I've been practically sleepless the past few nights, eager to churn out more of this fic. 'Tis getting good, no? So I thought, hey, why not do 2 chappies this time? And that's what I did. All is near to falling into place, so have fun, my pets.
...Bwuahahahahaaa!
********************************
Chapter 11: Voice of Betrayal
For a few moments, I simply sat there on the rickety bed with my legs dangling over the side, staring at the weapon in my hand. I'd never even touched a gun before. In reality, I abhorred the use of guns, but for this place I think I'd make an exception. I wasn't about to become a casualty just because of some silly belief.
I got up and grabbed my backpack. Surprisingly, everything was still there, despite all the trouble I'd been through. Even the flashlight was there, and upon inspection I found that it still worked. Well this is good news, I thought. Under the flashlight, though, I saw something that wasn't there before. It was a crumpled up piece of paper. I laid it out before me and read what was scribbled on it:
I'm glad you're safe. You have to be more careful from now on. We wouldn't want you to die, now would we? I'll meet you again soon. Until then, stay alive.
Todd
I crumpled the paper back up and tossed it into my pack. Just what did he think he was doing? He'd "meet" me soon? Why he was out running around this place to begin with? It didn't make any sense. Unless... maybe he was trying to find Stephanie... That would be more like him. He could be heroic at times. If only he'd waited for me, we could both look. Yeah right, I told myself. He'd never ask for help. Men...
Trying to forget the notion of Todd running around smashing every window in Silent Hill with his boots, I strapped on my pack once more. This was it. At last, I was going get out of this God forsaken place. Clicking the button near the trigger of the gun, I took off what I assumed was the safety and tucked it into my pocket. With any luck, I could avoid shooting myself in the foot.
I crept across the room and opened the door, peering into the hallway. Things weren't so scary this time, as a small trickle of daylight came in through the windows at either end. No sign of anyone either. I made my way down the hall, walking as silently as I could, until I came to a staircase. I tiptoed down to the bottom into the large entrance room where I'd first arrived with Jody. Locating the door, I ran for it, throwing it open and leaping out the door.
I was immediately surrounded by fog as I crossed the threshold onto the lawn. However, I could distinctly hear the chirp of birds and bullfrogs, so I wasn't too worried. After all, those were natural creatures. It was the unnatural ones I was afraid of.
I whipped out my map again from the pack and frantically searched for my location. Finally I found the hotel and located the bar I was supposed to go to. James was right, I'd have to go through the amusement park to get there. Oh great, I said to myself. As if that's not the creepiest place I could imagine visiting. Well, perhaps a hospital or something would be creepier, but who in their right mind would go there?
I stuffed the map in my pocket and ran across the lawn, looking for an exit. I couldn't believe my luck at not getting caught. It was almost too easy. As if on cue, a voice emanated from the white quagmire of fog.
"Going somewhere?"
I froze. I knew it was too good to be true. But who was it? It wasn't Mary. The voice was scratchy and hoarse, and definitely male.
"W-who's there?" I said, my hand slowly pulling out the gun.
"You don't know me?" it croaked. "Ah, but I know you. And I know what you've done."
"I haven't done anything," I said, inching away from the voice. "Whoever you are, leave me alone."
"You may have fooled the others, but you don't fool me," it said.
There was something very familiar about the voice, though I couldn't place it. As I backed up, I suddenly found myself against an iron gate. My hand frantically searched for a latch as I faced my unknown company.
"Look, I don't have time for this."
My hand found a lever, and I yanked, opening a squealing metal gate.
"Time?" said the voice. "Time, my dear Stephanie, is running out."
My heart skipped a beat. I staggered through the gate opening and slammed it shut.
"I-I'm not Stephanie," I said, slowly. "But if you know something about her, you'd better tell me."
I pointed my gun threateningly in its direction. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but I didn't care.
"What," it said, "you plan to kill me? That'd be too easy for you, Stephanie."
I wasn't getting anywhere. There was no time for this, anyway.
"Go to hell," I said, pocketing the gun.
