Riku awoke in a daze on a wooden bench. He winced and groaned with muscle-aches before stretching out and slowly standing. He blinked into a haze of greyness then lurched into a combat stance as his memory returned. He had gone through the vortex with the others. Then all went black.

Spinning around, he examined his environment. Best he could tell, he was in some kind of park. Concrete planters and paved walkways. Ahead of the bench on which he awoke was the gentle splashing of a lake. A metal guard-rail lining the waterline. But where was he? The lake and the rest of the park were shrouded in gloom. Thick fog limited his vision, the air itself seemed steeped in foreboding. Where ever Riku was, something was not right.

"Kairi?" Riku called out. "Roxas? Aqua? Terra?" Only hushed wind and the gentle waves of the lake replied. Turning to his right wrist, he tapped his gummi-strap. A very faint static crackled from it. Pressing the "talk" button he repeated his calls, only the soft static replied. Rolling his eyes, Riku sighed. "Guess I'm on my own for now."

Not wasting any time, Riku turned to walk down the sidewalk along the lake. At least no heartless had appeared. But something chilled him to the bone. He wasn't sure if it was the eerie quiet of the park, ominous sloshing of the waves, or the mist obscuring his view. But he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. That some looming threat was waiting to pounce.

Riku froze for a moment, thinking he had heard another footstep, then sighed as he realized it was his own feet clopping on the ground. He considered summoning his keyblade, but thought better of it. He had to avoid meddling whenever possible. If some local saw a giant key magically appear in a boy's hand, no telling what ramifications might ensue. He continued into the fog, then stopped in surprise at the figure of a woman gazing out into the mist-shrouded lake.

A gust of wind kicked up to reveal the sultry beauty. She was a blonde gazing out in wonder at the milky oblivion ahead of her. Her clothes, what little she had, were red; a long-sleeved red sweater that did not reach down to her abdomen, a leopard-spotted dark-pink mini-skirt that failed to reach her mid-thighs. High leather boots that almost reached her knees, and what looked like a dog collar around her neck. She looked out at the obscured waves in longing, as if waiting for someone to find her.

Riku's heart raced as he almost mistook her for Namine. He shook his head and forced a dark desire from his mind. Namine would never wear such tasteless clothes! She was a decent girl! He looked back to the strange woman, his breath caught in his mouth as the blonde turned to him. Her piercing blue eyes turned on him with ease, as if she was not surprised to see him. A menacing but playful smirk spread her lips that made Riku's heart pound even harder. The teen gasped as he tried to greet her politely, only an awkward cough came out. He looked away in embarrassment. A moment later the smirking beauty took a few steps closer to him. He strained every nerve not to step back. She stopped only a few yards away.

"Hey there, Handsome," she said softly, her eyes gazing into his like a hungry animal. Riku could no longer stop himself stumbling back a pace.

"Uh! Hello," he gasped. His face burned with embarrassment. The blonde chuckled, again Riku hung his head in shame.

"Don't worry, Stud, I won't bite…unless you want me to," again she giggled with wicked playfulness. Riku's face burned for a whole new reason now.

"That's not what I meant!" the young man objected. He tried to look her in the eyes but lost his nerve, his gaze only made it as far as her torso. Her figure was so feminine and alluring he couldn't tear his eyes away. She was the ideal shape of a woman, the butterfly tattoo to the right of her exposed belly entranced him, when his gaze broke away from that, her upper chest teased him with the dog collar blocking his eyes upward climb.

"What is the matter with me?" Riku mentally demanded of himself. "He was in his teens and rapidly approaching manhood, though his experiences had made him mature beyond his years. But never had his animal urges been stronger before! A gentle, but sharp-nailed, finger brought his gaze up to the blonde's playful blue eyes. Riku hadn't even noticed she had stepped closer!

"My eyes are up here, lover-boy," she giggled. Her lips were suddenly uncomfortably close to his. An image of Namine's face flashed before his eyes and snapped away in frustration.

"I'm not a boy!" he growled. The blonde's eyes flexed in a mix of sadness and enticement.

"Well, gee! No need to get all grumpy!" she huffed in sarcasm. "Maybe if you'd introduce yourself, I could call you that. Or should I just keep making up names for you until I find one you like?"

"Oh," Riku gasped, remembering his manners. "I'm Riku, what is your name, uh, miss?"

