Author's Note:

Hi everyone, and welcome to a little project I'm conjuring up called Little Hope. This is basically an AU of the Dark Pictures Anthology with an original character named Lily thrown into the mix. She may be introverted, I hope you all like her. :) Also, apologies if the characters are OOC because this is my first time writing for the DPA Universe. I will admit, I'm a tad nervous because of that too. :(

Plot Summary:

Lily Anderson, a young woman on the autistic spectrum, has been living in Ashfield with her parents and despite the bullying she faces at university, life has been fairly normal ... but what happens when a trip ends in turmoil and she, her best friend Andrew, her classmates and professor find themselves trapped in a town named Little Hope?

Anyway, feel free to leave your thoughts in a review and I hope you all enjoy Chapter 1! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Dark Pictures Anthology (Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes & The Devil In Me), Silent Hill, Visage, Until Dawn, Mario, Sonic, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, 13 Reasons Why, Grand Theft Auto V, Hunger Games, Jaws, Dying Light, Walking Dead or The Cured. All rights go to the original owners. All of the characters and events in this story are fictitious. Other references to real life places, events and individuals, living or dead, are purely coincidental.

LITTLE HOPE

Chapter 1: Lily

Cherish the children who march to the beat of their own music. They play the most beautiful heartsongs...

~ Fiona Goldsworthy.

...

Hello friend. Hello friend, that... no, that doesn't feel right. Do you want a different name? That's a slippery slope though, because we have to remember that you've been in my head for a long time now. I... Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't believe I'm about to tell you my story...!

I never told you much about myself, did I? Well to start with, people saw me as your normal geeky nerd. But to be honest with you, I'm nowhere near normal, because I'm on the autistic spectrum and I suffer from social anxiety. This affects how I function in everyday life, such as socialising with people. Sure, some of them were willing to give me a chance and I appreciated that. But...they didn't work out, they never did and that's made my anxiety worse over the years.

Well, at least I have my family and a few friends to help me cope.

On a different note, everyone has media productions, topics and people that they are interested in; favourite movie, television show or cute band, you get the idea. My interests were similar, but they were a lot different than the stereotypical teenager's interests. Since I was nine, I've been a huge fan of Sonic the Hedgehog. I've played the games I was able to get my hands on, I watched some of the television shows and I bought the merchandise that I could. My bedroom's walls are covered in video game posters and my childhood plush toys of the characters helped me calm down whenever I had an anxiety attack because of bullying. I also have a little lapis ring which was a gift on my thirteenth birthday and that helped soothe my anxiety too.

So, feel free to grab a snack and settle in - because I'm about to tell you the story of a little adventure I had a while back. I was seventeen years old, a Freshman at university and preparing to go on a trip with my class.

But neither of us had the slightest idea what was around the corner...

A single circle in an endless spin, revealing the lights of a carousel.

A girl struggling to break free from chains, underwater.

As above, so below.

...

They say that it was the sense of terror that hit you. The snow swirling across an abandoned carnival at night, the smells of fresh blood, metal grating and matching cages with grotesque figures inside were dotted here and there. The combination felt like a scene from a stereotypical horror film.

I emerged from the main entrance, scanning my surroundings with caution and shivering, allowing the sounds of snow crunching underneath my boots to greet my ears as I shortly stopped in my tracks. "W-Where am I?"

Just as those words left my mouth, I suddenly felt a heavy weight in my right hand. Hm? Glancing down, I took notice of the bloodstained switchblade I was clutching tightly and the lit flashlight sitting in the right breast pocket of my jacket. Huh - good to know I'm armed, at least. A knife's better than nothing, anyway.

Taking in my surroundings again for a little longer, I eventually found myself turning round to see a golden neon sign at the top of the entrance building which read: Lakeside Amusement Park.

Well, that's one question answered. But how come I ended up here, though? I don't remember booking a vacation to Silent Hill.

Pushing those thoughts to one side, I decided to rack my brains and look for somebody who could help me get out of here. Glancing around, I notice multiple people dressed in bloodied pink bunny mascot costumes lying on the metal grating. Okay, try and wake them up, go. Following my mental instruction, I ran over to one on my left and shook him to awake him ... but to no avail. And the worse thing about it? He had no pulse and I had a feeling that there was no hope for me to resuscitate him or call for help. I tried waking up the next dude, got the same result. Rince, repeat, rince, repeat and I found myself running back frantically where I came from to pry the metal gates open in a panic - but they were rusted shut!

Nononono, I have to bail out of here! How do I get out?!

Okay, okay, stop and think Lily. Maybe there's something here that can help you?

