Awakening on the Dock

Kenetria "Ken" Nash jolts into consciousness on a cold, unfamiliar dock, her mind foggy and her sense of self thin. She's surrounded by luggage she doesn't remember packing, wearing clothes that aren't hers, and haunted by the presence of her headmates—other personalities in her dissociative identity disorder (DID) system. The only thing she knows for sure is that she shouldn't be here, wherever "here" is. The Hudson River churns beneath her, and a pink smartwatch on her wrist buzzes with a reminder: "New job, new start on life!" As Ken tries to piece together what's happened, she realizes she's been dormant for six years, and her system's caretaker, Della, is missing. The only way forward is to board a ferry to a mysterious island and a job she doesn't remember accepting.

The System Within

The "Bad Day System" is a complex inner world: Ken shares her body with several headmates, each with their own roles, ages, and personalities. Della is the caretaker, Solomon the manager, Empress the snarky teen, Mesmer the emotional healer, Keke the eternal child, and others. Their inner world is a castle with locked doors and hidden trauma. The system exists because of childhood trauma, and each headmate protects the whole in their own way. As Ken struggles to front, the others are anxious—especially since Della, the usual host, is gone. The system's collaborative journal reveals their history, their rules, and the cracks forming under stress.

Unwelcome Return

Ken's return is met with unease from her headmates. She's the "problem" personality, the one blamed for violence and chaos. Solomon, her closest confidant, is wary. The system's journal entries reveal recent struggles: eviction, pandemic anxiety, and Della's desperate optimism about the new job. Ken is thrust into the role of host, forced to handle a situation she didn't create. She's angry, defensive, and haunted by memories of past violence—both inflicted and endured. The ferry arrives, and Ken must face the outside world, alone and unprepared.

The Job Offer

Della's last journal entry describes a miraculous job offer: caretaker of a historic home on Kavanaugh Island, with free room, board, and a stipend. The only catch is surviving the first night on the island—a tradition rooted in local legend. Ken is skeptical, suspecting a scam or worse. As she reviews the system's files, she finds no contract, no details, only Della's faith. The job seems to have materialized out of nowhere, and the trust running the island is eager for her arrival. Ken's paranoia grows, but with nowhere else to go, she boards the ferry.

Ferry to the Island

The ferry ride is tense. Captain John, the boatman, is both friendly and unsettling, sharing local legends about goblins, curses, and haunted castles. Ken learns the island's history: once called Daybreak Island, it was a site of hazing, tragedy, and rumored supernatural activity. The castle looming on the hill is an exact replica of the system's inner-world home—a detail Della never mentioned. As the ferry approaches, Ken is overwhelmed by the sense that she's entering a place both intimately familiar and deeply wrong. The island's only other resident, the groundskeeper Celeste, greets her with hostility and a warning: she shouldn't have come.

Castle of Mirrors

The castle is uncanny, its architecture and rooms mirroring the system's inner world. Ken is unsettled by the overlap, suspecting that her trauma and the island's history are intertwined. Celeste, the groundskeeper, is brusque and distrustful, hinting at past tragedies and the dangers of isolation. Ken explores her caretaker's quarters, finding strange artifacts—a smashed gnome, a hidden painting, and a door leading directly into the castle. That night, she's drawn into the dark hallways, chased by a ghostly woman in white, and barely escapes back to her room. The boundaries between reality and the mind are blurring.

Ghosts and Promises

Ken is plagued by nightmares and intrusive voices. A mysterious headmate, or perhaps a ghost, screams about a broken promise. The system's inner world is in turmoil: Della is missing, the castle shakes, and Rapunzel, the trauma-holder locked in the tower, is screaming. Solomon and Empress investigate, finding evidence of a struggle and paint—signs that something or someone has breached their sanctuary. The outer and inner worlds are converging, and Ken is at the center of the storm.

The Groundskeeper's Warning

Celeste, the island's only other resident, is blunt: Ken should leave before it's too late. She reveals the island's dark history—accidents, deaths, and a recent tragedy during the pandemic. The trust that owns the castle is secretive and powerful, and the job's conditions are suspicious. Despite their friction, Ken and Celeste form a wary alliance, united by their outsider status and mutual distrust of the trust. As a storm approaches, the island becomes a trap, and Ken realizes she may not be able to leave.

The Inner World Shakes

Inside the system, headmates begin to disappear. Della is gone, Lurk is missing, and Mesmer's protective amulet is found crushed. Rapunzel's screams shake the castle, and the inner world's windows reveal a landscape being painted into existence—Kavanaugh Island itself. Solomon, usually the system's anchor, is overwhelmed by guilt and fear. Empress and Mesmer suspect Ken, but the truth is more complicated: a new headmate, or perhaps a fragment of trauma, is emerging, threatening the system's stability.

The Tower's Locked Door

The tower, locked in both worlds, holds the key to the system's trauma. Ken, drawn by a compulsion she doesn't understand, breaks into the tower and confronts the ghostly woman in white—Lottie, a gatekeeper headmate and echo of a real woman from the castle's past. Memories flood back: childhood abuse, abandonment, and a promise never to return. The system's origin is tied to the island, and the trauma that created them is resurfacing. Ken realizes she is not just the persecutor, but the protector—the one who fought to survive.