"Well, it's not Miss!" she said with narrow eyes. Riku was worried he had offended her. "Riku, huh? That sounds tasty, exotic, I take it you're not from around here?"

"No, I'm uh, looking for someone."

"Well, everybody is looking for somebody," her playful menace returned.

"It's not like that," Riku's eyes narrowed. "I'm looking for my friend, Sora. He's about a year younger than me, with blue eyes and brown spikey hair. Have you seen him?" Maria's eyes went skyward, as if thinking (or pretending to) then shook her head.

"Not that I can recall," she said cryptically. "He sounds cute though. But I think maybe you're a little cuter. And with a name like Sora he sounds pretty shiny and sunny. You come off as more the dark broody type. I might like that a little better." Again she stepped closer. Riku was becoming annoyed. The woman had to be in her late-twenties! Of all the things Riku had dreamt of being, jail-bait was not one of them.

"Anyone else?" he snapped. "I came here with a group. Four other boys and three other girls. Has anyone else come through here?"

"No, you're the only catch I've had today. But Silent Hill is a big town, I'm sure they're all around here somewhere."

"Silent Hill?"

The blonde rolled her eyes. "Silent Hill, Maine, US of A. It's where we are. Didn't you pay attention in Geography class? Oh, right, you're not from around here." She went on as Riku pondered the location.

"All I know is my friends are here, and I have to find them!" Riku cut her off and turned to walk away.

"Hold up there, honey," she softly called. Riku turned to her. "Are you just going to leave me here? Silent Hill is a special place, but it can be dangerous too." Riku blinked, she didn't seem all that afraid. More likely wanted and excuse to throw herself at him again.

"No offense, but I don't even know you. I asked your name earlier and you didn't even answer."

"What would you like to call me?" she giggled.

"Your name!"

Again the chuckle. "Never talking to strangers, someone took mommy's advice." Riku's eyes narrowed again. A classic trick of manipulation. Mocking him for seeming a child in hopes of making him defiant and act like a grown-up. Riku refused to take the bait. The blonde rolled her eyes. "You sure do know how to ruin a girl's fun!"

"If it's dangerous here, then playtime is over!"

"It's Maria," she shrugged. "And you don't need to be so defensive, nothing wrong with a boy, even a big boy, being a little lost puppy once in a while," she cooed in mock adoration.

"Says the woman wearing a dog-collar," Riku grunted.

"Ooo! Sassy, are we? I like you, Riku," Maria said, stepping closer. "I hope we can be…friends."

"You could start by helping me find my other friends."

"Okay then, there's a few places nearby. One place where boys generally like, another place where both boys and girls find…comfort… I'll lead you there. But you need to promise to protect me."

"It's a deal."

"Aww…he does care," Maria cooed. "Well, follow me and stay close. The fog only gets thicker and you'll need to stay close to protect me…and enjoy the view from back there…" she finished with a wink before turning and slowly striding forward. Riku stayed close and tried desperately hard not to let his eyes traverse her figure.

"What is with this woman?" Riku huffed silently. She led him through what looked like a hedge-maze to an opening out into a sidewalk along a paved road. Maria was right, the fog had only grown thicker. He could barely make out five yards ahead. Only their own footsteps and the occasional gust of wind could be heard as she turned right on her heel and strode on down the sidewalk. The occasional glance over her shoulder with a playful smirk and the intentional swing of her hips assured Riku she hadn't forgotten him. He only hoped she remembered where she was leading him.

The town seemed deserted. Not a soul to be seen. A few cars parked unevenly along the sidewalk, possibly abandoned. Decrepit buildings across the street. No light in any windows or streetlamps. And still not a sound beside their own footsteps. Riku rolled his eyes that the town of Silent Hill earned its name. His heart jumped at the sudden crackle of static from his gummi-strap. He eyed it with suspicion, hadn't pressed any buttons or anything since he'd used it and gotten no response. The static grew louder and more intense, almost sounded like some feral creature growling.

A horrified gasp burst from Maria's mouth and she stopped so suddenly Riku stepped right into her. He grunted and grumbled, suspecting she had done it on purpose. She stood petrified but shaking somewhat. Riku looked past her and froze himself. Someone was standing in the fog. Someone about his own height, and a thick head of white hair grown down to the shoulder. Riku recognized it as male, somehow. It's hairstyle about was his was like only a few years earlier. He was of sturdy build but wore no clothes, inky black skin that looked scarred and burned covered his whole body. It limped forward, as if in severe pain, trembling with each step. His arms came into view to reveal no hands, only sharp stumps; like spears with hooks curving downward like fore claws. Riku suddenly recognized its arms as identical to the head of the Keyblade of Hearts. The one he had wielded when possessed by Ansem!

With a warrior's growl Riku leapt in front of Maria protectively. "Stay back!" he snapped. "So it's one of Xehenort's tricks after all! Don't worry, I'll protect you!" He turned to give Maria a reaffirming nod, her face was still frozen in horror. The teen cursed himself for suspecting her, she was just a harmless floozy who thought she'd found a boy-toy. Never thought she'd run into some otherworldly abomination. Riku flicked his wrist and stopped himself short of what would have been an impressive flourish, if only his keyblade had appeared.

"WHAT!?" Riku gasped. Again he tried to summon his keyblade. No luck! He tried again, concentrating with all his might. It wouldn't come! The blackened fiend lurched ever closer. His featureless face had only a sharp slit where the mouth should be, tar or some bile oozed from it. Blazing orange eyes stabbed at him. The creature roared as it rushed forward, sharp arms forward to skewer its enemy. A firm fist swung in its distorted face, toppling it over to writhe like a fallen insect.

Riku smirked at himself. Even without his keyblade he could still fight. "It's getting back up!" Maria gasped as the twisted man-shaped monstrosity found its footing and slowly stood. The static crackled louder as Riku prepared to face his recovering opponent. Again Maria screamed and Riku turned to see more blackened figures stumble towards them from the fog, on all sides!

Riku downed the first enemy again with a round-house kick then grabbed Maria by the arm and took off running in the direction she had been leading. The monsters hissed and lurched to catch them as they ran, but Riku was faster. Maria grasped his hand with desperation, her playful demeanor gone, for now.

"How much further?" Riku shouted.

"A bit further, on the left!" Maria answered, panting for breath. Riku dodged and swerved to avoid several more limping monsters until a building appeared in the fog. "Pete's Bowl-O Rama" read big letters atop the building. If he weren't panting, Riku might have sighed that she'd figure kids would hang out there. He dodged two more monsters stumbling from the other side of the street before making a b-line for the Bowling alley. He barely noticed the distant wail of a siren, not until it was blaring deafeningly and what little light shining through the fog vanished in total darkness. Remembering the front door was only a few yards ahead Riku came to a stop just in time to avoid a crash, felt for the doorknob, ripped the door open and dragged Maria inside with him before slamming the door shut.

…

Terra stomped up the dirt path out of the forest he had awoken in and managed a sigh as the shape of a church of some kind was visible through the fog. Finally a sign of civilization! Approaching a metal gate, he reminded himself to tell Cid his gummi-straps needed work. All he'd gotten since waking up in the dirt, alone, was static. He had run a good deal of the way, the snarling and growling of what sounded like wild dogs being audible in the trees. Thankfully, they never worked up the nerve to show themselves. For which Terra was truly grateful, not being able to summon his keyblade for some reason. He told himself to relax, they were only wild animals reacting to an interloper. They were more afraid of him than he was of them, or so he hoped.

The gate swung open with ease, only a faint screech to denote his entry. A few yards ahead was the somber sight of a cemetery. Graves lined in neat rows. There was a mournful peace about the place. The fog was foreboding and eerie, but Terra felt almost at ease. Was certain he heard the sloshing of water; a nearby pond or lake.

Terra silently strode past the rows of tombstones. Maybe someone would be inside the church, perhaps even some of his friends. Motion caught his eye and he gasped at a ghostly white figure as it rose from one of the graves! The pale figure didn't' seem to notice him, its gaze fixed on the headstone. Terra blinked several times as he recognized the form of a woman. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair, faire skin and wore a long-sleeve turtle-neck shirt with red slacks.

Terra's breathing relaxed and his heartrate settled as he realized she wasn't a ghost. Snickering to himself and shaking his head, he approached the woman. "Excuse me, Miss," he said softly. A horrified cry went up as the woman spun around and scampered backwards in fear.

"I'm sorry!" She panted. "I…I didn't mean!"

"No, it's alright," Terra hastily interrupted. "I'm the one who's sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. Um, do you work here?" The woman calmed down a little but shook her head nervously. "Oh. Is the priest here? Have you seen anyone else?"

