Chapter 6

Although the evening was close, the weather was still sunny. Linda and Alice slowly walked around the city park, breathing fresh air and just chatting. Finally they decided to have a sit on a bench and relax. A few meters away from them there was a lady, selling ice cream. Linda offered her friend to buy some ice cream for them both.

"Ok, I don't mind," Alice smiled.

"Which taste would you like?"

"Vanilla, it's my favourite."

"Alright then, wait here, I'll be right back," Linda said and went for ice cream.

There were a few people standing in a queue and Linda was the last one for now. Opening her handbag, she pulled out her purse but accidentally it fell on the ground. She wanted to lift it up but someone was faster than her. A man lifted it up and gave it to her.

"Oh, thank you very much," Linda said with a smile. "I actually didn't hear you coming behind my back."

"You're welcome, lady," he said. "And I'm sorry if I scared you."

"Not at all, sir, it was just unexpected," Linda smiled, looking at the man with curiosity. He looked rather young, not older than thirty. He had short fair hair and dressed in dark jeans, black shirt and brown jacket. He was rather good looking but his eyes were very sad.

"Um… are you alright, sir?" Linda asked. "It seems to me you're full of sorrow."

"Nah, it's nothing, don't take in mind," he replied but seeing Linda's look, he confessed: "It's just… um… I lost my wife two years ago."

"Oh dear, my condolences," Linda said with sympathy. "It's terrible when you lose someone you love."

"Yes, indeed," he sighed. "So… um… if we started to talk, do you mind introducing ourselves? I'm James."

"And I'm Linda. Nice to meet you," she said, shaking hands with him. "So, you're also here for an ice cream?" Linda asked, not knowing what to say.

"Yes, I wanted to have one. Today is such a nice sunny day and would be great to have something refreshing. Would you allow me to buy one for you?"

Linda was a little bit embarrassed.

"Erm… actually, I was going to buy one for my friend, too. She's sitting on a bench right there," she pointed to Alice.

"So, any problem if I buy for both of you?" James smiled.

"Ok then," Linda blushed a bit.

"Which flavour would you like?" he asked.

"I'd like chocolate one and my friend would like vanilla one."

"Ok, no problem," he said.

James bought three cones of ice cream and went with Linda to the bench where Alice was sitting. She was rather surprised to see her friend with a man.

"Alice, this is James, I accidentally met him while buying ice cream. I dropped my purse and he kindly lifted it for me," Linda explained. "James, this is my friend, Alice."

"Nice to meet you, Alice," he said with a kind smile. To Linda it seemed that Alice sparked interest in him. And looks like she also became interested in him.

"Nice to meet you, too," she replied kindly. "Have a sit."

"Thank you," James replied. "So, are you from this city, ladies?"

"Well, actually I migrated here from Australia and Linda from United Kingdom," Alice explained. "We met at the translation office where we both work and became like sisters to each other."

"Oh, I see. It's nice to have someone you can always trust" he said.

"And where are you from, James?" Linda asked.

"Originally I'm from Ashfield but I finally moved here to work as a clerk for a small company," he explained "and as I've told Linda, I lost my wife Mary two years ago. She had a disease that couldn't be cured and was about to die. I couldn't watch her suffering, she was like… a living mummy in her last days of life. I… I can't… These memories make me suffer again and again. Mary was the most beautiful thing I've had in all my life. But… as time goes by, the pain slowly fades. You have to let the dead go."

Alice and Linda exchanged glances. Linda nodded sadly, like telling that it was true. Alice looked at James with sympathy.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry that you had to go through this all. Losing the ones you've chosen for the rest of your life hurts very much."

"It sure does," he agreed. "And your friend noticed the sadness in my eyes and understood at once that I'm still tormented by sorrow. It's like… she could see it through me."

"Eyes say much more than words," Linda explained. "It was obvious that there's something that doesn't give you peace."

"Yeah, right…" he sighed. "At least we managed to spend wonderful time together in Silent Hill…"

Hearing this, Linda practically jumped in her place and Alice widened her eyes.

"Wait a minute, what did you say?" she interrupted him. "Did you say – Silent Hill? Have I heard that right?"

"Well, yes, you heard it right," James replied. "And what is it? Have you been there?"

"Um… no, never. I've found out about this town just a couple of days ago."

"Then why are you so surprised about it?"

"You see, I'm having dreams about this town…" Linda told him. "I must admit being a fan of ghost towns, but Silent Hill was the one I've never heard of. And a few days ago we accidentally stumbled on information about it online. There was nothing much, but when I saw the pictures, I recognized the place at once. So we began looking for information about it, we've just been to the library but also didn't find out very much. But there's one thing that intrigued me – both online and in the library we heard that this town is dangerous. And I'm determined to go there and find out the truth. I'm suffering from nightmares and from lack of sleep in the result. I can't find peace until I know what this is all about."