The Trust Arrives

The trust's board members arrive on the island, including Ken's ex-boyfriend Landon and his father, Pearson—the man Ken once attacked. The atmosphere is tense, with old resentments and new suspicions simmering. The trust's true purpose is revealed: a ritual "hunt" rooted in the island's violent traditions. Ken is accused of violence, her DID exposed, and the system's secrets weaponized against her. As a storm traps everyone on the island, the stage is set for a deadly game.

The Nightly Tradition

The trust's "goblin hunt" is more than a game—it's a reenactment of historical violence, targeting outsiders and "undesirables." Ken, Celeste, and two hired women become the hunted, while the trust's men arm themselves and pursue them through the storm-lashed castle and grounds. The lines between play and murder blur as old grudges and new betrayals surface. Ken must rely on her system, her wits, and her unlikely allies to survive the night.

The Hunt Begins

The hunt turns deadly. Ken and Celeste are forced to fight for their lives, using every resource at their disposal. Allies become enemies, and the system's headmates must work together—Ken's aggression, Mesmer's calm, Lurk's swimming skills, and Solomon's strategy. The trust's members reveal their true natures, and the castle becomes a battleground. As bodies fall and secrets are exposed, Ken confronts Landon, Pearson, and the legacy of violence that created both the island and her system.

Blood on the Stairs

Pearson is found dead, and Ken is covered in blood with no memory of what happened. The trust immediately accuses her, using her DID as evidence of guilt. The system is fractured, with headmates missing or silent. Ken is forced to confront the possibility that one of her alters—or a new, unknown presence—committed the murder. The boundaries between self and other, guilt and innocence, are razor-thin.

The Missing Headmates

As the night wears on, more headmates vanish. The inner world is collapsing, and the trauma at the system's core is exposed. Solomon, desperate to save the system, confronts Rapunzel and unlocks the memories of their childhood on the island: abuse, abandonment, and the birth of the system. The ghostly Lottie is revealed as both a protector and a gatekeeper, holding the pain that no one else could bear. The system's survival depends on facing the truth.

The Protector Returns

In the crucible of violence, Ken embraces her true role—not as a persecutor, but as a protector. She fights back against the trust, using every skill and every headmate's strength. The system unites, each alter contributing what they can. Ken's relationship with Solomon deepens, and the boundaries between inner and outer worlds blur. Together, they confront the legacy of trauma and the immediate threat of death.

The Truth in the Tower

In the tower, the final confrontation unfolds. Ken, Celeste, and the surviving headmates face Landon, John, and the ghosts of the past. The truth of the system's origin, the island's history, and the violence that shaped them is revealed. Lottie, the gatekeeper, steps forward, and the system integrates the lost fragments of self. The hunt ends, but not without cost.

Surviving Daybreak

Dawn breaks over Kavanaugh Island. The storm passes, the police arrive, and the survivors are left to pick up the pieces. Ken and Celeste, battered but alive, find solace in each other. The system, forever changed, begins to heal. The castle—both real and imagined—remains, a testament to survival, resilience, and the power of many selves united. The past cannot be erased, but the future is theirs to claim.

Characters

Kenetria "Ken" Nash

Ken is the system's most volatile and misunderstood headmate, often labeled the "persecutor" for her anger and violence. In reality, she is the protector, forged by trauma to fight back against threats both real and imagined. Ken's relationship with her headmates is fraught—she resents their judgment but is fiercely loyal. Her return after six years of dormancy is both a curse and a necessity, as only she has the strength to face the dangers of Kavanaugh Island. Ken's journey is one of self-acceptance, as she learns that her aggression is not a flaw but a vital part of the system's survival. Her bond with Solomon is deep and complex, blending friendship, love, and shared pain.

Solomon

Solomon is the system's stabilizer, the voice of reason and calm. He manages the day-to-day, supports the others, and often mediates conflict. His relationship with Ken is intimate—once a fantasy boyfriend, now a co-equal partner. Solomon struggles with guilt over the system's fractures, feeling responsible for everyone's well-being. He is methodical, compassionate, and quietly passionate, especially about Ken. As the system unravels, Solomon is forced to confront his own limitations and the need to trust others. His journey is one of vulnerability, as he learns to ask for help and accept love.

Della

Della is the system's caretaker and, for six years, the primary host. She is organized, devout, and driven by a need for control—traits that serve the system well until the pandemic and mounting stress push her to the brink. Della's faith is both a comfort and a burden, and her disappearance leaves the system rudderless. Her hidden struggles with anxiety, isolation, and the weight of responsibility are revealed through her journal entries. Della's arc is one of humility and reconciliation, as she learns to share the load and accept her own imperfections.

Empress

Empress is the system's 16-year-old, sharp-tongued and internet-savvy. She provides levity, pop-culture references, and a much-needed sense of humor. Empress is often underestimated, but her insights and connections (including the online post that sets the plot in motion) are crucial. She is fiercely loyal to her headmates, especially Keke, and struggles with feeling powerless. Empress's journey is about finding her voice and her value, even when she can't front as often as she'd like.

