MichelLover67: You're right to have that bad feeling about what's in store for Nicole… as for James, we'll just have to wait and see…
diddly day: Well, I hope it wasn't that confusing… Nonetheless, it allows me to move on with the story, so be prepared for a few more twists.
SageoWind218: Ah, I'm going to get kicked… Well, maybe not…
Gaia Faye: I guess I did make it a little confusing… Heh… Douggy… How humorous…
The Extremely Crappy Days at Ashfield High
Chappy Twenty-Three: A Mutiny of Sorts
"Noah…?"
"Ah, Alexis, I suppose you've already secured the girl?"
"Yes… Yes I have… Catherine is with me also, but we were wondering where Jeremy was…"
"He's currently at the church, I believe… So is Melissa; they have the boy."
"Ah, good… Do you really believe Jeremy will-,"
"Kill him? Most likely. The host must die for the transition to be complete."
"…I see… Well then… We are going to go to Brookhaven church."
"Actually, could you stop by the hospital?"
"Alchemilla?"
"Yes, I have to discuss something with you two, and from there we can travel to the church."
"…Alright, then… We'll stop by Alchemilla."
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Henry tried to ignore the burning pain coursing through his head, but it was difficult. Well, why wouldn't it be difficult?
He was driving towards Ashfield High School, prepared to pick up his son; usually, Joshua walked home, and once he got his license he'd be able to drive, but he never asked to be picked up… and he had today.
…This fog…
Henry had noticed it before, how everywhere the fog was life was absent. No people within the fog, no other animals… Even the trees seemed less than lively today.
It reminded him of Silent Hill… but now that town was completely deserted.
He sighed and pushed harder on the pedal, something making him want to reach the school now.
And he did.
Out of the fog came the school and he just drove right into the parking lot. He switched to the brakes, and the automobile stopped, allowing him to look around, as the pain intensified.
Yes, just like before, no students littered the school; he saw no other cars, aside from two a little ways off… Wait, there was someone… A man walking out of the school… He had a coat on… Blue… No, brown… and his hair… Blond…? Yes… And that face… 11121... Conjurer…
…the Nine spears…
'What…?'
…Holy Assumption…
'No… No…'
Henry watched the man as he halted and looked outwards towards through the fog. Henry quickly got out of the car.
"Walter!"
The coated man turned to him, studying him for a moment as he approached. "Ah, Henry… I didn't recognize you there; you've aged."
Henry stopped a few feet in front of his former adversary. "What… What are you doing here? Where is everyone else? The students, the teachers?" The brunet noticed the hint of anger in his voice, and he tried to keep it under control.
"Answer me!"
Walter simply shook his head. "I have no idea. Ever since this fog formed, all other people disappeared… It's strange, but I figure, the less people there are, the less of a hindrance."
"But what are you here for? Where is my son?"
The blond chuckled. "I work here now, Henry; Arithmetic."
"What do you mean by that? You can't-,"
"Mr. Sydney Wells, that's what I called myself. I created everything I needed, and I took on this persona for fifteen years. And I must say Joshua is quite good at math."
"Joshua? It's him, isn't it? You're not here just to start over, you're after him."
"Correct. Your son is all that's left of the '21 Sacraments', and once he is sacrificed, the ritual will be complete, and I will free Mother at last."
"W-Wait! I don't even know how you're still alive, and now you're talking about the Sacraments again?" he responded harshly.
Walter walked past him, looking up at the sky. "Well, your son, in a way, is the Sacraments. Its success or failure resides with him. I am just merely carrying it out."
"…Why?" Henry turned, glaring at him. "There has to be a better reason, Walter, a better reason; a majority of your victims didn't deserve it!"
"But some of them did, Henry… and they got what they deserved… but I do apologize for the ones that were innocent… The ones like you, and Miss Galvin… and Joshua."
"Wait, just where is Joshua?"
"He's on his way to Silent Hill; he and another student snuck into the van of two odd people; I'm not entirely sure why, but I have a good idea."
"And you're going there?"
"Why yes, and I suppose you'll be going too, but I have to get some things ready, and you must inform Miss Galvin… Oh, pardon me, Mrs. Townsend."
Walter smiled before turning away and continuing to walk off towards his vehicle.
"I won't let you kill my son!" shouted Henry at the man, who did not stop walking. "I… I won't… You hear me! I won't!"
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Another kick to the door was able to force it open… and Joshua fell out onto the hard ground.
"What the hell was that for, Myron?" he demanded as the somewhat shorter boy hopped out.
"W-well, I h-h-had to p-push you… And b-besides, you c-c-could've j-just unl-l-l-locked the door f-f-from the inside."
"Uh, yeah right," replied Joshua quickly as he got up and looked around. "Question: Where the hell are we, Myron?"
The geeky teenager adjusted his glasses while looking out towards the lake ahead. "We s-s-s-seem to b-be on a-an obs-s-servation d-d-d-deck."
"Um, yeah… The lake… I meant a location of some sort, Myron… Ah, blast this fog."