"No," she said in a timid voice. "No one else is here. I'm alone, that is…I was…" her voice trailed off, her gaze turned downward. Terra blinked, she seemed a few years older than him, but was shy and timid as a child. They stood in awkward silence a few moments before she spoke up again. "Are you lost?"

"I guess you could say that. I came here with my friends but now I can't find them," Terra went on to describe his companions. To no surprise, the woman hadn't seen them.

"They might be in town," she suggested. "I'm looking for someone here too. My Ma…my Mother," she stumbled with her words awkwardly. "But maybe you should turn back. Silent Hill can be dangerous." Terra blinked. Silent Hill? Well, at least he had a name for the world!

"What's dangerous about it?" Terra asked. The woman seemed to retreat from the question. She stumbled with words a moment longer.

"I'm not sure how to say it. But, there's something wrong with this place. I think it's got something to do with why I'm here. I feel like I've gone looking for my Mother here before. But, I can't remember. It's hard to explain," her voice trailed off in confusion.

For Terra, it was settled. He was going into town. The others were likely already there and from the timid woman's words he had a good guess what was wrong. Heartless! Whatever was bothering her, he could tell the woman's heart was troubled. It was time for him to be strong.

"I'm not turning back," he said firmly. The woman turned to him with shocked eyes. "My friends are there, and so is your Mother. If there's danger, they'll all need help. We'll find them together," he paused to hold out his hand and introduced himself. The woman shrunk away from his hand, but her eyes locked with his for a moment of silence before she gingerly stepped up and cautiously took his hand.

"I'm Angela," she said timidly. Her face suddenly blushed and her gaze fell to the ground. Terra could tell she was very shy.

"Pleased to meet you," he said with a nodding bow. He let his hand fall but her fingers grasped his hand firmly. He blinked in confusion, then saw the fear on her face. With a soft smile, he nodded. "Now let's go, we…" the wail of a siren cut him off. Angela squeezed his hand even harder and she rushed close to his chest, almost embracing him.

"It's happening!" she hissed in horror.

"What?" he asked mere instants before the world plunged into blackness.

…

Xion's ears finally stopped ringing from the blare of the siren. It looked like the fog had cleared, at least. But now night had set in. Not a cloud in the sky and still not a sound apart from her own footsteps. On the bright side, the Amusement Park she had seen signs for on the road was lit up. Some of it, anyway. At least the entryway was lit up with fancy red lights. For all she knew, this was where she'd find the others, and Roxas. She had longed for his presence ever since she awoke by the charred remnants of what a nearby sign denoted to have been a hotel before the incendiary incident. She had called out his name, his more than any of the others. A tinge of guilt stabbed at her for favoritism but she couldn't deny his importance to her.

As she came under the faint glow of the Lakeside Amusement Park's entryway, she could only hope Roxas was there. Grasping the left of her chest, she recalled the line, may your heart be your guiding key. She knew she was grasping at straws. The gummi-strap hadn't worked at all, and she couldn't even summon her keyblade. She felt the darkness of the world encroaching on all sides. It had to be the heartless, but was somehow, different. Whatever the case may be, Roxas and the others were there with her, somewhere nearby. She had followed the light of the park as darkness fell and she would continue following the light until she found them!

Entering the park gate, she made he way through a brick-wall corridor opening into a walkway. Her mind still distracted by her loneliness, she paid little attention to her surroundings. Then she stopped with a gasp at a grotesque figure sitting on a bench to her left. A pink rabbit, or rather a rabbit costume. It was in a slouched sitting position and seemed to be staring at her. The limp, lifeless suit might not have even been so frightening if it weren't for the blood smeared across the face's mouth. A wild animal frozen in time after enjoying a living meal. The chest of the suit was also splashed with blood. Xion was uncertain whether it had dripped down from the mouth or a sign of a stab wound in the wearer's chest. She blinked as she noticed the tall metal cage behind the bench, some mysterious figure encaged inside. The bars too thickly lined to see it clearly.

"Hello?" Xion managed to gasp. "Are you alright?" she asked the wounded figure, half-hoping it wouldn't answer. Taking another step towards it and hearing the metallic clunk beneath her feet, she realized the floor was now metal grating. Nothing but darkness visible beneath the grating, giving her the uneasy feeling she was suspended over some kind of abyss. Again she called to the bloodied figure, forcing herself to be more concerned. For all she knew it was some local employee of the park who had been attacked and gored by a heartless, or worse. But it gave no answer and didn't move.

