Chapter 2

A chance encounter

Kevin once again awoke from this hellish nightmare, this time with an unbearable pain in his chest. When he threw off his bedsheets he saw a large bruise forming. Fatigued, he looked around his bedroom frantically. Checking the time he noticed he had only been asleep for a few hours, no longer feeling tired he decided to do some research on this disturbing place; Silent Hill.

The room was only lit up by the glow of the computer screen. The room around the computer seem to fade to black nothingness as Kevin's attention was soley on the screen. Kevin read about the town's history from when it was first created until the day it was destroyed. He even read articles about myths surrounding the town, articles that ranged from a dark religion that the people supposedly fanatically followed to rumours about an organisation known only as The Order. He had a strange feeling when researching the place, he suddenly felt agitated and inpatient, He had already became stressed and would subconsiously make excuses to leave the computer, such as to make a cup of coffee. Knocking came at the door. When Kevin answered the door the landlord was there.

"You okay Kevin? I noticed a light in your window, as did the other residents. You do know it's 3 in the morning?" He stated half asleep.

"Yea, yea I couldn't sleep that's all, thought I'd catch up on some work" kevin replied, scrathing the back of his head, trying not to look him in the eye. He didn't know why but Kevin didn't want anyone to find out what he was doing. Slowly closing the door, he waited for a while until he was sure the landlord had gone and he sat back down and began reading again. Soon after he got an overwhelming agitated feeling and had to force himself to take a break. Marching up and down in his apartment, he had a nearly uncontrollable anger. He couldn't explain why, but he had really aggressive thoughts. Knocking it off as just being too stressed, Kevin decided he'll go back to bed. Rest is all he needed, he thought.

Laying his head on his pillow, he figured that most people would be terrified of going to sleep if they were in the same situation as he is. But he couldn't fight it, he needed sleep. As it consumed him and his vision darkened, he couldn't get the words out of his mind; Silent Hill, Silent Hill, Silent... Hill, Silent...

"I'm outside, the fog is so heavy I can only see several feet in front of me. I don't know where to go, everywhere looks the same. My eyes are playing tricks on me, maybe that's something in the distance? A sign? Finally a way of learning where I am or what to do next. I walk towards this sign, my footsteps echoe throughout the road, I truly feel alone but, that can't be. There must be another person somewhere. I want to shout to call out to someone, but I fear that if I do, something else might hear me. Altough I'm alone, I'm safe. I'm at the sign, and as I read it I can feel burning in my chest. 'Silent Hill' the sign reads. The entrance to it? The burning sensation becomes unbearable, it stretches across my whole body. I look at my hands and see flames. My arms are lit up and soon my entire body is. I am wracked with pain. I can't move, I just fall to the ground, I feel my insides being burnt away, my skin peeling. The cold ground feels good on my charred body, but this is it. I can barely move, it takes all my energy to raise my arm, I can no longer speak. I'm falling unconscious, I fight for every second to stay awake. It's no use."

Kevin once again woke up, sweating. He slowly closed his eyes and made a sigh of relief when he found himself in the safety of his apartment. His body began to cool down as Kevin noticed that all his windows were open in the bedroom.

"Ughh, my head..." He said out loud, rubbing his forehead. The pulsating pain made it hard for Kevin to think, after checking the time, he made his way to the kitchen to make himself breakfast. He didn't feel like eating, but he's barely eaten for the last couple of days. As he sat down, he serveyed the room, everything was normal and in it's place but he couldn't help but feel... Odd. It didn't seem right, instead of dwelling on it he just knocked it as simple paranoia. He turned on the T.V. to the news; the news of this seriel killer was getting out of hand.

"We need to hurry up and catch this guy, it's getting out of hand. Too many people have suffered to this maniac!" It started as a whisper but anger soon filled Kevin and it ended as nearly a shout. He needed his head clearing, he placed his barely touched cereal down and walked outside of his apartment. Inside of the apartment block, he walked for the exit. Checking his phone for any messages he didn't notice that he wasn't alone, he walked straight into her knocking her to the floor. Realising what he did, he apologised and helped her up.

"Jesus, I'm sorry I didn't realise. I wasn't looking where I was going." He said sincerely.

"Oww.. No it's okay. Man, you've got some strength on you. You a footballer?" The shocked woman replied

"No.. I.. I'm a cop."

"Wait a minute I've seen you around. Kevin right?" She said looking deep into his eyes with an inquisitive curiosity.

"Yea, I'm sorry but I can't recall your name..." He stated with a guilty look on his face.

"Laura, I'm Laura Mathews. We have both lived here for over two years and you don't even remember my name?" She seemed to look disappointed. She could easily manipulate somone with that look. Kevin dared not look her in the eyes, instead looking at the floor.

"I'm really sorry, I'll make it up to you. How does coffee sound? I'm going for a run now and afterwards I'll pick you up say... 2 hours?" He replied

"Sounds like a plan.. I'll see you then." She said with a gleeful smile on her face. She then opened her door to her apartment and quickly shut it behind her. Kevin just sighed in relief, glad that that awkward moment was over. Regardless, he carried on still needing to clear his head.

The cold air felt good against his face. Planning his route and performing necessary stretches, kevin took a deep breath and began his run. It took him all across town, familiar faces would smile and nod to him in acknowledgment. Whereas those who he couldn't recognise wouldn't even note his existance. He noticed a dip in his performance level as he became fatigued alot faster than he usually would. It concerned him, as his physical fitness was an achievement he was proud of. He couldn't carry on, after a short while he gave up and headed back home.

"Looks like I'll be picking Laura up earlier than expected..." he said to himself.

Returning back home he sat down trying to finish what remained of his cereal, he always hated wasting food. He struggled to keep it down. Realising he had plenty of time until he was to meet Laura, he decided to go for a shower and properly prepare himself. He sat in his apartment, bored. Waiting. He began tapping his fingers against the arm of the sofa and frequently checked his watch. He used to be a very patient person but his lack of sleep has built a great deal of stress and anger within him. Before he knew he was slowly drifting off to sleep, he lowered his head and slowly closed his eyes. He fought for as long as he could but it proved overwhelming and he found himself once again drifting off into a dream.

"I'm lay on the floor, the area is thick with fog, but I can't tell. Is it fog? Or ash? The smell of burning fills my nostrils, its stench rebelliously clinging to me. I see a figure in the distance stumbling away from me. I pursue hoping it to be another person, but I maintain my distance. It's strange, it is a person... Kind of. It is of humanoid shape but the features are covered in thick black smoke, the face cannot be seen, nor can any clothing. The smoke seems to be trying to escape his body yet it's stuck there. Its like a drop of ink in water. Every step he takes corrupts the ground around him, bits of black smoke are left behind in his wake, and they seem to root into the ground and turn it into a dark red-like color. The world comes alive around him, but in a horrible, sadistic way. Chains and what resembles prison cells rupture from the ground, tortured sounds can be heard and, what's worse, I swear I can hear a little girl crying. I look around for the source but to no avail. Is the sound coming from nowhere? The smoke-demon spots me. Momentarily we are stuck in a staring contest. Not one of us daring to move, then without a seconds thought he sprints at me. I turn to run but I can't, the chains have coiled themselves around my legs preventing me from moving. The demon charges at me, he's about to make contact. I can feel the smoke strangle me, I'm struggling to breath. As I feel the last of my life slip away I feel a tug, several tugs that knock me to the ground..."

Kevin suddenly awoke to loud banging on his apartment door. Jumping up and racing to to the source he opened the door. There stood Laura with a concerned look in her face, she seemed as much fatigued as Kevin did.

"Wow, y..you are a heavy sleeper. Do you know how long I was out here? I would have gone away 20 minutes ago if I didn't hear you shout in your dream!" She said barely catching her breath.

"Shouting? What was I shouting?" he asked trying as hard as he could to not sound spooked.

"Couldn't hear most of it just heard.. Hill I think it was?"

"Hill... Silent Hill?" He asked, he began to speak quicker now with a more inquisitive tone.

"I don't know I'm sorry, phew, you had me really worried there Kevin." She laughed, still taking deep breaths.

"Yea, I'm sorrry too. I must've lost track of time, still up for coffee?" He asked in a hopeful tone.

"I wouldn't have stayed otherwise!" She laughed "C'mon, aren't you driving?" She asked sarcastically.

"Yea, yea" He replied, "Let's get going before something else wierd happens..."