Innocent Guilt
A Silent Hill Fan Fiction by: Invader-Zam4
Disclaimer: Silent Hill and all related trademarks are property of Konami. The song in the story is "Harder To Breathe" by Maroon 5. Please don't sue me. I don't have any money.
...
Chapter 3 – The Chain
Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it's me that has all the control
Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cuz its gettin harder and harder to breathe
"Um, Jake? What was that?"
"Ah...don't mind that. This weird radio goes haywire every now and then."
This is the second time I heard this damn radio blare out something other than static. This stupid thing would be almost useful if it played some rock while I fought those...things. The extra adrenalin sure would help me forget the fear.
Damn it! I can't be scared now. I have to make sure this little punk is safe. I have to be brave for the both of us. Even though my hearts racing, my sweat turned cold, I'm coughing harder and each step is taking harder and harder to do.
"So Jack, where exactly do you live around here? Maybe your mom is still there."
"I...I don't know. Everything is so...different. What's happening?"
Aw man. Eyes getting watery, sniffing, loosening grip on the metal pipe...yep he's going to cry. Well I can't have a dead weight right now! I gotta do something. I know!
"Here" I pulled out the map of Silent Hill and showed it to him. "Can you tell where is your house?"
"y...yeah sniff " he pointed out to one of the buildings.
Blue Ridge Apartments. Charming.
"Well, lets go."
(VIOLENT COUGHING)
I have to admit, even though Jack could be a big liability, I was glad he was around. It made me feel kind of safe. Although that was constantly put to the test. The metal railings stretched on forever. The darkness still made me see things run past the corner of my eye. Damn peripheral vision. The rain was further limiting my vision. Not even the rainfall pierced the deafening silence that enveloped this town. I guess that's how the town got its name eh? Jack clutched on to me tighter. He was afraid. So was I.
With each step we took on the metal railings, our feet made a big racket. It never failed to betray our location. It was like our step was constant sonar to anything hiding in the darkness. I was thinking of turning off the flashlight. I mean, it made me feel uneasy, knowing that I could be seen a mile away. It made us look like a goddamn BEACON for Christ's sake! I might as well hang a "free chew toy" on my neck. But then again, what was I going to do? Run around blind and get mauled? I mean my only sense of direction in this town was the map. And it isn't exactly glow-in-the-dark.
We were about to reach the apartment complex. It was just around the corner, but I could already see it overhead. Big place. Kind of looks familiar. Oh yeah, that's the place where I saw that mangled arm unhinge a rusty spear. Fuck.
Maybe we won't meet whatever that thing was. Yeah! Who knows? Maybe if we find Jack's mom, I can find out what the fuck happened to this town and dad!
...
And maybe this town will give me a hot cup of cocoa while I'm at it. What the fuck am I thinking? Man, I must be getting loopy again. I lit up a cig. Jack didn't seem to mind. I guess having a guy smoke if front of you is better than having a dog drool blood in front of you. All we have to do is turn at that sports stand and then...
"Jack?"
What the hell is wrong with him? He wont move and he is just standing there shivering.
CRASH
HOLY MOTHER FUCK! Something came out of that sports store! I brought up my hands to protect from the flying shards of glass as I pulled Jack behind me. I pulled down my arms to see what the fuck is attacking us. Oh jeez! It's another one of those skin-cancer patients! Its skin is kind of filed with blue veins. It didn't have a left arm. It's wearing a football helmet, so I cant see the face. The freakiest thing about it was that the arm had a hockey stick attached to it. There was a bandaging all around the right hand, so I couldn't see it. Still, the bandage kept the stick and the arm together. But as it got up, I couldn't help wonder if it even had a right hand.
That thing lunged towards us. I pushed Jack away. The thing swung the stick.
WHACK
"ARGH!"
"JAKE!"
Oh fuck. That thing is stronger than I thought. I went flying and landed like a rag doll on the railing. My cig flew out of my mouth and to the pavement. It wasn't long until the rain extinguished it. I was just bruised. I guess I'm tougher than I thought. I struggled to get up, but I was getting kinda shaky again. Oh man. That thing is headed for Jack.
