MichelLover67: Why yes, I did create the Ninth Spear; it's… a crucial part of the story. No, I have not heard of 'Bible Black', and neither do I want to… Thank you for the compliment and you are the only person I've seen that uses that type of icon.

Gaia Faye: Yep, Ninth Spear… GO JAMES!

SageoWind218: I didn't even notice it was a cliffhanger… Yay, no kicks… I'll see what I can do about the hug.

The Extremely Crappy Days at Ashfield High

Chappy Twenty Six: Bullets, Bullets, and More Bullets

Noah turned completely around, facing Cheryl Mason as she brought her weapon up just a little. Jeremy had been taken completely by surprise, but he recovered from the shock and frowned.

"If it isn't… Alessa, correct?"

Cheryl scowled at him, the gun in his direction now. "I suppose so… and you are?"

"Jeremy Blackheart; pleased to make your acquaintance," he replied while folding his arms. "Though I am curious… Just how exactly did you discover our location? And, from what I can infer, our motives?"

Noah chuckled somewhat loudly, smirking. "So Melissa didn't inform you of my actions…? Huh, I figured not."

Jeremy glared at Noah as he turned back. "What? Explain yourself, Noah."

The nineteen year- old dropped his grin. "I informed Miss Mason of our actions, and even though she did not decide to assist me, I knew she would, in the end, come to Silent Hill to end this."

"You purposely told her? For what reason?"

"I have been constructing my plan to destroy this… pathetic… cult since when we first arrived in Ashfield. It's taken some time, but I believe I am finally ready to complete my goal."

Jeremy stood there for a moment, speechless. "You… You would dare… to do such a thing… Noah?"

The brunet shrugged. "You've been feeding us all lies since we were mere children. You planned to use us as little drones for your schemes, but I intend to finish this all… right now."

He reached into his coat, revealing the same pistol he had used to injure Alexis. Jeremy backed away slightly, his teeth ground. "How…? Why, when…?"

"That isn't important, Jeremy, but you had the chance to have stopped me. Melissa, however, who knew about it, never told you; I guess I was right in my decision to reveal it to her."

Jeremy gradually looked over to Melissa, who was standing, clutching the golden cross to her chest fearfully.

"You… knew…?"

She shook her head quickly, distressed. "No, Grandfather, I…! I…"

"Melissa is the type of person who doesn't like to disappoint her family and friends… but it seems that she chose me over you… Of course, you wouldn't think of that possibility, would you? I am not the only disloyal "follower"."

Jeremy let out a dry gasp, looking towards the floor at the body of Christian Richards. "I was mistaken in my judgment, then…"

As this was happening, James had arrived at the church, immediately rushing to his niece. "Nicole!"

Noah had released his grip on her, so she ran over to him, who swiftly did away with the rope and gag. "Uncle James!" she exclaimed while embracing him tightly. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly as she let go. "Yeah, I'm fine, but how did you get here? Why is Miss Mason here?"

"She drove me here, when I got to the high school," he answered as Jeremy looked up.

"…And what of Catherine and Alexis…?"

Noah laughed, ending it with a sigh. "I couldn't tell you; I have no idea, but I can assure you there will be no need to worry," responded the brunet as he aimed his weapon at the older man and…

"Stop!"

Melissa had run up between the two, guarding her grandfather. "I didn't think you'd go through with it like this, Noah! Please, just stop!"

"No. How about you just get out of the way, Melissa; I'd hate to have to waste a bullet on you."

Before she could even reply, though, the sound of footsteps and humming coming from the entrance of the church alerted all of its occupants to the presence of another person.

The footsteps, as well as the humming, ceased.

"Am I, interrupting something, by chance?"

Walter Sullivan glanced at each person for a second, especially towards The Order members. "I suppose I am…"

"That's… Mr. Wells…" thought Nicole aloud as Cheryl looked at him and then back to the cultists. Noah cocked his right eyebrow up, staring at Walter curiously.

"Mr. Sydney Wells…"

"Please, call me Walter, Walter Sullivan, Mr. Franklin."

Noah seemed a tad confused, but just as he was about to respond, a loud thud sounded throughout the room.

"Get the door open, Myron!" came a muffled cry from what seemed to be below the church.

"B-But w-what about t-the thing?"

"Forget about it! The lantern's almost out!"

"Ok-k-k-kay!"

A square segment of the floor suddenly lifted slightly, dust falling from its loose edges. The sound of squeaking hinges attacked the ears of them all as the square swung up completely, revealing an open space of equal shape and size.

"Hey, Myron, can you see what's up there?"

The head of Myron Cartland rose from the darkness, examining the inside of the church. "W-Well, N-N-Nicole, her unc-cle, that N-N-N-N-Noah guy, Miss M-M-Mason, and… Mr. W-Wells, are h-here."

"Mr. Wells?"

Myron was suddenly launched from the pit, landing a little ways off as Joshua Townsend climbed from below and onto the floor.

"Ah, I see they showed you the underground passage…" said Noah as Joshua turned to him, grimacing. He looked around at the altar, noticing the body of his friend…

"Christian!" he shouted, pointing at the boy. Noah, and most everyone else, looked towards the altar. "Oh yes, the current "host" of "God"."

"What do you mean?"

"What are you two doing here, anyway?" inquired Cheryl, gaining their attention. "Well, it w-w-was J-J-Josh's id-d-d-dea…" answered Myron, acquiring a glare from Joshua.

"You agreed!" he retorted, but then a gunshot rang throughout the building.

"Let's not get too rowdy, now," advised Walter as he tucked the gun back into his coat. His gaze traveled to Joshua. "I must tell you, Joshua, your parents should be coming quite soon, so-,"

Another shot, and Walter staggered back, a second bullet colliding with his chest.

"Don't waste my time, Mr. Sullivan," warned Noah as the blond fell onto his back. Joshua winced at this moment, pain running through his chest. He grasped his shirt, suddenly falling to his knees.

"J-J-Josh!" yelled Myron as Nicole and James ran over to him. "What happened?" she asked quickly as the brunet slowly got up, drained. "I… I don't know…"

Cheryl had looked over at him for a few moments, but she snapped back to see Jeremy pulling up Christian. "I won't… allow for this to fail… not after everything that has happened, all the people that have been sacrificed…"

With Christian's arm and the back of his vest gripped firmly, Jeremy dashed out of the church, past Noah and the still figure of Walter Sullivan.

"Come back here!" hollered Cheryl while she gave chase. James followed, so did Nicole, and Myron, who helped Joshua up fully.

"Y-You s-s-sure you're ok-k-kay?"

Joshua nodded, giving off a wary glance at Walter, before running off after them.

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Melissa just stood there, staring at the open door. 'Grandfather…' She went after them hastily, and Noah only looked on, not even noticing Walter as he got up, brushing off his coat.

He smiled. "You're going to have to try harder, Mr. Franklin."