Chapter 17: Killed by Death

(A few hours later...)

P-M

I ran.

During the long and tiring trip from Brookhaven Hospital, all I did was run. Avoiding the monsters and locations, I just ran straight across Nathan Avenue. But I did end up colliding into a police woman who happened to be looking for me. What was her name again...? Oh yeah, Cybil Bennett. As soon as she saw me, I was stopped in my tracks and she went to take hold of my arm. But I wrenched it free, mainly out of fear.

I didn't know who she was, anyway...

"Are you Megan Ellis?" She asked me, stepping towards me in a slow and cautious manner.

"Yes..." I answered cautiously. "Who are you and what do you want?!"

The answer I got was quite shocking. "My name is Cybil Bennett and I'm a police officer from Brahms. Your father called me and asked me to find you and your mother."

I mean, seriously. I thought Dad was working!

"There's no way that my father's back, no way." My tone was razor-sharp, sending a warning to Cybil as she stepped back feeling alarmed. To be honest, I wasn't convinced at all because I believed that Dad's work deadline was a couple of weeks from now and he always knuckles down and gets on with he's supposed to do.

"Mr Ellis was allowed to come home early to surprise you and your mum, but the two of you were nowhere to be found. He also came across a hole in your room." The police woman began explaining to me.

What!? Dad's found the hole too?!

"So my dad's here now. Where is he?" I wanted to know, still keeping my distance in case Cybil wanted to arrest me. One of the reasons why I'm not a huge fan of the police was that even though I do respect them, they can sometimes be rather annoying as they follow you everywhere if they think you've committed a crime. Back when I was about...nine or ten years old, one of my uncles got pulled over by a police officer for something that he didn't do and after a while, they let him go. But before that, they were really intent on going for him in hot pursuit.

"He's now at the Wish House Orphanage, which is not far from here." Was the answer that I was looking for.

With a nod and a thumbs up to say "Thanks", I quickly took off again.

Right now, I had a rag-tag team of prehistoric animals I needed to search for.

There were the threat of monsters roaming the streets, which I happened to not be too worried about. After all, it was a wide space, not like in my apartment complex or the hospital I've just been to. Speaking of, I began to wonder how Sonic was doing back home. He was either getting ready for his party or having the time of his life with Tails and all the other guests. My mind drifted to the previous worlds that I visited and what the next ones were going to be; one of them could be my school or another one could be the South Ashfield Heights apartments. I still didn't believe in the rumours about that place, but...who knows where my friends and I might end up after this?

Soon, the luminous lights that read 'Lakeside Amusement Park' came into view, sending a spark of excitement flooding through me.

"Well, this is the place." I murmured as I reached the metal entrance. "The Herd must be inside already."

Even though I had a feeling that my trip wasn't going to end well, I walked in anyways. The fog was still as thick as it was on the streets, almost like an icy cruel winter had set in. I shivered as I wrapped my arms around my body, trying my best not to let out a gasp. All around me were black metal cages with disturbing sights inside, along with bloodied costumes of Robbie the Rabbit who happened to be the mascot.

Which reminds me ... I need to get changed when I get home!

Smacking my forehead in annoyance, I kept going until I found myself facing a huge dirty door, beckoning me into the nightmare due to it's appearance. "It's now or never..."

Taking a deep breath, I turned the knob and went in. Ready for whatever kind of hell was waiting for me.

Just as I entered the dark building, a pair of razor-sharp jaws immediately latched themselves on my leg in a flash. I screamed as I desperately tried to fight the sniffer dog off by kicking it with my other free leg. As soon as it let go, I grabbed my pistol and fired five or six bullets in an effort to defend myself. Eventually my attacker fell lifeless, showing its' wounds. I didn't have time to inspect my now severely injured leg because two closers and a small group of double heads were now advancing towards me, deciding that I was their most wanted target.

Y'know what? Screw it...