"Jack! Use the fucking pipe!"
Oh crap, he's petrified. Targeting an innocent, helpless kid? What's the matter? Cant pick on someone your own fucking size? You mother fucking scumbag. You make me...
"sick"
I pulled out the Colt.45 and shot him three times on the chest. That's right you fucking B-movie reject. Come here towards me. That's right, just a little more...
I pounced on it. I was able to tackle it down. I got up and started smacking the helmet with my two fists. Yeah. You like that bitch? Plenty more where that came from.
What the hell? WHAT THE HELL?! The B-movie reject DIDN'T HAVE A HEAD! I wasn't hitting anything but a fucking HELMET!
I fumbled backwards. The thing started to get up. Oh man. Whats keeping the helmet on? Oh man oh man oh man oh man. With my shaky hands I got the gun. I was able to shoot him once, despite my hand's shakiness. That landed him down again.
CRAP! The radio is still blaring! I gotta kill this thing! I got up and moved towards it. Where THE HELL am I supposed to hit it? I don't know where to hit a headless skin-cancer patient with a hockey stick! Ah screw it. I proceeded to stomp on where I thought the crotch would be. I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. But it felt good anyway. If it weren't for the whole freaky situation, this would actually be funny.
Finally. The damn radio went quiet. That thing wallowed in its own blood.
"Jack! Jack! You all right kid?"
"sniff sniff Y...yeah. I...I'm fine..."
Jesus! What the hell is wrong with this town?! I looked to the sports shop that that Jason-inspired freak came out off.
"Maybe we should go inside."
I looked intently at Jack.
"Why?"
"You might find something important inside."
I flashed the flashlight inside. There didn't seem to be anymore freaks or freak-dogs inside. Still, I had a bad feeling about the place.
"Alright Jack, lets go."
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE COUGH)
Nothing of special in the store. It was an ordinary place. Punching bags. Basketballs. Shoes. Jump ropes. Exercise Machines. Bicycles. Crossbow.
...
...
WAIT! That might be useful! Yeah! I could always use that! I walked up to it and reached for it. Jack, who was looking around and seem to have forgotten that he, had a close encounter with the B-movie kind, called out to me.
"Jake, I don't think arrows are going to hurt those monsters much."
"Huh? What are you talking about Jack?" I replied as I reached for an aluminum baseball bat beside the crossbow.
"Oh...um...never mind."
I practiced swinging the bat for a bit. Yeah, this would definitely be more useful than my godforsaken knife. I have to keep those freaks away. Just the sheer touch of them is making me vomit, with their rotten skin, bleeding fangs, missing arms...
HWE...
Shouldn't have thought of that. Anyway, this thing will help me keep my distance against those freaks. Something else caught my eye. There was a basketball that seemed to stand out from all the rest. It wasn't in anyway different. It just...caught my eye. I didn't know why.
"Go on. Take it."
"Huh?"
"You should trust your instincts. They're usually right."
"Jack? What's wrong?"
"This place has been warped quite a bit. The most unusual things can help you. You seem to have a sixth sense. You can detect what can help you. Just like he did. You sure your not blood-related to him?"
"Jack, what the hell is wrong with you?"
He shook his head.
"Huh?! What are you talking about? Did I fall asleep?"
Freaky. For a while, he was talking in this weird voice. It was like he was trying to deepen his voice. And it worked. He spoke in this preachy, deep voice. I don't know why, but for a while, he acted like he knew more than he said he did. Was he possessed? Daydreaming? I don't know. But what hit me the most was what happened to his eyes. For a while...they went blank. All the color seemed to run out of his eyes. What could be happening to him?
In any case, I took the basketball. I used my belt as a holster for my Colt. I let the bat rest on my shoulder as I held on to it. I dribbled the ball on our way out.
(COUGH WHEEZE COUGH)
"Jack, what happened to you back there?"
I guess I got too curious already.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, a while back there, you were acting like you were in a trance or something."
"Oh that. I don't know. Sometimes, I get a little light-headed. Then everything goes black. When I come to, I don't know."