I turned and broke into a run along a trail. Trees, or at least the shadows of trees, surrounded me, so I supposed I was in a forest once again.
A few minutes went by, and I stopped to catch my breath. Suddenly a gunshot in the distance broke the silence. It was a large shot, too, far too powerful to be a pistol. More like a shotgun. Was that person I'd just talked to shooting at me? The thought wasn't encouraging, so I moved on.
After a little, I stopped again. Whoever that was back there, he didn't follow me. However, I finally realized where I knew the voice from. It was the same drawling, scratchy voice that took my information over the phone when I called in for reservations. Was he a hotel patron that James just hadn't mentioned? I doubted it, recalling the look of shock on his face when I mentioned I'd made reservations. Perhaps he was one of Mary's cult followers.
But why on earth would he think I was Stephanie? For the third time since I'd arrived in this town, an odd feeling presented itself in my gut. Something was important in all of this mess...
An image flashed through my mind. It was a car, the same car I'd remembered in the graveyard. It was traveling down a dark highway in the rain. No, not just traveling... speeding. Swerving. There was a high bridge ahead...
Something in the foliage rustled around, breaking my thoughts. I rose to my feet, warily looking into the fog. Nothing. No more movement.
Then something grabbed my shoulder from behind.
In one movement, I spun around and had my gun pointed at the assailant.
"Hey!"
Todd backed a few steps away from me.
"Todd!" I exclaimed. "God, don't ever do that again!"
He grinned mischievously.
"Gotta keep you on your toes," he chuckled.
I pocketed the pistol and turned back to him. He was eyeing my gun curiously.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked.
"James."
He frowned.
"Todd, where the hell have you been?"
He waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Out looking for Steph. Someone had to, right?"
I took a step forward.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I growled. "You think I haven't been looking?"
"Look, lets just go, ok?"
Angrily, I pushed his hands off me and started trudging along the path, which soon turned to concrete. At one point in the walk, Todd asked me if I was mad at him. Was I? I didn't know, honestly. Maybe I had wasted too much time. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like I didn't care whether I found Stephanie or not. Though I knew that wasn't really true, I know I could've done more.
********************************************************************************
Finally we arrived at the park gates. They were once festively decorated in bright yellows and reds, but time had sucked most of the color right out of them. Litter and weeds lined the cracked concrete. I felt like I was in an ancient ruin or something, one I didn't want to explore.
We walked through and past the vacant ticket gates into a large, circular area. Shops lined the circle, clad in brick. I had no desire to wander in and out of empty shops, so we walked on. The amusement park wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it'd be. I mean, sure, it was creepy with broken, rotting machinery everywhere, but at least monsters weren't chasing me (for which I was thankful).
We came through several gates and into an area with some benches. On one of those benches sat a figure, one I recognized as-
"James!"
I ran over to him, but he didn't look up. I stopped in front of him, looking with concern.
"James, you ok?"
He shook his head and wiped his eyes; clearly he'd been crying.
"She's dead. I... I killed her."
"James... you mean...," I spoke softly.
"Mary... she's... she's..."
"Very much alive," spoke a voice from behind a carousel.
Every head turned to the voice.
"Mary?!" exclaimed James.
It was indeed Mary, just as I'd seen her last. Well, almost. Her dress was soaked with blood, a large hole in the center. Her flesh, though, was pristine, and she didn't appear to be hurt in the least.
"Hello, James," said Mary.
"B-but... but, I killed you!" he shouted in disbelief.
"Yes... again," she said with a sneer. "Or so it would seem. But you see, God looks after Her faithful. By Her grace, I am alive to fulfill Her will."
She raised her hands skyward.
"Finally all is in place! The path to Paradise will soon be opened."
"Like hell it will," said James, picking up a shotgun I hadn't seen under the bench.
Suddenly a shot rang out. James uttered a cry of pain and fell to the ground, clutching his arm. I turned and looked in horror at the person who'd fired.
"Todd! What are you doing!?"
"What I should have done in the alley," he said venomously. "His meddling has wasted far too much of our time."
