Okay, I'll admit there have been some ridiculous times in my life where I understood a situation but was always too lazy to give a rat's ass to do anything about it. I personally blame the teenage hormones. But this situation in particular just wasn't one of those lazy 'I don't give a rat's ass' about asking questions or let alone taking actions. The thing spoke to me! It can talk! Never would I ever imagine it helping me and now conversing with me. What has this world—you know I'm not going to wonder anymore. It's time for some questions to be answered.

But I hesitated at first "What are you? Why are you following me?"

Above all I wanted to know why it was following me. Ha! And I thought Douglas was creepy. Douglas… I wonder if he knows where he went. Hmm… highly unlikely though. And just when I thought things couldn't get any freakier it inched down the wall and backbended its way to the floor. I felt a little woozy after that but I kept my composure as best as I could. It huffed a little bit and hunkered over. But although its back was hunched, it was then when I noticed its alarming height. The thing was huge.

"Your welcome Heather," it gurgled in a very deep ravenous manner.

It was difficult to hear at first but when it repeated itself I could hear the words vomit out of the creases on its face a little more clearly this time. Although it was bleak I was able to understand. So my defensive instincts decided to back down.

"For what?" I ask.

Oh God it's getting closer to me. I was too scared to move though. Too scared that if I made an offensive gesture it would snap and attack me.

It chuckled that familiar chuckle before when the missionary fell dead, "Your rescue."

My rescue? Oh. My rescue. Damn, and here I was thinking I was beginning to turn into superwoman or something. "Thank you," I said, starting to ease my tense muscles again.

I drew in a deep quivering breath and exhaled in apprehension. "I have some questions that need to be answered," I squeaked, "If you don't mind."

I wanted to cower, to wince, and to prepare myself for a blow to the face but the body language of this creature didn't make me want to do those things. It was very quiet and very still for the longest time. Maybe thinking of an answer? Hopefully a nice and peaceful answer.

"Come. It isn't safe here." It said, completely oblivious to the request I had made.

It took me by the arm and led me in a direction I hadn't been before. Where was it taking me? And why the hell am I letting it hold me? And… it's so cold. It's so soft but so freezing to the touch. Before I knew it we were outside of the decrepit hospital. A shortcut, that was very interesting. I didn't want to stare at it but I couldn't help not to. Its bulging muscles were extremely intimidating and its facelessness had me shaking in my boots a lot more than its lean and chilly skin.

In a way I wanted to know where it was taking me but I put two and two together and figured it was somewhere safe. So I guess it wouldn't do any harm if I started asking questions now. "What are you?" I asked bluntly.

Its pace slightly slowed and I noted that we were heading in the direction towards Toluca Lake.

"What I am is a mystery to all mankind." It snarled quite cynically.

Yeah like that helps a whole lot. "I can see that," I said with all intentions doused with sarcasm.

"Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation Heather."

I made a decisive double take. Why the hell hadn't I noticed before? It knew my name for fucks sake! "Okay hold up. Here's another question for ya big guy. How the hell do you know my name?" I demanded an answer.

The distorted creases on its face spread out unevenly, like it was smiling.

"I beg pardon," Slowly but surely it began to madly twitch like it did before, "It isn't your name."

I gasped as softly as I could. Oh no, don't tell me it knows my real name? Dear God how would it know?

"It's Cheryl Mason."

That's it. I halted right there, yanked my arm from its own and pointed at it rather vigorously. "YOU! How is it possible that a thing like you knows about the real me? It isn't possible." I noticed here was when I began rambling, "But then again I'm in Silent Hill so what the hell am I talking about? Nothing makes sense so I suppose everything would make sense because everyone here is INSANE!" I panted for desperate breath.

I stopped. I hadn't realized until now but it looked a little intimidated. Intimidated? Ha. That or seriously confused. I don't blame him though. Him? Did I just say him? I don't even know what it is!

"What are you?!" I screeched, pulling and tugging at my short blond hair.

It was nerve wracking not getting the answers you needed at a critical time. Especially in the very place I'm in. But hell, I'm used to it by now. Its hands twiddled and fumbled with each other in a queer way and it looked… no that's impossible. Is it possible? It looked… sad.

Then it finally spoke up, "I don't know what I am."

.

What an answer to give her, my sweet and glorious Heather… Cheryl. Cheryl, the name alone ignited fires that I thought never existed before. They were frail but they were very distinct and I was very aware of them. How do I explain what I do not know? How can I tell her that I beckoned her here because I have no one else to accompany me? And how can I tell her that I sent that prying Douglas away, far from Silent Hill so that we will be the only wiser. What is this selfishness? I cannot do this, it's too dangerous, and it's too stupid.

She scared me. Scared me? Taking my arm again and unquestionably resting her lively yellow head on my pale and grimy bicep.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm just so confused and I don't know what else to do but ask questions," she cooed, "No one's ever been able to tell me about this town or about these monsters."

Monsters? Is that what I am to her? A monster? I reluctantly take my arm away from hers and bow my heavy head in shame. Its queer how she is so afraid of me yet she rests her head upon my arm like I am a pillow of refuge. Humans are filled with utter contradiction. Monster.

"Hey don't get all sappy on me, you're the one who's talking in circles and won't explain yourself." She snipped.