Mesmer

Mesmer is the system's emotional caretaker, specializing in grounding, meditation, and self-soothing. She is sensitive, spiritual, and often overwhelmed by the chaos around her. Mesmer's anxiety is both a weakness and a strength—she feels everything deeply, but her practices help the system survive. Her relationship with the others is nurturing, though she sometimes feels overlooked. Mesmer's arc is about stepping up in crisis, using her skills to save the system when all else fails.

Keke

Keke is the system's four-year-old, embodying both innocence and the raw pain of early trauma. She is playful, loving, and desperate for safety. Keke's memories hold the key to the system's origin, and her vulnerability is both a risk and a source of strength. She is protected by the others but also capable of surprising resilience. Keke's journey is about reclaiming her voice and her right to exist, even in a world that wants to silence her.

Lottie

Lottie is a late-revealed headmate, a gatekeeper who holds the system's deepest pain and secrets. She is modeled after a real woman from the castle's past, and her presence bridges the gap between history and the present. Lottie is both protector and avenger, orchestrating the system's confrontation with its trauma. Her relationship with Celeste (another system) is a source of hope and healing. Lottie's arc is about integration—bringing the lost and hidden parts of the self into the light.

Rapunzel / Not-Rapunzel

Rapunzel is the system's trauma-holder, locked in the tower and screaming for years. They are revealed to be a suit of armor—both literally in the inner world and symbolically as the system's defense mechanism. Rapunzel's role is to contain the unbearable, but their release is necessary for healing. Their arc is about trust—allowing the others to share the burden and move forward together.

Celeste

Celeste is the island's only other resident, a tough, guarded woman with her own history of trauma and incarceration. She is initially hostile to Ken but becomes an ally and, eventually, a love interest. Celeste is revealed to be part of her own DID system, with Lottie as her partner. Her journey is about breaking cycles of violence, finding connection, and choosing to fight for herself and others.

Landon

Landon is Ken's ex, a member of the trust, and the son of Pearson. He is manipulative, resentful, and ultimately revealed as a key architect of the island's violence. Landon weaponizes Ken's DID against her, using her system's secrets to orchestrate the hunt. His arc is a cautionary tale of privilege, denial, and the perpetuation of trauma.

Plot Devices

Dissociative Identity Disorder as Structure

The novel's core device is the use of DID—not just as a character trait, but as the engine of plot, suspense, and theme. The story is told through multiple perspectives, both internal (the headmates) and external (Ken's interactions with the world). Switching, amnesia, and co-consciousness drive the mystery: who is in control, who did what, and what is real? The inner world is a literal castle, mirroring the outer setting and blurring the line between mind and matter. The system's journal entries, collaborative posts, and hidden files provide exposition, foreshadowing, and emotional depth.

Haunted House / Gothic Mystery

Kavanaugh Island's castle is a classic gothic space: isolated, storm-battered, filled with secrets and ghosts. Its architecture mirrors the system's inner world, and its history is a palimpsest of trauma, violence, and survival. The "haunting" is both literal (ghosts, curses, supernatural events) and psychological (repressed memories, resurfacing pain). The locked tower, hidden paintings, and ritual traditions are all devices to externalize the system's internal struggles.

Unreliable Narration and Amnesia

The story leverages the unreliability of DID: Ken and the others lose time, forget events, and question their own actions. This device keeps the reader guessing—did Ken commit violence, or was it another headmate, or an outside force? The gradual revelation of memories, especially through the tower and Rapunzel, is the key to both the mystery and the healing arc.

Ritual and Tradition as Violence

The trust's "goblin hunt" is a ritualized reenactment of historical violence—targeting outsiders, women, and the marginalized. The ceremony is both a plot device (trapping the characters) and a thematic one (exploring how trauma is perpetuated and justified). The rules of the hunt, the roles assigned, and the inversion of predator and prey all serve to critique systems of power and abuse.

Integration and Healing

The climax is not just physical survival, but psychological integration. The system must confront its past, accept all its parts (even the "monstrous" ones), and work together. The release of Rapunzel, the revelation of Lottie, and the acceptance of Ken's role as protector are all devices to show that healing is possible—but only through facing the truth and embracing multiplicity.

Analysis

Alyssa Cole's One of Us Knows is a masterful blend of psychological thriller, gothic mystery, and nuanced exploration of dissociative identity disorder. The novel uses the structure of a haunted house and a ritual hunt to externalize the internal battles of a system living with DID. The castle is both a literal and metaphorical space—its locked doors, hidden rooms, and ghosts mirroring the mind's defenses and wounds. The story interrogates the legacy of generational trauma, racism, misogyny, and ableism, showing how violence is both inherited and resisted. Ken's journey from self-loathing "persecutor" to acknowledged protector is a powerful statement about the necessity of anger, the complexity of survival, and the possibility of healing. The novel refuses easy answers: integration is not erasure, and survival is not victory, but a hard-won, ongoing process. In the end, One of Us Knows is a testament to the strength found in community—whether within a single mind or among unlikely allies—and the courage it takes to face the darkness, together.

Last updated: December 31, 2025