And here is chapter nine, this may be where things start to get tense (well, even more so). Also, I apologize for the lagging behind recently... I've not been in school due to summer break, so I really haven't had the time to just sit there and pretend to be the slightest bit interested in what I was hearing. So... yeah. I hope you guys enjoy.
Alena sighed, "Edd, are you sure this is going to work?"
He nodded eagerly, "It has to. They'd be stupid to pass this 'oppurtunity' up. Now, once you have some alone time with Rowena, make sure to completely figure out how you got out of Silent Hill when you were little."
"Well... What happens if something... culty happens to me? They don't seriously think that I could bring back their God, do they?" she nervously fumbled with her necklace. Part of her didn't believe what they did, but after all that had happened to that very moment, she thought that it was as real as she was. She was never a religious person, and chose not to get into religious debates. For all she knew, God could be a hamster and gives turtles to people who behave.
"I'm going with you. I'll pose as someone who is seeking redemption or something." Ed stood.
Mellie shook her head and stood as well, "Sorry guys, but I don't think the cultists are that forgetful, after what you've told Sarah and I, I don't know if they'll be so open towards you guys. They may be a bit more accepting to Alena because they think she is the vessel of God or whatever, but you three," she looked to both Ed, Edd, & Eddy (A/N: I'm so sorry, I couldn't help it) "You may have to sit this out. I'll go with her since they've never seen me before." she crossed her arms.
Ed seemed upset, but understood what she was saying. He wanted to be there with Alena, just to know that she was alright.
"Alright then, what do we do?" Eddy asked, still searching the room for any stray bullets.
They had made it out of the examination room, to the nurse's station. Luckily for them (which was a shock to all) there were no demonic nurses twitching and stumbling about, leaving trails of blackish red substance that may have once been bright red blood. They had established that until they reach the Church of the Holy Way, they would not split up again. Splitting up seemed to have been the root of all evil in their current situation, so deciding to stick together may actually prove to be a productive choice.
Edd's head injury wasn't serious, and Alena's wound hadn't caused her to pass out from blood loss. Their luck may actually be turning for once.
Sarah shrugged, "When I was walking around yesterday, I found a system of bridge-like structures connecting some of the buildings. If we're lucky, we might actually be able to find an open window to get through."
Edd nodded, "That's a great idea, Sarah, but what happens if we get caught? That could compromise the safety of Alena and Mellie."
"Well then just leave it to us." Alena rose her eyebrows. "Assuming that you guys do get caught, it can't possibly be before I get an answer from Rowena."
"I highly doubt a few cultists will be a problem." Mellie nodded.
At this point, both Ed and Edd were likely to have a problem with their loved ones going to such a dangerous place. Both didn't want to leave Alena and Mellie with brainwashed zombies, bending backwards for the very will of Christabella, but unless they wanted to stay there forever, they were going to have to find Rowena.
Edd sighed, "Eddy, how many monsters do you see out there?" he asked.
After poking his head out, he confirmed that they were in the clear. "Let's move out."
"I can't believe that worked." Mellie said with risen eyebrows.
"Tell me about it, I was so worried, I thought I was about to have a heart attack." Sarah agreed.
To them, walking out seemed like an impossible task. One does not simply walk out of Brookhaven Hospital without being attacked, but they managed to do so.
Perhaps God, or whatever he/she/it is called, is on our side... Alena thought on a positive note.
Edd studied the map and consulted Sarah about the whereabouts of the connecting bridges. The majority of them led to the Church, as if the cultists had built them themselves so they could get home without getting ganged up by monsters.
"So, this is the path?" Edd asked.
Sarah nodded, "Yeah, but this bridge is destroyed, so we'll have to take a longer route." she pointed at the map, "It leads you through the top floor of these buildings." she dragged her finger over the path.
Edd sighed in relief as he saw that they wouldn't have to go through Blue Creek Apartments again; he had enough of that place... He nodded, "Alright then, I have an idea. Eddy, do you remember where that gas station is?" he asked.
