Silent Hill: Reflection

Chapter Four

How long has it been already since I'm here?

Jessie can no longer figure out how long she has been in this place. She felt lost. There were times when she felt time slipping past her unknowingly. To her, there is no longer day or night, only nightmare and hell. Time, to her, is a huge mess. Somehow, she could not understand why. Then again, nothing that has happened made any sense to her either. Of her waking up in a deserted town. Of the mysterious hellish bloody nightmarish "hell", as she calls it. Of the horrid flying creatures she saw earlier.

Where the hell is this place anyway? After leaving the flower shop, Jessie have been wandering around the streets, trying to find a clue as to where she is. This town, to her, has been a mystery. There isn't any living soul around the place. And then there's the air raid siren. Where is the siren coming from? And why does it make the town become like hell?

After her escape from the flower shop earlier, Jessie noticed now that the town is no longer plagued with hell and gore. Instead, the whole town is now shrouded with a mysterious fog and is raining ash. A faint burning pungent lingers in the air. Something burning?

As she walks past a bench by the pavement, she sees an old tattered newspaper and picks it up.

"The Silent Hill Tribune"

WHAT? Silent Hill? Why am I in Silent Hill? I don't even live here. How the hell did I even get here?

Jessie silently wishes for an answer. She did not even bother looking at the date of the newspaper, since it no longer matters now when this place practically does not give her any sensing of time and space. She places the newspaper back down on the bench and looks around. What is it then? I-is this hell? Am I… dead?

Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes. Everything seems so… so real. It can't be a dream. No, not after what had happened at the flower shop. Then what the hell is it? Jessie wipes at her tears as it rolls down her cheeks. I need to find something or someone… or maybe a clue. Yes, there's got to be a clue… There has to be some explanation to all this!

The last thing Jessie wanted now is to be alone, at least not after what she had encountered earlier. She starts walking down the ash-covered pavement. The place is so quiet, the only sound she hears is her own footsteps on the hard ground. Soon, Jessie starts to cross the road to the other side of the street. All of the streetlights are not working, except the flickering of the traffic lights. A strange melancholic feeling stems inside her as she stares at the flickering green and red traffic lights glowing eerily through the misty fog as she makes her way across the deserted streets.

Jessie tries to look out for any living soul as she walks along the streets. She thought of calling out for attention, but somehow, decided against it because doing so may also attract unwanted attention of the creatures. Every now and then, Jessie turns her head over to check for any suspecting creatures tailing behind her. Time after time, she chided herself for being paranoid. Street after street, Jessie continues walking. Minutes passes, but somehow, it seems like hours to her.

Finally, Jessie thought she saw something move amidst the impervious fog and ash when she turns towards South Vale. In front of her path, she sees a shadow running out from one of the houses.

Is that a creature? Jessie could feel her body tensed up. She squinted at her eyes to study the shadow from where she is standing. No, it's a little girl!

"Hey!" Jessie called out, almost hysterically. "Hey you!"

She quickly ran forward and managed to grab hold of the little girl just before she makes her dash away.

"Let me go!" The little girl squirmed.

"Wait a minute! I'm not a monster!" Jessie cried.

"Let go!" The little girl cries, as she continues to pry away Jessie's hand.

"Hold on. I just need to ask you a few questions. That's all I need." She pleaded.

Upon hearing that, the little girl quietened.

"I'm Jessie. What's your name?" Jessie asked.

"Amy." She replied.

"Alright Amy, what happened to this town? Where is everybody?" Jessie asked.

"I don't know." Amy replied.

"Look, why are you hanging out here by yourself? It's very dangerous on the streets!" Jessie asked, looking around the foreboding surrounding for any sight of creatures. "Where are your mom and dad?"

"I don't know. I woke up this morning and they are gone." Amy said.

"Gone?" Jessie mumbled, in an almost inaudible voice.

"Let me go already." Amy asked.

"Where are you going? You shouldn't be out by yourself." Jessie said.

"I need to find something." Amy said, in an insisting tone.

Before Jessie could even ask what she meant by that, Amy managed to loosen Jessie's grip and ran down the street.

"Hey! Wait!" Jessie shouted, running after her.

Mike blinks at his eyes as he wakes up. Where am I-? He uses his elbows to lift himself up from the floor. The brightness from his flashlight is making the rest of the room look even darker. Mike squinted at his eyes, trying to adjust his view. A few moments later, his eyes finally adjusts and got used to the contrast between the brightness of his flashlight and the dark room to see that he is back in room S12. The place looks exactly the same as before; two beds on each side of the wall and the same stained floor tiles.

Mike slowly stands up on his feet. What the hell just happened? That monster… is it… is it…

He stares at the handgun in his hand. … real…

Mike slowly walks towards the bed at the corner of the room. The bed is clean and void of any traces of what had happened before. Then, Mike sees it. On the bed is a piece of paper. I don't remember seeing it there before.

He picks it up.

"Memories and scars, flesh and blood,

Saviours the cure, cross my heart,

Look for the place, that houses a box,

Look for the box, that has no lock."

What the hell? Mike stares at the paper. "ALRIGHT, WHO THE FUCK IS DOING THIS? COME OUT, YOU SICK FUCK!" He shouted, looking around.

When there's no response, Mike heaves a heavy sigh, walking out of the room. Pete, where are you?

Elise is tired. Tired from all the walking around the abandoned town. I need to find the hospital. That's probably my next clue to where I should be going.

After walking around the place for like an eternity, Elise eventually arrives at double storey building situated along Munson Street and intersecting with Nathan Avenue. Elise looks at the enormous sign with large letterings "JACKS INN" erected on a structure at the entrance to the premise parking lot. I might find a map here!

Elise enters into the empty parking lot. The whole place looks like a ghost motel of some sort. "Hello?" She called out. "Anybody?"

Sounds of her shoes tapping lightly on the ground echoes softy with every step she takes. Elise tries to glance at the windows, as she passes them, only to find the interior of the building total pitch dark, totally void of any signs of life.

Elise finally arrives at a double door, located at the adjoining stretch of the main building. On the door are the words "Reception Office" on brass plating. Elise slowly turns at the handle of the door and pushes it open slightly, taking a peep at the dark interior before fully opening it and stepping in. "Hello?"

The reception office is nothing but dust and filth. The place looks functional, but yet at the same time, it seems to be left abandoned. There is a strong musky pungent coming from the badly stained carpet floor. In front of her, on the reception counter is a stack of scattered papers and a telephone. Elise causally lifts the receiver to her ear, only to find it not working. Disappointed, she place down the receiver.

Elise shines at her flashlight on the counter, as she looks through the scattered papers on the counter, but finds nothing useful. Shifting her attention to the drawer below, Elise manages to pull the drawer open. Inside it, are a black marker and a staff duty list.

She picks up the list and reads.

"Jacks Inn, Silent Hill

Room 105: Eggs and sausages order for breakfast. No milk. Mr Richard requests for OJ instead.

Room 106: Get Miss Lisa her newspapers!

Room 201: New guests check in today. Asian couple. To pass them the local map for their sightseeing.

Room 203: Get housekeeping to clean up Mr Lester's room.

Room 204: Guests checking out this evening."

The local map! Instinctively, Elise grabs a black marker from the drawer and circles "Room 201" on the list.

Just then, the telephone rings. Elise screams. The sudden loud ringing sound throws her backward, dropping her marker in the process. Startled, she stares at the ringing telephone with frightened eyes. She could feel her heart beating wildly. Her heart is beating hard that Elise thought it is going to jump out of her chest. Isn't the telephone broken?

She slowly reached for the receiver and picks it up.

"Hello?" She said.

"Cassey? Help me, please! Please! Help me! I'm gonna die if you don't help me! Please!"

Elise recognises the voice from the call she had gotten back at her apartment. But that's impossible!

"H-how'd you get this number?" She demanded. "Who the hell are yo-"

Before she could even finish her sentence, she hears a blood chilling scream from the end of the receiver.