Creepy
"In any case, do you remember what room you and your mom lived in?"
"Yeah! I do, don't worry."
One less thing to worry about. Hehe. Oh man...What the hell did I get myself into?
I'm for dad DAMIT! I cant be falling into despair now! The fact that this town is sicking some sort of sick hell to me must mean that I am so close to the truth that its dangerous! I think. Well, I'll believe that for now.
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE HACKLE)
"Here we are!"
We finally made it to the apartments. I'll bring Jack to his mom then maybe she can tell me about the town, what I should do next... and dad. That's the plan. Still, I didn't like the look of this building. Sure it was labeled "Blue Ridge Apartments" but like the rest of the place, it looked like an old, rusty warehouse.
"Well, we aint getting any younger!"
Strange on how I always try to crack a laugh even in this particular situation. I guess I try to keep a faint optimism. Sure I maybe trapped in a freakish hell-town crawling with things that are trying to rip me apart one way or another, but at least I'm still alive right? Well no sense in worrying about the worse case scenario now, cause I'm in it! Hahaha!
...
I took out another cigarette.
I took one deep breathe and looked at Jack. He nodded. I reached out for the door. I clutched on to its cold, clammy, rusted knob and turned...
...
and turned...
...
"Damn its locked!"
Crap, that was anti-climactic.
"Is there a back entrance?"
"Um...I think there is one Jake."
"You don't KNOW?"
"I...I never noticed before..."
sigh
"Well, lets go see." I said as I cracked a smile.
We went to the back. The clanking followed us all the way. Thankfully, nothing lunged at us from the darkness. We did find a back door but...
"Crap, its locked too. Are there any other ways in Jack? Jack?"
He was looking at the half court in the apartment's compound.
"Jake...Something's caught on the net..."
I looked up. Something was tangled in it. I looked at the basketball I was carrying. I went up to the free throw line. He dribbles...he shoots...HE SCORES! There was something else that fell from the net. We approached it. It was a key! The key chain read: BLUE RIDGE APARTMENTS FRONT DOOR.
...
How convenient! A little too convenient... But...how did Jack know I would need a basketball? Well, I'll leave that story for another day.
...
Hey, maybe this town is giving me a break! No monsters, a key, a bat...who knows, I might actually get to the bottom of all this freak drive. I guess I can breathe easy. I was able to muster up some courage as we walked to the front door. For the first time, I didn't need cigarettes! I let the key penetrate the knob and let the door swing wide open!
Oh fuck. I should never have thought this town was giving me a mother- fucking break. My eyes widened to what I saw. It was another of the town's freaks. No, this was beyond freak. This was something more! I could barely see it in that dark hallway illuminated by my feeble flashlight.
It had the same diseased, thin, lanky limbs. But it didn't have a body or a head. All there was is a big, blood-rusted, 90-degree, triangular box. A triangular box with LIMBS?! WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?! I was so focused on it that the fact that it was lifting something with its green, mucky arms registered late in my head. When I looked up, it was a refrigerator. Then it threw it at us.
FUCK!
I got Jack and jumped to the side.
CRASH
We were back outside. I took a look at the fridge. It was banging itself. A fridge that was banging itself? Now that's just plain weird. Then I noticed the chain on the handle. It broke and something flew towards us. I caught it. A ring? What the hell?
OH SHIT! Something is INSIDE! I stumbled to get Jack and me up as the door opened. My eyes widened and mouth opened larger and larger as I saw what came out.
First it was a diseased arm. A LONG fucking diseased arm. It clutched on to the railing as it pulled the rest of itself out. First a head. Then the other arm. Then the legs. Shit. It seems like every freak in this town in fucking unique. This one had a face torn out. The green, mucky, leper-like skin was still there. His (?) clothes were ripped out. And he had a LONG ARM. A FUCKING LONG ARM! The radio started playing static again. This wont end well.
I was so fucking paralyzed that it didn't see it grab me with its FL hand. The fingers wrapped themselves all around my body. Then it squeezed. It squeezed like a fucking VICE. I barely had strength to scream. The pain was so much, I just wanted to. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Then the FL arm slammed me into the wall.
