Chapter 4

Elementary School

They entered the school, as expected it has no electricity. "Odd the power is out. Last time I was here I sworn there was electricity" James said as they looked around. James was heading downwards towards the basement as the duo followed. "I'm just gonna go turn the power on." He said as the door to the controls was locked, James just sighed and scratched his head.

"What's wrong James? Was the door always locked?" Mario asked.

"Someone else is here. Could be Phillip messing with the locks. That or might me the damned school changing itself" James said as he looked at the bulletin board next to the stairs with a new map of the school. James picked it up and started to mark it. "Well seems like we're not getting out of this one that easily" James sighed as he checked the other doors marking which ones are busted or open. One of the doors open to a hallway which everyone entered to try out those doors. As they where checking, the princess eventually opened a door that led to a classroom. Peach seemed more puzzled why there was a classroom in the basement, the guys entered the room Peach as in and surprised this was down here. "What kind of school has a classroom in the basement?" James questioned as Peach was staring at the chalkboard which disturbed her. All over the chalkboard is drawing of a little girl tied up in a plank of wood with fire around her as there was children laughing and cheering for her burning as writing was written all over saying 'witch, burn the witch'.

"What in the world is this about? burn the witch?" Peach said as she was extremely disturbed.

"Judging by this, I believe they meant was to burn Alessa." James said. Peach couldnt help but not stare at the drawings as she randomly shed a tear. Mario goes up to her very worried.

"Are you alright? You're crying" Mario said as he wiped the princess tears as she nods and walks out. Mario was about to follow as he noticed James was looking around the room as he found a key on the teachers desk.

James showed Mario the key. "We would've missed this if you dont look around." James said as he walked out. As they walked out of the classroom there was a loud explosion from the upper levels, the school shaked as James pushed Mario and Peach towards the other side of the hallway as the ceiling came crumbling down which separated the trio. "Are you two okay?" James cried out from the other side.

"Yes we're fine" Peach called out as Mario's arm got injured from the crumbles of the ceiling.

"Yea we're fine" Mario said as he grips onto his arm as Peach got very concern. "Just got injured a little on my left arm but I'll be fine"

"There's a passage way up, we can meet up at the roof. For now be careful out there" James yelled out as the duo agreed and walked off. 'I really hope they're alright. What am I doing lying to them about myself? What the hell am I really doing?' James thought to himself as he headed off back. He went up the stairs knowing the control room was at the other side right when he found the keys. He was checking as many doors as he can, entering them trying to get as much as he can to head towards the roof couldnt help but be wary for Mario and Peach. As James progress even more into the school. He started seeing a familiar face he haven't seen in months. It was a beautiful Koopa thats wearing a read shirt and skirt with blonde hair plus semi heavy makeup. "No... You died... months ago... Why are you alive?" James said with caution as the woman smiled. Then waved as she turned away as she faded away. 'Just now... was that... a ghost of Maria?' James thought to himself as he tried to clear this thoughts as press forward.

Meanwhile with Mario and Peach. They search every room thats open to find the key to open the roof door. They have encountered some monsters but Mario was there protecting the princess as he killed any monster that got near them, the princess was feeling dizzy everytime when blood splatters everywhere. Peach dropped to her knees feeling weak. "Princess! Are you alright? Do you need to sit down or anything?" Mario said very concern.

"I'm fine, just this is too gruesome for me. I need a rest" Peach said as she gets up and walk to the nearest classroom to sit on one of the chairs. She sighed. "Mario... I'm extremely sorry for dragging you into this, if I wasnt so naive... we wouldnt be here" Peach said.

"If we gave up and left, there isnt a way out of this town. We're trapped here and there's obviously no way out of this but to press on forward finding the answers you need. Please princess, hold out strong for me and yourself. Mostly for you" Mario said.

Peach stared at him. "Y-You're right. I do need answers. Which reminds me. Why is James here?"

"Didnt he say he was out of gas and drove on here to get gas?" Mario said

"True but no one usually goes through route 57 anymore cause its not located on the map. So how would he know this place has gas?" Peach started to question.

