note:I may apologize from the two years not uploading more chapters. Terribly sorry for the wait readers but im alive and not dead. I just got extremely busy with life and stuff but I will continue this series.

Chapter 3

Phillip and Him

Mario knocked the door down as he saw a spider humanoid creature corpse on the floor as he sees a child with a gun trembling as he also found the princess there hugging the child. The kid dropped the gun as he embraced Peach trembling with fright. The officer came in to see the scene and sighs. "What did i bloody told ya? Dont go wondering this damned place in the nights" He raised his voice at Peach as she looks up then gently looks back down. "C'mon lets get back to the hotel where it's safer" He sighed and looked around the store to see if he can find anything useful.

"Are you alright?" Peach asked the boy. He stopped crying as he nodded. "What are you doing in a place like this? It's too dangerous to be wondering alone"

"Im looking for someone I lost. I need to find my friend!" The boy cried out

"your friend?" Peach asked

"Yes. I need to find my best friend. He was going to get me a new toy then he just randomly vanished without telling me anything" The boy sobbed

"Whose this friend of yours" Mario asked which caught the boys attention. "Maybe we can find him together"

"My friend told me not to talk to strangers. I have to go find him" The boy said as the boy tried to run off but the paratroopa grabbed him by his shirt to stop him. "Let go!"

"Its a dangerous place to wonder alone kid. Stranger or not we're adults and we can keep you safe. We'll help you find your friend. Now will you kindly tell us your name" The Officer said in a calm voice

The kid looked down at this shoes "Phillip. My name is Phillip..."

"That is a lovely name Phillip" Peach said gently to the child as his eyes met with hers as the blueness contacted with each other.

They exit the store as they became stumped. "How are we suppose to get down now? The main stairs are destroyed and the stairs we took leads to pits of hell" Mario said all puzzled.

"There is another way" The boy said as everyone looked at him. "There is that fire escape route near the jewelry store"

"The boy did tell me he lived here all his life. That means this town isnt that deserted after all" Peach said as Mario and the paratroopa looked at each other. "That and you never told us your name officer"

"James. James Linton" Officer James said.

Phillip went ahead as everyone else followed. Proceeding with this nightmare mall is giving Peach the memories from the dream with lots of locked or busted doors, blood everywhere and rust. They traveled a while will they managed to find the Jewelry store which made Peach feel wary. They found the Fire Escape door and entered. It lead outside to an alleyway. The fence was tore down but they proceed to leave the area. Walking down the parking lot was a trail of blood leading deeper to the fog. The radio was acting up again with loud static was James immediately pulled out his shotgun. The mall parking lot lights randomly lit up the center revealing the humanoid pyramid for a head standing there. Peach hid behind Mario as James pulled everyone behind him but except for Phillip as he's running towards the thing. "Phillip! Dont get near that blasted demon!" James called out as Phillip stopped as turned around with an extremely creepy smile and he giggles.

"Thats not nice to call my friend. Pyramid Head just came by to pick me up" Phillip said with a change of personality as Pyramid Head grabbed the kids hand and lead him behind him. "You creatures are so gullible, makes me sick to see you'll do anything for nothing but yourselves"

"Phillip what are you doing? Why are you siding with him?" Peach called out

"Isnt it obvious. We're here to collect you princess" The boy said as Pyramid Head walks slowly towards her as James tried shooting it but all the bullets do is bounce back.

"We have to get the fuck out of here. That thing will skin us alive. Just run for it!" James said as flames appear around them. "Shit!"

"What are we suppose to do now? That thing is going to kill us" Mario said as James looked around to see if there is a way out as he enters his shell and rolls out of the fire unburned to check the vehicles. He broke the window to a car and changed the gear to drive then pushed the car towards Pyramid Head which he lifts up his sword and sliced the car in half. Due to Pyramid Head moves slowly to attack and swing his sword. It bought Mario and Peach enough time to escape as Mario grabbed Peach and jumped out of the fiery pit as they escaped.

As they ran off with James, Phillip set off the fires and found they escaped. "So is that the game they wanna play? Then we have no choice but to wait it out for the right time to get Peach. Make sure she's unharmed. You can kill the other two if you like. I just need the princess alive" The boy said demanded. The trio ran all the way back to the hotel as they shut it tight. Catching their breath, Peach realizes for the mess she pulled herself in has no turning back. She has to finish what she started.

"Are you two alright" James asked as he pulled out a cigarette.

"Im fine. I just need some rest" Peach said as she lay down on one of the beds.

"Dont worry Princess. I'll protect you no matter what happens. I'm always here for you" Mario said trying to calm Peach down as she just smiles then closes her eyes.

"She's a strong gal. Whatever called her here must be desperate for some reunion with her. She is defiantly connected to this town, and it will not rest till that thing gets a hold of her." James said as he looked out the window to see nothing but fog and raining ash. "Lad. Promise me this. Never loose sight of her."

Mario nodded "I'll protect her. Dont worry" Mario said as James smirked as he finishes smoking. "Just wish it wasnt her form all people"

"We all wish it wasnt anyone to get involved in this shit. Coming here is a death wish" James said as he close the window curtains. "Looks like the rain is falling" He said as he head towards to bed as Mario was confused of what he meant by that as he looked outside to see nothing but ash falling. "Its best to say we need to escape this place, the sooner the better. Last thing i dont want is rotting here."

The dawn is arriving as Peach was the first one to wake up from another horrid nightmare. All she can think about is heading towards the hospital as fast as possible. They guys are waking up as Peach was looking out the window thinking bout what lies at the hospital which is driving her to the edge to know. She looks back to see the guys awake as James was preparing his shotgun as Mario walked towards Peach. "Good morning Princess. James has the map of the town. You said you wanted to go to where?" Mario said

"The hospital. If thats alright with James escorting me there that is" Peach said looking at James as he studies the map.

"The normal path to the hospital is blocked so we have to cut through the elementary school nearby. The school has an underground sewage passageway that leads straight to the hospital. The other sewage ways are blocked off." James said as Peach and Mario looks at the map as well to see some roads been scratched off and little arrows here and there. "Ive been trapped here far too long. I pretty much know almost my way around this town my now. I havent explored everywhere yet." James said

"Then the school it is" Mario said

"The place is roaming with those hell creatures. good thing i still have the map for the school. Remember stick together, never stray" James said as he stood up and head towards the door to unlock it. "Make sure you're prepared and ready for this trip. This aint a cake walk you know."

Mario and Peach where both ready for the dangers hidden inside the school as it was pretty daytime with fog still. They venture out as they may had some monster counters as Peach still gets a weak stomach from every corpse. They eventually found the entrance of the school. Peach also knows this is the point of no return, there was no need to return back but to press forward for the truth.

End of Chapter 3