Disclaimer: I do not own Silent Hill 3 or anything related to it. The characters/places are not mine, though I do own my OC, Katy.

A/N: First off, I want to thank the anonymous reviewer for all the reviews. Now that I'm back from vacation, maybe I can update faster for this story. Enjoy!

Chapter 18: Need to Know

The Creepers swarmed the room all at once, like a moving carpet that replaced the fine wood floors. Douglas leaped onto the bed to avoid them, though I suspected they could crawl onto objects easily.

'Whoa," I gasped as a crowd of the tiny demons aimed for me. Frantically, I swung my katana at them, but they were too quick and too small for the weapon to work. As they scrabbled towards me, I backed away into Leonard's hidden room until I bumped into the table. Hastily I climbed onto the table just as the bugs invaded the hidden room.

"What now?" Douglas asked from where he was standing on the bed. A few Creepers were attempting to climb onto the bed covers, but Douglas kicked them away.

"We have to get out of here. I say we run," I suggested as the Creepers crawled onto the table legs. Eyeing them bitterly, I used my katana to swipe them away.

"On the count of three, then. One...two...three!" Douglas shouted and the two of us simultaneously jumped from our spots, crushing some of the Creepers as we landed. I couldn't help making a face of disgust; as the Creepers crunched under our feet, thick, yellowish liquid poured from their bodies.

"Gross," I muttered, lifting my foot to glance at the mess on the bottom of my boot. Douglas gripped my arm and led me out of the room, stopping only when we reached the stairs. It was like a sea of Creepers, covering each step. Douglas watched the bugs, his eyes practically saying "What now?", just as he had before. "Slide," I told him, gesturing to the banister on the stairs. Without waiting for him, I lifted myself onto the railing and slid downwards, like a child. I stumbled a little as I leaped off and landed near the door.

"Oof," Douglas grunted as he followed suit and almost fell at the end. "I haven't done that since I was a little boy," he admitted with a gleam in his eyes. Shaking my head, I tried to shove open the front door with no use. The Creepers were crawling everywhere.

"Allow me," Douglas said as he slammed his shoulder into the door. Again he did it and then he opted for his foot. The door rattled on its hinges until finally it burst open, revealing a stream of bleak light. The Creepers became trapped in the light and cried out, retreating into the old house.

"I...am never...doing that again," I stated, out of breath from running to the car as fast as I could. Douglas jumped into the front seat and tore away from the curb.

"At least we have a new destination," he retorted, eyeing the map. The Church was where Claudia would be waiting. Did I really need to venture into the hospital when I could end this thing now?

"You'll need to make a U-turn. The only way we're getting into the Church is through the Lakeside Amusement Park," I informed him. Douglas swung the wheel to the side and the car lurched, nearly making me fall out of my seat.

"How'd you know that?" Douglas was looking at me strangely as he corrected the car, driving along Nathan Avenue. My body tensed as I struggled to come up with an answer, but none came.

"Uh...I'd rather not say." I tried to pretend to be interested in the map, but he wasn't buying it. He was a detective, after all. "Unless you want to cross the lake?"

"Kid, you're going to have to start trusting me if we're going to make it out of this alive." Douglas gave me one of his hard, serious stares and I frowned. Would it be so bad if he knew the truth? It couldn't be crazier than forcing someone to birth a twisted God, could it?

"Alright..." And I told him everything.

…

"So, wait a minute. You're telling me that you've been through this before? That this is some kind of...game?" Douglas had stopped the car and was now staring at me like I'd been sipping the crazy water of Silent Hill.

"I know it's hard to believe. I was playing the video game and then I fell asleep. Next thing I knew, I was here. I know how it ends, too," I explained, watching him carefully. It was a lot to take in.

"How do you expect me to believe something as mental as that?" Douglas gazed at me with confusion and wonder. How did I explain it to someone whose world—whose very existence—had suddenly been turned upside down?

"I'm sorry. I don't expect you to believe it. But it's the truth." I turned my eyes away from him and glanced out the window. Nearby was a massive sign that read "Lakeside Amusement Park." I realized I was holding my breath and I sighed.

"Look, kid. I don't know if you really are crazy or not...but I'll still help you. If we're drawing lines here, I choose your side. Just one question: Am I going to die?" It took me by surprise that Douglas was attempting to listen to me.

"No, but you might leave with a broken leg," I told him. Douglas was silent as he started the car again, heading for the amusement park. Maybe he did think I was crazy, but I didn't care. It felt so good to let the truth out.

"Thank you," I murmured. Douglas watched me out of the corner of his eye and finally his lips lifted in a half-smile.

"You know...you're not that bad. At least not as bad as Claudia. Do what you have to do, alright? But from now on, keep me on a 'need-to-know' basis only," he said, still a little shaken. I nodded and again thanked him for his help, even if he did refuse to get terribly close to me anymore.

I chose to ignore the hospital. Maybe, when all this was over, I'd pay a visit to Leonard and let him know that his daughter was a goner.

…