Xion hesitated to touch the costumed corpse. She knew little of first-aid and was unable to summon a healing spell. The lifeless, pretend eyes of the rabbit mask gazed into hers in silence. Sighing and forcing her shivering under control, she decided to turn and continue on.

After taking a dozen steps towards the large green double doors leading to what looked like a central hub, pity over took her. She turned to take one final glance at the bloodied figure. Her heart pounded in her chest and her lungs panted rapidly for breath, her eyes nearly shot from their sockets. The rabbit mask what was staring lifelessly ahead moments earlier had turned towards her! Those lifeless eyes gazing back at her. She managed of shocked cry. Tried desperately to grapple control of her wits. Again she cried out, this time trying to form words, to ask the costumed person if he or she was alright. To ask why they didn't answer her a moment ago. But no answer came. She lost control of her own breathing when the figure slowly stood.

Motion to the left revealed another costumed figure that she hadn't noticed before. Another pink rabbit costume smeared with blood. Further back the way she came another pink rabbit stood and leapt into view, coming from what appeared to be restrooms several yards to her left. She stumbled back in horror as the costumed figure leapt over a hole in the grating floor she hadn't noticed until just then. The rabbit suits said nothing but their slow, deliberate pace seemed the slinking progress of predators ready to spring. Xion screamed at the realization that without her keyblade or magic, she was merely prey.

Xion turned and scampered for the big green doors. Bursting through she entered a what looked like an outdoor shopping center, a large gazebo in the middle. The banging of the door and three sets of foot prints told her the costumed assailants were hot on her heels. Frantically she chose to run right. The circular path was dimly lit, bookstores, cafes, and shops, all dark and foreboding. Her fear of the pursuers trumping her urge to check the doors. Up ahead the area opened up on her right, hopefully to an exit. A flash of pinkness ahead and Xion dodged with a terrified gasp. One of her attackers had gone the opposite way in the circle to cut her off!

Narrowly evading the grasping, pink paws, she darted right towards a large green gate. Heaving all her weight against it, it didn't budge. She turned with horrified cry towards her trampling attackers. Felt their weight slam into her and the gate. With a screech the rotten, termite-ridden wood gave way and toppled over. The four figures sprawled in a stunned daze atop the fallen gate.

Her mind dazed with sheer horror, Xion squirmed from under the fallen figures and sprinted into the darkness. Up ahead was a metal fence and the entrance to a roller-coaster. Bolting onward she twisted and turned frantically up the stairway, fully aware of the trampling footsteps behind her. When she reached the top she found the control room of the coaster was locked, the cars of the ride were nowhere to be seen. The three pink figures appeared, taking the stairs two and three at a time.

In blind panich, Xion leapt off the platform to the track of the coaster and began running. The park was dark and shadowy below her. Parts of the wooden frame beneath the track had rotten away. She scampered on in frenzy, too afraid of her pursuers to mind danger of falling. She was just beginning to gather enough of her wits to consider the car might be running automatically and could crest the next rise of the coaster any moment, when the track abruptly ended. She slid to a stop, nearly spinning forward into the shadowy abyss below!

She turned in horror to the still-charging rabbit suits. Holding up her arms she cried out in protest, but the attackers paid her no heed. They plowed into her! All four figures tumbled headlong into blackness. Xion's scream echoed into the night, soon to be swallowed by the blare of the returning siren.

…

Axel stretched and yawned as he awoke. Blinking several times in the dim lighting of what looked like the auditorium of a theatre. A grand stage stood before him, a white plastic curtain drawn. Traditional red cloth curtain lining the edges of it. The fold-down chair he sat in was red and cushioned, but not very comfortable. He stood to scan the auditorium, empty. He tapped his gummi-strap, nothing but static. He called out to his friends. Only his own voice echoed.

"Just great!" Axel rolled his eyes. "Somehow, I just KNEW things would go south," he sighed. "Well, maybe if I stick around the show will start; comedy would be nice. Let's just hope they don't ask for my ticket!" Out of curiosity, he paused to check the pocket of his trench coat. No tickets. After a moment of still silence, what-the-heck-happens-next kind of silence, Axel decided to leave.