CRACK
I barely had enough strength to stay conscious. I just wanted it all to be over. Over. Over. I just wanted it all to be over. I opened my eyes. It was blurry. My senses weren't functioning properly. When I started to realize what I saw. SHIT.
Jack was shooting at the FL arm. My Colt must have hell from my belt. He was shooting like it was a rifle. The recoil seemed too much for his little body. The FL arm didn't seem affected. It was slowly lifting his arm to swipe him.
You would pick on a little kid? You fucker. I didn't have enough strength to turn my rage into power. Its too fucking strong. I couldn't beat this thing so I had to shift to the primary priority: protect Jack. I looked to my side. A trashcan. FL arm was going to crush Jack if I didn't do something. I got up, neglecting if I had any cracked bones, grabbed the trashcan and threw it to the FL arm.
SMACK
Solid shot to the torso. That made him fall backwards. I grabbed Jack by the arm.
"JACK! RUN!"
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE)
We ran. Away from that place. But my body took too much punishment. I couldn't run as far as I normally could. Couple that little disadvantage with the fact that my lungs are filed with nicotine and you know we didn't get far. I had to collapse. The radio was playing static again and I heard a growl. Not good.
If it was another one of those blood-drooling dogs, we would be in some trouble. Real trouble. I'm not going to make it out of this town alive am I? I'm going to die here. I am going to FUCKING DIE HERE. Its game over. The last stop of the soul town express. I'm going to end up like those freaks. Limping around and moving my limbs in an angle they aren't supposed too. Dad's going to stay at the Looney bin. Laura's going to be alone.
I don't wanna die. No. This is some kind of bad dream. I'm going to wake up any second. Yeah. In my comfy bed. No bloody dogs. No triangle-boxed wierdos. Nothing.
"Jake! In here!"
A few more seconds and I would have crawled into the fetal position.
(SHIVERING AND VIOLENT COUGHING)
Jack helped me get in this building. Well I'll be damned! As if I wasn't already. It's the same spot that I fell asleep in. It must have been hard for the little guy, since I was shaking like hell. Jack then pulled out a small vial. He opened it and let me sniff what was inside. Sweet. Tingling. Kind of like weed. But not. I was able to calm down.
"Hey, that's some pretty strong stuff. What is it?"
"An aromatherapy vial I got from my mom. She has some more."
Why is he staring at the door.
"Its okay Jack, I think we'll be alright here."
He then looked at one of the pictures on the wall. Man that kid has a short attention span. I lit up another cigarette. Half a pack left. Hey... how did that four-fingered monkey ashtray get here? I remember it was on the bar.
"Jake..."
"Don't worry Jack. I think were safe here."
"Safe? Haven't you realized it yet? We, I mean, YOU aren't safe anywhere. As long as the fear grips you, as long as you don't face it, you will never remember the meaning of peace."
"Jack? What the hell are you saying?"
He turned. Blank eyes. Oh crap, he's gone split-persona on me again.
"YOU have to know why this town wants you near. YOU have to realize what you are fighting. YOU have to remember why you are really here. And most of all..."
He smiled. A very creepy smile. The type that Hannibal Lecter would return.
"YOU have to do it alone."
He started walking out.
"Jack! Where the hell are you going?! It fucking dangerous out there!"
He stopped at the doorway.
"Four."
He stepped out.
"Jack. Jack!"
I stared out the windows of the diner. I saw him walk out, then run away. I watched in stupefied horror as the FL arm came running after him.
"JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!"
It was no use. The cigarette fell from my lips as I collapsed on the floor couch. Again.
As I collapsed, I fell my digital voice recorder fall out of my pockets and hit the floor lightly. I must have hit PLAY as I heard father's sleep- talking before I blacked out.
"No...Leave me alone...I don't want to go back there... I'm done with that place... Just leave me alone..."
The Chain ends
Zam: Whew! I finally had time to update this! Good thing there is a lot of free time in college! Anyway, I guess you should all have noticed that I am just mix and matching the traits of the cast of SH2. But don't worry, my story is far from that, I just ripped a lot of story elements from it. Hehe.
