Claudia had been busy praying, as she spent the majority of her life doing, when she heard the door to the chapel burst open. Within the first few moments, she sat in utter silence, head bowed, hands clasped before her plain face. She was never one to break prayer before finished, and whoever had stormed into her presence so demandingly would have to sit idle for a few while she finished. Rushing was a disheartening thing, but rushing a high priestess while she was at prayer, was a sin all it's own. Claudia did not move for several minutes.

She rose with a grace and turned to lay eyes upon whoever required her attention so precipitously. Why, it was her dear pet, the Missionary. He carried some sort of bundle in his arms. When she acknowledged her, he stepped forward, and bent over. He laid the bundle down gingerly upon the hardwood chapel floor. The bundle was a mess of an auburn, white, black and flesh-colored composition.

Even without resting eyes on it, Claudia knew that the Missionary had done what had been asked of him. He performed serviceably, and therefore, earned a tad more of the priestess' respect. He bowed his head at his mistress' as she prayed over him. With a nod of her head, she dismissed him.

Claudia stood above the girl as she lay unconscious. Her red hair matted, encrusted with blood at the hairline, covering her face so her features were unreadable. Something deep inside the Order priestess spoke to her, claiming that Father Vincent had been wrong. But still, she remained skeptical. It was not often that newcomers arrived in Silent Hill. And when they did, they were unable to survive the evils that lurked. No, anyone who came to Silent Hill perished in the most cruel ways. If this girl really had survived the monsters, she had to have either a strong will, or God watched over her.

Claudia clicked her tongue as she pondered on what to do with such a being. She reached down and swiped the tangled red hair from the girl's face, revealing soft, yet beautiful features. From what she could tell, the girl had very clean skin, all except for the fact that she had a bloodied gash across her right cheek. She had thin, delicate eyebrows, and a small round nose. Her lips a perfect rose-pink color. Claudia already could tell that this girl would not be allowed to get on her good side, her looks alone intimidated her. Perhaps she was Alessa, for Alessa had always been more beautiful that Claudia thought she ever could be.

The door to the right of the chapel opened, and slammed shut, causing Claudia to wince. She rose and faced the person who had entered.

Of course, it was Father Vincent, always prompt to opportunities to prove her wrong. Ever since she had directed the Missionary to capture the young female, she and Vincent had gotten into many arguments over the whole ordeal.

"See, Claudia," he said. "What did I tell you? She's not Cheryl Mason."

Claudia bite her bottom lip angrily. She knew he was right. She had seen a picture of Alessa's recent form. Alessa's head was adjourned with mid-length yellow hair, whilst this girl had shoulder-length auburn tendrils. Just the fact that she had wandered into Silent Hill willingly was enough to give Claudia that tiny speck of hope that she had returned to usher in Paradise.

"No," Claudia finally admitted, not losing her priestess air.

Vincent inched over toward the girl's form. He studied her closely, from every little crease in her forehead, to the slight curve of her body. This girl had to be at least sixteen years of age, he determined. Judging by the fancy-like white blouse that concealed her bare top-half, her family had money, for no poor girl would be wearing such a thing just to venture into the unknown.

That was, of course, if the girl had entered Silent Hill by her own will. The town had a way to it that drew all types of people in, from murderers, to rapists, to adults determined to locate a missing loved one. Vincent and Claudia had sat around and watch their beloved town take the lives of all sorts.

"What do you presume to do with her?" Vincent asked.

"I have not a clue." Claudia began to pace. She raised her head up to the Halo of the Sun insignia that looked down upon the chapel. "Perhaps her fate lies in God. We must find out why she has come to this place."

Vincent scoffed. Claudia was going off on her God streak again. She had claimed a few people to be God's beloveds. She was wrong in her judgment most of the time, but he would never admit that to her. Claudia had a brash temper when she was confronted about things, especially the way she interpreted God's will.

Vincent reached down and took the girl's pulse via her neck. He was gentle when he pressed his fingertips into her skin. Her pulse was slowed due to her unconscious state, but was otherwise considered normal. Vincent had taken a few first-aid courses in school, so he knew what he was doing. His attention then moved to the seeping wound on her face. The blood coming from it retained moisture, a sign that it was more recent that he had thought. With a couple dabs from a cotton ball and medical alcohol that he kept in a first-aid kit in his quarters, he could have it cleaned and sterilized in no time. The cut looked too straight to be the result of an accident, the Missionary had sliced her on purpose. It would need stitches, he concluded, which he was very skilled at performing. Now he just had to persuade Claudia to keep her around long enough so he could perform these things. It would make him sleep easier knowing that he had done his good deed for the day.

"She won't be waking up for a while," stated Vincent. "I shall get this wound fixed up and you can interrogate her if you wish," he said. He was not asking, either. The wounded was bleeding so significantly, that even her complexion showed it. She was paler than most redheads should be.

Claudia nodded. She had already set her mind on the hypothesis that the girl was something special, and that God had brought her to Silent Hill for a reason. She would allow Vincent to play doctor on her, and would see that she was interrogated as soon as she showed signs of regularity.

"All right," said Claudia plainly. "Take her into the empty chamber beside the Belfry Room. You can use that to perform your mediocre medical assessments on her." She turned to her altar once more and dropped to her knees. She folded her hands once more. "I wish to know when she awakens at once," she demanded.

Vincent smirked. "Of course, your majesty," he replied mockingly. Although he had her back to him, he threw in an exaggerated bow before he reached down, slid his arms underneath the girl, and disappeared into the corridor with her.