Chapter 13: Shepherd Home other world.

I wake up, staring at the ceiling feeling hopelessly confused. I climb off the bed and looked out the window. It was still foggy and it was raining very hard. I walked downstairs into the kitchen seeing Josh eating cereal and my tall blonde good looking Uncle James drinking a glass of water. Wonder when he arrived?

"Morning," I said.

"Your back!" said Josh with excitement.

"Yeah," I said. "The journey was very crazy."

"No hi to Uncle James?" teased James. "Or a handshake or man hugs?"

"Sorry," I said. "I saw you, but forgot." "I think I am getting dementia."

I man hugged my uncle; and grabbed me a box of pop tarts out of the cabinet.

"When did you arrive?" I asked.

"An hour and fifteen minutes ago," replied James looking at his watch.

"Oh," I said putting two pop tarts in the toaster. "Why are you here?"

"Because you were gone and I wanted to call Uncle James and see if he wants to hang out," Joshua replied for James.

James nodded.

"Oh," I said. "I was hanging out with a couple of friends the whole day yesterday."

"Cool," said Josh.

"Hey Josh!" I said. "Why don't you take your cereal and go watch tv?"

"Why?" asked Joshua.

"Just because I told you to," I said.

Josh sighed in annoyance. He grabbed his bowl of cereal and walked out of the kitchen. I had this feeling of blurting out what I dreamed of last night, instead I played dumb and asked.

"If you were my son," I said. "And I gave you a ring and told you not to tell your other siblings, what would you do?"

"Well," said James. "I wouldn't keep it because it's not fair that the other siblings don't get a ring." "Why ask?"

I looked around like a dumbass to see if no one was in here.

"I asked you this question because I had a dream about my sister and the family ring last night," I said grabbing my pop tarts out of the toaster." "Dad had pushed her to keep it but after him and mom left, Erika wrote a letter to dad and sent the ring back."

"Oh!" said James. "You have finally met the second Shepherd sibling."

I nodded.

"Why did you make Josh leave and what was the letter about?" asked James.

"He can't know," I said. "I've been lying to him this whole time and I feel like a complete ass." "Also, dad treats him like he is still five and at times, Josh has been complaining a lot lately."

"You didn't answer my second question," James complained. "What was the letter about?"

"I don't know!" I shot at James. "She was writing fast in perfectly good cursive."

"How would you know if you're not just imagining it?" asked James. "It could be fake."

"No!" I said irritated. "I'll show you later."

James sighed.

"So how's your sister?" asked James trying to make small talk and ignoring what I said.

"Possessed little lying crazy physcotic teen," I replied.

"Huh?" asked James confused.

"When I met her in person, she was a grumpy sweet heart," I replied.

"So how is that possessed and crazy?" asked James.

"I tried to escape her from the hospital but instead things changed into an underworld with crazy monsters and Erika in a school girl outfit who keeps running away from me for no damn reason," I replied.

"Last time I met with her on her fifteenth birthday," said James. "She was really nice and she liked the necklace I gave her."

"What kind of necklace?" I asked.

"A rainbow colored heart," replied James. "Plus, how would you not know that this is all fake and that you're on crack?"

"Again, no," I said. "And no, I'm not on crack!" "There are crazy monsters, crazy drawings and pictures."

James gulped like he was scared at what I mentioned.

"She is just like Mary," said James. "Poor Mary."

My Aunt Mary, Dad's sister, died from an illness years ago. I feel so sad because she was my favorite aunt and very young to. Mary and Josh were the only ones that cared about me.

"Yeah," I said. "And Erika is somewhere lost in that wretched town, Silent Hill."

"Okay, can we stop talking about misery and pain and especially Silent Hill?" asked James slamming his cup down and spilling it. "I just came to get your brother and hang out."

"Fine," I said. "I'll finish eating breakfast then go upstairs to shower, to make you stop complaining."

James nodded.

I continued eating staring out the window, watching the rain. What do I do that makes people mad?

After eating, I went upstairs to shower. I stood in the warm water, with my eyes closed, thinking about the dream.

"Don't worry dad, it's not like I'm ever going to see the," said Erika sadly.

I quickly opened my eyes, feeling pity on that saying.

After showering, I changed and got ready. I met up with James in the living room.