She had a point. I knew her answers I just couldn't bring myself to tell her. Especially if she knew that I'm keeping her here for my own selfish needs. And on top of that I'm having a disgustingly hard time with what's going on in this skull of mine. Well, first thing's first. Keep my precious safe.

"I will tell you more when we get to the harbor."

I suppose it wouldn't appear to be the wisest places to be but I of all creatures would know that it is one of the safest. I hardly go there but I know it well enough to be aware that it is the best choice for now and especially since it's getting late. But for the time being it was extremely quiet.

"So you know my name," she said. "I don't even know if you have one. Or if you're even a... man."

Man, she thinks I am a man? Well, if she questions it then she must certainly think I am human-like. That brought my aimless attention back into hue.

"In some form I suppose I am a man." It was true. If I had the authority to bring a man life then I am in a way like him. Am I not? "Not fully though as you can tell."

Her gray eyes wandered across my body. She had a sense of weakness again. I could smell and taste it more than ever and it was magnificent.

Then suddenly she looked away, "Then I'm taking a wild guess that you have a name?"

Now we're getting somewhere.

"You may call me Valtiel."

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Valtiel. What a strange but curious name, Valtiel.

'In some form I suppose I am a man' hmm, this guy definitely has a sense of wit. Ugh, there I go again, a guy. But although he's just as creepy as the rest of them he does have a very heavy amount of masculinity about him. Masculinity? I skimmed over his bulking arms, built torso, and an overall lengthy height. I felt a hot wave of embarrassment rush over the upper portion of my body. I'm checking him out now? What's next? A peck on the cheek in thanks for saving my life? Wait… where is his cheek?

In the ridiculous commotion of searching for his facial features we had abruptly arrived at our damp and darkening destination. What now? Are we to play summer water games? I hadn't exactly expected for our safe hide out to be the shores of Toluca Lake. But most things in life are unexpected. I guess if they weren't everything would be deathly boring. But this was an immensely different case. I don't know why I'm doing this really; why I'm we're still talking and why I'm still letting him take me wherever he pleases. I suppose it's for company. All for decent company.

"Valtiel?" I cleared my throat, shattering the silence between us, "What exactly are we going to be doing here? If you hadn't noticed before I was trying to get out of this place."

He said nothing in return, merely standing in a stoic and inanimate pose. It's hard to believe that all this time he's been following me, possibly saving my ass all the while until I finally got to Claudia. My lack of experience was beginning to show all of its true and vibrant colors. I'm so stupid. What if he's just playing at me? He coule be trying to get me to trust him and lead me into the awful snares of a trap of some kind. Boys. But if so… why hasn't he done it already?

"You must be safe here." The random comeback frightened me a little, I wasn't expecting it. He started more towards the murky water, softly lapping onto the muddy beach.

I mused a little if I should follow him. I mean, this could be his moment of glory, drowning me in the depths of the gothic lake. But again my instincts told me otherwise and I found myself tagging along. And then it hit me, why has he been protecting me?

"You don't have to do this you know. I can take care of myself; I'm a big girl," I said, "Who ever said that you had to protect me."

His heavy shoulders shook in a downwards motion, "Claudia."

What? I guess she was more nuts than I had suspected, "Claudia sent you to protect me? Why? And she's dead Valtiel, why carry out something when—"

"I was ordered to make sure that you birthed her God," he protested, turning to face me. "But I thought otherwise so now I am reassuring your safety."

What the hell could I say to that? Thanks? I don't think so, that's far too creepy for my taste, it's sweet but creepy. Wait, sweet? Wasn't this thing stalking me earlier? Hauling off that nurse and molesting her? Whoa, how on earth could that have blown right past me?

"Hey!" I summoned an unknown courage within me and shoved him. "You were fucking those nurses weren't you? Did you think you'd be doing the same to me? Well, I don't think so!" Anger bubbled up and boiled over like it had never done so before. Where is this coming from?

At first he just stood there and did absolutely nothing. And then he laughed. Laughed? Is that possible? In mid snort he began to speak, "Me? Rape a nurse? You're barking up the wrong tree, Cheryl."

I scoffed, "Yeah right, then what exactly were you doing if not sexually abusing that—" I had no idea what else to label it besides, "that thing."

He slumped onto the sandy bank and I eventually brought myself to sit with him, not too close though. I had a fair distance between us that kept me happy for moment.

"Sex," he spat out rather coldly, "is for the weak minded and bored. I on the other hand am capable of far greater things than sex."

Whoa, talk about being sexually deprived. It isn't much of a wonder anymore why he's so stiff and stuffy. But still. He hasn't answered me.

"Then what were you doing with her?"

The folds and deformed plastered features began to lively brighten up. "I was rebirthing her. Giving her new life. It's what I do and it's why I am here."

"Rebirthing?—" Hold up. If he has the power to revive people, then… "Valtiel? Did I ever die?"

He remained hushed as if pondering what to say in return. I didn't care though. I needed answers and needed them now. Nothing could ever stop me if he tells me what I think he will tell me. I need to know.

Then, he looked at me and finally responded, "On a few occasions yes."

Oh my God.

Dad.

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Whoohoo for plot twisters! Yeah! We now know what happened to Douglas but that raises so many new unanswered questions! Will Cheryl stay now? Will Valtiel finally have a friend to share his forever lasting time with? And most importantly… when will the romance kick in?! Reviews are much appreciated!