Laura was visiting Mary again. She was listening intently to Mary's story about Silent Hill. "James wanted to go to the Amusement Park but I didn't want to go," Mary was saying. "I think he was a little mad at me for that but he didn't let it ruin the day. So, we went to Rosewater Park instead. It was a long way from the hotel. We looked through the telescope to see what there was to see. Then we walked around and looked at all the statues."

"You skipped the amusement park?" Laura asked in complete amazement. "Are you crazy?" Mary laughed. "I've been there before. It was fun. Only they wouldn't let me on the roller coaster. I was too little. I couldn't go in the Haunted Mansion either."

"Laura, where's your family?" Laura's smile faded and Mary regretted asking.

"I don't know. They're just.... gone. Some lady came and got me and brought me here."

"Do you know why?"

"Mmm, I don't remember a lot about it," Laura said.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I'd like to take you to Silent Hill with us," Mary told her. "We could go to the Amusement Park and you could show me all the rides. ... James promised to take me back there some day."

"Promises can be broken," Laura responded with a blank stare. Mary looked down at the floor.

The next morning, the doctor stepped into Mary's room. "Well, Mrs. Sunderland, we've decided to let you go home," he said. "You're condition seems to be fine and the coughing fits don't seem to be life threating. I suggest you try the medicine you were prescribed. Your husband is on his way to get you." With that, he left. Mary pulled herself out of bed to go see Laura. It was great to know that she'd get to go home, but she didn't want to just leave Laura behind. Laura was lying in bed. She sat up as soon as she saw Mary.

"Hello, Laura," Mary said quietly.

Laura said, "Hi Mary." She was smiling. It was hard for Mary to break the news to her.

"They're letting me leave the hospital, Laura. James is taking me home. But I promise I'll be back to visit. I'll come everyday- even if I have to hitch a ride." Laura just nodded and looked away. When James arrived, Mary changed into the clothes he brought her. She took the medicine she was prescribed but within a week she was bedridden. She'd got up to make James breakfast and collapsed. James took the day off. The next morning though, he had to go to work. They needed the money. She forced herself out of bed to go to the bathroom. As she walked in she caught a glimpse of her reflection and cringed. Dark circles were under her eyes, her skin was pale, and her face looked thinner. Whatever this was seemed to be consuming her fast. On the weekends, James had to spend the whole time taking care of her. She was always asking him for something. He began to hear her sickly voice calling to him at work. He thought he was going crazy. He suggested bringing her back to the hospital.

"I don't know," she said weakly. "It might pass soon."

He growled, "Mary, it's not going to be that easy! I can't keep this up! We need money and you need someone who can be there for you all the time. You have to go back to the hospital. They had to have missed something somehow. It happens."

"Just give me a few more days. Please James." He sighed and shook his head. Eventually he gave in. she got her 'few days'. Of course she had to spend them alone. James had to work. The quiet, empty house bored her to death. She would've loved to rake this time to paint but she didn't even have the energy to sit up. Being in James's company was SOMETHING at least. Even if they didn't talk, just feeling his presence was a comfort. Everything was so hard. Her body felt so heavy. James started working late so the nights became cold and lonely. She had dreams that often had her waking up crying. They were all about James with other women. The thought of it was unbearable. She had to get out of the house. Finally she said, "Just take me to the damn hospital."

And so she was back, lying miserably in a hospital bed. A different nurse named Rachel had been assigned to take care of her. For some reason she look familiar to Mary. Then she remembered that Rachel had brought Laura in. "Um, miss ... Rachel?"

Mary said. "You know Laura, right?"

Rachel said, "Yes, I do."

"Do you know why she's in the hospital?"

"Well her parents mistreated her. That's why she has the bruise on her face. She's going to be sent to an orphanage once they release her because her parents don't want her anymore."

"That's sad. Poor girl." She thought to herself, 'Maybe once I get out of here, I can talk James into adopting her with me. I'd be more then happy to take care of her.' She smiled. How wonderful it would be to have a child. "Um, could I see Laura, please?" When Rachel brought Laura in, Laura hugged Mary. Mary used what strength she had to give a gentle squeeze back.