"Come with me," I said. "I need to show you something."

James nodded.

I went upstairs to my bedroom. I took every weapon out of my backpack and left it on my desk. I grabbed the dagger, my photo album, my dirty backpack and my hamper full of dirty clothes.

"Here," I said handing James the photo album and dagger. "Investigate these and tell me these are not scary."

James and I walked down to the basement. As the both of us got there, I turned the washer machine on.

James opened the book looking at page to page.

"I have to admit, these are pretty scary," said James. "Why would your sister do such a thing like that?"

"Erika didn't draw the monsters because she was possessed," I informed. "She only drew them because she had secessions with Dr. Kaufman."

"How about the other drawings?" asked James.

"Those…" I said throwing clothes in the washer. "I'm thinking that those are a part of her secessions as well." "First it all started with her saying she forgives me and it's haunting me because I don't know what I did."

"Have you tried remembering?" asked James.

"Yes," I replied. "But it's still haunting me because she said it so soft and in a sotto tone."

"What about your dagger?" asked James.

"I found it in town hall in some kind of secret room," I replied. "I replaced it with my old knife."

I poured soap and detergent in the washer. I closed the lid of the washer and entered the other side of the basement. I stared at the lock and at the dagger.

"I know that this dagger is some kind of key," I said. "It unlocked the cemetery small houses and I'm guessing that it unlocks my dad's hunting room."

James and I entered the other side of the basement. I put the dagger in the lock and unlocked it. The door opened with a creaky noise. The room was just small and nothing interesting. I opened the closet door and there were all kinds of guns and ammo.

"Whoa!" said James and I.

I examined every gun there was.

"This will help with my journey," I said.

"Crazy fucked up monsters?" asked James.

"As I said earlier, crazy monsters," I replied. "My dad has a belt somewhere in the attic." "Come."

James and I walked to the attic. I entered the room that dad tries to keep a secret but fails. It's always blocked by a bookshelf. Also there is a table with a slider puzzle that I have a hard time completing. The belt that I was looking for is black, has a pocket and has four different size holsters.

"Cool," said James. "A slider puzzle."

"We don't have any time for games," I said. "We have to find the belt."

I climbed up the stool and searched the top shelf. I grabbed a cardboard box down and rummaged through. Great, I found two. One for me and James. : )

"Found it," I said. "And there is another one for you."

"Great, I completed the puzzle and found a map of Silent Hill and a letter from your dad," said James.

I put the belt on, which fitted perfect!

"A note you said?" I said. "Read it aloud."

James nodded.

"I have failed, and they know it. They blame me. They should. I swore to protect this town, but I can't. I couldn't even take care of my own kids, not even Erika .My own and only daughter. Every now and then, people say or think that this town is safe but not even close. Many people disappear every day, every hour, minute and second. The curse we always feared has come upon us. Worse yet, The Order has returned, kidnapping and killing with impunity, brainwashing those they take in an effort to rebuild their flock. Whether they want to punish us for the exodus of our forefathers – or simply to breathe new life into the old ways, I don't know. But they've taken our people.
The only thing left is to face the source of this evil, to fight it, and pray that some hope can be restored. My sole consolation is that I've finally opened my eyes to the evil in Silent Hill. I know that I caused this and I deserved to be shunned. I knew I should have never agreed to the Order and the pack agreement. No one deserves this."

"Was this the ring you were obsessing about?" asked James holding up a ring.

The ring was the same detailed as in my dream.

"Let me see," I said.

James gave me the ring.

"Is there another letter in there?" I asked.

"I dunno," replied James. "But I'll check."

James rummaged in the drawer and found and envelope.

"This," said James holding it up.

I grabbed the letter and tore it open. I leaned on the wall and read it aloud.

"Dear mom and dad,

I am glad that you came to visit me today. I was very happy. When you presented me the ring, I felt really upset when you mentioned Alex and Joshua. I don't want the ring because I think it's not fair that the boys don't get one even though if I don't see them. You may think that I don't care about them and especially, Alex, but you guys are going to have to learn that I have forgiven him and learn not to push me or anyone to wanting to do something.

I'm sorry, but I am returning the ring back.

P.s. I feel like I am dying in the inside and that I am turning into mom.

Love Erika."

