. . . And that was that. To thank us all for helping, the government put aside some special housing for everyone. Henry's family was set up pretty nice, and his dad came out of the hospital okay. Since USM got curbstomped, he and Eileen had to start looking for somewhere else to go to school . . . after things had cooled down a bit.

James stayed around in Ashfield, helping the military with repairs. Alex's family took in Elle and her sister. I don't think Elle told her about what happened to their mom—I wouldn't have, either. I think they're getting by okay, the last I heard.

Da Silva went back home to Arkansas, I think to make sure her family was okay. I never saw the general after that night in the tent. I'm guessing he went off somewhere, maybe the Middle East or something. Wherever there's a war, people dying, getting blown apart, I guess you'll find the guy. Waxing poetic or whatever.

As for me and Clau, well, everyone wants a piece of Princess Heart now that she's officially saved the world twice. We struck a deal with the U.S.—they keep our identities and our friends' secret, under wraps, and I help out in return if they really, really need some ass-kicking. They moved us out to Washington D.C., let us choose this sick apartment. The whole thing's been pretty awesome, honestly—I had lunch with the president and everything in the Rose Garden. I think I heard about some cartoon or movie in the works. I dunno. Next thing you know, I'll be seeing little mini Heathers at Wal-Mart.

Things are cool with Claudia. We haven't really talked about it yet, but I'm trying not to freak her out. I feel responsible for her, kind of—like I've got to stick with her. I mean, we don't really have anyone else. I hope she'll be okay. I hope I'll be okay.

I think I will, though. The pain's still there. I still have the dreams every now and then. But Dad and Alessa—they're up there, looking out for me. And even if they're not, they're in my heart. That's enough.

"Remember, Chip? This is the old house. You remember, boy?" Eileen stood in the middle of her old living room, the dog in her arms, his tail wagging excitedly. Although the home had been spared any real damage during the demonic invasion, much of the furniture had been removed, and the walls, once covered with family pictures, were bare.

"Yeah, you remember," she said, the pale light of the afternoon across her face. "I remember, too. This is where I grew up."

Outside, Henry sat alongside James on the porch. There was a cool breeze. The leaves on the trees were starting to yellow, starting to turn orange. "Autumn's coming early," James said. "So much for seeing the leaves at USM."

Henry grunted, lowered the camera. "You can see leaves wherever you go. Besides, Portland's ass, remember? Maybe everything happened so we wouldn't have to go."

"Maybe. High price just for that, though."

"Couldn't be higher." Henry sighed, scratched his chin. "The butterflies aren't out today, I guess. That sucks—I wanted to take some pictures, just for old times' sake."

"We had some good times, didn't we?" James asked. "It's hard to believe it's all changing. Our old homes, our old lives—it's all going to be different."

"Duty calls," Henry said. "You get to decide, Jamesy. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do—all on some poor asshole's tab."

They laughed. "I guess I can't complain about taxes," said James.

"Nope."

"They're paying us to have faith. You realize that?"

"Oh, yeah. And believe me, I'll believe. I'll fucking believe in whatever they want me to. Hell, how couldn't you? Think of all the shit we've seen, James. Just last year we wouldn't have had a single goddamn idea about what was about to happen."

James shook his head. "Things worked out, though. Think about it—after all that, we're actually in the clear. We're actually doing pretty well."

"Those of us who lived," Henry said. "If it brought back the people that died . . . yeah, I'd give it up. I'd give it up in a heartbeat."

Eileen came out onto the porch, yawned. "Whatcha guys talking about?" she asked, plopping down between them, slinging her arms around their necks. "A new adventure?"

"Only adventure I want," said Henry, "is taking a nap. Man, I'm tired."

"It probably is time for us to get back," James said, standing. "I'll go get the car ready."

"We'll be right there," Henry said, shutting off his camera. He watched James walk to the car, then turned to Eileen, looked into her eyes. "You ready?"

She smiled, squeezed his arm. "Yeah. I'm ready."

They got up, followed James to the car. "Come on, Chip!" Eileen cried, and the dog came running out of the house, yipping happily. They got in, drove off, and headed towards the future.

"Hey, Heather? You awake?"

Claudia walked into the apartment, bright light coming through the balcony doors, the television in the den turned on to some cartoons. She set down her bag of groceries, removed her beret. The lush, beige carpet, the clean white walls, the sleek, spacious kitchen—it still overwhelmed her from time to time. It seemed so unbelievable, so unreal, but it was real. It was her new reality—her new life.

"Clau?" Heather came into the den, toweling her hair dry, in a tank top and short shorts. "You get my Lucky Charms?" she asked.

"They're right here," Claudia said, bringing them out of the bag.

"Sweet! Can't get up without 'em."

Claudia smiled, turned to the refrigerator to start putting the groceries away. "I was thinking we could go take a walk today—go exploring. We haven't really gotten to see the city much."

"Sounds good," Heather said, grabbing a bowl from a cupboard. "Can you hand me the milk?"

"Sure." Claudia took out the carton, ready to pass it over, when a phone rang.

They both froze, turned around. At the far end of the kitchenette, a candy pink brick phone buzzed in its cradle, blared out its ring. "A first time for everything, I guess," Heather said. "I wasn't expecting it so soon, though."

Claudia stared at it anxiously. "Are you going to answer it?"

"I have to," Heather said simply, striding over. She gave Claudia a reassuring smile. "It's no biggie. It's just who I am. After all"—she picked up the phone, held it to her ear, grinned—"this is Princess Heart speaking."

fin

And it's over! For those of you who've read through the entire Princess Heart saga, thank you so much for your time, dedication, and readership. For a long time I had decided against continuing the story, but sometimes you just don't have a choice in the matter. The story dictates, and you just listen and hope you can get it down as well and as accurately as you can.

That said, this is the real end of Heather's whimsical adventures. It was a blast to reinterpret the universe of Silent Hill for this story, but it became so much than a simple fanfiction by the end. These are real characters, with real lives, with real hopes and dreams. I hope that some of that came through despite the zaniness. I tried to do them justice.

What's left for Heather, Eileen, and their friends? I'd wager a different type of light—a future full of living. Now slap on Warpaint's "Love is to Die," followed by Foxes' "Count the Saints," maybe some Sinead Harnett, and go on living!

And, again, thanks.

(DISCLAIMER: Silent Hill and all related materials are the property of Konami and their respective copyright holders. No profit is made from this work.)