My Adventures in Silent Hill
Chapter 8
I never thought death was so peaceful.
Life is hard, death is easy.
Where do you go when you die?
I never thought I would die so young…..dying wasn't on my to-do list.
I wanted to have kids, get married…have grandchildren.
I never even got my first kiss yet…..
Heh…I'm such a hopeless romantic.
Mom….dad…..Mia…James…
James….how could I forget you?
You were there for me….even when I didn't want you there.
All you wanted to do was find Mary…..and so you did…
But she's dead…and Maria wasn't real.
She was created from your mind…..you created her James.
What….am I gonna do now?
"Shell!"
A voice…but I can't recognize it…
It's distant…
Maybe it's better if I'm dead…that way…I'm not a burden to anyone…..not to my family…..not to my classmates….not to you James.
I'm sorry….but maybe it's for the best.
"Don't say that."
"Huh…?"
My eyes opened and I seemed to be floating in nothing but white. Alessa then walked into my view. "You're a good person Shell. You don't deserve to die."
"But why….why?"
"You were just like Harry Mason….all he wanted was to find his little girl and go home. But you're different, you wanted to go home, but you didn't. You stood by and faced your demons."
I looked up into whiteness and sighed. "Well…..I never wanted to die young….."
Alessa smiled and placed a hand over my eyes. "Then….let's go back."
It felt like I was falling, but I looked and saw my body on the cold cement ground with a puddle of blood around my body. I guess I did die.
And I fell straight into my body, which jerked.
"Shell!"
"J…Ja…..James…." I whispered and with a weak groan, let my eyes open. I was looking up at the foggy sky and ash was still falling. "I'm…..alive?"
"Shell!" I heard running footsteps and James was kneeling beside me. "You're…..alive! But…how? That fall should've killed you…."
With a wince, I carefully got up, my hair soaked in my own blood. "I…..did….die. I guess….Alessa brought me back."
"Can you stand?" he asks, standing up.
"I…..think so." I carefully stood up and was a little dizzy, but I could stand. "What happened….with….?"
"Oh….she's dead. Maria….was never real. Mary…she's gone. She was always dead." He answered.
"I'm sorry…."
"Don't be." He said.
"So….what now?"
"I don't know."
"Um….if you don't mind….maybe I can stay with you for a couple days before I head on home."
He smiled a little. "I wouldn't mind."
I also smiled. "Okay."
…
We walked to his car and got in, going off. I watched the scenery as it went by. The giant sign that said 'Welcome to Silent Hill' passed us and the fog was slowly fading away and the night sky was now appearing.
I sighed in relief and smiled. "Finally."
"Finally?" James asks.
"I get to see the night sky." I looked up at the stars. It was a clear night, no clouds or fog at all. "This nightmare is truly over….."
"Where did you say you lived again?"
"Indiana." I answered and turned my head to look at him. "I think I finally understand why I was brought to Silent Hill. I was brought to face my demons. All the years of torture and pain I endured…I'm just glad finished my last day of high school on that day when I was nearly killed."
"Well….that's good."
"I just wonder how sick my family is worried about me."
Suddenly, the FF7 victory theme came from out of nowhere.
"Where's that coming from?" he asks.
I suddenly realized it was coming from my pocket. "My cell phone! I forgot I had it!" I took my phone out from my pocket and answered it. "Hello?"
"Shell! Oh my freaking god, where are you?" my mother's voice cried out.
"Mom….I'm alright. I….its really hard to explain." I said. "But after my last day of school, I was walking home….and a few kids….nearly killed me."
"Hun….we were so worried about you. When are you going to be home?"
"Um…..a day or so. I'm all the way up in Pennsylvania."
"How did you get there?"
"I don't know mum." I answered. "Um….is it okay if I bring a friend home with me?"
"Yes, anything you want hun. Be home soon."
"Promise mum. I love you."
"Oh, I love you too hun."
"Bye." I hung up and looked over at James. "Got anything back at home?"
He sighed. "No."
I smiled. "Wanna come stay with me?"
I'm sure he was speechless, because he was quiet for several moments and then he smiled. "Yeah."
I looked back out at the night sky and closed my eyes. Thank you Alessa…..