"Your sister sounds sweet, how come you accuse her of being evil?" said James. "I mean she cares for everyone." "Especially you."

"I don't know," I replied. "But I need to see my mother." "Can I have the letter?"

I traded James the belt for the letters and the map.

I rushed downstairs to meet with my mom. I took a deep breath before I got in an argument with mom. I hate making her cry.

"Mom," I said. "I was in the attic looking for the belt with holsters and I found this."

I raised the letter and map.

"Oh that," said Lillian. "I never seen that before in my life."

"Please stop lying and tell me the truth," I said. "I know everything that I need to know about Silent Hill."

"You don't know anything about Silent Hill," snapped Lillian standing up.

"I know that dad and Erika are there," I said calmly. "I know about the ring."

My mom raises a hand towards my face. Also I noticed that Josh and James were sitting on the couches talking quietly and staring at us.

"I'm sorry Alex," said Lillian.

"Stop pretending you care about me," I snapped. "Please tell me the truth about Erika." "I can help." "I know she forgave me, and you or dad don't have to make her hate on me and Josh."

"Umm, Alex," said James. "Please turn around and who are those people."

"No time for jokes," I snapped. "Please mom!" "Tell me!"

"Uncle James is serious," said Josh.

"What?" I snapped.

I turned around and saw a group of masked men in mining suits. One hit me in the face with a pipe, another guy grabbed my mom, two other guys shot Josh and James with a dart gun causing them to fall, unconscious. Two of the guys grabbed my mom and Josh and ran out. James and I were the only ones here.

"NOOOOO!" I yelled

The masked man hit me so hard with a pipe I couldn't see and it hurt real badly.

Seconds later, I opened my eyes and the whole house was transformed into an underworld. I sat up and looked around. The windows were barred with metal, it smells like blood, and everything looks like it's on fire. I didn't have my flashlight and I couldn't see that much.

I kneeled towards James and shook him.

"James," I said. "Wake up." "We have to get out of here."

James was spitting out some kind of white foam and was still knockout. I sighed and dragged his unconscious body to the corner. I knew that I would be alone for the next few hours or so.

The door had a weird valve and chains expanding out in each corner. I turned the valve and it felt like it was glued stuck. I ran upstairs to my bedroom.

The door was blocked with a gate and the same thing with the attic. My weapons were in my bedroom! Fuck!

I entered my sister's bedroom first. The room was torn apart and covered in blood. The dresser looked burnt and the dolls are still on there. A big porcelain, two Barbie dolls and a teddy bear. It has to be put in some kind of order. First I started with smallest to biggest. I lined the teddy bear which was missing an eye(six inches tall), a brown haired Barbie doll burned from the waist down(eleven inches tall), a blonde Barbie doll that was naked and had burned spots(eleven and a half inches tall) last but not least a bleeding broken porcelain doll.(thirteen inches tall)

"I think it's right," I softly said.

I examined it for a while and doubled check that it was right. I heard a rattling noise, like a chain was being coiled up and a screech and a moan. Out of nowhere, the Infected Human came out of the closet. I ran out of the room and quickly closed the door. I grabbed the table and barricaded Erika's bedroom.

I walked downstairs and the door downstairs had a glowing mark on the bottom right side of the door. That wasn't there before but when I did something with the doll puzzle and the Infected Human screeched in pain. That must have set a light on. Somewhere in this house are three more puzzles.

As I walked, I noticed a switch on the wall by the basement door. I pulled it and watched what it was doing. The gate to the kitchen was rising and I heard another gate lower down. I walked upstairs and the gate to the attic opened.

Inside the attic, it is very dim and on the other side is a bright red room. I walked over to the other side and squeezed through the pipes. The area of where I was standing was small, like enough for four people to stand in.

On the table was a slider puzzle that James and I saw earlier. The puzzle was mixed up again and James was the one that knew how to complete it, but I don't know how. I examined the picture; A picture of the Shepherd family coat of arms.

