Yes yes, I know. It's been a week or so since I updated. Lots of things to do lately, and that included playing and beating SH3. Great game, if you haven't played it.

Which reminds me, this chapter contains some spoilers for SH3. Minor though they be, consider yourself warned. And since it's taken me so long to update, I figured why not give the readers a little bit more to read? So here it is, slightly longer than usual.

Enjoy! ;)

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Chapter 9: Handshakes and Hot Chocolate

The hotel foyer was much warmer than outside, almost too warm. It was an invading sort of heat that seemed to coat your skin. At this moment, though, I wasn't complaining. Anything was better than the rusty nightmare I'd just been through.

The walls were covered in moldy rotting wallpaper. Upon inquiring, though, James said they were in the process of renovating. I was momentarily disappointed that I'd spent so much money on a room in this place; it didn't seem worth the price at all. Then again, money didn't really seem that important in light of the recent events.

We walked around to an old set of mahogany double doors when James stopped and turned to Officer Mimms and me.

"Please wait just a sec while I go get Mary."

With a turn on his heel, he closed the creaky doors behind him. A long uncomfortable silence ensued for a minute or two, so I finally turned to the officer.

"How you holding up?"

She stared straight ahead at the doors, and for the first time since the boat trip, I noticed the worried expression on her face. Whether it was the chill from outside or the horrendous things she'd been through, I didn't know, but she stood there, silently quivering.

"Jody?" I said slowly, putting my hand on her arm.

The touch made her start, and for a split second I thought she was going to shoot me or something. Slowly, she gave a small, insincere smile.

"Sorry, kid. Just... nervous, I guess."

"It's alright," I said. "I know the feeling. But we're safe now. James saved me before, remember? I'm sure he'll protect us if something bad happens."

Suddenly Jody leaned down and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to look her directly in the eyes. The look she gave me could've melted steel.

"Kuri, you listen to me. Don't trust this guy, James, or anyone else, got it? This whole town's screwed up, and I don't think we've seen the end of it."

Her paranoia was clearly clouding her judgment. I was just about to tell her so, too, when the doors in front of us suddenly opened. James appeared, looking from me to Jody.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"No," I said, wriggling out of Mimms' grip and walking forward. "Not at all."

James smiled warmly but suddenly winced. The side of his face was red with just a hint of purple. Had he been like that before and I just didn't notice? Probably, I told myself. I was a bit preoccupied after all. No matter, for James' expression quickly changed back. He'd probably fallen or something and was too manly to show that it hurt. Seemed the type of thing he'd do.

He led us through the doors and into a dining room. Tables were haphazardly placed at uneven distances from one another, a white tablecloth on top of each. As with everything else in the hotel, a thin layer of dust coated our surroundings, although the occasional handprint broke its consistency. A black baby grand piano sat in the corner, suggesting that this was once a very classy establishment.

Up at the far part of the room, sitting on a stool in front of the bar, was a woman with her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her dirty blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, revealing a young face. A yellow shawl was wrapped around her shoulders, the rest of her covered in a blue floral dress. Although she seemed a nice looking person, she was also clearly stressed due to the dark circles under her eyes and a pale complexion.

As we approached, she stood and smiled warmly. There was something odd about that smile, almost as if she'd been expecting our arrival for a long time. I shook off the feeling and smiled back, glad to see a friendly face.

"I'd like you two to meet my wife, Mary," said James, smiling softly at her. "Mary, this is Kuri Fletcher and Jody Mimms."

"Nice to meet you," I said, holding out my hand to shake hers.

She took my hand and gently squeezed it. Her touch was so soft, yet it felt so sincere. She smiled even more, and let go of my hand. Mimms held her hand out as well, though the exchange between her and Mary didn't seem nearly as warm; more like they shook hands for the mere purpose of formality.

"I'm glad to finally meet you," she said, her voice soft and scratchy at the same time. "James has told me much about you, but I'd rather hear it from you. That is, if you don't mind. I made some hot chocolate, so perhaps we'll have some while we talk?"

We took seats around one of the larger tables as Mary brought out a tray with steamy hot chocolate and some sugar cakes. I couldn't think of a better way to ease my nerves than this, so I gladly accepted a mug and a cake. Mimms took a cake, politely refusing the hot chocolate. James took two cakes and a mug, and finally Mary was seated.

Once we finished our treats, I began to tell Mary exactly what'd happened since we'd arrived. She listened quietly, her hands folded in front of her. Many times James seemed like he wanted to speak, but a glance from Mary made him hold his tongue. I found it a bit odd that a strong-spirited fellow like James would be so subservient to a gentle woman like Mary. Perhaps I was just reading too much into it.

Once I was done, we all sat in silence. Mary looked to be pondering my situation, while James fiddled with the end of the tablecloth. Jody sat as she had the entire conversation, a deep look of mistrust written all over her face. I couldn't understand why she was being so paranoid. Did she prefer the company of monsters to the Sunderlands?

