The door was unlocked.

Cheryl reached out to turn the knob, but then she hesitated. For the first time since she'd started having these dreams, she was finally able to explore the town further. She stood at the door, and felt her hesitation turn to something else. She was scared. Well, that was understatement. Terrified could describe her feelings at that point much better.

She knew exactly what was behind this door, as well. The door itself was lilac-coloured, or at least it had been once; it was now smeared with dark, red blood. Though Cheryl had left most of her memories of being Alessa behind long ago, she would never forget this place. She'd revisited it during her hellish adventure in Silent Hill, four long years ago. It had looked exactly the same as it had when she'd been a young girl. Also, everything had been exactly where she had left it. From the playing cards which she had left strewn out on the floor after yet another game with Claudia, to the old sketchbook which she had left laying on the bed, Cheryl had seemed to remember everything. Maybe because that room had been like her a home, the place she'd used as refuge when her mother had been in another of her moods, and when Claudia had come around to play. The room itself held many memories for Cheryl, memories she would rather forget. She did not want to remember anymore; she was no longer Alessa, she was Cheryl. Wasn't she?

Nonononono you're not Alessa you're not Heather you're Cheryl you're—

Then came a loud crashing sound. It took Cheryl a moment to realise that it was coming from behind the door. She glanced around wildly, expecting something to jump out at her. She glanced back at the door and swallowed hard. She didn't know why she was even doing this. Maybe it was unlocked for a reason. Maybe if she did this, she'd be free of these dreams, these nightmares, forever. Cheryl held her breath and opened the door.

And opened her mouth in shock.

Her old self, or true self, as Claudia had once said a very long time ago, was sitting cross-legged on the floor. Cheryl just stood entranced, watching as the girl emitted a laugh and threw down the cards she had been holding.

"I win!" she declared, grinning at the small blonde girl sitting opposite her.

The other girl pouted, "No fair!" she whined, tossing her cards to one side.

Alessa went and sat down next to little Claudia, who was about to start sobbing. "Don't worry, I'll let you win next time, I promise," Alessa said softly, and then gave the other girl a hug.

Cheryl could remember consoling Claudia on many occasions as Alessa, but she had often failed at this as Claudia had been such a fragile little girl. Though Cheryl felt nothing but hate and revulsion towards her, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the little girl who sat before her, especially after having met her father. Cheryl would never forget meeting Leonard Wolf. She decided that she didn't want to think about him.

Claudia sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve, "It's okay. I'm just bad at this game. Oh, Alessa, I have to go now. My father won't be happy if I'm late."

Alessa's smiled faded. "But he's a bad man. You should come and stay here with me."

"I wish I could," Claudia mumbled, "I hope I can come again to see you tomorrow. Father was in a good mood today, so maybe tomorrow.."

Cheryl watched sadly as the two young girls said their goodbyes, and then side-stepped out of the way as little Claudia stood up and walked over to the doorway. Just as her hand touched the door knob, a loud, shrill voice came from out of nowhere.

"Alessa!" it cried, "I must talk to you! Come here now, please!"

Cheryl suddenly felt hot and angry. It was none other than Dahlia Gillespie, the woman who had started all of this. Cheryl wanted to stop Alessa from going down there, but could only watch helplessly as Alessa stood up and followed Claudia out of the room. The door closed behind them, and Cheryl was left alone.

The dream changed.

Or at least, Cheryl was whisked out of the room and to a different place. As she stared at the sight that met her eyes, she realised that it was also a different time. She just stood there gaping, horrified at what she was seeing. Finally she found the strength to look away. It was Alessa, or herself, laying there in a hospital bed. A young nurse with long, dirty blonde hair was sitting by her bed, looking both tired and fed up. Cheryl recognised her instantly. It was Lisa Garland, who had served as Alessa's carer after she'd almost died in the fire caused by Dahlia Gillespie. Cheryl suddenly felt angry again, didn't want to watch she laying there in pain, or this young woman who she knew had died trying to save her life. It was just too much to bear.

Cheryl turned to walk away but found there was no exit. She appeared to be trapped in this dark, dingy room. With great difficulty she turned slowly back to face Alessa and Lisa. She noticed that Lisa was shaking, and watched as the nurse began to tap her foot impatiently against the hard, concrete floor. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. As Cheryl got closer, she could see that Lisa's forehead was coated in sweat, which told Cheryl that the poor woman had probably been down there for most if not all of the day. Suddenly, Lisa stood up abruptly, knocking the chair she'd been sitting on over. She began to pace around the room, and it was clear to Cheryl that being made to stay down here looking after Alessa every single day had taken a toll on her sanity.

"I'm telling him," Cheryl heard Lisa whisper, "I'm telling.."

The rest was inaudible. Cheryl simply watched as Lisa kept pacing while whispering to herself. Alessa didn't show any signs of stirring. Cheryl hoped to God that Lisa would be allowed to leave soon. Even though this had already happened, even though it was the past, she didn't want to have to watch this for much longer. However, at that moment a door appeared out of nowhere, and someone stepped through it. It was a man, tall and dark. He had a sinister look about him, and Cheryl did remember him from somewhere, but she just couldn't quite place him. Still, she had to assume that this was the man responsible for her being down there.

"How is she?" he asked, with no emotion whatsoever in his voice. Lisa chose not to answer this question and instead continued to pace around the dark room.

"Lisa?"

Silence.

"Lisa."

"What do you think?" Lisa shot back viciously, rounding on him, "Look at her, Michael! What are you expecting to happen? Do you think she'll somehow bounce back? She might still be breathing, but she's gone. Why do you insist that I stay down here? Why can't I go home? I feel so.. so.. alone, down here. Please, Michael, let me go.."

Cheryl watched as Lisa began to climb the steps leading up to the doorway where Michael stood, watched as Lisa grabbed onto him and fell to her knees. She could hear the young woman sobbing quietly.

"Get up," Michael snapped, "Get up!"

He grabbed her arm and pulled her up to her feet. Lisa squealed and covered her face with her hands. Michael pulled her closer to him, and Cheryl watched as his expression changed. He looked extremely menacing now.

"You will stay down here and look after the girl," he growled as Lisa choked back sobs, "You will do this, unless you want me to cut off your.."

"No!" Lisa screeched, grabbing onto him again, "Don't take away my drug, please.. I'll do anything.."

"You will?" Michael sneered, "Well, that's good. You're a good girl, Lisa. Do as I ask, and I'll see that you get your next fix. Are we in agreement?"

Lisa exhaled. "Yes," she said hoarsely, fixing on him with an icy stare.

"Good," Michael said softly, and reached out to caress her cheek, "You can go home in an hour, but I'll be expecting you back here at six o'clock sharp tomorrow. Is that okay?"

It most certainly wasn't okay, but Lisa nodded bitterly nonetheless. Michael looked satisfied with this result and turned to leave without another word, slamming the door behind him.

Cheryl watched as Lisa then returned to her post, looking considerably calmer. Maybe it was because she knew she would be getting her next fix very soon. However, both Lisa and Alessa disappeared seconds later and once again Cheryl found herself in a different location. She could have cried, but she was just so happy to see him that she couldn't bring herself to do so.

Harry Mason, her father, her hero, stood before her. Cheryl watched as he confronted Alessa, and actually recognised the area where they stood. This was the Lakeside Amusement Park. Cheryl recalled visiting this area many times, as Alessa of course, with little Claudia. The two of them would often escape to the park to get away from all their troubles at home. At this time the place had been in ruins, however. Cheryl could only watch as her father walked slowly towards the young girl who stood before him.

"Figured you'd show," he snarled, looking so angry that Cheryl actually felt afraid, "Look, I don't know who you are or what you're trying to do, and I don't care. Just one thing. Let Cheryl go. That's all I ask."

And then something strange happened.

Alessa raised her right arm, and seemed to take aim at Harry. Almost instantaneously, Harry was sent flying and fell to the ground.

"Dad!" Cheryl cried, and ran over to where her father lay sprawled out on the ground. She knew he couldn't hear, and this only upset her more. She finally let the tears fall and watched as he tried to get to his feet. However, it was then that a small, triangular-shaped object floated out of Harry's pocket and into the air.

"Huh? What's going on?" Harry muttered, glancing up at the object which was now suspended in the air. Suddenly, a blue light shot out and shielded Harry from Alessa, who stumbled back in surprise.

"Ahh!" the girl cried, falling to the ground.

Cheryl just stared as Harry walked over to Alessa and stood over her. "Where is Cheryl? Give me back my daughter!" he yelled down at Alessa, who was cowering on the ground before him. Suddenly they were interrupted by Dahlia, who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"You," Cheryl spat, striding over to where Dahlia stood. "You did this!"

"We meet at last, Alessa," Dahlia drawled, unaware of Cheryl's presence.

"Huh?"

Alessa looked around at her mother. Harry looked up at her too.

"Dahlia Gillespie?" he started, "Where's Cheryl? You tell me where she is, right now!"

For Dahlia Gillespie, Harry Mason did not exist. The older woman started to walk slowly over to Alessa, who looked very afraid. "Alessa, this is the end of your little game," she snarled, "You've been a little pest, haven't you? I was careless, thinking you couldn't escape from our spell. But Mommy didn't know how much you'd grown. That's why I couldn't catch you all by myself. But what a pity, yes? Now you're half indebted to this man for his help."

Harry just stood there looking very confused. Alessa glanced up pleadingly at him as Dahlia continued to speak.

"Alessa, my dear little girl. There is one thing left that I need you to do for me."

"No!" Alessa shrieked, as Dahlia grew closer, "Get away from me!"

"Bad girl!" Dahlia scolded, "Everything is ready. Let's go home now.."

Suddenly there was a bright light, and Cheryl felt dizzy. She could feel herself falling, falling..

"Dad.."

000

Cheryl woke with a start. She glanced around and realised, to her relief, that she was back in the safety of her hotel room. Still, that dream.. it hadn't even felt like a dream. It had been more like.. a visit to the past?

Her past?

"I don't understand this," Cheryl said to herself, "What's going on here?"