Chapter 21: Connection

Truth be told, I didn't know what was going to occur once I came to. But I did know, that someone I hold close to my heart was in great danger.

Even though he was safe back in the real world, Sonic was still trapped in the Otherworlds with me and the Herd. I decided that as soon as we found him, we were going to team up and aid each other when we needed it. We would find my mother, get out of the nightmare and maybe move someplace far away from Ashfield and carry on with our lives.

Maybe we could move to the countryside in Brahms... They have a nice view of the mountains there...

It was too early to be thinking those thoughts anyway, so I shook them off as my eyes fluttered open and took in my surroundings once again. This time, I was lying on my back and staring up at the industrial ceiling which had huge lights, kinda suitable for an operating theatre. I knew that I was in St. Jerome's Hospital just by looking at them. As I pulled myself up to my feet, I was already confronted by the sound of a man's heavy breathing. A shadow eventually revealed itself on a white curtain; leaning forward slightly and working hard on something.

You... What the?!

I tried so hard not to show my disgust as I saw the man in the coat, the same man whom I fought just hours ago, performing surgery on a dead woman. This was the type of thing that kids shouldn't have to see, especially those my age and younger. If I was my seven-year old self, I would have screamed like mad and got out of there like a shot.

So I ran. Not making a sound. Not knowing that he had noticed me and was intent on following me in hot pursuit.

"Phew, at least I'm outta there." I muttered with relief.

Just as I was about to turn around, SMACK! I suddenly collided with someone hard which forced me to lose my balance and stumble back until I hit the wall. Blinking and shaking my head a couple of times, I struggled to get a good look at the person I bumped into. She did look familiar; almost like I've seen her not too long ago. Her blue-grey eyes widened with recognition as they locked with my emerald ones, yet I couldn't seem to recognise her. It was only when I saw the red hair, white dress, crown and orange high-heels I was bombarded by a series of memories flashing repeatedly.

"Well, hello there. I haven't seen you around here before. What's your name?"

"Megan... And you?"

...

"You should at least have someone looking after you, making sure that you're safe."

"The only person looking after me right now, is you."

Whaaaaat?! The last time I saw her was when she ran off, only to wind up killed. I was even more confused as to the fact that she sported no signs of her injuries, no bruises, no gashes and no blood. I was speechless. Why was she here, shouldn't she be in heaven?!

"E-E-Elise?" I whispered. My jaw had dropped to the ground again, just like back on the streets of Silent Hill when Manny complimented me for the first time.

The Queen of Soleanna was definitely here in this hell hole that was the Otherworld version of St. Jerome's Hospital. She looked exactly how she did when we first met; the only differences were that a bright light was faintly shining around her...

And a ... spiritual link between us?

"M-Megan?" Elise responded, letting a huge smile crease her cheeks.

I didn't know what was happening right now. At first, I thought I was seeing things but as I stared at her more, I began to realise... I wasn't going mad.

My deceased friend seemed to notice that I was slightly frightened and placed her two hands gently on my shoulders. "It's alright ... It's just me..."

"W-What ... What are you doing here...?" I wanted to know. "Aren't you... Aren't you—"

Elise sighed sadly as her smile faded. "Yes... I am. The reason why I'm here is that... I've kept watch over you all this time and I'm so sorry those events occurred. I shouldn't have left you..."

I frowned. "It's not you. It's me who should be sorry."

"What do you mean? You didn't do anything wrong at all!" My friend pointed out.

Hearing this, I wanted to convince myself that she was right but at the same time, I felt that everyone should blame me for what happened. I mean...I failed to save three victims which nearly turned to four considering the events back in my apartment complex.

"Yes, I did. I failed to rescue you, Maria and Cybil. Sonic came so close to joining that list and you guys didn't deserve it. I do." I said, lowering my head as I fought back more memories of the deaths. "It would probably be easier for all of us if the man just killed me right here..."

As soon as those words left my mouth, I felt a gloved finger tilt my chin until I locked eyes with Elise who was giving me a soft sympathetic look. "Don't think that way... Sonic and those prehistoric animals would hate to see you like this... Your mother would too..."

Oh...

Upon hearing her mention my mother, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I focused too much on finding the Walter guy, that a new horrible thought entered my head: What if ... What if my mother's the next victim? Or is it... Me?

"Yeah, ... I guess you might be right..." I murmured, shakng my thoughts away. I still felt like I deserved what happened though, but regardless I would press on until I found out where he was keeping her and finish him off.

I was suddenly snapped back to reality by Elise asking me if I still had her knife. Hearing this, I couldn't help but let a small grin crease my cheeks. "Yep, right here."

After I handed it back to her, she gazed at her weapon for a while; as if she just encountered a long-lost friend.

Oh yeah, just wait until we find Sonic... You'll be pretty damn pleased to see him, I bet...

"Hey, um, what's this..." I began, gesturing by pointing to her and back to myself. "Link between us?"

Elise quickly lifted her head up as I spoke. "Oh, it's kind of a long story. I... Since I'm now a... spirit, I can link myself with people who I suspect are in danger. So I chose you after seeing everything that you've been through and I came back to help."

The only response she got was a confused frown from me, gesturing her to explain further.

She sighed. "Try to think of it as a psychic connection. Like someone from heaven is connected to someone from the living. Get what I mean?"

I slowly nodded and shrugged. "I suppose."

Ah, this is gonna take some time to get used to...

Just as I was about to say something, Buck and Flynn suddenly burst through the stairwell door and ran up to us.

"Hey kid! There you are!" The weasel shouted. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Relax dude, I'm fine." I replied, putting on a brave face. "What's up?"

"We just looked around the second floor patient wing, eventually found your idol's room and he's nowhere to be seen!" Flynn pointed out.

I couldn't help but grin as I nudged Elise with a knowing look. "That's the Sonic we know, girl. I guessed he's not gonna hang around too long up there."

My friend giggled. Apparently, she guessed that too.

"Who's that?" Buck asked, pointing at the queen. "Is she from a magical kingdom or something?"

Originally, I did plan on telling the weasel about Elise right here, but we had other important things to think about. "I'll tell you guys later. We gotta get up to the second floor and meet up with the others."

"Alright, let's go!" Flynn shouted, instantly running over to the door that he just came from, with his friend in tow.

Without hesitation, both Elise and I followed.

Well, looks like we gotta search all across the damn hospital for Sonic... Man, he sure is the fastest thing alive...