Disclaimer: Silent Hill and all related trademarks are property of Konami. The song in the story is "Harder To Breathe" by Maroon 5. Please don't sue me. I don't have any money.
...
Chapter 3 – The Chain
Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it's me that has all the control
Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cuz its gettin harder and harder to breathe
"Um, Jake? What was that?"
"Ah...don't mind that. This weird radio goes haywire every now and then."
This is the second time I heard this damn radio blare out something other than static. This stupid thing would be almost useful if it played some rock while I fought those...things. The extra adrenalin sure would help me forget the fear.
Damn it! I can't be scared now. I have to make sure this little punk is safe. I have to be brave for the both of us. Even though my hearts racing, my sweat turned cold, I'm coughing harder and each step is taking harder and harder to do.
"So Jack, where exactly do you live around here? Maybe your mom is still there."
"I...I don't know. Everything is so...different. What's happening?"
Aw man. Eyes getting watery, sniffing, loosening grip on the metal pipe...yep he's going to cry. Well I can't have a dead weight right now! I gotta do something. I know!
"Here" I pulled out the map of Silent Hill and showed it to him. "Can you tell where is your house?"
"y...yeah sniff " he pointed out to one of the buildings.
Blue Ridge Apartments. Charming.
"Well, lets go."
(VIOLENT COUGHING)
I have to admit, even though Jack could be a big liability, I was glad he was around. It made me feel kind of safe. Although that was constantly put to the test. The metal railings stretched on forever. The darkness still made me see things run past the corner of my eye. Damn peripheral vision. The rain was further limiting my vision. Not even the rainfall pierced the deafening silence that enveloped this town. I guess that's how the town got its name eh? Jack clutched on to me tighter. He was afraid. So was I.
With each step we took on the metal railings, our feet made a big racket. It never failed to betray our location. It was like our step was constant sonar to anything hiding in the darkness. I was thinking of turning off the flashlight. I mean, it made me feel uneasy, knowing that I could be seen a mile away. It made us look like a goddamn BEACON for Christ's sake! I might as well hang a "free chew toy" on my neck. But then again, what was I going to do? Run around blind and get mauled? I mean my only sense of direction in this town was the map. And it isn't exactly glow-in-the-dark.
We were about to reach the apartment complex. It was just around the corner, but I could already see it overhead. Big place. Kind of looks familiar. Oh yeah, that's the place where I saw that mangled arm unhinge a rusty spear. Fuck.
Maybe we won't meet whatever that thing was. Yeah! Who knows? Maybe if we find Jack's mom, I can find out what the fuck happened to this town and dad!
...
And maybe this town will give me a hot cup of cocoa while I'm at it. What the fuck am I thinking? Man, I must be getting loopy again. I lit up a cig. Jack didn't seem to mind. I guess having a guy smoke if front of you is better than having a dog drool blood in front of you. All we have to do is turn at that sports stand and then...
"Jack?"
What the hell is wrong with him? He wont move and he is just standing there shivering.
CRASH
HOLY MOTHER FUCK! Something came out of that sports store! I brought up my hands to protect from the flying shards of glass as I pulled Jack behind me. I pulled down my arms to see what the fuck is attacking us. Oh jeez! It's another one of those skin-cancer patients! Its skin is kind of filed with blue veins. It didn't have a left arm. It's wearing a football helmet, so I cant see the face. The freakiest thing about it was that the arm had a hockey stick attached to it. There was a bandaging all around the right hand, so I couldn't see it. Still, the bandage kept the stick and the arm together. But as it got up, I couldn't help wonder if it even had a right hand.
That thing lunged towards us. I pushed Jack away. The thing swung the stick.
WHACK
"ARGH!"
"JAKE!"
Oh fuck. That thing is stronger than I thought. I went flying and landed like a rag doll on the railing. My cig flew out of my mouth and to the pavement. It wasn't long until the rain extinguished it. I was just bruised. I guess I'm tougher than I thought. I struggled to get up, but I was getting kinda shaky again. Oh man. That thing is headed for Jack.
"Jack! Use the fucking pipe!"