Realization dawned on me, and I struggled to keep breathing. He was in league with Mary. He was in this cult of hers.
...Bwuahahahahaaa!
********************************
Chapter 11: Voice of Betrayal
For a few moments, I simply sat there on the rickety bed with my legs dangling over the side, staring at the weapon in my hand. I'd never even touched a gun before. In reality, I abhorred the use of guns, but for this place I think I'd make an exception. I wasn't about to become a casualty just because of some silly belief.
I got up and grabbed my backpack. Surprisingly, everything was still there, despite all the trouble I'd been through. Even the flashlight was there, and upon inspection I found that it still worked. Well this is good news, I thought. Under the flashlight, though, I saw something that wasn't there before. It was a crumpled up piece of paper. I laid it out before me and read what was scribbled on it:
I'm glad you're safe. You have to be more careful from now on. We wouldn't want you to die, now would we? I'll meet you again soon. Until then, stay alive.
Todd
I crumpled the paper back up and tossed it into my pack. Just what did he think he was doing? He'd "meet" me soon? Why he was out running around this place to begin with? It didn't make any sense. Unless... maybe he was trying to find Stephanie... That would be more like him. He could be heroic at times. If only he'd waited for me, we could both look. Yeah right, I told myself. He'd never ask for help. Men...
Trying to forget the notion of Todd running around smashing every window in Silent Hill with his boots, I strapped on my pack once more. This was it. At last, I was going get out of this God forsaken place. Clicking the button near the trigger of the gun, I took off what I assumed was the safety and tucked it into my pocket. With any luck, I could avoid shooting myself in the foot.
I crept across the room and opened the door, peering into the hallway. Things weren't so scary this time, as a small trickle of daylight came in through the windows at either end. No sign of anyone either. I made my way down the hall, walking as silently as I could, until I came to a staircase. I tiptoed down to the bottom into the large entrance room where I'd first arrived with Jody. Locating the door, I ran for it, throwing it open and leaping out the door.
I was immediately surrounded by fog as I crossed the threshold onto the lawn. However, I could distinctly hear the chirp of birds and bullfrogs, so I wasn't too worried. After all, those were natural creatures. It was the unnatural ones I was afraid of.
I whipped out my map again from the pack and frantically searched for my location. Finally I found the hotel and located the bar I was supposed to go to. James was right, I'd have to go through the amusement park to get there. Oh great, I said to myself. As if that's not the creepiest place I could imagine visiting. Well, perhaps a hospital or something would be creepier, but who in their right mind would go there?
I stuffed the map in my pocket and ran across the lawn, looking for an exit. I couldn't believe my luck at not getting caught. It was almost too easy. As if on cue, a voice emanated from the white quagmire of fog.
"Going somewhere?"
I froze. I knew it was too good to be true. But who was it? It wasn't Mary. The voice was scratchy and hoarse, and definitely male.
"W-who's there?" I said, my hand slowly pulling out the gun.
"You don't know me?" it croaked. "Ah, but I know you. And I know what you've done."
"I haven't done anything," I said, inching away from the voice. "Whoever you are, leave me alone."
"You may have fooled the others, but you don't fool me," it said.
There was something very familiar about the voice, though I couldn't place it. As I backed up, I suddenly found myself against an iron gate. My hand frantically searched for a latch as I faced my unknown company.
"Look, I don't have time for this."
My hand found a lever, and I yanked, opening a squealing metal gate.
"Time?" said the voice. "Time, my dear Stephanie, is running out."
My heart skipped a beat. I staggered through the gate opening and slammed it shut.
"I-I'm not Stephanie," I said, slowly. "But if you know something about her, you'd better tell me."
I pointed my gun threateningly in its direction. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but I didn't care.
"What," it said, "you plan to kill me? That'd be too easy for you, Stephanie."
I wasn't getting anywhere. There was no time for this, anyway.
"Go to hell," I said, pocketing the gun.
I turned and broke into a run along a trail. Trees, or at least the shadows of trees, surrounded me, so I supposed I was in a forest once again.
