phone call, and she wouldn't just flirth with whoever was on the other end, she'd practically have phone sex with them!

More than once, she'd turn and ask why I was blushing! But even then, she found new ways to shock me!

“Sorry about that.” She put her phone away.

“Brad again?” I grinned. Her boyfriend, who was a real hunk. I was more than a little jealous of how easily Janice was able to get male attention. Most boys just dismiss me out of hand.

“Nah, Sheila.”

My eyes practically bugged out of my skull! “...wait, that was a girl you were talking to...?!”

She laughed. “Yes hon, I have a girlfriend and a boyfriend. Is that really so strange?”

“Uh..a little?”

She hugged me. “Poor Duela. You've sheltered yourself too much! Don't tell me you've never even kissed a girl?”

God my face felt like it was on fire! “No, never!”

“Well we need to fix that! Not me though. I really like you, D.D. (she liked calling me by my initials), but I dunno. You're practically family, it'd feel weird.”

“Oh.” Why did I sound disappointed!?

She brushed a lock of red hair out of my eyes. “I'm sorry honey. Do you like me that way?”

I wanted to curl up in a corner and die, but for some reason, I can't bring myself to lie to Janice. “...I think..a little?”

She kissed my forehead the way Dad used to. “Well, a little sexual tension between family members is normal, right? Don't worry, Janice will take care of everything.”

-

I don't know how she does it. We went to the mall and walked for a bit, when she stopped, looked at a girl about my age, and grinned. “Her. What do you think?”

I couldn't believe this was happening! The girl was shorter than me, but then again, a lot of girls are; thanks to Dad's genes, I'm just a hair under 5' 10”. Actually, at 5' 6”, Janice is shorter than me too, but that's easy to forget; she's the kind of person I think they had in mind when they coined the phrase 'larger than life'. Because she is!

Anyways, the girl was a little shorter than Janice, with this really dark brown hair and pale skin. She was wearing black; not quite goth, but she was definitely a night person. And, well...she was pretty cute, all things considered.

I nodded. “I like her.”

“Good. Now just wait here.” I watched as Janice sauntered up to the brunette. She talked for a few minutes, than pointed at me. The girl seemed to regard me for a moment, and then she smiled. Oh wow, she had such a pretty smile!

-

Her name was Kim, and I was amazed at how much we had in common. Well, except for me being such a goody-good and all!

“Goddess, you're so...sweet! How come nobody has snatched you up yet?”

“Uh..I guess they think I'm too boring and normal?”

She put her hand on mine, and I felt a little shiver run up my spine. “I don't think you're boring at all. Maybe a little repressed...this is your first time, isn't it? With a girl?”

I nodded. “I...I'm a little scared. I know, stupid, right?”

“Duela, don't say that. You're not stupid, not at all. You may not like it, and I can accept that. Not all girls do, even the ones that are being honest with themselves. But I promise, you don't have to do anything you don't want to, ok? I can stand to lose you as a lover, but I'd hate to lose you as a friend.”

My heart melted. “You just met me!”

“True. But at the same time, I've been waiting for you.” She leaned in close and brushed her lips against mine. It felt amazing! She didn't rush me at all. “Just kisses, baby. Unless you want me to kiss you someplace else?”

I shivered. God, yes, I wanted her to! “Um..someplace nice?”

“Mm, how about the neck?”

I nodded, and she moved to kiss my neck. I felt my nipples get hard, and I gasped. It felt so good; she'd extend her tongue just every so slightly, and run it along my skin, which felt like an electric shock!

-

The more she went on, the more I wanted. I couldn't stop myself! Finally, I couldn't take it any longer, and I told her as much.

“I'm so glad, Duela. I want to make you feel loved. But you need to do something for me.” She lightly stroked my slit, and I shivered at her touch. “Open yourself for me.”

I couldn't believe what she was asking! But I spread my legs and reached down, parting my lips with my fingers.

“Good girl.” She leaned in close, and began teasing me with her tongue.

And she did make me feel loved. It wasn't just sex, it was total bliss! Afterwards, she cuddled up next to me, and I couldn't do much more than whimper as she held me and kissed my shoulder.

I reached for her hand, and we twined our fingers together. This was the best night of my life!

-

Elsewhere

Gilda Dent woke up and looked at the clock. It was after five! “Harvey? Did Duela come home yet?” She rolled over and received the shock of her life. Instead of Harvey, a teenaged girl was laying next to her, practically swaddled in Harvey's nightshirt!

“Who are you?!” Gilda managed not to shriek.

The girl opened her eyes. Harvey's eyes. “Hm? Well, isn't this interesting! I figured Harvey would take over.” She sat up.

Gilda was immediately struck by how stunning the girl was. “What are you talking about?”

The girl grinned. “Oh Gilda. You've done a good job as a wife. But it's time for a change, I think. I mean, look at me? I'm younger, smarter, and definitely better looking. And you couldn't possibly love him as much as I do.”

Gilda resisted the urge to slap the girl. “You're his mistress?”