After turning and venturing back into the abandoned area, I scanned my surroundings once more and eventually came across a wide map stand. Ah ha, jackpot! Walking over, I took in the information that was presented. Okay so, I'm close to the Mountain Coaster which is near the Borley Haunted Mansion. And after that, there's the... Happy Carousel? Bingo!

I felt a little more at ease now that I had a plan in motion and that I knew a merry-go-round was here. The carousel was one of two sanctuaries for me as well, a place where I could feel safe from the unforgiving world and be myself essentially.

Yes, I know that's weird. But that's how I feel.

Following the map's instructions, I steeled myself together and walked over to a dirty door on a building to my right. Okay - the sooner you get to the Carousel, the better. I pulled down the handle, opened the door and ventured into a case of pitch black which was thankfully illuminated by my flashlight. And almost immediately, the sounds of rapid footsteps greeted my ears. What th—

CHOMP!

I screamed as a pair of razor-sharp jaws slammed into my right leg, drawing blood. Glancing down during my attempts to shake my assailant off, I saw a black and white dog with its' head split into two gnawing my leg. Nononono! Without hesitation, I delivered a hard kick which sent it back against the wall and took off sprinting. What the hell was that?!

My terror grew even worse when I high-tailed it into the next area and allowed growling to greet my ears. Oh sh*t! Advancing towards me was a tall brown feminine creature?! with huge arms, mini skirt, high heels and a weird-looking face which I didn't want to describe. Ignore it and run! Allowing my survival instincts to kick in further, I shoved my way past just as it lunged at me with a sharp bone-like spear emerging out of its' arm and dashed through the metal gate towards a rusty staircase, soon taking notice of a sign pointing to the Mountain Coaster.

Yes!

I limped up the staircase as fast as my legs could carry me, trying my best to ignore the monsters and focus on getting to the carousel. Eventually I managed to reach the top of the Mountain Coaster and instantly dashed for the control building next to the tracks, frantically attempting to pry the door's lock but to no avail!

"Come on!" I cried out with terror, kicking the door in a fit of anger and heaving frightened gasps.

You're going to have to wing it and head on the tracks, Lily. Go.

Bearing that in mind, I pulled myself away from the control building and opened the metal gate to the tracks. Once I stepped onto them, I began limping my way down with the tracks occasionally twisting and turning. On the bright side, I was safe from the... monsters, let's call them, but the pain in my leg was unfortunately worsening by the minute as blood stained my jean leg in a dark crimson. You can stitch it up when you find a first-aid kit or something. Just wing it for now.

It took a while for me to limp down the roller coaster tracks and I thought I was safe ... that is, until I heard the distant rumble of a running car.

Oh no.

The rumbling slowly grew louder and louder, prompting me to scan my surroundings in panic. Oh god, where is it coming from?!

Louder and louder. Okay, you need to jump!

A pair of four lights suddenly emerged at this point, sending me into a tailspin of panic.

Steeling myself, I prepared for a running start and lunged forwar— JUMP!

A blow of excruciating agony suddenly thundered in my left side and the last thing I remember is screaming as I fell.

NO!

Lily

Room 303 in Rosewater Apartments, Ashfield

06:30AM } May 27, 2020

A heaved gasp ripped out of my throat as I awoke with a start, expecting to feel my leg thundering up a storm ... but instead, I didn't feel anything as I was in my bed at home with no signs of injury whatsoever. Oh thank god it was a nightmare!

My bedroom's walls were painted in white and had posters from my favourite video game franchises hooked up, as well as numerous pictures from my life. The floor was a tawny brown and I also had a simple desk and chair perched next to a shelf of drawers housing my television set, Playstation 4 and Illuminated World Globe. Bonus points went to a single window standing proudly next to the right side of my bed, which allowed me to get a decent look at the city outside.

You're fine Lily, you're okay...

My bedroom door creaked open, prompting me to groggily turn my head to see my Mum, Claire, entering to check in. She was a really lovely woman in her forties who looked pleasant in her work uniform; a blue long sleeved collared shirt with darker jeans and a pair of black boots. The resemblance between us was also uncanny, so much that we had been mistaken for sisters a couple of times before! Not that either of us are complaining.

"Hi Lily!" She greeted pleasantly. "I hope I didn't wake you up?"

"You didn't, it's fine," I reassured her with a tired smile, rubbing sleepy dust out of my eyes.

"Are you okay?" Mum asked me with concern, sensing that I was still a tad on edge.

"I-I don't know," I briefly stammered. Stupid nightmare!

"Why, what's wrong?" My mother questioned worriedly, walking to sit on the edge of my bed.