Eddy nodded, "But I think the doors are rusted shut..."
"... Break the windows?"
Eddy stared at his friend in shock, "Who are you and what have you done with Double D?"
Edd rolled his eyes, "As of now, we're doing this to survive. I think the owners will forgive us." he directed his attention towards the whole group, "Although this hasn't proven to be the greatest idea in the past, we may need to split up again. Does anyone have a working phone on them?"
Alena frowned, "Why? It's not like we'll get any signal..."
Edd shrugged, "Yes, but if it is still functioning, it should still show the time. Alright, Eddy; you and I will to go to the gas station and round up any sort of guns, or bullets necessary. Something tells me that the cultists won't be too happy if they see us." He looked to Ed and Sarah, "I think you two should try to find radios. I'm sure Silent Hill has a toy store with cheap ones. Eddy can find the batteries in the gas station; if not, I think the store should have some."
He finally looked to Mellie and Alena, "As for you two, go ahead and get to the church. What time does your phone say, Mellie?"
She sighed, "It's dead."
Alena shrugged, "Mine fell out of my pocket when I fell in the lake."
Edd nodded, "Alright then, take mine. Since I'll be with Eddy, we'll still be able to see the time. Mine says 6:45. Go to the church at seven, and I promise you, that we will be there by 7:30. 7:45 at the latest." he handed Alena the small device, "Be careful; go ahead and give me the map, I have several pictures of it on my phone in case you need it."
As they traded, Ed and Sarah headed off for a toy store or something of the like. But before leaving, Ed gave Alena a look of worry but also encouragment. She smiled back and turned away, looking in the direction of the church.
As Eddy headed in the direction of the Texxon Gas Station, Edd glanced at Mellie who wore a concerned expression on her face. She looked up at him, "Do you think we'll make it?"
He nodded and kissed her forehead, "I think we'll be just fine." He pulled away and waved a farewell before running to catch up with Eddy.
Alena turned to face Mellie, "Is something wrong?"
Mellie shook her head, still watching Edd go. There was a slight smile on her face; the first time she'd smile since she ended up in Silent Hill. "No. I think we'll be just fine..."
Ed groaned, "I've never been to a toy store that didn't have cheap-ass walkie talkies..." he muttered and pushed boxes and stuffed bears out of his way as he searched.
Sarah frowned, "Jimmy said he got a set from here when he was six, or well... his aunt did." she hopped over a few boxes in her way.
"I think Double-D said something about this place being stuck in a point of time, kinda like the seventies or sixties..." he sighed.
"But they still had them then. Remember Dad's?" she asked and reached to the back of a shelf. Still no luck. "Dammit... Wait, there's a mall here, right?" she looked to her older brother, who was surrounded by boxes and plushies and whatnot.
Ed had to think for a minute before pulling out the map on his phone, "Yes, but why are you asking?"
She shrugged, "Well malls have security guards, and they often have an area of their own. If we're lucky, we could find some there, can we?" she asked and hopped off the shelf. "Plus there should be a few toy stores there which may have some."
Ed unearthed his legs from the pile and stood upright, "That's a good idea, but do we have enough time?"
"What time is it?"
Ed looked at his phone again, "About seven-fifteen. If we haul ass, we could get there in time."
"Good, let's go."
Mellie shook in anxiety as she and Alena stood before the large structure. The church first seemed like a haven to Alena, but now became the root of their troubles.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Mellie asked as she fiddled with her sleeves.
Alena nodded, "It has to. Whether they like it or not, they need me." She forced her legs up the stone steps, followed by Mellie, who was shaking like a leaf in a violent ice storm. Alena pulled up her courage and pounded on the large doors.
It was awkwardly silent for what felt like an eternity. Just when the girls thought that they weren't going to let them in, the door opened, revealing to tall men and Christabella.
"I'm coming back." Alena looked at her, not showing an ounce of fear or intimidation.
