Disclaimer: I do not own Silent Hill or anything in relation to it. I do not own Harry Mason, Heather, Claudia, Vincent, or Douglas. I only own the character of Katy.

Chapter 14: Dance with the Wind

The doors opened and suddenly I was outside. The cool night air wafted around me as I dashed down the deserted street, my boots slapping against the sidewalk. The first thing I'm doing is taking a hot shower, I thought.

The road was blocked by a gate at the end, but I disregarded it. Instead, I turned down a poorly lit alleyway that would lead me to the Daisy Villa Apartments. The back door and steps came into view. A golden sign bore the name of the apartment building.

It was overly warm inside, causing sweat to bead on my forehead. Every apartment door was closed and it was eerily quiet, except for a few hushed voices that were coming closer.

"I swear, Marge, I don't know what the child was thinking," a throaty voice broke the silence as two older women emerged from somewhere along the hallway. Both of them had short gray hair and one was carrying a basket of clean laundry. "So I tell him, I says—"

The two women spotted me and their mouths dropped open widely. I knew I looked like I had killed someone so their shock came as no surprise. It also didn't help that I was brandishing a katana.

"It's okay," I assured them, holding my hands up to show I wasn't about to hurt them. Unfortunately I was still gripping the weapon and they seemed to think I was going to attack. "No, I—"

"Aaaahhh! Help," the ladies screeched as they spun and ran down the hallway, the basket crashing to the floor. There was the slam of a door and then silence. Well, that went…well.

Sighing, I kept the katana by my side and followed the hallway where the women had just vanished. Room 102—Heather's apartment—was on the left. And it was locked.

"Great. Key, key, key…" My pockets were empty except for the maps, which I threw into a nearby wastebasket, and a couple of health drinks. No key. My eyes strayed to the green "Welcome" mat on the ground. What are the chances?

Bending down, I lifted the mat and a silver key was lying there, glittering in the beam of my flashlight. It's about time I had some good luck, I thought as I inserted the key into the lock.

The living room was bright; so bright that there was no need to keep the flashlight on. The cream wallpaper was clean, the white carpet lacking even the slightest bit of dirt. I stood awkwardly by the door, feeling like an intruder.

"Umm…hello? I'm…home," I called out, receiving only thick silence. It was like I was acting in a play and forgetting my lines. The yellow armchair was facing away from me, but I had a pretty good idea about what I would find there. "Mr. Mason? There's something wrong…strange things are happening," I stated while shuffling my feet towards the chair. The side door was open and a breeze touched my skin. It's too late. He's already dead…

"Mr. Mason," my voice was barely a whisper as I crossed the room, my eyes finding the front of the chair. "Oh, God," I moaned, clamping my hand over my mouth.

Harry Mason was dead. His face was unrecognizable due to the blood that dripped from an unseen wound. It was difficult to tell how many times he had been stabbed, but many of the slices were embedded into his skin. Every inch of his body was hidden under buckets of his own blood. It soaked into the yellow chair and pooled at his feet. I could practically hear "Dance with the Wind" in my head as I observed his body, the life inside it long gone.

"I was too late…I'll get her, I swear," I promised Harry Mason's broken body while a shade of red clouded my vision.

….

Something seemed to snap in my mind after seeing Harry Mason, dead in his chair. My feet guided me to the fire escape and raced up the metal stairs to the roof. I stumbled a bit, whether it was from intense anger or because it was pitch black outside.

Claudia was waiting there, her blond hair the only light thing there was, and she was lingering at the edge of the roof. In my mind's eye, I imagined pushing her, watching as her body hurtled through the air and met the cement below. Did she even deserve a quick death for hurting so many people?

"You," I spat at her, fury burning through my veins like fire. Swiftly she turned, her grayish eyes locking onto mine but betraying no emotion. There was no smile on her face, but it didn't look like she was very regretful, either. "You did this," I accused her, every word filled with anger.

