jd keay does art sometimes

I think that's why the Distortion chose Helen over him. Michael still had that small human part of him that was the exact opposite of the Distortion.

Michael the Distortion doesn't want to be Michael because of how the nature of Michael Shelley and Michael the Distortion contradict; one is honest and trusting and deceived while the other one lies, deceives and confuses, and this robs the Distortion of its purpose. The only reason Michael even became the Distortion is that he had the map to help him.

Michael the Distortion wants desperately to be understood, for someone to know the injustice of what happened to poor Michael, and so he lets Jon take his statement and know the honest and bare truth.

Michael got "distracted" with the feelings of Michael Shelley, leading to the door to the Distortion being locked for him and Helen becoming the Distortion.