And then, the line was cut.

"Hello? Hello, there?" She shouted at the receiver. "HELLO?" There was no response from the receiver. With trembling hands, Elise places the receiver back down. She leans her head back against the wall, staring at the ceiling. Contemplating at the mysterious unknown, Elise starts tearing. Why? Why me? What is going on here?

Snapping back to her senses, Elise quickly wipes away her tears. She tugs the loose strands of her hair behind her ears and glances back at the staff duty list. Room 201.

Elise turns to the wall and studies at the keys to rooms. Most of the keys are missing, except for Room 101, Room 103, Room 201. Elise reaches for the brass key to Room 201 and leaves.

Walking out of the reception office, Elise walks towards the stairs at the far corner and heads up the stairs leading to the second level. She looks at the numbers on the doors as she passes them. Mysteriously, as she passes Room 202, she hears the sound of a woman sobbing. Elise stopped and knocks on the door.

"Hello?" She called.

The woman continues to sob.

"Hello! Miss, are you alright?" Elise asked, concerned. Somehow, a part of her felt relieved. Relieved to have found someone in this abandoned place.

"I-I… I'm… I'm scared…" The female voice in Room 202 said, in between sobs.

"Miss, do I know you?" Elise asked, somewhat finding the voice vaguely familiar. "What is your name?"

"I'm… scared…" She continues to sob.

"Look, can you open the door for me?" Elise asked.

"No… no… I'm scared…" She cried. "No… no…"

"Alright, listen to me. I'm just going to go over to…" She paused, looking up at the number on the door. "… next door. It's just going to be for a while. I'll come back shortly, okay? You'll let me in later, alright?"

Silence.

"You will be fine, I promise." Elise assured her.

Elise slowly backs away from the door. She hesitated for a while, before continuing her way down the corridor to the room next door. Arriving at Room 201, Elise inserts the brass key into the keyhole and turns. With a click, the door unlocks and Elise went in.

She shines her flashlight around the dark room. I hope the map is still here. Elise searches around the place, trying to look for the map. Its got to be here… somewhere. Then, something catches her attention. Right on the side table next to the bed, is the brochure or some sort. Elise picks it up to read.

"SILENT HILL TOURISM CENTRE

RESORT

Welcome to Silent Hill! This Lakeside town is the perfect getaway from the city. Enjoy the serendipity of the quiet resort at the beautiful Rosewater Park. Spend hours admiring the gorgeous landscape by the lake. Visit the gorgeous cluster of quaint old houses and many tourist interests. No matter what tourist attractions you visit, Silent Hill will definitely fill you with a feeling of great inner peace and lasting memories for eternity.

HAVE FUN!

Want some excitement? Take your time to visit the Silent Hill Lakeside Amusement Park! Exciting rides at the Happy Carousel! Horror visits to the Borly's Haunted House! Thrills with the Mountain Roller Coaster ride! And many more! Silent Hill Lakeside Amusement Park has all the fun and excitement you are looking for. Not to forget, an opportunity for an up close and personal meet-and-greet session with the amusement park mascot, Robbie the Rabbit!

STAY-CATION

Rest and Relax! The Silent Hill Lakeview Hotel offers comfortable and luxurious accommodations during your stay. Enjoy the breathe-taking view of the Tolucca Lake from within your room. Indulge in the finest dining experience at the hotel's very own Lakeshore Restaurant or simply just relax and unwind at Café Tolucca.

We hope that you will enjoy your stay, here with us, at Silent Hill."

Silent Hill… This is where I used to come with my mom and dad. It used to be a very fine resort. But what happened to this town? Elise thought of the deserted town. Shaking at her head, she casually flips the brochure over to see an attaching map of the town. Elise tears the map of Silent Hill from the brochure, folding it into half before stuffing it inside her leather skirt pocket. Suddenly, a loud air raid siren suddenly blasted in the background.