"You're late," Claudia spoke softly, ignoring my accusation. Her black dress trailed on the ground as she took a few steps closer. The katana was making my hands ache from holding it so hard, but I didn't care.

"Gee, I wonder why. Maybe it's because I've been through hell itself along with a twisted mall, a subway, tunnels, a construction site, and an abandoned office building. You should try getting bitten by dogs for once. Perhaps it would do you some good," I retorted in a single breath. Claudia appeared unfazed by my journey.

"This was revenge. Revenge for 17 years ago. If not for him, our dream would have come true," Claudia said, referring to Harry Mason. My face contorted as I listened to her delusional words.

"Dream? Don't you mean 'nightmare'? Harry Mason didn't do anything to you. Cheryl was his child, not yours," I replied. I knew she wouldn't see sense; Silent Hill had taken a major toll on Claudia, warping her mind beyond saving. Claudia's eyes widened when I mentioned Cheryl.

"It is true then. You remember. He took you from us," Claudia insisted. Carefully I started towards her; she was out of range of the katana in my hands. If I kill her now, it will end. This nightmare will end. "There is another reason for his demise. To fill your heart with hatred. It must be this way. One day you will understand," Claudia continued, pointing a finger at me.

"I will never understand you. Never," I told her, blocking out the false visions she was holding out to me. Claudia and I came from two separate worlds; there was no possibility in me seeing her side of the story. And yet, by killing her I am sinking to her level, aren't I?

"You must try to remember me and your true self as well," Claudia repeated her words from the mall. Frustration must have been written on my face for her expression became suspicious and guarded.

"You already said that. You're like a broken record, Claudia," I said. "Besides, I know who you are. You're Alessa's sister and you're insane." Claudia appeared as though she could have hugged me then, which was a disturbing mental image. Slowly I raised the katana above my head, warning her of my intentions.

"Alessa…you would murder your own sister?" The way she said it made me sound like I was a clone of her; a murderer with a cold heart and selfless dreams. I'm nothing like you and it's time to end this.

"No. I'm not Alessa and you…you are no sister of mine," I exclaimed before lifting the katana higher above my head, preparing to bring it down on her. With one hand, Claudia made a 'come-hither' gesture. Instantly, I felt a solid weight force me forward and off balance. I landed on the ground, the chance to kill Claudia gone.

"You will birth a God and build an eternal Paradise," she informed me as though I had no other choice. Claudia moved off to the side and I could see she was heading for the stairs. "Besides, he killed your father. I merely gave the order,' she pointed into the darkness, where the Missionary came charging. "I will be waiting where it all begins. In the town of Silent Hill."

Claudia descended the steps as I raised my katana to strike against the Missionary, his large blades crossing that of the katana. Suddenly Claudia was out of view and I understood that the Missionary would not be letting me go easily. The Missionary lowered his blades and scurried into the shadows.

Where is it? My eyes scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of movement. My heart was beating rapidly as I waited for the Missionary's next move. Out of nowhere, it came rushing towards me, blades raised. It halted a few inches away and tried jabbing at my stomach, giving me a scrape along my side.

Desperately, I ignored the pain at my side and struck the Missionary with the katana, the blade burrowing into its chest. An inhuman howl rose from its mouth—if you could call it a mouth—and it dashed off once more.

"I'm tired of playing games," I mumbled, annoyed with the Missionary. He came running out of the darkness, trying to catch me off guard with his speed. Instead, I aimed the katana at its head and buried it into his skull. Blood shot out of the wound and splattered on the ground seconds before the Missionary collapsed. Over and over I kicked it until it was as dead as Harry Mason, its howls dying on the wind.

….

So, how did you guys like it? For those of you who are unsure, "Dance with the Wind" is the song that plays when Heather finds Harry Mason's body. I listened to it a couple times while writing this chapter. (=

I also want to thank one of the reviewers for explaining about how the Underpass transforms (in second gameplay). That was a bit confusing and I've seen it every time I've played, so I added it to the story.

Well, until next time readers (and with more character interaction!).