A few minutes went by, and I stopped to catch my breath. Suddenly a gunshot in the distance broke the silence. It was a large shot, too, far too powerful to be a pistol. More like a shotgun. Was that person I'd just talked to shooting at me? The thought wasn't encouraging, so I moved on.
After a little, I stopped again. Whoever that was back there, he didn't follow me. However, I finally realized where I knew the voice from. It was the same drawling, scratchy voice that took my information over the phone when I called in for reservations. Was he a hotel patron that James just hadn't mentioned? I doubted it, recalling the look of shock on his face when I mentioned I'd made reservations. Perhaps he was one of Mary's cult followers.
But why on earth would he think I was Stephanie? For the third time since I'd arrived in this town, an odd feeling presented itself in my gut. Something was important in all of this mess...
An image flashed through my mind. It was a car, the same car I'd remembered in the graveyard. It was traveling down a dark highway in the rain. No, not just traveling... speeding. Swerving. There was a high bridge ahead...
Something in the foliage rustled around, breaking my thoughts. I rose to my feet, warily looking into the fog. Nothing. No more movement.
Then something grabbed my shoulder from behind.
In one movement, I spun around and had my gun pointed at the assailant.
"Hey!"
Todd backed a few steps away from me.
"Todd!" I exclaimed. "God, don't ever do that again!"
He grinned mischievously.
"Gotta keep you on your toes," he chuckled.
I pocketed the pistol and turned back to him. He was eyeing my gun curiously.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked.
"James."
He frowned.
"Todd, where the hell have you been?"
He waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Out looking for Steph. Someone had to, right?"
I took a step forward.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I growled. "You think I haven't been looking?"
"Look, lets just go, ok?"
Angrily, I pushed his hands off me and started trudging along the path, which soon turned to concrete. At one point in the walk, Todd asked me if I was mad at him. Was I? I didn't know, honestly. Maybe I had wasted too much time. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like I didn't care whether I found Stephanie or not. Though I knew that wasn't really true, I know I could've done more.
********************************************************************************
Finally we arrived at the park gates. They were once festively decorated in bright yellows and reds, but time had sucked most of the color right out of them. Litter and weeds lined the cracked concrete. I felt like I was in an ancient ruin or something, one I didn't want to explore.
We walked through and past the vacant ticket gates into a large, circular area. Shops lined the circle, clad in brick. I had no desire to wander in and out of empty shops, so we walked on. The amusement park wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it'd be. I mean, sure, it was creepy with broken, rotting machinery everywhere, but at least monsters weren't chasing me (for which I was thankful).
We came through several gates and into an area with some benches. On one of those benches sat a figure, one I recognized as-
"James!"
I ran over to him, but he didn't look up. I stopped in front of him, looking with concern.
"James, you ok?"
He shook his head and wiped his eyes; clearly he'd been crying.
"She's dead. I... I killed her."
"James... you mean...," I spoke softly.
"Mary... she's... she's..."
"Very much alive," spoke a voice from behind a carousel.
Every head turned to the voice.
"Mary?!" exclaimed James.
It was indeed Mary, just as I'd seen her last. Well, almost. Her dress was soaked with blood, a large hole in the center. Her flesh, though, was pristine, and she didn't appear to be hurt in the least.
"Hello, James," said Mary.
"B-but... but, I killed you!" he shouted in disbelief.
"Yes... again," she said with a sneer. "Or so it would seem. But you see, God looks after Her faithful. By Her grace, I am alive to fulfill Her will."
She raised her hands skyward.
"Finally all is in place! The path to Paradise will soon be opened."
"Like hell it will," said James, picking up a shotgun I hadn't seen under the bench.
Suddenly a shot rang out. James uttered a cry of pain and fell to the ground, clutching his arm. I turned and looked in horror at the person who'd fired.
"Todd! What are you doing!?"
"What I should have done in the alley," he said venomously. "His meddling has wasted far too much of our time."
Realization dawned on me, and I struggled to keep breathing. He was in league with Mary. He was in this cult of hers.