Oh crap, he's petrified. Targeting an innocent, helpless kid? What's the matter? Cant pick on someone your own fucking size? You mother fucking scumbag. You make me...
"sick"
I pulled out the Colt.45 and shot him three times on the chest. That's right you fucking B-movie reject. Come here towards me. That's right, just a little more...
I pounced on it. I was able to tackle it down. I got up and started smacking the helmet with my two fists. Yeah. You like that bitch? Plenty more where that came from.
What the hell? WHAT THE HELL?! The B-movie reject DIDN'T HAVE A HEAD! I wasn't hitting anything but a fucking HELMET!
I fumbled backwards. The thing started to get up. Oh man. Whats keeping the helmet on? Oh man oh man oh man oh man. With my shaky hands I got the gun. I was able to shoot him once, despite my hand's shakiness. That landed him down again.
CRAP! The radio is still blaring! I gotta kill this thing! I got up and moved towards it. Where THE HELL am I supposed to hit it? I don't know where to hit a headless skin-cancer patient with a hockey stick! Ah screw it. I proceeded to stomp on where I thought the crotch would be. I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. But it felt good anyway. If it weren't for the whole freaky situation, this would actually be funny.
Finally. The damn radio went quiet. That thing wallowed in its own blood.
"Jack! Jack! You all right kid?"
"sniff sniff Y...yeah. I...I'm fine..."
Jesus! What the hell is wrong with this town?! I looked to the sports shop that that Jason-inspired freak came out off.
"Maybe we should go inside."
I looked intently at Jack.
"Why?"
"You might find something important inside."
I flashed the flashlight inside. There didn't seem to be anymore freaks or freak-dogs inside. Still, I had a bad feeling about the place.
"Alright Jack, lets go."
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE COUGH)
Nothing of special in the store. It was an ordinary place. Punching bags. Basketballs. Shoes. Jump ropes. Exercise Machines. Bicycles. Crossbow.
...
...
WAIT! That might be useful! Yeah! I could always use that! I walked up to it and reached for it. Jack, who was looking around and seem to have forgotten that he, had a close encounter with the B-movie kind, called out to me.
"Jake, I don't think arrows are going to hurt those monsters much."
"Huh? What are you talking about Jack?" I replied as I reached for an aluminum baseball bat beside the crossbow.
"Oh...um...never mind."
I practiced swinging the bat for a bit. Yeah, this would definitely be more useful than my godforsaken knife. I have to keep those freaks away. Just the sheer touch of them is making me vomit, with their rotten skin, bleeding fangs, missing arms...
HWE...
Shouldn't have thought of that. Anyway, this thing will help me keep my distance against those freaks. Something else caught my eye. There was a basketball that seemed to stand out from all the rest. It wasn't in anyway different. It just...caught my eye. I didn't know why.
"Go on. Take it."
"Huh?"
"You should trust your instincts. They're usually right."
"Jack? What's wrong?"
"This place has been warped quite a bit. The most unusual things can help you. You seem to have a sixth sense. You can detect what can help you. Just like he did. You sure your not blood-related to him?"
"Jack, what the hell is wrong with you?"
He shook his head.
"Huh?! What are you talking about? Did I fall asleep?"
Freaky. For a while, he was talking in this weird voice. It was like he was trying to deepen his voice. And it worked. He spoke in this preachy, deep voice. I don't know why, but for a while, he acted like he knew more than he said he did. Was he possessed? Daydreaming? I don't know. But what hit me the most was what happened to his eyes. For a while...they went blank. All the color seemed to run out of his eyes. What could be happening to him?
In any case, I took the basketball. I used my belt as a holster for my Colt. I let the bat rest on my shoulder as I held on to it. I dribbled the ball on our way out.
(COUGH WHEEZE COUGH)
"Jack, what happened to you back there?"
I guess I got too curious already.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, a while back there, you were acting like you were in a trance or something."
"Oh that. I don't know. Sometimes, I get a little light-headed. Then everything goes black. When I come to, I don't know."
Creepy
"In any case, do you remember what room you and your mom lived in?"
