Authors Note: Okay so this chapter is going to be set a few days after the last, just so everyone is clear on that. That's really all of the important info I needed to share with you all so I hope you enjoy the story, and please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Silent Hill's

New Beginning

-

Alex sat nervously in the waiting room chair as his father filled out his release forms.

The brunette hadn't looked his father in the eyes at all since he arrived. Perhaps it was the aching guilt burning in his chest, or icy cold loneliness that stopped him, but either way Alex didn't feel ready to talk to Adam just yet.

Alex watched as his father slowly handed the sheet of paper back to the nurse behind the reception desk, and then turned scowling slightly.

Alex promptly stood, and followed as Adam excited the solid door's of the Mental Hospital.

-

The car ride home was spent silent. Alex couldn't tell whether Adam was angry or if he just didn't know what to say.

"Your mother is glad you're coming home." Adam said almost too casually.

Alex's face brightened ever so slightly.
"Really?"

"Of course...you are our son after all."

The younger Shepherd secretly wanted to talk about the night of Joshua's accident, mainly because they never had. Right after Josh's death Alex had a massive breakdown and couldn't even think straight let alone confront the painful loss of his brother.

Alex assumed this wasn't the right time or place.

-

Adam's silver car pulled carefully into the driveway.

Alex slowly unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car, inhaling the once familiar air of Shepherd's Glen.

The Brunette turned slightly to his right; there he saw the Shepherd house.

Some say home is where the heart is, but honestly Alex's heart had been lost at the bottom of Toluca Lake that night.

Adam broke Alex's stupor.
"You coming inside or what?"

"Yeah, sorry." Alex mumbled while catching up to his father.

The younger boy walked nervously up the worn wooden steps leading to the front door of the house. Alex's mind began racing with millions of questions and scenario's, how would everyone react to his return? Would they accept him? Would his delusions of Josh keep returning?

Alex soon shook these thoughts from his mind as he stepped slowly through the entrance of the house. Lillian's head turned slightly from her rocking chair, standing, she rushed over Alex, embracing him.

"I'm so glad to see you Alex!" Lillian stated happily.

Alex stood frozen in shock. This loving behaviour was completely new to him.

"I hope you don't mind if the Holloways come over for dinner tonight, Elle is so excited to see you!" Lillian exclaimed with a grin.

Alex didn't say anything; instead he took a seat on the brown leather couch, trying to collect his thoughts.

Lillian sat down next Alex, chatting about things Alex didn't comprehend, things that had happened during his absence.

The eighteen year old sat quietly, nodding here and there, to show he was paying some attention to his mother's strange chattiness.

When Alex turned around he noticed his father was no longer in the room.

Alex soon forgot about him and enjoyed the loving attention his mother should have showed all those years ago.

-

Alex felt a pang of nervous energy surge through his chest as the Holloways knocked at the front door.

"Alex can you get that please?" Lillian called from the kitchen.

"Okay." Alex replied while walking to the door.

The brunette twisted the door knob quickly, smiling as best as he could to the three visitors before him.

Before anyone could say anything, Elle rushed in hugging Alex tightly, causing him to pull and awkward expression.

Alex had never been interested in Elle. Ever since the two met, Elle had been obsessed with him, asking him out every few years, and every time was sadly rejected by Alex.

To be perfectly honest he found her too moody, and slightly annoying. Alex didn't want to hurt the blonde's feelings so he kept his friendship mutual, and nothing more.

Margaret Holloway grinned while placing her hand on Alex's shoulder.

"I'm so happy to see you Alex. It's been so long!"

"Yeah Alex, we're so glad you're back!" Nora intervened.

Lillian then walked out of the Kitchen, and greeted the three girls. Judge Holloway and Alex's mother then walked into the lounge and began talking and laughing.

Alex needed to get away. At first he thought about going into his and Josh's room, but then decided it probably wasn't the best idea to start breaking down about Josh's death yet again in front of the Holloways.

Avoiding the stairs, Alex walked into the backyard, sighing slightly as the breeze caressed his face.

The young adult nearly jumped as he heard the back door open from behind him, turning slightly Alex noticed it was Elle who had followed him.

"Hey Alex, mind if I join you?" Elle said quietly.

"Nah."

Alex didn't say anything, instead he just let his mind wander, ignoring the presence next to him.

For the next few seconds Alex didn't think, he just acted.
He felt his feet moving toward the metal swing set at the far left of the yard.

Alex sat in the right swing; the one Josh always picked for some reason.

He smiled slightly. Alex hadn't sat here in a very long time.

This yard filled Alex's heart with fond memories, ones he would do anything to relive again, and again.

The brunette noticed Elle's gaze watching him from the other side of the yard, but didn't mind, she could observe all she liked because nothing would ruin this moment for him, nothing at all.

Elle walked hesitantly over to Alex, not sure whether she should break his stupor or leave him alone.

"Are you okay Alex?"

It took a moment for the brunette to respond.
"I'm fine, why?"

"Oh, um, no reason, you just seem really quiet is all..." Elle stammered.

"Dinner's ready you two!" Lillian called from the backdoor.

Alex stood, and slowly headed back inside.

The food on the table looked delightful. Alex suddenly knew why he had missed his mother's cooking so much.

Elle quickly rushed to steal a seat next to Alex, while Nora sat next to her mother, and Adam sat contently next to Lillian.

"Before we all start. I just wanted to say that I'm really glad your home Alex." Adam said with a smile.

Alex looking down slightly embarrassed at all of the eyes looking at him.
"Thanks Dad. I'm glad to be back."

With that everyone began eating, as well as the casual conversing between the adults of the table.
Alex ate in silence, which was until Elle started talking.

"So, Alex. I was wondering, would you like to come down to Toluca Lake with me Nora, Joey, and Scarlet tomorrow?"

Alex cringed slightly. Obviously she hadn't been told the full story of what happened to Josh.
"I-I, um I'm not sure if I can..." Alex stuttered.

As far as he had come mentally, Alex knew he wouldn't be able to step foot near that Lake for a long time.

"How come?" Elle said in disappointment.

Alex's mind began racing for an excuse to not attend.

Suddenly Adam interrupted.
"Because Alex has to help me fix the water pump in the basement, isn't that right Alex?"

"Yeah."

"Oh okay, maybe some other time..." Elle smiled half heartedly.

Alex silently thanked his father for the fake excuse.

-

It was around 11:30pm and the Holloways had left about two hours ago.

Alex yawned while leaning further back on the couch in the living room.

"Your mother and I are going to go to bed." Adam said quietly from the doorway.

"Okay, good night."

Adam turned to walk away.
"And thanks for the help with Elle earlier."

"No problem." Adam said while walking up the creaky wooden stairs.

"Good night Alex, love you." Lillian kindly.
"Good night mom, love you too." Alex smiled.

Lillian then followed Adam up the stair case.

Alex sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking through the events of the day.

After a while he too decided to go to bed.
The trip up the stairs seemed too quick for Alex as he decided whether to face the memories of his shared room, or just crash on the couch in the den.

The brunette took in a quick breathe while staring at the golden door knob leading into the bedroom.

Alex's hand gripped the handle tightly while slowly turning it.

Authors Note: Okie Dokie, thats all for chapter 3! I hope it was long enough. And before I finish this note off completely I would like to thank youngwriter123 for of her kind reviews!