Ascending the slightly uphill aisle to the exit, Axel found his way into the reception area. Also empty and silent. A sign above the reception desk read, "Welcome to the Artaud Theatre," at least he knew what to call the place. He paid no mind to any signs, posters, or brochures on display and headed straight for the door with his usual nonchalant attitude. The dingy dimness of the theatre gave way to milky haze as he stepped out into the foggy streets of a town. A paved road, some cars parked along the sidewalk, what looked like shops or office buildings across the way and down the street on both sides. A thick mist chocked the scenery. Not a sound and not a sight of life. Not even streetlights or windows.

"Cozy town!" Axel shrugged to himself. "Peaceful and quiet, like a snake before it coils and bites! Air is nice and humid, except you can barely see where you're going! Keeps the sun off you though, so all that moisture won't turn the place into a sauna. Now the only question is…if I were a Roxas, a Xion, or some other keyblade-wielder, where would I go?"

His question was answered by a violent crackle of static from his gummi-strap. He brought it up to his face, listening intently. It almost sounded like someone was trying to form words in the static. Pressing the talk button he called into the speaker, calling to his friends, asking if they could hear him. Only the same nonsensical grabble amid static. Again he called into it, was so intent on reaching someone with the communicator he almost didn't notice the cloaked figure limping down the sidewalk towards him.

Axel tensed, taking a combat stance but examining the interloper intently. It wore the long, black, hooded, trench coat of Organization XIII. The hood was up, and it limped and lurched as if injured or amid a nasty coughing fit. "Xigbar? Xemnas? Is that you?" Axel called mocking the friendly tone he used to take with them. It gave no reply but raspy gasps and moans. "You alright, there? Looks like you're coming down with something! Couldn't happen to a nicer person," he said with a crooked grin. Felt a tinge of guilt for his meanness but figured he could forgive himself, the Organization had done much meaner.

As the hooded menace limped closer, the static grew louder. It was only a few yards away when Axel noticed the creature's blackened hands were not warped in gloves, like his, but in skin as black as pitch, with nails like a crow's talons. He sprang back as the monster swung his clawed hands at him. The hood of the coat raised just enough for him to notice that beneath it was the face of a stranger. Or rather the lack of any face. A featureless face of skin the color of tar, no eyes or nose. Only a gaping, toothless maw, belching black smoke and a sizzling black ooze that dripped to the concrete and hissed like boiling acid. Axel realized he faced a new threat all together.

"Well, pal, you may not be the Organization. But I don't think we'll like each other any better," he gave mocking sigh before reaching out his hand to summon his keyblade. Blinked when it didn't appear. Again he flexed his hand to summon the weapon, again nothing. The hooded horror lurched for him again, again he dodged with ease. For some reason Axel wasn't surprised. Everything else had gone wrong, why not this?

"Oh well, I guess we'll need to do this the old-fashioned way," Axel snickered as he brought up his fists. The blare of a distant siren caught his ears, in moments it was deafeningly loud. Darkness fell on the streets. He heard the grunts and moans of the hooded monster limping closer. "Someone upstairs is messing with the lights, guess we'll have to play this, literally, by ear," he finished as he swung his fist in the direction of the moans.

…

A blaring siren burst in Ven's ears, jarring him from oblivion. He barely had time to process the room he was in before it dimmed to blackness. Moments of ear-splitting noise later, the siren echoed out. Dazed and confused, he let his eyes adjust for a moment. Soon the room became somewhat visible and he shuffled to his feet.

He figured it was some kind of post office. Mail boxes lined some of the walls. A table in the middle of the floor with stalks of envelopes, pens, and paper. The power seemed to be out, an emergency light shone dimly next to a glowing "Exit" sign over double doors. Ven sighed that he, at least, knew the way out. Not seeing any point in staying, Ven shuffled towards the exit.

"Wouldn't go out there if I were you," a soft but grizzled voice said. Ven jumped with a gasp before spinning around to a shadowy figure behind the main counter. The dark figure reached to press something and an electric lantern flashed on to reveal and older gentleman with a grey beard, wearing the blue uniform and hat of a mail man. "Sorry, son, didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh! No! Um…" Ven blushed, he was sixteen (closer to seventeen) yet still managed to make himself look like a kid. "Just…didn't notice you before," the old man gave a soft, warm laugh.

"Nothing wrong with being a little afraid now and then. Fear is normal. Especially in these parts."

"Oh, right!" Ven gasped. "Where exactly am I?"