Myron walked over, looking over the guardrails. "This m-m-must be L-L-Lake T-Toluca."
"Toluca?" inquired Joshua with disbelief as he was walking around, dashing over to Myron. "Damn! Christian said something about a 'Toluca Lake'… This means only one thing… We're in that damned tourist town, Silent Hill."
"W-W-What's the p-problem?"
"We're in a whole other town, Myron! And this place's been deserted for years, man," stated Joshua as he put both of his hands behind his head. "plus, those people must've been going mighty fast; it's only been a few hours since we left Ashfield…"
"T-Then why d-d-d-didn't they park in t-the c-c-central part of the t-t-t-town?"
"Hmm… You have a point… We shouldn't be bothered by it; we have to get to that hospital they were talking about."
"B-But where d-d-did they h-head off t-t-t-t-to…?"
"I'm pretty sure they went down that path." Joshua pointed towards a dirt road curving a tad downwards and to the left; the fog obscured it.
"Well, let's not waste time, Myron," said the brunet before jogging away into the fog; Myron waddled after him.
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Henry closed the front door behind him slowly. His eyes wandered around the entrance hall, and he made his way into the kitchen.
"…Eileen…?" he called out weakly. Henry never was one to raise his voice, and it surprised him that he was able to shout at Walter. Of course, he was not just going to let him kill off hid only son for some damn ritual…
"Oh, Henry, look at what I found," said his wife happily as she stepped out of the hallway holding a large, black, leather-bound book. She approached him, holding it out. "It's an old photo album of ours; I found it in the back room."
He took it unhurriedly, looking down at it with a small smile. "So, how was your day?" she asked while raising his chin and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"It… was complicated…" he answered before looking up at her. "We have to talk… He's alive… but I, I didn't want to tell you, because… I was afraid…"
Eileen's grin instantaneously faded. "…Are you sure?"
"Yeah…" he replied quietly. "He was at the school…"
"W-What?" Her eyes widened. "What about Joshua? Where… Where is he? Is he all right, what-,"
"Walter said he was fine, that he-,"
"Oh, screw what Walter said!" she yelled, suddenly, causing a startled Henry to drop the album, several pictures falling out and sliding across the floor.
She hugged herself, fighting back tears. "I'm, I'm sorry, it's just-,"
Henry placed his hands on her shoulders, shaking his head. "I'm worried about him too, but he's going to Silent Hill for some reason. I know… I know that believing Walter is a little far- fetched, but I have a feeling he's telling the truth; I doubt Walter is the type of person that lies, as weird as that may sound."
Eileen choked a laugh. "Yeah…" She frowned. "So what, what are we going to do?"
"Well, I'm going to go to Silent Hill… I don't know if Joshua knows about this, but if Walter knows he's gone he most likely explained everything to him."
She brushed back a few strands of hair before embracing her husband tightly. "I want to go with you," she stated in firm determination, all of a sudden. Henry backed away. "I don't know what the exact deal is, Eileen, it-,"
"I'm going."
"But-,"
"I'm going; he's my son too."
Henry, seeing the futility of trying to persuade his wife, sighed. "Well… alright; let's get ready, then."
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Noah stood alone in the dark lobby, waiting patiently. His eyes were closed, and he felt the weapon in his coat pocket; now was the time.
The door to Alchemilla Hospital opened, revealing Alexis holding Nicole by the arm, and Catherine not far behind.
"Noah."
"Alexis, I'm glad you could come."
"What did you… wish to discuss?"
"There is no rush, but I'd like for you to close the door."
"I'd like it open."
"…Alright…"
Catherine skipped in, looking around. "Noah, why did we have to come here…? This place always spooks me… What, with the whole deal with that Alessa girl…"
None of the Order members noticed, but two teenagers had darted in and hid behind some chairs…
"Now, what did you need, Noah?" asked Alexis sternly, keeping his eyes locked on him. Noah looked towards the floor, and then up at the redhead. "I wish for you to hand the girl over to me, so I may take her to Jeremy."
"You? We went to the trouble of securing her."
"I'll be sure to inform Jeremy of that, Alexis, so don't worry; please, just hand over the girl."
Alexis cocked his head to the right. "…No… I'm not."
"…What?" asked Noah. Alexis shook his head. "You're not taking her to Jeremy."
Noah chuckled, and then laughed slightly. "Don't do that, Noah… It's scary," remarked Catherine as she scooted behind Alexis.
"What is… so funny?"
"I thought you would resist, Alexis; your loyalty to that dog, Jeremy, is astounding."
" 'Dog'? How dare you call him that?"
"He's just a dog for his fake, religious beliefs… Just a pet, carrying out orders."
"I… can't believe you, Noah. Calling someone who was like a father to us, to you… a dog…? That's…"
The brunet smiled. "Your words don't affect me at all, Alexis, so, for one last time, the girl."
"No."
Noah sighed. "Oh well…" He reached into his coat and removed the handgun. "I suppose you'll change your mind now?"
(Hmm… Did anyone else notice Henry never spoke to Walter during the course of SH4:TR? He only spoke to Child Walter…)