"At first I thought I was losing my mind. But now I know I'm not."
–Harry Mason, Silent Hill
I remember my eyes shooting open at the sudden loud clank not too far from where I lay. There was a heavy presence all around me, kind of like a suffocating feeling. But it wasn't exactly suffocating. It was a claustrophobic sensation of fog as I lay in the same spot with my vision still a bit hazy from being out cold for so long. It felt like I had slept for two days straight, but it wasn't enough. I was still exhausted from whatever it was that happened to me. I yawned deeply, attempting to cut off my fatigued mind and focus on whatever happened to me several hours prior. I only guessed it had been hours since the accident that helped guide me. I remembered the general time because during the accident it was nearly dark.
Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I began to notice the gray shroud of fog all around me. It was almost like smog or smoke from a fire, so humid but so cold to the skin. With every exhale my breath would turn into vapor. Yet it wasn't cold enough to produce as much as it did. It felt like a dreary autumn morning compared to what I had gone through in my travels. There was no sun, but there was still enough light to see everything; a light bright enough to feel the warm presence of security and safety, but also feel a sense of dread and isolation. It made me feel so disorganized. I didn't know if I was safe where I was. I didn't even know if I was still alive. But I had to have been. I was breathing, wasn't I? I still had a conscience, I still had emotions.
Then the ashes began to fall. Little specks of white and fragments of decay. Was there a fire? Was the whole world on fire? Why was there so much? Ashes and ashes and ashes. Everywhere. Or was it snow? No, snow doesn't fall in weather this warm, it's not cold enough. I remember catching one of the flakes in my palm and gently painting it against my finger. It was snow. But how? It as entirely out of season and wasn't cold enough. I looked around, hoping to catch the attention of someone nearby.
When I finally stood up, I saw something in the distance. At first, I wasn't sure what it was. But after a moment of attention, I realized it was a sign. I couldn't make out what it said, but once I finally moved my legs, I hurried toward it.
Welcome to Silent Hill
Silent Hill? I had never heard of this place, but the rotting sign was enough to tell me it had to have been abandoned. But you would've heard of an abandoned town in Maine, especially if you have lived in the state your whole life. Then again, what if I had crossed state lines? Still, there had to have been someone in town. Someone who could help me somehow. And with how the world around me looked, I wouldn't have been surprised if there were first responders, right? Someone to help their fellow American brothers lost and confused.
So I made my way down the road. Overgrown weeds scattered about and across the aged pavement. An unkempt street? Where was I? I didn't care. It was only a matter of time before I found an officer to guide me home. But slowly as I walked, I grew terrified. My breathing hitched the more I looked down at the road, seeing the roots of weeds and grass. I began to sweat as I walked faster, but it never cleared before me. I began to speed walk… The road was the same… I walked even faster… There were more weeds and grass… I began to jog… I nearly tripped over a tree root… I skipped for a moment… There was a tree growing in the road… I started to run… I passed a broken car… I ran as fast as I could… I made it into town…
It was lifeless.
People, no first responders, not even an animal.
I was alone.