Author's notes: 2nd chapter already! Sweet, the story is really going to kick off next chapter. But for now, this is a look into the past; portraying a typical morning with the Shepherd family. The disclaimer; I do not own Silent Hill, Konami, and Double Helix. There we go, now happy reading people!

Chapter II: The usual morning procedure

It was 7:00AM. The sound of an alarm clock ringing about filled the air of the room with noise, there lay a boy who was turning his body away from the direction of the alarm trying to ignore it to salvage more sleep. But after a good five seconds his attempt seem futile. With a groan he sat up, the sheets of his bed were wrapped around the lower half of his body almost like a cocoon. He began to sleepily rub his eyes and yawn, looking around the room. Mostly his eyes shifted to the window, the bright morning sun just shining through the drapes. The boy sighed as he shifted his body towards the edge of the top mattress bunk bed climbing down the ladder, as he climbed down his head slumped.

"Ugh, I hate Mornings." Said the boy as he landed onto the hardwood floor and stretched his arms with another yawn, he walked to the bathroom and scratched his well toned abs while doing so.

That was the usual morning ritual for Alexander Shepherd, the sixteen year old little soldier. At least that's what he was thought of by his father. He stood at 5'10", short slightly messy yet spiky black hair, medium build, hazel eyes. At this point, he's just that average teenager who just wants to get out of High School and do something in his life then live in the shadow of his father, Adam Shepherd. There is so little to do though in this peaceful town of Shepherd's Glen though, named after Alex's family; there is a long history to do with the name of this town but not enough interest for the boy to get into it.

It took ten minutes for the boy to get dressed up and ready for the day. He wore a pair of denim blue jeans with a very dark green t-shirt shirt, with a black sweater jacket to go with it.

Twenty minutes later he walked down the stairway and went into the kitchen, seeing his father, mother and younger brother there. His father, was at the table with a cup of coffee in his hand with a bitter face on; he too hates mornings which is a trait Alex must have inherited. Alex's father's face looked rugged, accented with some stubble of facial hair, his face just looked showed years of experience as it should since he used to be with the Army; a green beret to boot. His hair was kept shaved but slowly growing back. His younger eight year old brother, Joshua was sitting next to him eating a bowl of cereal. He had short hair kept down with a dash of matching brown as his hair color like his older brother. His eyes were brown like chocolate with a face that could steal the hearts of many, if were to grow a couple more years he'd be one hell of a heartthrob.

Alex's mother, Lillian was at the kitchen sink washing a couple of things. She was a beautiful shoulder length brunette, slightly curvy body, and the face of an angel. The works, her good looks most have fallen onto Alex and Josh since she was indeed a gorgeous mother. The teenager got a good look at his family and a tiny bit of grief washed over him as he walked to the freezer pulling out a bacon, egg, and cheese hot pocket and popping it into the microwave. This was one of the only times that the entire family was together without something going wrong and he would love to keep it like that. Had time he'd love to stay and have breakfast but time was an essence. Josh and his father looked up at Alex who was standing near the microwave looking at his breakfast being prepared.

"You're late." His father said with force before taking another sip from his mug, Alex rolled his eyes at what he said. Josh gave his father a tiny glance then looked back to his older brother trying to give him a good mood for school, "Morning, sleepy-head!" He said cheerfully, him like their mother loved mornings unlike the two bitter males in the room.

"Erm, morning squirt." Alex said looking over his shoulder at Josh with a smile on his face. "How did you sleep?" Josh asked, as he took another spoon of Honey nut cheerios. Alex chuckled and opened the door of the microwave and took out his hot pocket, slamming it shut he walked over to the table and sat down across from his father. "Like a log, stupid alarm clock had to wake me up." Alex said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Josh was about to chuckle at this till his father put down his mug and stared over at Alex, with a mean look in his eyes as if he was ready to rip him apart limb from limb. "Did you not hear me? You're late, you were supposed to be awake an hour ago." He said with a stern tone of voice, the family knew that tone of voice. The one that held order as if he was a drill sergeant giving a lecture to a faulty soldier in the making. Their mother would look over her shoulder from the sink at the two conversing and poor Joshua stuck in the middle.

"Sorry dad." Was all Alex said as he closed his eyes and took a bite from his hot pocket, trying to ignore the steaming hotness from it. Also trying to ignore the slow boiling fury of his father, which would prove to be inevitable as he slammed his palm into the kitchen table demanding respect from Alex.

"Am I hearing this? 'Sorry dad'? Is that all you have to say for yourself?! You were supposed to be in bed by ten and up by six! Let me guess…you were talking to that stupid Holloway girl again weren't you?" Adam would say with his voice rising, usually he respected and loved spending time with the Holloway family but if Elle would be ruining Alex's sleeping pattern then there would be some problems.

"She's not stupid! And…so what if I was?" Alex said putting his hot pocket down for a minute and clutching his fists under the table. It was true, him and Elle were up till 2 'o clock talking on the phone till the battery ran out. Him and Elle were childhood friends since 2nd grade, it was only natural for him to feel like not getting off of the phone with her. There was just something about her that draws him more closer to her everyday, maybe it's due to the fact that the only people that acknowledges his existence is her and his loving innocent brother. If his father was going to bash her right in front of his face he wouldn't have any of it, even if he continues to bark and punish him.

"Are you talking back Alex? Huh you little snot-nosed punk?!" Adam yelled as he sprouted up from his chair and strutted towards Alex who was sitting down, staring up at him with angry desperate eyes. "Huh? You know your supposed to follow a set-protocol, this house has rules and you will follow it! Do I make myself clear!?" He yelled down, and then there was silence. Alex continued to stare up at him, but his gaze softened and he looked back down to the floor; biting his lip. Josh looked over at the two, defenseless to say or do anything to lighten the mood. Their mother turned back to her dishes and wouldn't look back, she knew not to step into Adam's territory when it came to the kids.

"Do I make myself clear?" He said once more returning to that low yet stern tone of voice as he continued to hover over his son.

"Yes, sir." Alex said, with a low tone of voice. Feeling defeated he'd get up and walk past his father; not even bothering to pick up the remains of his half eaten hot pocket. Josh would bite his lip and try to wave over at Alex to get his attention before he left the room.

"Bye, Alex…" Was Josh words, they seemed to be ignored since Alex didn't respond back but he was able to get the message. His backpack was at the front door near where the shoes are kept for both them and their guests to take off before entering the house. He picked up his backpack and swung it over his shoulders and opened the door, walking out and closing it behind him. As he walked down the tiny steps of his household he couldn't help but take out his soothing rage and kick the railing.

'Dammit! It's like this every morning! God…I hate my dad so much.' Alex would think to himself as he'd take a deep breath and walk away from the Shepherd household and down the street. Today would prove to be different, but alas just another bad day in the life of Alex Shepherd.

Author's notes: Phew, 2nd chapter is over! Well there's a look into a typical breakfast with the Shepherd's. Just who is that mysterious voice giving off his last words to our hero? You'll find out next chapter, just give off some reviews and we'll get this ball rolling! Thanks for reading.

x- - Devil May Cry