What is going on? Elise looks around, only to witness everything around her starts to peel and disintegrate before her eyes. All that was left is rusty metal gratings and blood. With the transformation of the room, Elise can now see the next room since the separating wall between the two rooms has disintegrated.

Elise looks into Room 202. She sees a woman sitting next to the bed, her sobbing still faintly audible.

"Excuse me, Miss? Can you please tell me what is going on-" Elise asked, approaching the woman by the bed when suddenly, a look of horror plastered across her face. On the bed, is a male mannequin with a bloodied torso. Elise covers at her mouth to stifle a scream at the horror sight before her. Turning to the woman, Elise realises that it is a female mannequin. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?

Then all of a sudden, both mannequins start to burn.

Elise felt sick in her stomach. Her knees starts feeling weak and buckles. Collapsing to the floor, Elise fainted.

After stepping back out into the hospital corridor, Mike takes another look at the clue he had found. Memories and scars? Flesh and blood? What's this all about? And what's it got to do with Peter?

"This message is screwed! It doesn't even make any sense!" Mike growled in frustration. He scratches at his head, trying to decipher the meaning behind the message. Look for the box that has no lock? Cross my heart?

Mike draws a deep breath. There's got to be some relevance here. He reads at the message repeatedly, trying hard to identify the key words that might help him to solve the riddle. Of course! The box that has no lock! Blood! Cross! It's the First Aid Box! But where can I find the First Aid Box? I mean, this is a hospital! There's got to be hundreds of them. No… wait! I'm missing out on something here… Look for the place, that houses a box. What place? Assuming if it's the First Aid Box I'm supposed to look for, then… could it be-?

Mike quickly refers to his map. Tracing his fingers across, he managed to find his answer. The Pharmacy.

Amy, where are you? Earlier, Jessie is starting to feel some hope of getting out of this town when she somehow manages to find another living soul earlier. Her encounter with Amy has made her feel like she's no longer alone. But the thought of a little girl wandering along the dangerous streets is making her worried for the little girl.

Walking back along the main street, Jessie continues her search for Amy.

"Amy!" she almost calls out in a whisper. Jessie is afraid that her voice might attract more of the creatures she had seen earlier. She walks along the broken streets, panting as though she had walked for days. Occasionally, Jessie came across puddles of red liquid. She stares at them with disgust as she steps over them. Blood. The lingering thought of someone else's blood, or worse, of what had happened, is making her feeling nauseated. As she turns into the next street, Jessie thought she saw something through the heavy fog. A small shadow slowly turns and disappears at the corner down the street.

Could it be Amy? She almost hissed, "Amy?"

Jessie takes a couple of steps further before breaking into a run. She follows in the direction, turning into Carroll Street, where the shadow had disappeared. Following the trail of the shadow, Jessie soon came to a halt, finding herself standing in front of a forsaken building. A large Red Cross sign with the words "BROOKHAVEN HOSPITAL" hangs gloomily above the front main entrance.

A hospital? Why the hell did she come to the hospital? Placing one of her hands on the wall beside for support, Jessie tries to stabilise her panting from the running as she looks up at the hospital. The fog is not making it much obvious but somehow, from where Jessie is standing, the façade of the hospital building has a somewhat modern architectural structure, but yet, it casts a sad outlook with its broken down appearance that seems long forgotten by everyone. The concrete wall surfaces were chipped or decayed and most of the windows were smeared with dirt and grime. Slowly, walking forward, Jessie sees that the path in front reveals a few stone steps at the end that lead up to the main entrance to the hospital.

Walking up the steps, Jessie arrives at the main entrance. She slowly grabs at the handles to the double door and pushes them slightly open.

"Amy?" She called out, softly.

Jessie hesitated at the doorstep. She did not want to go in, if she had the choice. She calls out for Amy again. No response. Jessie gritted at her teeth nervously, on the verge of running back out into the street. Somehow, a part of her wanted to find Amy. She wanted to find her and keep her safe. Jessie calls out to Amy a few more times. When there's no response, Jessie finally plucking up her courage and enters the hospital, letting the double door close behind her.