"Yeah! I do, don't worry."
One less thing to worry about. Hehe. Oh man...What the hell did I get myself into?
I'm for dad DAMIT! I cant be falling into despair now! The fact that this town is sicking some sort of sick hell to me must mean that I am so close to the truth that its dangerous! I think. Well, I'll believe that for now.
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE HACKLE)
"Here we are!"
We finally made it to the apartments. I'll bring Jack to his mom then maybe she can tell me about the town, what I should do next... and dad. That's the plan. Still, I didn't like the look of this building. Sure it was labeled "Blue Ridge Apartments" but like the rest of the place, it looked like an old, rusty warehouse.
"Well, we aint getting any younger!"
Strange on how I always try to crack a laugh even in this particular situation. I guess I try to keep a faint optimism. Sure I maybe trapped in a freakish hell-town crawling with things that are trying to rip me apart one way or another, but at least I'm still alive right? Well no sense in worrying about the worse case scenario now, cause I'm in it! Hahaha!
...
I took out another cigarette.
I took one deep breathe and looked at Jack. He nodded. I reached out for the door. I clutched on to its cold, clammy, rusted knob and turned...
...
and turned...
...
"Damn its locked!"
Crap, that was anti-climactic.
"Is there a back entrance?"
"Um...I think there is one Jake."
"You don't KNOW?"
"I...I never noticed before..."
sigh
"Well, lets go see." I said as I cracked a smile.
We went to the back. The clanking followed us all the way. Thankfully, nothing lunged at us from the darkness. We did find a back door but...
"Crap, its locked too. Are there any other ways in Jack? Jack?"
He was looking at the half court in the apartment's compound.
"Jake...Something's caught on the net..."
I looked up. Something was tangled in it. I looked at the basketball I was carrying. I went up to the free throw line. He dribbles...he shoots...HE SCORES! There was something else that fell from the net. We approached it. It was a key! The key chain read: BLUE RIDGE APARTMENTS FRONT DOOR.
...
How convenient! A little too convenient... But...how did Jack know I would need a basketball? Well, I'll leave that story for another day.
...
Hey, maybe this town is giving me a break! No monsters, a key, a bat...who knows, I might actually get to the bottom of all this freak drive. I guess I can breathe easy. I was able to muster up some courage as we walked to the front door. For the first time, I didn't need cigarettes! I let the key penetrate the knob and let the door swing wide open!
Oh fuck. I should never have thought this town was giving me a mother- fucking break. My eyes widened to what I saw. It was another of the town's freaks. No, this was beyond freak. This was something more! I could barely see it in that dark hallway illuminated by my feeble flashlight.
It had the same diseased, thin, lanky limbs. But it didn't have a body or a head. All there was is a big, blood-rusted, 90-degree, triangular box. A triangular box with LIMBS?! WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?! I was so focused on it that the fact that it was lifting something with its green, mucky arms registered late in my head. When I looked up, it was a refrigerator. Then it threw it at us.
FUCK!
I got Jack and jumped to the side.
CRASH
We were back outside. I took a look at the fridge. It was banging itself. A fridge that was banging itself? Now that's just plain weird. Then I noticed the chain on the handle. It broke and something flew towards us. I caught it. A ring? What the hell?
OH SHIT! Something is INSIDE! I stumbled to get Jack and me up as the door opened. My eyes widened and mouth opened larger and larger as I saw what came out.
First it was a diseased arm. A LONG fucking diseased arm. It clutched on to the railing as it pulled the rest of itself out. First a head. Then the other arm. Then the legs. Shit. It seems like every freak in this town in fucking unique. This one had a face torn out. The green, mucky, leper-like skin was still there. His (?) clothes were ripped out. And he had a LONG ARM. A FUCKING LONG ARM! The radio started playing static again. This wont end well.
I was so fucking paralyzed that it didn't see it grab me with its FL hand. The fingers wrapped themselves all around my body. Then it squeezed. It squeezed like a fucking VICE. I barely had strength to scream. The pain was so much, I just wanted to. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Then the FL arm slammed me into the wall.