Groaning in agony, I aimed my pistol at the closers and fired. I swore that I was low on bullets by the time they fell down. But there were still the blasted dogs out to get me. With a grunt of frustration, I clutched my injured leg and ran. Even though it looked like I was hobbling in an idiotic way. I sprinted past a row of stores which I presumed were locked, and managed to make it into the next room. Unfortunately, there were more closers waiting for me. Not forgetting another group of sniffer dogs snarling and baring their fangs.

"Oh, f*ck off!" I shouted at them.

It was a really bad idea to stay and fight the monsters, because due to the state of my wounds and if I did, I would die right here. So I kept going until I found myself ascending a long staircase which led up to the Mountain Coaster. After reaching the top, I quickly checked to see if the attraction booth was open but the door was unfortunatley locked. That didn't stop me from repeatedly throwing myself against the door in an attempt to break it down. But no matter how hard I tried, the door would not budge! Damn it! Alright, head on the tracks and jump off if a roller coaster decides to come. With that thought in mind, I pulled the fence open and entered the tracks. A warning bell was ringing in my head, telling me that the outcome of going through here was negative. But despite wanting to head back, I pushed forward and found myself becoming alert as a low hum of an engine began erupting in the direction I was walking in.

Oh no...

Soon, the bright lights of a small rollercoaster car came into view followed by the vehicle. My panting became quick as I looked around to find a solution. The only one was to jump off the tracks, and potentially wind up dead. Damn it... You gotta do it Megan, jump! F*cking jump before you get run over! After a few seconds of hesitation, I leapt off the tracks, narrowly avoiding the car.

The only thoughts I had as I fell down were getting out of the nightmare with my mother, father and the Herd alive...

Or dying and never getting the chance to see them again...

M-S

Exploring. That's all we did, ever since we arrived.

During our trip through the park, all Diego and I could think about was Megan and how we left her behind. She was only a kid who was looking for her mother, not a threat like Manny thought of her as. Even though we didn't get that many chances to talk to her, our young friend seemed kind and willing to assist if there was a problem.

Which is what we all like in a friend...

"Are you okay Shira?" My husband asked me, with concern lacing his tone.

I turned to look at him with a brave smile. "I'm not feeling 100%, but I'm alright regardless..."

As we walked through the attraction areas, we chatted in different groups about what was going to occur after we eventually leave. Although most likely, we would end up back home like our adventure here never happened.

But I won't forget it... Ever...

"We'll find her, don't worry." Diego soothed, nuzzling me in an attempt to calm me down. "Megan's a brave kid, she can handle her own just fine. I've seen her take down those lying figures in one shot, so that's my evidence."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, you might be right..."

S-C

My trip through Brookhaven Hospital was really tough after my run-in with Megan. She seemed friendly, just a little scared and frightened of the horrific curse that Silent Hill held over her and her friends.

I arrived at the amusement park a few hours later and decided to head to a certain attraction I wasn't particularly a huge fan of. The Happy Carousel, or should I say, unhappy carousel. The last time I was on that ride, I suddenly became possessed by an evil spirit and tried to fight my friend Harry Mason. I didn't know how the evil spirit possessed me, but I do know that Harry managed to save my life after a painful struggle.

Speaking of, I hope he's alright...

As I stood outside the attraction, hundreds of warning bells were ringing loudly in my head almost like...they were telling me not to go on. "Just ignore it Cybil," I told myself, taking a deep breath. "Just do it and see what happens."

Soon after another moment of hesitation, I opened the cold metal gate and stepped on the brown wooden floor that belonged to the carousel. Looking around, I could already hear soft footsteps slowly echoing, indicating that I wasn't alone. "Who's there?!" I demanded, raising my gun. "Come out!"

No answer. Maybe, I was just being paranoid. The sudden slow creak of the gate didn't help ease my mind. Panting, I whirled round to find myself face to face with—

Walter Sullivan...

I recognised him instantly, due to his long dirty-blind hair and bloodied dark coat. It was impossible, he died years ago! How is he still here, perfectly alive and well?!