Mario shrugged. "Probably he saw this path way through that fork in the road and thought it probably lead to here?"

"Thats the problem. Back at the fork road was a dirt passive way to a forest that lead directly here." Peach said as Mario looked at her. "I was using the 1942 world map of the roads if your wondering why this place was in our map and not the updated version." Peach explained as Mario started to catch on.

"You're right..." Mario said as they both started to think extremely hard about it. "Hate to say it but I find James a little suspicious" Mario said as he notice Peach was looking at Mario with her innocent eyes which made Mario blush and look the other way.

"I think I found the keys to the roof." Peach said as she pointed at the chalkboard. Mario got up to get it as he has this underwhelming feeling going down his spine. "Alright, let go to the roof and wait for James" Peach said as the duo left towards the roof. Mario kept feeling a bit nauseous as Peach's knees felt weaker everytime she walked. The duo finally reached the roof as they took a good look around the foggy town. Ash continue to rain as Mario quickly turned behind him as there was a demonic creature starting at them. It was a giant mannequin centipede covered in blood. Peach hid behind Mario as it charged at them. Mario only has a steal bat which isnt going to do much as the princess looked around to see if she can find anything useful. Mario was dodging attacks and try to counter but it wasnt enough. Mario started to worry as no damage was taken, Peach checked behind the door area to the roof to find a hunter rifle with rifle shells. She quickly grabbed it and tried to scope for its head. The centipede grabbed a grip onto Mario's injured arm as it opened up its chest to expose the mouth, 48 sharp teeth with two tongues. "Mario!" Peach cried out as she shot the centipede's arm off what was gripping onto Mario. It flung off as Mario fell to the ground, the centipede drew its attention towards the princess as it quickly charge at her. She wanted to shot the insides but it was extremely quick. It grabbed Peach and pinned her down on the floor as the chest slowly opens. Before Mario could get up, Shotgun shells where been heard as Peach opened her eyes to see James came just in time to destroy the centipede from the insides. The centipede fled in agony and dropped dead near the edge of the roof. Peach got up and started bursting into tears terrified due to her life was almost over. Mario rushed towards her and embraced her.

James walked up towards them. "Good job for the both of you. You both survived." James said as Mario glares at James.

"You're not really a police officer are you?" Mario said as James and Peach both stood still. "Tell me!"

James glared at Mario "What makes you think that?" James said

"When I took a close look on your name tag back at the hotel. It says 'Clint', didnt you say your Linton?" Mario finally asked.

James smirked. "You finally found me out. Truth to be honest... my name isnt really James Linton... Its James Sunderland." He confessed.

"Why did you lie to us? Why are you here in the first place?" Mario asked "I lied cause I was running away from the past. Why I'm here? Funny to say and call me crazy, I was trying to find my wife... but she died three years ago.. I dunno why I decided to come here when I knew she's dead. All I got from being here was answers I was looking for." James said

"You're wife is dead and you still came over here to find her?" Peach asked

"I got a letter from her saying 'Come meet me at our special place', in the back of my mind I figured to go chase here. I ran into a woman that looked just like my wife but wasnt, her name was Maria. I killed her at the end." James said

"Killed her? Why?" Peach said curiously

"She became a monster towards the end trying to show me the truth" James said as he reloaded his shotgun. "I was stuck here for three months to be honest. I stayed here for a while trying to gather my thoughts. I ended up running from the past. Until I met the both of ya. I decided to help the both of you and leave this place once and for all."

"Lets get moving towards the sewers. We need to get to the hospital as soon as possible" Mario said as Peach stopped crying and handed James the rifle.

"I really dont like holding weapons like this. I prefer you using this." Peach said to James as he nodded. The trio carried forward towards the back of the school where the sewage opening was at. They entered.

"Luckly it's still day time. If we move fast enough. We'll get to the hospital before night fall" James said as the two nodded. They where surprised there's no monsters in the sewers. James was shocked himself as they safely go through the sewers with no encounters as they reached the hospital. "Stick together and whatever you do. Dont get separated like last time" James said as they entered the hospital hoping for Peach to find the answer's she's looking for.

End of Chapter 4