Again the soft laugh. "Smart question there, son. You're in Silent Hill. At the post office on Crichton ST."

"Silent Hill?" Ven pondered the name a moment.

"Use to be a fine little town. But even a good town can go bad. This here town has seen some mighty bad times, as have I. I'm Howard, by the way."

"I'm Ven."

"That would be short for Ventus, wouldn't it? The ancient word for 'wind.'" Ven gasped in surprise. Opened his mouth to speak. Howard cut him off with a wave. "You'll find I know a lot of things. You don't get this many grey hairs without seeing a thing or two. And I'm not even going to sugar-coat it. You and your friends took a terrible risk coming here. You won't find who you're looking for here. But now that you're here, this could be a chance for this here town to turn a new corner. Could be time for some changes here, some much needed changes." Ven took in Howards words with shock and mystery.

"How could you possibly know?"

"Let's just say I'm a long time resident of this here community. And I ain't the only local here who wants to help. But most of the rest are up to no good. Sadly, I can't spoil the whole thing for you, can only give you a helping hand and a little information. There are rules in this town, rules that I can only bend, not break. So here's my helping hand: You can't summon that fancy little keyblade of yours here, at least not yet. But the more of your own demons you beat, the more of your strength you'll get back," Howard paused to let Ven fuss about trying to summon his keyblade. Eventually blonde lad looked up with a sigh of defeat.

"You'll also find that yonder gadget on your wrist don't work neither," Howard went on. "It will start fussing when an enemy is near though, get louder the closer you are to it. As for your enemies, they're tailor made by the powers that be around here to target your weaknesses up here and in here," he said, tapping his head and heart in sequence. "Try not to let them spook you too much, they're your demons and you can defeat them. You can even help a friend against theirs. But you will have other problems, which you alone will have solve. As someone you know once said, 'may your heart be your guiding key,'" he paused to wink. Again he cut Ven off. "Other than that, in dealing with enemies along the way; you fight em, you can hide from em, or you can run like hell. Any of those will work. As for weapons, you'll have to fend for themselves. Plenty laying around town, some you can even improvise. You and your friends will have to conquer your demons, and one BIG one to get out of here. And that's about all there is to it."

"But…my friends!" Ven blinked, his mind still trying to process all he'd heard.

"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot. One of them I doubt you'll have trouble finding once you get going. As for one particularly special one, it'll be a bit of a hike for you, but I understand a certain little lady named Aqua has been recently committed to the psychiatric ward of the Brookhaven Hospital all way down in South Vale."

"AQUA!" Ven gasped, his heart fell. Committed? Psychiatric ward? What little he knew of such institutions was far from flattering. He couldn't bear the thought of her trapped in such a place. And without her powers! She'd be helpless! His face distorted in torment quickly tightened into fierce determination. His hand pressed over his heart soon tightened into a fist.

"Don't go charging off yet, Sir Galahad!" Howard broke in with a hearty laugh. "I betcha you want instructions on how to get there?" Ven nodded firmly. "Oh, that reminds me. You best wait for the light. The powers that be are even more powerful when it's dark. You'll hear that dreadful siren again before the lights come on and again when the darkness falls again. As for how to get to Brookhaven Hospital. That road right outside the front door is Crichton St. Go on out and go left all the way down then turn right on the road that becomes Riverside Dr. Take that all the way down and go right on to Craig St. Then left onto Bachman Rd. and right on Sanford St. You just keep on following all around the lake, it'll become Nathan Ave. Then it's a right on Carroll St. and it's down the on the right. Brookhaven Hospital, can't miss it. Hope you got it memorized, cause I ain't saying all that again, no sir!"

Howard turned, as if to leave. Ven was still thinking over the instructions when he noticed and called out. But mail man had already vanished into the shadows. "Go ahead and take the lantern, Ven. You'll need it more than me." Howard called from the back area. Ven lunged forward to the counter but Howard was gone. Ven had heard no door open or shut. The electric lantern cast enough glow to make the back visible. But the man was gone. Too confused to question it, Ven picked up the lantern and sighed.

He spent several minutes reciting the road instructions Howard had given in his head until he was certain he'd memorized it. Sure enough, the siren echoed in from the distance than blared to a deafening wail. The daylight returned out the grimy windows and the siren vanished as quick as it came. Snapping off the lantern to save the battery. Ven steeled himself for the trek to come. Next stop Brookhaven Hospital, and Aqua.