CRACK
I barely had enough strength to stay conscious. I just wanted it all to be over. Over. Over. I just wanted it all to be over. I opened my eyes. It was blurry. My senses weren't functioning properly. When I started to realize what I saw. SHIT.
Jack was shooting at the FL arm. My Colt must have hell from my belt. He was shooting like it was a rifle. The recoil seemed too much for his little body. The FL arm didn't seem affected. It was slowly lifting his arm to swipe him.
You would pick on a little kid? You fucker. I didn't have enough strength to turn my rage into power. Its too fucking strong. I couldn't beat this thing so I had to shift to the primary priority: protect Jack. I looked to my side. A trashcan. FL arm was going to crush Jack if I didn't do something. I got up, neglecting if I had any cracked bones, grabbed the trashcan and threw it to the FL arm.
SMACK
Solid shot to the torso. That made him fall backwards. I grabbed Jack by the arm.
"JACK! RUN!"
(COUGH COUGH WHEEZE)
We ran. Away from that place. But my body took too much punishment. I couldn't run as far as I normally could. Couple that little disadvantage with the fact that my lungs are filed with nicotine and you know we didn't get far. I had to collapse. The radio was playing static again and I heard a growl. Not good.
If it was another one of those blood-drooling dogs, we would be in some trouble. Real trouble. I'm not going to make it out of this town alive am I? I'm going to die here. I am going to FUCKING DIE HERE. Its game over. The last stop of the soul town express. I'm going to end up like those freaks. Limping around and moving my limbs in an angle they aren't supposed too. Dad's going to stay at the Looney bin. Laura's going to be alone.
I don't wanna die. No. This is some kind of bad dream. I'm going to wake up any second. Yeah. In my comfy bed. No bloody dogs. No triangle-boxed wierdos. Nothing.
"Jake! In here!"
A few more seconds and I would have crawled into the fetal position.
(SHIVERING AND VIOLENT COUGHING)
Jack helped me get in this building. Well I'll be damned! As if I wasn't already. It's the same spot that I fell asleep in. It must have been hard for the little guy, since I was shaking like hell. Jack then pulled out a small vial. He opened it and let me sniff what was inside. Sweet. Tingling. Kind of like weed. But not. I was able to calm down.
"Hey, that's some pretty strong stuff. What is it?"
"An aromatherapy vial I got from my mom. She has some more."
Why is he staring at the door.
"Its okay Jack, I think we'll be alright here."
He then looked at one of the pictures on the wall. Man that kid has a short attention span. I lit up another cigarette. Half a pack left. Hey... how did that four-fingered monkey ashtray get here? I remember it was on the bar.
"Jake..."
"Don't worry Jack. I think were safe here."
"Safe? Haven't you realized it yet? We, I mean, YOU aren't safe anywhere. As long as the fear grips you, as long as you don't face it, you will never remember the meaning of peace."
"Jack? What the hell are you saying?"
He turned. Blank eyes. Oh crap, he's gone split-persona on me again.
"YOU have to know why this town wants you near. YOU have to realize what you are fighting. YOU have to remember why you are really here. And most of all..."
He smiled. A very creepy smile. The type that Hannibal Lecter would return.
"YOU have to do it alone."
He started walking out.
"Jack! Where the hell are you going?! It fucking dangerous out there!"
He stopped at the doorway.
"Four."
He stepped out.
"Jack. Jack!"
I stared out the windows of the diner. I saw him walk out, then run away. I watched in stupefied horror as the FL arm came running after him.
"JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!"
It was no use. The cigarette fell from my lips as I collapsed on the floor couch. Again.
As I collapsed, I fell my digital voice recorder fall out of my pockets and hit the floor lightly. I must have hit PLAY as I heard father's sleep- talking before I blacked out.
"No...Leave me alone...I don't want to go back there... I'm done with that place... Just leave me alone..."
The Chain ends
Zam: Whew! I finally had time to update this! Good thing there is a lot of free time in college! Anyway, I guess you should all have noticed that I am just mix and matching the traits of the cast of SH2. But don't worry, my story is far from that, I just ripped a lot of story elements from it. Hehe.