First I moved two initial squares on the top corners, then a long piece up. There were two middle squares with the ends of the swords. I moved both squares to the right and moved a long piece, on the bottom, to the left side, which was half the shield. I looked at it and thought for a moment before I moved the next piece. The long piece is supposed to be in the middle. I moved the first square down next to the long piece, moved the second square to the right and the long piece up. I stopped for a moment, looking at my work. I think I am almost finished with it. Then I gazed at the puzzle, noticing that if I put the two small squares in place, it will look absolutely wrong. I grunted in annoyance and redid the puzzle. I moved the long piece to the right side, then moved the left square with the end of the right sword up. I repeated of what I did right now until I got the two squares to match. I finished the middle part of the puzzle. I moved the right and left side pieces down , completing it.

"Wahl la!" I said. "It's completed!"

The bright room started to get dimmer. Then out of nowhere a pipe had busted with steam coming out. The steam burned my right cheek.

"Ah!" I yelled.

I quickly ran away and squeezed through the pipes. As I was running, on the rolling desk by the attic door, was a picture. A picture of Erika's doctor friends, Lisa and Derrick.

Erika S.

Age:15

Picture: 2/13

"My two best friends, Lisa Garland and Derrick Copen."

I met Lisa but not Derrick. Derrick is pretty tall and looks exactly like Dr. Copen. Blonde, green eyes, tall, pale and instead of wearing formal clothing, he is wearing a doctors uniform and he has square glasses just like mine.

I folded the picture and put it in my pocket. I exited the attic, heading downstairs.

One of the four corners of the door was lighted. Two more puzzles are in here but where?

I pulled the switch. The attic was now closing and another gate was opening. That one must be to my bedroom.

As I entered, there were five windows which were blocked, warm feeling, a flesh wall on the right and a poem on the wall. The poem read:

The girl was afraid to go into her closet because the man was waiting there for her. The man was waiting for the girl to enter for her punishment. Who were the two?

"Erika and the boogeyman," I said. "It has to be."

Then another weird writing was on the wall.

Answer in fleshy blood.

I am supposed to write my answer on the wall with some kind of blood. I grabbed my dagger out and cut through the flesh. I stabbed it enough times to get enough blood on. As I got enough blood, I went back to the wall.

Erika, Boogeyman

That was my final answer. The blood was sucked into the wall and another message came out saying that it was correct and then disappeared.

I have completed the third puzzle, now I have to find the last puzzle. It really wasn't a puzzle but a riddle, but eh. I exited the bedroom and walked downstairs. Before I did anything else, I checked on James. He was still unconscious and nothing would get him to wake up. I sighed. I slapped him really hard, causing him to wake up. He opened his eyes a little. His eyes were blood shot and couldn't move. Then James ended up blacking out.

"James," I said. "Stand up." "I need help!"

"Ahbofddsaj," said James.

I didn't understand what he was saying. I left my confused unconscious uncle in the corner, while reloading my shotgun. After reloading, I pulled the switch. As the gate lowered, the basement looked scarier, much darker and redder.

I took each step carefully and I am full of scared emotions right now. I aimed my shotgun and flashlight around the room. Then out of nowhere something grabbed me and held me up. A schism was a about to slice me in half. I aimed my shotgun, but I knew I'd miss because I was in a tight grip. I pulled the trigger shooting the shoulder. The schism fell on the floor. I shot again before it stood up and tried to kill me.

There was not much in the basement except another evil drawing in dad's hunting room. It was a person lying in bed dying a slow painful death.

Erika S.

Age:16

Drawing: 6/12

"Slow…painful…death..."

Sometimes I don't get the world, but then again what is there to get. I walked back upstairs to the switch. I pulled it, watching the basement gate rise and the kitchen gate lower. I entered the kitchen, gazing around. There was not much in here except holes in the walls and bloody tiles. No puzzle or riddle was found in here. Maybe in the dining area. I walked inside finding another schism guarding the famous grandfather that grandma and grandpa sent from Frankfurt, Germany. I stood by the door, holding my shotgun. I shot twice, killing the monster.

The clock face looked broken, the pendulum wasn't moving and the time was wrong. I opened the glass door which moths came out flying. I didn't know the time nor had a watch. I remember James having one earlier. I trotted off to the living room. James was still unconscious. I grabbed his arm and took his watch off and trotted back to the kitchen.

Two o' six said on James's watch. On the clock I moved the big hand on the two and the small hand on the six. The clock magically locked in place and closed the door.

The front door corners were all lighted. I completed all the puzzles and hoped that it was right. I turned the valve and took a few steps away. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths.