Silent Hill-Silent Tears-Lisa Garland's story
The elevator came to a halt at the basement, the doors clanging open like jaws releasing a victim. The smell hits Lisa first, a smell of rotting and unclean wounds. The pus was simply in such a quantity that it was not simply a background odour it was the dominant smell in the basement, it was a small of repugnant reek. Although the smell repulsed Lisa a noise stirred sympathy in her heart. The noise of rasping, struggling breaths through burnt lungs, and now and then a quiet moan between breaths, Lisa's heart melts. Disgusting as it was, Lisa felt an immense amount of pity for the girl just by the sound, so helpless and so utterly alone. In the dark Lisa walked towards the noise, found the bed and a candle left beside it. Lighting the candle Lisa gasps. Their in front of her eyes was not a human being, it was a creature virtually mummified in bandages and pus. Lisa saw more, she saw the girl that had been and could be again with treatment. All wounds heal eventually after all.
Although supposedly in a coma, Lisa was sure that Alessa was aware that she was here, somewhere deep down told her that this girl was immensely relieved she was with her. For just a moment Lisa seemed to feel Alessa in her mind, and was sure the next breath was a sigh of relief.
"Alessa, can you hear me?"
No answer. Lisa extended a hand to Alessa's to comfort her, and was surprised when she was met with a grip in return, a short weak squeeze but a squeeze never the less. Lisa's eyes lit in a kind smile, the smell now seemed to have faded and she was used to severe injuries, this girl needed love, care and kindness in that order. Lisa, despite her past, wanted to give it to this girl, and seemed to know the girl craved it.
"Honey, we can still talk you know, all you have to do is squeeze once for yes and twice for no. If you want my attention, which I promise you'll have anyway honey, all you have to do is a movement you can manage without straining or hurting yourself, can you think of anything for me?"
Although Lisa felt a surge of anger, not at her, but at the helplessness Alessa found herself in it was replaced by happiness at not being alone. Alessa's bandaged hand slowly moved up and down, and Lisa suddenly had a realisation. Lisa had been lied to, this girl was not in a coma, and she just didn't want to talk to…whoever had bothered trying.
"You can't talk normally for a while honey, but I think you'll start to heal. Do you think so?"
Lisa felt two squeezes, a no, but why? Lisa had known these were severe wounds just by the smell, but to say there was no hope from the start was defeatism. It troubled Lisa, the girl was certain, and Lisa knew this girl was no ordinary girl. It became increasingly obvious this girl was communicating some things via thought, it unnerved her but as soon as she felt afraid it was as though she was being comforted.
"Do you like flowers?"
A single squeeze, Lisa brightened at that and felt Alessa brighten too, clearly flowers were something both of them liked. However Lisa almost winced as she felt Alessa's shame, clearly she knew how she smelt and hated it.
"Don't feel ashamed honey, it's not your fault."
Lisa felt a prolonged squeeze, and smiled down at the girl.
"Was that a thank you and a smile?"
One squeeze, Lisa allowed herself a small laugh and felt Alessa frown, clearly unsure.
"Alessa…we don't always laugh in spite, I was laughing in happiness because of your spirit, as long as you are happy with me here I can smile."
Suddenly Lisa's eyes widened, a voice spoke within her head. The voice of Alessa, it was sweet and clear in her mind, free of injuries.
"Then I don't have to hide this anymore. You felt it when you came in here, the powers I was gifted with at birth. People don't understand, I could feel their hatred in their minds and hearts. I saw the doctor's heart and I've seen yours. You've made your mistakes Lisa, but you'll never be the foul person he is. I know your struggling Lisa, but your kind…the only kindness this world has offered me in seven years. "
A tear a dropped off Lisa's cheek at the sound of that voice, it was a voice that didn't belong here in this foul basement. It was the voice of a child who had never been treated like one, a voice that had only just heard love for the first time.
"The doctor gave you a bad task Lisa. My wounds can not heal, and I know I should be dead really. Your own heart told me I should be Lisa. Will you stay with me? Even you have to see what lies beneath these bandages?"
"Yes. Honey I'll stay with you, you know that already."
"If you hadn't nobody would have Lisa, I'm trapped in another place…an Otherworld. The only thing that allows me to communicate is that I've found a safe place over here, I'm sleeping. The monsters here can't hurt me because my mind makes them go away, but I hear them and see them…I felt so alone."
"Alessa…"
Lisa raised her hand to a small part of Alessa that had only thin bandaging, and rested her hand gently upon the girl. Lisa felt the girl in her mind, the surprise she was feeling, and knew that Alessa had not being exaggerating. This was the first kind touch the girl had felt. Lisa checked the various moniters surrounding Lisa, made sure Alessa was receiving nutrition and a water supply at regular intervals. The mask she wore provided her with pure oxygen that was received by her lungs as the machine helped her breath. Lisa checked the time, in a case as severe as this bandages, antiseptic and sedatives had to be applied regularly, it would be painful for Alessa in more ways than one.
"Honey I'm going to have to sedate you soon, to change your dressings. I promise I'll only give the minimum dose, as soon as it wears off we'll talk again. Can you be brave for me?"
"Yes."
Lisa smiled, was sure that despite her anguish it made Alessa smile too at least in her mind in response, and braced herself for what would likely be the most upsetting thing she would ever have to do in her life. See the ruined body of a sweet seven year old girl who had never known life as Lisa had.
"You should brace yourself Lisa, but so long as you're here I don't feel ashamed, because I know you care."
"I do, it's said that with patients you should never get attached for obvious reasons. I disagree, Alessa, caring for you in a way that isn't just professional will help us both."
Lisa had spoke in a whisper she had tried hard to keep from tears and only partially managed. She began to prepared the anti septic and sedatives. It was almost time for the hardest task Lisa had ever had to do to begin. Fear mixes with doubt at her abilities and in the darkness as three sentences, the last for a while fills Lisa's mind.
"It's alright Lisa, don't be afraid, you can do it. Remember, together we can get through It, the pain and misery we both feel. I promise."