Author's Note:
Well, thank you for the reviews, guys! I am about to have the first puzzle in the next chapter, so if you could send me ideas, that would be great!
Chapter 4
The street was empty with the exception of Candace walking down the cracked sidewalk. Giant trees were bare, even though it was not winter.
This seems... so famililar. She thought. The cold wind made her shiver.
The lights flickered, causing an eerie feeling to wash over her. Sparks exploded from the lamp above her, making her scream in shock. Darkness wrapped around her like a blanket.
"Hello?" Candace weakly whispered. "Anyone?"
She lowered her head down to her chin and stared at the ground.
A low growl suddenly came from the darkness.
"P-Phineas? Ferb? Is that you two?" She slowly raised her head and tip-toed to the source of the sound.
But instead of her brothers appearing, a- a thing came out. It had four slimy arms and long, twisted legs. It had no head, however. No eyes. Or mouth. It was just a stub on the end of it.
Candace screamed. She tried to run away, but tripped on a crack in the sidewalk. She fell down hard on her chest. She turned around and tried to stand up, but the beast leaped on top of her.
"No!" She squealed. Candace could already feel it starting to consume her.
Suddenly, she heard a loud bang. The creature yowled and fell off of her. It laid next to her, not moving.
Dead.
Candace was breathing hard, trying to make sense of what just happened. A sharp light caught her eye, nearly blinding her for a moment.
"This ain't no place for a girl." A much older man appeared from the shadows. "It especially ain't a place for a kid."
"I- I'm not a kid! I can take care of myself!" Candace quickly went into defense.
"Yeah? Well how come I'm the one who had to shoot that thing for ya?" His accent was thick. He seemed somewhat southern.
"I... I'm looking for my brothers." She stood up. "About yay big, one with red hair, one with green?"
The man burst into laughter. Candace stood there, confused. "You think I might know where they are?" He finally said. He grabbed her arm. The man shook his head and leaned closer, just so he could whisper. "No one that comes in here gets out. At least, alive." He let go of Candace's arm.
"What... are you talking about? What was that thing? Who are-"
"Jesus, too many questions." The man covered his ears.
"At least tell me your name!" Candace yelled.
He sighed. "Alright, alright. Fine. Ya got me. Name's Earl." Candace reached out to shake his hand, but he refused and turned around. "I've been here for about 10 years now."
"T-ten years?" Candace replied, shock. How could someone live in this hell hole for ten years? Fighting off whatever those things are?
"Hell ya. A strange man came to me about ten years ago. Said he needed help. I'd be damned if I knew what he was talking about. I just directed him to the school, he said thanks, he left."
"Who was this guy?" Candace rose a brow.
"Hell, I dunno. He never told me his name. I can't even remember what he looks like. Not sure if he's still around, but maybe he could help ya." Earl shrugged, "It's a long shot, but ya might find your brothers."
Then the man turned around and walked away.
Candace sighed. What if this guy wasn't even alive? What then?
"Oh wait. Here." Earl threw two things on the ground behind him.
Candace picked them up. A flashlight and a gun.
"Keep 'em. You'll die without 'em. Ever use a gun before?" The man raised his voice so Candace could hear from a few feet away.
She shook her head. "I-I... no. And frankly, I don't want to use one."
"Well, too bad. Ya have ta if you wanna find your brothers." Earl finally walked away completely, behind the darkness.
Candace stood there and stared at the gun. Its black, smooth handle felt comfortable, but something in her was terrified. She didn't want to use it. She was only a teen!
She sighed. She would have to use it though if she wanted to get to her brothers. Those creatures were going to stand in her way.
Bring it. She thought, and started walking through the street of Silent Hill.