A scream was begging to force its' way out of my throat, but nothing came. We both stared at each other in complete silence, not saying a word. I didn't know if I was supposed to make the first move or if he was. Suddenly, the carousel decided to start moving, with the happy tune indicating as its' signal. I backed away, aiming my pistol at my assailant as he advanced towards me with a menacing smirk.

What in the devil's name...?!

Memories of my fight with Harry immediately flashed repeatedly in my head as I forced myself to snap back to reality. I fired four bullets into Walter, almost missing every time. As soon as one bullet hit him, he stumbled back slightly, wincing in pain. But he wasn't going to let that stop him. With a laugh that could send you into hysterics, Walter lunged towards me with his knife, aiming for my neck. I dodged him by taking a huge step back and fired again, panicking and breathing heavily.

"You're mine, now." Walter said, grinning as he knew he had me right where he wanted me. "No one can save you, not even your friend."

I shook my head in disbelief. I wasn't going to let him kill me, especially after all of those 21 murders and the Queen of Soleanna. Due to the case and her recent death, I suspected that Walter was behind all of it. Even if he himself was no more.

So, the person I'm fighting now is a... Is a... Victim Ghost?!

Just as I was about to fire again, the unexpected happened. Walter tackled and pinned me to the ground, blowing my chance of firing away. My fist connected with his jaw brutally as I desperately tried to defend myself. He grabbed both my wrists tightly and forced them back to the ground, making me scream in agony.

Walter laughed again, leaning down in a slow manner to whisper something in my ear: "Now it is time for you to join me."

Realising that there was no way that I was going to make it, I shut my eyes and braced myself for the blow that would send me into death. Not knowing that someone had saw what was happening and entered the attraction to save my life.

C-M

"Get the f*ck off her!" I screamed with anger as I lunged towards the man with the coat. Just as I entered, I unfortunately saw him deliver four or five brutal blows to Cybil's body, giving me the impression that she was the next victim.

I tackled him to the ground and repeatedly connected my fists with his forehead and face, grunting and shouting in effort. The result was him eventually shoving me off, turning round to leave the area. Pulling myself back up, I managed to catch my breath as I ran to check on the police woman. She was struggling to breathe as the realisation that she was succumbing to her wounds dawned on her. "I'm sorry! I should have come sooner!"

"It's okay," She replied, wincing as she gave me a reassuring smile.

"I-I-I-I'll call an ambulance!" I quickly stammered, panicking as I looked around for a nearby telephone. "Where the hell is that blasted phone?!" I shouted more to myself than her.

"Wait. I don't think they're going to make it if you call them." Cybil breathed, latching her hand on mine. "Don't worry though, I'll say Hi to Elise for you."

No, not you too...!

Elise, Maria and now Cybil. Not one, not two but three. Why couldn't life let me save at least just one victim?! WHY?!

All I could do was watch the police woman fall lifeless as she passed away. After a moment of silence, I gently closed Cybil's eyes and pulled myself up to my feet. The metal gate suddenly opened and a slender warm trunk wrapped round my waist, influencing a surprised gasp to escape my mouth. I frantically turned round to realise that every member of the Herd had entered the carousel, relieved to see that I was alive.

"Guys..." I murmured, still shaken by what had just occurred. "W-Wh-Why did you leave me behind?"

"Megan, we are all so sorry!" Peaches cried, her voice cracking as she tightened her grip even more. "We thought you were dead!"

Manny and Ellie stepped forward, along with Sid, Diego, Shira and the others. Judging by the looks on their faces, they were relieved to see me as well.

"We're really sorry that we left you, sweetie." Ellie apologised, smiling at me.

"Yeah, we all are." Manny put in.

Even though I was emotionally shocked by everything that happened since I found the hole, I gave my friends a small grin. "It's alright."

At least I'm with the Herd again... I guess it's now time for me to head back home and venture into the next world...

And hopefully, I'll manage to save the next victim...