A/N: Trapped inside the Hospital, Markus and Magdalene are approached by Vincent, who makes them an offer they can't afford to refuse. The following may contain graphic depictions of violence and cruelty. Reader Discretion is Advised!
Markus and Magdalene entered the lobby hand in hand. When they saw the hospital entrance, both of their hearts raced. Though neither one of them spoke, each felt giddy with hope seeing the double green doors. But this new found hope evaporated when Markus pushed on the door handle…and it would not budge.
"Damn it" fumed Markus.
He started jerking and shaking the handles with both hands while Magdalene silently watched. She closed her eyes, and sighed. She wasn't upset, because in a way, Magdalene knew they would not escape so easily. Still, this knowledge did little to quell the despair she was feeling inside. After several minutes of jerking the handles and pounding the door, Markus stepped back and glanced frantically about the room. He looked around for something anything he could use to maybe smash through the windows.
Just then, there was the sound of a door opening and closing. Then footsteps. Markus pulled out the revolver and motioned for Magdalene to get out of the way. She drew out her dagger and hid herself between the reception desk and a chair, as the footsteps grew louder. Suddenly she saw a pair of hands appear from out the corner of the hallway, and she cried out when Markus fired his weapon.
"What the- HEY!" shouted Vincent, as he ducked back in the hallway.
Markus stopped when recognizing the voice, and he lowered the revolver. Magdalene jumped out of her hiding place, and rushed over to Markus' side as Vincent got back up and walked towards them.
"So much for gratitude" Vincent muttered, as he studied the expression on Markus' face. "A simple 'Thank you' would have sufficed." Markus tightened his jaw.
"I suppose I should be grateful to you" answered Markus, "Especially since you helped Magdalene get away from Simon… But then again, why are you helping us? Surely you're not doing this out of the goodness of your heart."
"I resent that" spoke Vincent indignantly, "how could you say such a thing…?"
Both Markus and Magdalene stare at Vincent.
"Fine" sighed Vincent, rubbing the back of his neck. "After you and Magdalene were abducted, I was called into a meeting with the elders…they are greatly disturbed by your father's recent actions, including his driving your mother to commit suicide. The elders want him removed from the council, and the church, by any means necessary."
"What" asked Markus, "I don't understand…"
"It's quite simple" explained Vincent, "Contrary to what you may think, Markus, Dahlia Gillespie's actions were NOT sanctioned by the church. The elders want nothing more than for things to go back the way they were before Dahlia tampered with the forces of this town. However, they feel that in order for this to happen, we must first do away with fanatical practices, and people like Dahlia and your father, Leonard…"
"Is that so…" spoke Markus, bitterly. "Somehow I think it's too late to fix Silent Hill. The damage has already been done…killing my father will accomplish nothing…"
"I know…" spoke Vincent, brushing the hair from his eyes. "But the elders still want your father dealt with, whether he's killed, or put some place safe where he can not harm anyone…the decision is yours."
Markus stared at Vincent. "So let me get this straight…the elders want me to deal with my own father…? What's in it for me… or Rather, what's in it for You…?"
Vincent looked down at his shoes. His unwillingness to answer, only fueled Markus' growing anger. "Vincent…!"
"Alright!" shouted Vincent, "in exchange for your help, you and Magdalene can leave Silent Hill in peace, and the two of you will be compensated for your troubles…and I…" Vincent hesitated, "…the elders have agreed to expedite my studies and make me head of the church."
Markus continued staring at Vincent, then laughed in disgust. "I knew it…" spoke Markus, " I knew there was a catch… You never did like to get your hands dirty, Vincent…"
"Hey I'm doing you a favor!" spat Vincent, "You're father's madder than a March Hare. And mark my words, he will stop at nothing until he sees Magdalene dead…"
Markus looked at Magdalene, whose eyes widened with fear. She lowered her head, and hugged herself, prompting Markus to place a protective arm around her. He glared angrily at Vincent.
"Why her" asked Markus, "she's done nothing wrong…!"
Vincent shook his head. "I don't know Markus, honest!…But right now, it doesn't matter. You're going to have to face your father, if you wish to leave this hospital alive."
Vincent reached into his vest pocket, and produced the Generator room key. He held it out for Markus to take.
"Take this key, it will unlock the room to the In House- Generator. Once you've activated it, take the elevator up to the 4th Floor in order to find your father."
Magdalene stared at the two men, confused.
"4th Floor ? What are you talking about? The hospital map only shows 3 floors…!"
Vincent did not respond to Magdalene. Instead his lips formed into a tight smile as Markus took the generator room key from him. Markus studied the key in his hand, but there was something else that was troubling him.
"My sister" spoke Markus, "what will become of her, after all of this?"
Vincent looked at Markus, and his expression became more sympathetic.
"Markus" spoke Vincent, "I give you my word, that I will look after Claudia. I will personally see that no harm comes to her, and that all her needs will be met."
"She claims to have had a vision that Alessa was alive." Markus glared at Vincent. "Will you deal with her, as you'll have me deal with my father…?"
Vincent was shocked, but unconcerned by Markus' revelation.
"What? No, of course not" assured Vincent, "you know Claudia. She wouldn't hurt a fly…Besides, you and I both know how deeply she grieves Alessa. Those two were inseparable…"
He backed away from Markus, and turned to exit the Lobby.
"No Markus, I give you my solemn vow, no harm will befall Claudia. I shall look after her, as though she were my own flesh and blood. You may think ill of me Markus, but have I ever lied to you…?"
Markus squeezed the generator key in his hand, and tightened his jaw.
"No…" he answered grudgingly.
Vincent nodded. "Thank you, brother Markus. Good luck to both of you…"
Markus and Magdalene both watched as Vincent exited the lobby, and then Markus, reloaded the revolver as Magdalene glanced at the map.
"I still don't understand" spoke Magdalene, "what does he mean by a '4th Floor' ?"
"I'm not sure" answered Markus "but I imagine it has something to do with that 'Other World' that I was telling you about."
They exited the lobby the way they came; and after following Vincent's instructions, the two activated the generator, restoring power to the elevator. They entered it, and to Magdalene's surprise, there was a button marked: "4" on the panel. Markus pushed the button, and the elevator slowly began its ascension. But when they reached the 3rd Floor, things took a turn for the bizarre. A small red radio blaring loud static, seemed to appear out of nowhere, and fall onto the floor; and that's when all hell broke loose. The lights flickered, and suddenly the elevator began to shake and jolt violently, causing both Markus and Magdalene to fall on the floor. Then, the elevator increased its speed, as it continued its ascension. Magdalene screamed, as Markus crawled over to her and hugged her tightly.
"It's alright!" shouted Markus, "it's what I was telling you before…the transformation…it's happening right now!"
The elevator continued to accelerate as Markus and Magdalene held on to each other. At the rate we're going, Markus thought, we're liable to crash through the roof…Just then, the elevator came to a hard stop. The small red radio continued to blare loud static as the elevator doors, slowly, slid open… revealing to them a hallway encrusted with rust, mold, grime, and blood from top to bottom. Markus observed Magdalene, staring in shock, at the disgusting hallway. Both coughed, as the sickly sweet pungent air, hit their noses. Markus grabbed the radio and helped Magdalene up off the floor. He put his hands firmly on Magdalene's shoulders, and stared deep into her eyes.
"Okay" began Markus, "This was what I was telling you about in the basement. You're about to see a lot of horrible things, Magdalene. And monsters…this place will be crawling with them…"
Magdalene closed her eyes and swallowed hard.
"I understand…" said Magdalene, "be strong and keep it together, right…?"
Markus smiled. "That right." He squeezed Magdalene's shoulders reassuringly, and kissed her forehead. "Just stay close to me… and have your weapon ready."
Magdalene pulled out her Japanese dagger, gripping it tightly. Markus smiled.
"Just make sure, you don't go stabbing Me by mistake…"
Magdalene, looked at Markus, then nodded in compliance. Markus then turned, with his heart in his throat, and slowly lead the way…