Chapter 2: Signs
Rich sun-light cast the town of Silent Hill in a heavenly glow. Every-thing seemed to become more alive in the small New England town; pale morning light reflected off of the modern architecture of steel and glass in the business district of Central Silent Hill, which contrasted with the sun drenched bricks and archaic structures of Old Silent Hill. Toluca Lake sparkled with the intensity of one thousand diamonds, the wind bringing a cool breeze off of its surface into the town...
Caroline Hunter would have enjoyed the scenery if she wasn't so damn late getting to work.
First day of the new school year and I'm going to be late. She thought miserably. Caroline groaned as the street light turned red as she neared, as if it were tuned just to make her even more angry. She pushed a strand of light brown hair away from her fore-head and haphazardly checked her make-up in the rear-view mirror.
Caroline worked at the Midwich Elementary school in Old Silent Hill as a first grade teacher. She had taken the job after graduating from the University of Pleasant River, and was quite looking forward to the first day of school. She wanted to watch the eager young faces of the children, full of spirit and innoc----------
----------HONK!
Caroline was kicked out of her musings as she lightly applied eye shadow to one of her clear blue eyes.
"Alright, alright!" She grumbled and proceeded down the street. She was already late, and figured that worrying her-self over it was pointless, it wasn't the end of the world.
She parked her car in the already full parking lot of Midwich Elementary. There were no children out-side, no dreary eyed parents seeing there kids off to their first day: she was later than she had thought. She hurried up the stairs and through the old style doors of the building. The air was much cooler in here, and Caroline shuddered slightly from the drastic change in temperature. She briskly walked down the silent halls, occasionally peering through class windows as she went by. Caroline had been through the building countless times before, interviewing and getting to know the lay-out, so she had no problem finding the class.
As she approached the room, she could see a large woman standing in front of her class-room. She had met with this woman many times during the summer, and she could still see that her knack for fashion had not gotten any better, as she wore a hideously designed flowery mumu and tight open toed shoes that barely contained her pudgy feet. Her gray streaked hair was cropped closely to her head in a snug bun and she eyed Caroline behind thick wire rimmed spectacles. It was Mrs. Murphy, the schools principal. Caroline felt just as young and vulnerable as the children to was about to teach as she approached the principal.
"Ms. Hunter! Do you know what time it is!?" Mrs. Murphy snapped, keeping her voice low so at least the children wouldn't hear.
Caroline sheepishly smiled and made an attempt to look sorry. She had never really taken to liking the schools principal, mainly because she came across as a spiteful old woman who ironically didn't even like children.
"I'm so sorry! Caroline quickly apologized. "There was an emergency this morning." If waking up with your boy-friend late after staying up all night could be considered an 'emergency.'
Mrs. Murphy narrowed her eyes and watched her like a hawk. "Ms. Hunter, I will have you know that on your first day you have already not set a good example, not only to me, but to the children and their parents. When I hired you I thought I was making a wise decision: please...don't prove me wrong."
She turned on her ample feet and headed down the hall-way out of sight.
Hag. Caroline thought bitterly. She straightened out her blouse and placed a hand on the door-knob. Trying to put on her best face, she merrily walked into the class to start the day with her children.
Upon her entering, the dozens of bright, youthful faces turned their attention to her.
"Good morning class!" Caroline exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"Good morning!" The class responded in unison.
Caroline had always had a special connection with children. She was the oldest of three girls by more than five years, and fondly recalled her child-hood, of being a moral leader and companion to her siblings and feeling the warm glow of satisfaction as she was looked up to and loved.
After introducing her-self, she began the roll call. One by one, she called the names of the children. They exuberantly replied by shouting "here", "present", and one boy in particular put his forearm over his mouth and mimicked the sound of a flatulence as she called his name. Caroline smiled as she continued to read the names. To be a kid again...
"Denise Nixon?"
"Here!"
"Angela Orosco?"
There was no reply from the group of children. Caroline looked up from the roll sheet and repeated the name.
"Angela Orosco?"
It was then that she saw the girl in the back of the class, so still and silent that Caroline hadn't even noticed her at first. Long brown hair feel over her slumped shoulders, and she sat with her arms held firmly around her-self in a personal embrace. She was looking down at her desk, seemingly oblivious to the world around her.
"Are you Angela?" Caroline asked softly.
The girl slowly nodded her head.
Caroline beckoned towards a seat closer to the other children. "You wanna come join us?"
Angela shook her head, her intentions made explicitly clear in just two motions. Caroline sighed and pushed the chair back into its original place. Probably just shy. She'll come around soon.
After taking attendance, Caroline gave the class their first assignment: to draw a picture of their families and tell the class a little about them. She handed out coloring supplies and paper, and let the children get to work. The air buzzed with excited chatter as every-one worked on their personal master-pieces, every-one except Angela.
Caroline scooted a chair close to her and sat down. Angela didn't look up as she continued to stare at the desk.
"Hey, you okay?" Caroline asked soothingly. Angela ignored her question.
"You know, when I have something that's bothering me, I find that it helps to talk to someone." Caroline placed a hand on Angela's shoulder. For the first time, the girl looked at her. She could see the sadness resonating out of her delicate brown eyes. Caroline decided to not press the issue of what was bothering her; it would be best if she just came out and told her her-self.
"Angela is a very pretty name. Do you know what it means?" Caroline asked her.
Angela shook her head, her gaze averted back to the surface of the desk.
"Well, what does it sound like?"
"...Angel?" Said Angela in a soft, timid voice.
"There you go! It comes from the Latin word for 'angel,' pretty cool huh?"
Angela looked at her with a new found sense of intrigue and nodded her head. They began to openly chat, and Caroline had even gotten her to smile. Angela had a very warm and innocent smile, like that of a real life angel...
"You're very pretty when you smile." Caroline commented.
The dimples in Angela's cheeks rose and her face lightly blushed red. She was a beautiful child, one that shouldn't know the meaning of pain nor sadness. At least I was able to alleviate some of her sadness, Caroline thought with a sense of pride.
The school day seemed to fly past in a haze of fun activities and jovial excitement, and before Caroline knew it, the children were out-side, talking and playing as their parents came to pick them up. Angela was by her side, hand and hand.
"Where do you live Angela?" Caroline asked.
"Blue Creek Apartments." Said Angela.
Blue Creek Apartments...that's in South Vale, not far from here.
An old gray and brown station wagon pulled up to the front of the school and Caroline felt Angela's had loosen from hers.
"Is that your ride?"
Angela nodded, and Caroline could see that the sullen expression from this morning had returned to her face.
Caroline knelled down and deeply embraced Angela.
"See you tomorrow!" She shouted as Angela made her way to the car. A large man sat behind the steering wheel and Caroline could see Angela visibly apprehensive to get into the car. She could see the mans mouth moving and Angela quickly jump into the passenger seat, her tiny back-pack hugged closely to her body.
Must be trouble at home...
Caroline didn't think much at the moment, but she had no idea what kind of torment young Angela Orosco was really enduring in her home, in her father's "play-ground."
"God bless that girl..." Caroline whispered to her-self, and walked back into the school to pack up for the day.