Silent Hill is owned by Konami...but you alread knew that. :P
As soon as I saw the bed I felt extremely exhausted; as if my life had been sucked from my body. James checked out the room while I sat down on the dingy, dirty mattress.
"James, wait a minute."
I couldn't catch my breath. It was like the air in the room was thickening. I felt as if I were pushed underwater.
"I'm kind of tired…"
I struggled for the pill bottle hidden in my boot and popped a couple into my mouth. I hated swallowing without water. "My aspirin", I used to say when people asked. The doctor told me they would help me feel better but that nothing could take away my sickness. I hate taking pills.
"It's just a hangover."
"You should rest."
I hated lying, and James seemed concerned, but I couldn't tell him the truth. I never told anyone the truth about my illness. I didn't want to hurt anyone.
The pills took effect and I slowly sunk into the dismal mattress.
"Mmm. So comfy…"
I knew James felt uncomfortable and was eager to leave me in this depressing room.
"I'm going to look for her…for Laura. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Sure, that's what they all said.
James pretended like he cared, but I knew he was only here for one thing: Mary, the love of his life.
"James, I want to ask you something. What if…what if you can't find Mary? What will you do?"
James turned and opened the door.
"I haven't thought about that."
Foolish man! He came here so blind and innocent. I know this town draws you in. It's evil and it knows evil.
I drifted off into a troubled sleep…
The room is entirely white and I am sleeping in a very uncomfortable bed. There are soft bleeps coming from every direction and something is stuck in my arm and shoved up my nose.
I can breath easy.
"Mary? Are you awake?"
A small girl stands at my bedside with soft blond hair and brilliant blue eyes.
"Yes I am, Laura," I hear myself reply, although I have no control over my voice. In fact, I don't even recognize the voice.
So sweet and caring…
"Where's your husband?" Laura asks innocently.
"He's not here today, dear," I say between violent coughs. "I yelled at him and he went away."
"He's not very nice."
"He's just upset because I'm sick. Sometimes people deal with sadness by being mean."
"Why won't he stay?"
"Because he is scared."
"Of what?"
I could feel myself trying to laugh, but the pain in my chest made it difficult.
"You ask too many questions."
Sadly, my coughing became so horrible that a nurse in a crisp white uniform, with a nametag that read "Rachel", came and took little Laura away. Something warm shot through my veins and I felt very tired.
I bolted upright in the small hospital room. What was that dream? Was I Mary? I knew it was ridiculous…I probably just dreamed it because of all that was going on. After hearing about Mary and knowing about Laura, I probably just put the two together in my mind.
I'm me. I'm Maria.
Would James ever accept that?
No. He wants Mary and nothing less.
I stared at the pills bottles on the little table beside the bed.
If he wants Mary, I'll give him Mary.
I left the pills where they were and went searching for James. He had been gone for a long time. How could he just leave me here?
I stormed through the hospital, upset and afraid. I had no weapon to defend myself against those horrible monsters. How could James just leave me in that room and not come back?
He doesn't care for me at all.
Damn Mary!
I headed to the stairs that led to the basement. I hoped to God that I found James before something terrible found me. A painful moan escaped from around the corner. I felt a painful blow collide with my back and quickly turned around.
It was a nurse-creature, right there, swinging her steel pipe. Its face was a featureless blob, as if skin were stretched over it, with two white eyes sticking out from underneath. It wore a disgustingly dirty and bloody nurse's uniform.
I screamed and raced away, my back aching as I ran down the stairs.
Why did he leave? He never stayed. He never had the patience. I was so angry with him! I felt so disgusting because I could never be what Mary was to him.
I dress sexy. I'm a fun girl. Why doesn't he want that?
"James!"
"Mary! Oh Maria, it's you. I thought you were…sorry."
I fought back the tears. Why couldn't I be his Mary?
"Anyway, I'm glad you're alive…"
"'Anyway'! What do you mean 'anyway'! " I was so angry. "You don't sound very happy to see me! I was almost killed back there!" Why didn't he care? "All you care about is that dead wife of yours! I've never been scared in my whole life!" A tear escaped my grip. "You couldn't care less about me, could you?"
James looked so guilty. "No, I just…"
"Then stay with me! Don't ever leave me alone! You're supposed to take care of me!"
Just like you were supposed to take care of Mary…
I buried my face in his shoulder. It felt so good to be held again.
"So what about Laura?" I asked, wiping away the tears. I felt so stupid. "Did you find her?"
"Yeah, but she ran away."
I thought about my dream. That poor little girl…
"We've got to find her!"
James looked confused. "You seem to really care about her. Do you know her?"
I didn't want to tell James about my dream. He would think I was crazy for thinking I was Mary. Would it really scare him that bad? Maybe he could love me if he knew I was Mary.
No. Wait. I'm Maria.
"I never met her before," I lied. "I just feel sorry for her. She's all alone…and for some reason…I feel like it's up to me to protect her."
We began to walk again and eventually found our way to a long, twisted corridor. Anxious to leave the hospital, I followed James as he moved forward. James turned around briefly with a look of terror in his eyes. I turned as well and came face to face with my worst nightmare.
The Red Devil.
He wore a pyramid-shaped mask made of metal that covered his head and shoulders. He held a menacingly large knife.
We begin to run but James gets ahead of me. He reaches the elevator first.
"Open up!"
The elevator opens and James desperately hits the buttons.
"James!"
I can't make it to the elevator. It's too late for me. I reach the gap James holds open for me, but it's too late.
"No!"
"James!"
Goodbye.
"James!"
I'm sorry.
"James!"
I love you.
"James!"
I can't breath.
The elevator doors close.
AN: Yeah, I didn't really attribute much girl-power to Maria. I actually don't see her as a slobbering love slave, but that's how this story developed. I needed a way to show her transformation from Maria to Mary and loving James (god forbid) seemed to fit. Please review!
Saddened Soul: Thanks for the review! Yeah, everything about James is sad...That man just can't get the breaks.
Amaratenou: (try saying that one 3 times fast) I'm going to take your advice and write up until the points that Maria really bites it...or does she? Anywho, thanks for the review!
Angsty: I think "glomp" is possibly the coolest verb in the semi-English language. I'll have to use it more often. Thanks for the praise! I saw the clouds part and the heavens sing when I read your review. Thanks!
SilentWolf: o.O Thank you...
