Justice
This story is dedicated to the memory of Sandra Mellisa Kelly (1986 - 2007). May your flame live on forever in our hearts
Timothy D. Tucker
Chapter 1
A small butterfly bobbed and weaved its way through the thick fog of Rosewater Park. Its ceraceous wings guided the small creature over the sparkling emeralds of Toluca Lake and high into the night sky. James Sunderland apathetically watched the creature from the lake deck. The weight of what he had did still bore deeply on his soul. He had murdered his beloved for a second time. The image of her writhing, distorted body permanently etched to her deathbed will forever haunt him for all of his days. James winced as a gust of cold air blew in from the lake. He could remember the times that he and his beloved spent at this lake, taking in the magnificent view, just the two of them...
"You killed Mary again?"
The soft, sensual voice of a female cut through the silence. It was so close it sounded as if it was coming from James mind. He continued to stare at the glistening water.
"That wasn't Mary. Mary's gone. That was just something I...Maria? Maria..." James could not bear to look at her face, but he knew that he was powerless to resist. The woman that resembled his deceased wife, the woman that he truly loved. Maria.
"What James?"
It was now or never. He had failed with Mary, he was too weak and careless, and it had cost her her life. But now, he could redeem himself. Maria was a divine benediction. He would not fail this time.
"I want you. I want you with...with me."
James and Maria finally faced each other. He could see the hesitation in her soft, blue eyes. It was the same look of uncertainty that he saw in Mary's eyes towards the end.
"Are you sure?"
"C'mon, let's get out of here." James was about to turn around and head back to his car when Maria stopped him.
"What about Mary?"
The realization was becoming painfully clear to James. As long as he had Maria, everything was going to be just fine.
"It's ok. I have you."
Maria reached into her pocket and removed a white envelope. James recognized it as the exact letter Mary had sent to him, the letter beckoning him back to their "special place", in Silent Hill.
In my restless dreams, I see that town. Silent Hill. You promised you'd take me there again someday. But you never did. Well I'm alone there now... In our "special place" Waiting for you... Waiting for you to come to see me. But you never do. And so I wait, wrapped in my cocoon of pain and loneliness. I know I've done a terrible thing to you. Something you'll never forgive me for. I wish I could change that, but I can't. I feel so pathetic and ugly laying here, waiting for you... Every day I stare up at the cracks in the ceiling and all I can think about is how unfair it all is... The doctor came today. He told me I could go home for a short stay. It's not that I'm getting better. It's just that this may be my last chance... I think you know what I mean... Even so, I'm glad to be coming home. I've missed you terribly. But I'm afraid James. I'm afraid you don't really want me to come home. Whenever you come see me, I can tell how hard it is on you... I don't know if you hate me or pity me... Or maybe I just disgust you... I'm sorry about that. When I first learned that I was going to die, I just didn't want to accept it. I was so angry all the time and I struck out at everyone I loved most. Especially you, James. That's why I understand if you do hate me. But I want you to know this, James. I'll always love you. Even though our life together had to end like this, I still wouldn't trade it for the world. We had some wonderful years together. Well this letter has gone on too long so I'll say goodbye. I told the nurse to give this to you after I'm gone. That means that as you read this, I'm already dead. I can't tell you to remember me, but I can't bear for you to forget me. These last few years since I became ill...I'm so sorry for what I did to you, did to us... You've given me so much and I haven't bee able to return a single thing. That's why I want you to live for yourself now. Do what's best for you, James. James... You made me happy. There was nothing left for the two of them in Silent Hill. Mary was gone, but there was still hope. The two of them made their way back to the observation deck parking lot where James had first arrived. It was time to leave. As they made their way to James car, Maria suddenly doubled over and began violently coughing. James awkwardly stared at her hunched over frame. After her spasm, their eyes met, and James had the eerie sensation that this was all too familiar. "You'd better do something about that cough..."