Trek Into Silent Hill

Chapter Three

 We spend half an hour walking at a steady pace. With the town washed in a drab grey, everything looks the same. There are no bright colors or designs that stand out among the gloom. Anything farther than two blocks is obscured by the never-ending fog. This place is kind of depressing for me.

I pick at my cuticles during our silence. Derrick's demeanor had dramatically softened as we cracked jokes about how dreary this place is. It was quirky how he had a silly sense of humor, and his laugh was light and delicate. Occasionally Derrick would stop, peer down the streets, then make an abrupt change of direction. It's odd, but I shrug it off.

In the mist an outline of an immense building comes into view. It is the church. My stomach coils from anxiety and guilt. I thought I was no longer afraid of churches and that I was over my childhood. Flashes of murky memories hide behind my eyes. The distinct crack of a belt echoed in my ears. Familiar numbness of my legs caused from hours of kneeling makes me flex my legs. Soreness from skin scrubbed raw from hours in the shower made me crazily itch. My childhood is still very much with me, no matter how much I try to erase it from my mind.

"May?" Derrick's voice startles me.

"Yeah." I scratch my arms. "I just remembered I don't like churches."

"This isn't your typical church."

I bit my lower lip. "In what way?"

"You'll see." Derrick gives a tight smile.

As we walk closer, details come into view. It's definitely a massive church, and it also has a tower on the far side. A bell isn't visible inside it. The exterior is made from faded brown bricks, and tiny patches of ivy coil in some places. Concrete steps lead up to an imposing set of solid oak doors. On each side of the door is a navy stained-glass window. Although the church is old, it seems somewhat well cared for.

When we reach the doors, Derrick motions for me to stay back a little as he loudly raps on the door. It's odd that he chose to knock instead of merely entering the church, as most people would do. But he just said it isn't the typical church.

Numerous clicks of locks follow his knock, then a heavy groan of resistance from the door opening. An older nun answers. She has bangs the color of honey, with silver streaks from age running through. The rest of her hair is covered with a habit, and she is dressed in nun attire. Her eyes are icy chips of blue, and combined with her gauntness her features are sharp. Whoever she is, she presents herself as a person of power.

"Where have you been Derrick? You missed afternoon chores and devotion."

I step forward, wondering if she managed not to notice me.

"I found an outsider on my walk, and decided to take her back with me. All she needs is a phone." There is a strange pleading tone in Derrick's voice. Derrick motions to me to step beside him. "This is May. And this is Sarah."

Sarah raises a thin eyebrow and sneers at me. "That's Sister Sarah for you. Nothing else."

"Fair enough", I shrug. "I won't be long though. There is a phone here, right?"

Sister Sarah blatantly ignores me. "You know better than to bring anyone back to the church Derrick. What were you thinking? You should know the rules better than anyone else after living here all your life."

I can't help but interrupt. "I hassled him into taking me here to use a phone. And by the way, why is there no cell signal or any sign of electricity in this town? Why is there nobody around?"

My questions are met with a long awkward silence. Sister Sarah stares at me in disapproval, and it is hard not to turn away from her gaze. I force myself to return it. " I apologize for being blunt so quickly", I say evenly. "I am just in a hurry to leave and get back to my boyfriend."