“Oh God, that's hilarious!” The girl laughed. “You know, deep down, he always felt that you knew. But you're clueless! You have no idea who I am!”

Gilda took a good look at the girl. Could Harvey have had another child? She was young enough, but...she gasped. “Oh my God. You're Harvey!”

The girl blinked. “...well, fuck me. I guess you really do know. Heh. Not that it changes anything. In fact, I hate you more! All this time, you knew, and let him suffer! Forced him to hide me from the world!” She ripped open her shirt, revealing her breasts. “Well take a good look! I'm free now! And Harvey is mine, you hear me?!”

“Is that what he wants?” Gilda couldn't believe this was happening. But she couldn't deny what her heart was telling her, either. She held up her hand. “Does he want me to take off this ring?”

“...what?” The girl blinked.

“I've never wanted anything but for Harvey to be happy. The reason I never told him I knew was because I trusted him to tell me when he finally felt safe. Felt like I would never hurt or reject him. Which I won't, now or ever. When I married Harvey Dent, I married all of him. The good and the bad. And that means you, too.”

The girl shrank back, looking almost afraid. “You...you can't mean that.”

“I can and I do. What's your name?”

The girl blinked. “I...I'm Janice.”

Gilda smiled. “Janice. So you're the reason he's been having all these blackouts. You know he was terrified that he'd been seeing another woman. I guess he has been.”

“...you're just saying this stuff. You can't love me! I'm a woman!”

“I've been in love with another woman for a long time, Janice. I gave her the child she could never have herself. Because I love her.” Gilda moved closer to Janice, reaching for the girl's face.

Janice didn't move, even though she was trembling with...fear? Doubt? Gilda placed her hand on the girl's cheek. “I am jealous. I knew you would be beautiful, but not like this. So young. I guess the question is, can Harvey still love me?”

“He can. We can. We're so sorry.” The girl looked down.

Gilda placed her hand under the girl's chin, forcing her to look up. “Don't apologize.” She leaned in and kissed Janice softly.

-

Harvey woke up, having had strange dreams involving his wife and a teenaged girl. Had he been drinking or something? Then a thought occurred to him, and he sat up suddenly. “Oh God!”

“Mmm. That wasn't the reaction I was expecting.”

Harvey turned to look at his wife, who had a catlike grin on her face. “...that wasn't a dream?”

Gilda giggled like a schoolgirl. “Oh no honey, it was very real. I think I shocked poor Janice though.”

“...Janice...” Harvey realized he was naked under the covers. And then why. “You...she?”

“You know I had girlfriends in college, Harvey. That never bothered you before, so I don't see how you could be upset at a woman making love to her husband. Even his girl side.”

“I..but Gilda, you don't understand what she's done! She killed Rupert!”

Gilda blinked. Rupert Thorne, or rather, what was left of him, had been fished out of the river two nights ago. The authorities claimed he'd been mauled by some kind of animal, due to the wounds! “But..why?”

“He was going to blackmail me. Give you proof that I was seeing another woman. You and Duela.”

“That bastard! Whatever Janice did was too good for him.” Gilda seethed.

“...but Gilda! She murdered him!”

“I know you're dedicated to upholding the law, Harvey. But there are lines that you cannot cross. He threatened our family, Harvey! I'd have killed him myself if I'd known!”

Harvey was taken aback. “I..I've been a fool. All this time I thought you didn't know who I was...and I never saw the real you.”

“Do I shock you? Do you want my ring back?”

“What?! No! God, no! I mean...yes, you do shock me, but Gilda...I love you so much.”

“Then you should come over here. Janice passed out before she could pay me back.” Gilda grinned wickedly.

“Are you sure you wouldn't rather have her?”

“Harvey, don't be stupid. Male, female, you're still the one I love. Mm...although...is Duela alright?”

Harvey frowned. It was difficult to remember the things Janice got up to for some reason. Even though she was fully aware of his actions. “I think..yes. More than alright.”

“She's with a boy?!” Gilda sounded hopeful.

“Uh...I think...with a girl?” Harvey couldn't believe he was saying that! His little girl?

Gilda laughed. “Mm, she's more like me than I thought!”

“Honey. I can't control her. She's capable of some terrible things. And I think...she's taking over.”

Gilda took his hand in hers. “Harvey, no matter what. I promise we'll deal with this together. Now...” She placed his hand on her breast. “Shut up and make love to me.”

Harvey Dent is many things. But he's not stupid.

Something that Mrs. Dent can happily attest to.

-

Somewhere inside Harvey's mind, Janice lurked. Her hatred and jealousy towards Gilda had been revealed as something more. Much more! Which was both a blessing and a problem; Harvey would never be happy until he finally let go, and let himself become Janice. She'd been making good progress, but would Gilda be able to accept the loss of Harvey?

Before, that hadn't bothered Janice. She'd been perfectly ready to take what she wanted. Be it Harvey, or Duela. But now...

The longer Harvey remained separate from her, the more he'd try to stop her long-range plans. Plans that the law-abiding ADA would most definitely not approve of! As much as she loved him, for his own good...

“Harvey Dent must die.”

To be continued...