"Well," I began nervously explaining. "I... I had a nightmare, essentially. I was wondering around this, ah, Lakeside Amusement Park,"

"The one in Silent Hill?"

"Yep, and..." A disbelieving chuckle. "This is going to sound like the dumbest thing in the world, but I got attacked by these weird-looking monsters. So, I try and escape from them whilst I'm bleeding out because of a dog which had its' head split into two - only for a rollercoaster to come and run me over,"

Hearing this, Mum glanced at me in shock. "I'm sorry you went through that, Lily. That, that must have been terrifying,"

"Yeah, it was," I confirmed sadly. "You wouldn't happen to have an idea on what it means, do you?"

"No - I'm not the greatest with this kind of thing, sorry," My mother replied apologetically.

"It's alright," I reassured her, forcing a smile on my face. "I mean - it was probably random, anyhow,"

"Maybe," She agreed. "Anyway, it's the same as usual and come on through when you're ready,"

"Okay, no problem," I replied happily, pulling myself up to my feet whilst Mum left me to it.

The first thing I did after making my bed was grab my blue hairbrush and quickly run it through my hair, checking to see if there were any knots present. Thankfully there weren't, which lead to me tying it back in a ponytail with bangs framing my face. I then stripped out of my green t-shirt and dark bottoms into a grey long sleeved shirt, an olive green hooded jacket, a pair of denim jeans and dark combat boots. After slipping my lapis ring on my right ring finger, I took my IPhone and headphones from the set of drawers, placing them inside my blue backpack which had two pins (a pair of gold wings and a rather cool spaceship) attached. Upon zipping it up, I grabbed it by one of the straps and exited to turn a right into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

I felt a mixture of emotions about this week, mainly anxiety. Why? Because I unfortunately had to spend five days at university, which is pretty much the best setting for teenage drama and... And on top of that, I wasn't brave enough to strike up a conversation with my classmates because of the bullying I went through. But despite the cons, I was glad that uni had a couple of pros unlike high school. One: the staff are a lot nicer and two: I was lucky enough to find some people who see me for me!

Uni life became more bearable after I met them, too. Everything would be okay as long as we stuck together.

After finishing the essentials, I exited the bathroom to find myself taking a quick right into the living room, allowing the sounds of a television programme to greet my ears. The location in question again had a much wider space filled with a dark brown sofa and chair which sat a mere distance away from each other. A light brown table sat in front of the couch with the large window encased by green curtains. The walls and ceiling were painted in a bright white, whilst the latter fan and floor were painted in a darkish grey. The kitchen on the right side of the living room looked a little different as its' walls were draped in bright white tiles and the wooden floor was a lighter grey. The counters were painted in a darker shade whilst the wooden shelves and drawers shared the same colour as the former.

"Ooh - look at you, all pretty!" Mum complimented cheerfully, once I placed my bag by my chair and sat down. "Love it!"

"Thank you!" I giggled. "I, um, I take it Dad's still sleeping?" Lucky, considering he's got the day off.

"Accurate," My mother answered, before a concerned look painted her face. "I was going to ask - how are you feeling about today, since you're going to be with your class?"

""I'm..." I began, finding myself trailing off for two seconds as I struggled to calm my nerves. "First of all, I'm glad that I'm going to be with them, even though we don't talk much,"

"Perhaps, your trip could be an opportunity to work on your fears?"

Hearing this, I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You've told me that you're scared to strike up a conversation with them, which is fine - I understand your reasons for that," Mum began to point out. "But you're okay with Andrew, right?"

"Yeah, definitely," I replied with a small smile, suddenly feeling more at ease. I wonder how he's doing, by the way?

"Well, why don't you try and get to know the rest of your class a bit better too?" My mother suggested. "You could start by asking them questions about what they like to do for fun and go from there, see what happens,"

"O-Okay, yeah, I'll give that a go," I stammered hopefully. Please let it work out! "What will you guys be doing, whilst I'm gone - by the way?"

"I don't know what your Dad will be doing - but I've got work again; just making some calls and treating patients as usual," Mum answered sadly, shortly perking up. "But I have the afternoon off, so that's a plus,"

I chuckled. "Yeah, I agree,"

We both continued socialising whilst watching television and helping ourselves to breakfast after sorting out money to buy lunches with. Soon, it was time for me to go. After washing up, I switched the TV off and once I checked to see if my essentials were inside, I slung my arms through my backpack's straps and off we went. Our room was located on the third floor of the apartment complex we resided in, so there were only three flights of stairs to climb - which were a little tough if we were tired out after a long day. But once my mother and I walked out into the summery weather, my spirits soared back up as I prepared myself for the events ahead.

Okay, here's hoping that our trip will be great...