"Why?" was all she replied.
"I didn't understand, but I do now," Alena was about to continue when Christabella ordered the two men to open the doors more.
"Get in. Who is this?" she nodded her head towards Mellie.
"I need somewhere to stay... please." she said quietly.
They lucked out. Christabella fell for it, and allowed them into the church. Although she wasn't as 'gentle' as she was before, they were getting somewhere.
Christabella gave Alena a dress that had to be worn during 'The Ceremony'. She recognized it as the dress she wore in her dream at the docks. Mellie was given the same dress, but only in a navy color.
Alena sighed, praying that this would work. She looked to Mellie, trying to give a look of encouragment. This could be the longest half-hour of their lives.
Edd grabbed another pouch, this one for Eddy to hold, and shoved as many bullets and batteries that he could find. "Eddy, what conditions are the knives in?" he asked.
Eddy sighed, "They're cheap, but they can be used as a last resort. How 'bout them bullets?"
"The bullets I found should be enough. But those cultists are ruthless, so we can only hope." Edd replied, unable to help himself with the grammatical correction. "What time is it?" he asked.
Eddy looked at his watch, "We have about fifteen minutes. We have a little time to breathe."
Edd couldn't. Not while Mellie was in danger. Every time he looked at his watch, he felt as if he were putting her and Alena in more danger. As each minute passed, there was not a second when he didn't think of her. He could withstand not seeing Ed or Eddy for perhaps a day, but not being with her seemed to leave a gap in his chest. A gaping hole that only her smile could fill.
"Double D, I think we've gotten all that's needed." Eddy called from behind the counter.
Edd nodded and zipped up the pouch, handing it to his friend. "Let's go."
They quickly left the station before they could catch the attention of any monsters. They've been able to easily avoid them by staying quiet and out of sight. Perhaps this is how the cultists survived.
Eddy saw two figures in the distance; one tall, and one shorter. He recognized them as Ed and Sarah, who were carrying two bags.
They waved them down, glad to see that they may have gotten some good things.
"We found another gun, and a taser. We also got the walkies." Sarah said triumphantly as she handed each one.
"Alright then, Sarah, you can use the taser. Eddy and Ed, you two use the guns, and I'll use a knife as last resort if I have to fight. I'll be looking for Alena and Mellie. How's that for a slice of fried gold?" he asked.
"Please." Alena said quietly, "I've never met my real mother before now, I want to spend just a little time with her."
Christabella scowled, "You do realize that the longer Rowena sees you, the harder it will be on her, right?"
"Yes, but wouldn't she have rather known her daughter, than not?" she countered. "Asking to see my mother isn't even half of what I am doing for you."
This got her, Christabella knew well that granting her to see Rowena was nothing compared to what she believed Alena was going to do. "Very well then. You have until the beginning of the ceremony." And with that, she turned on her heel to the opposite direction. "She's in the West Wing."
Alena and Mellie stood there for a moment, before dashing off to the West Wing when no one was looking. Alena pushed the heavy doors to see her mother sitting on a bench, hunched over as if she were praying.
"Rowena, we don't have much time." she said, catching her mother's attention.
Rowena looked up, as if she'd known the entire time, and nodded. "You are right."
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Woot, that was a long-ass chapter. Sorry it took me so long to get it up and running; I sprained my ankle and I've had some free-time to write. But of course, my Dad and Grandpa are on my ass for not cleaning while I'm trying to learn how to walk without causing pain to myself. *COUGH*thanks, you assholes*COUGH*
Anyway, this is the beginning ot the end, so to speak. I would expect this thing to be over in maybe two or three chapters. I'm kinda afraid to add a lemon in the very end (like an epilogue for either Alena/Ed or Edd/Mellie) due to the fact of the removal of stories with sexual content. Although the number had decreased dramatically, I still tend to be a bit cautious.
Well, I hope you enjoyed! This is Philosophial Zombie, signing off!