Finally Mary broke the silence with a sigh.

"I'll do what I can, Kuri, to help you find your friends. That is, James and I, we both will."

I nodded in gratitude. With all the hospitality that was being shown to me, I started feeling horrible that I was in here, safe, while my friends were who-knew-where. Was I really so selfish that I could forget about them so easily?

"Um.. Mary?" I said. "Do you think they're ok? I mean, with all those monsters out there-"

"Kuri, try not to worry," said Mary. " God is watching over them."

I started to retort, but what was left of my strength seemed to leave my body. I was very tired, very quickly. It was weird; I mean, I know I was tired, but... It didn't matter what I thought, because all became a blur before me. The last thing I saw before the world turned white was Jody jumping up and reaching for her gun.

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A lone figure walked through the mist, a girl with short blonde hair. She wore a white jacket over an orange shirt, green shorts, and calf-length boots. She was crying, too, and in her right hand was clutched a notebook. Through her tears, I could make out a few short sentences... Something about avenging her dad, about getting back at someone named Claudia. A pistol was in her other hand, though her grip was somewhat shaky.

She ran off, and try as I might to follow her, my legs wouldn't move. I was suddenly fading, fading back into the real world. Glimpses of my surroundings made themselves evident just before I awoke; images of horses...

The world came back to me in a jolt. I sat upright, trying to get a grip on what was real and what wasn't. Why was I seeing these things, these... visions? I looked around and realized I was in a bed, still fully clothed. How did I get here? Perhaps James carried me. Good old James, always looking out for me. But where was Jody?

Then I remembered her pulling out her gun as I... fainted? Fell asleep? In any case, she wouldn't get her gun for nothing. I got out of the bed and walked across the wooden floors. Each step made the floorboards creak with stress. The room itself was small, with only one bed, a nightstand, a closet, and a tiny bathroom attached. If this was the room I'd paid so much for, I was going to wring someone's neck.

I got to the door and opened it slowly. It was far too dark in the hall to see anything, which made me wonder how long I'd been out of it. Didn't feel like more than a few hours. I tried a light switch on the wall, but to no avail. Back in the room, my backpack lay on the nightstand, so I strapped it on and found the flashlight I'd been using earlier. I admit, I was in no mood to go adventuring (if that's what you'd call it), but I needed some answers. Lets not even mention how worried I was about Steph and Todd.

Flipping on the flashlight, I walked into the hallway. It looked like I'd walked right onto the set of The Shining. Musty, dust-ridden walls held picture frames with eerie portraits of men and women. Some looked religious, with names underneath like "Origin of God" and such. I really didn't have time to delve into such foolishness, so I started walking down the corridor.

Chances were, Jody was in one of these rooms, so I started trying to open doors. Each one, however, was locked, and no matter how hard I pushed and tugged, they wouldn't open. Sturdy doors for a broken down hotel, I thought to myself.

Just then, I heard muffled voices coming from a room straight ahead. A faint glow came from the cracks of the door, so whoever was inside probably had some candles lit. I turned off my flashlight and crept closer, trying to discern what was being said. Two voices were talking, both female, and once was definitely Mary.

"All is nearly complete then?" asked Mary.

"Yes," said the other voice. "The girl has begun to remember who she really is. Once she fully understands, I'm sure she'll welcome the Paradise for which we've long dreamed."

"Well, don't expect obedience, at least not immediately," said Mary. "The poor child never did have much respect for authority, even for her own mother."

Well this was interesting. Mary and James had a daughter? Funny how they never mentioned... but there was more.

"Nevertheless, if you fail, I have a backup plan here," Mary said. "But mark my words, if you do fail, God will punish you severely."

"Yes... I know."

"Good. Now, what of Father Vincent? Has he been taken care of yet?"

"Not yet. I don't understand what drives him. He used to be so involved with our cause, but lately... it's as if he wants us all to die, just so he can keep pilfering the money out of the people's pockets. On top of that, he mocks God every chance he gets."

The woman was near the point of rage, it seemed, but Mary's voice broke in.

"Don't trouble yourself worrying about his sinful ways. He will get what is coming to him, make no mistake. In the meantime, concentrate on the task at hand. And if that meddlesome fool tries to stop you, you know what must be done... for the sake of the Order, of course."

"Yes, I understand."

"Claudia, my dear Claudia. You look simply dreadful as of late. Do get some rest; I'm sure you'll need it."

Claudia... was that the same Claudia as in that weird dream? And what was up with Mary? Did James know what was happening?

I didn't have long to think about these questions, as I suddenly became very dizzy. A sudden burst of sound emanated inside my head, forcing me to my knees. I couldn't move or speak; the sirens drowned my senses. A few seconds later, it was over. I opened my eyes, but I wished I'd kept them closed.