"And I'm going with her," Alice added. "As this place is considered to be dangerous, it's better to have someone beside you."

"Hm, I see," James said thoughtfully. "Well, I wouldn't recommend you going there as this place indeed is dangerous. But if you feel that something is like… calling for you, like it happened to me, you can't escape it and will finally go. I understand how it is."

"Could you please tell us more about Silent Hill, if it's not hard for you? I mean, what this town is really like and what this danger actually is," Alice asked. "We would be very grateful."

"Well, as you maybe already know, Silent Hill is a small resort town at Toluca lake, loved by tourists. I have been there twice. The first time I went there with my wife. All this town was our special place, we got the best memories about how we spent good time there. The second time I went there was a year ago, after Mary's death. Then all the hell started. But some things are too personal that I wouldn't like to talk about."

James remembered, of course, how he suffocated Mary with a pillow, but he thought there was no need to share such personal information with people he has just met.

"Of course, we understand it," Linda said. "You don't have to do it. Just tell us why you think this place is dangerous and what could await us there."

"Yes, sure," he continued "but you might not believe in what I have to say."

"Are you talking about monsters?" Linda asked. "I'd say I would believe it."

"How do you know about monsters?" James looked rather surprised.

"You see, in those nightmares of mine I see monsters in Silent Hill," she explained. "So it wouldn't actually surprise me if we stumble on some of them."

"Ah so… I see," he said. "Well, beside that the entire town is covered in very thick fog, the monsters are the danger of Silent Hill. And I've seen them."

"Really? What are they like?" Alice asked curiously.

"Such creatures could be born from a pure nightmare," James explained. "On the one side, they have human-like features, but, on the other side, it's obvious that they all are the product of a nightmare. I'm not sure if you might encounter the same creatures that I did. But don't worry, most of them are vulnerable and can be killed. So things aren't as bad as they might seem."

"That's good to know," both women agreed. "But… are there also such beings that can't be killed?"

"There is one I met," he replied. "Really terrible monster. It differs from other with a large pyramid thing on his head and carries either a heavy knife or a spear."

Linda felt her blood turn cold. He was speaking about the same being she was seeing in her dreams.

"Is everything ok?" James asked. He looked concerned.

"Um… hello to Linda?" Alice waved a hand in front of her friend's face.

"What?.. oh… sorry…" she mumbled "it's just… you mentioned the same creature I encountered in my dreams several times."

"Really? Are you sure?" James asked again.

"Yes, I'm absolutely sure," Linda said confidently. "A monster with a red metal helmet on his head, a triangular helmet. Dressed in a filthy robe, black boots and dirty gloves. Am I right?"

"Yes, you are, indeed," James looked surprised and a bit embarrassed. "It's just hard for me to understand why you're seeing this being."

"Why's that?" Linda wanted to know.

"When Mary and I went to Silent Hill for the first time, we visited the local Historical Society one day. And there I saw a painting called "Misty Day, Remains of the Judgment". This creature was portrayed there with his victims locked up in metal carcasses. This image impressed me very much and stayed in my memory. And the second time I went to Silent Hill, I met this creature face to face. This monster actually is an executioner of some kind. So that's why I can only wonder why you see him. You've never known about this town, never saw this image in your life, and yet this being appears in your dreams. This is strange."

"Yes, it is strange," Linda agreed. "That's why I want to go to Silent Hill and find out the answers to my questions."

"I understand. May I ask you something? Did this monster attack you in your nightmares?"

"Well, not really," Linda tried to remember all the details. "I've seen him twice for now. First time he killed a guy that seemed very familiar to me. But I wasn't sad, I was happy. Such a feeling that I hated him and wanted him to die. Then the monster dropped his large knife and went to me, stretching out his hand. That's all I remember. Second time I found myself in my old high school, but all abandoned. It was thick fog outside, and then the monster appeared again. He dropped the knife again, then lifted me up on his shoulder, like a bag of potatoes, then took his knife and left with me. Here the dream ended. And one more thing – last time I saw a being similar to him, but I'm not sure if it's the same monster. This one wore the same clothing, but had no helmet on his head. Instead, his head was bald and faceless. He was turning a valve, and each time I turned my head, I saw him before my eyes. He was crawling on the walls, twitching his head, but never attacked. He was just there, watching me. I could feel it despite the lack of his face."

James was lost in thoughts for a moment and then spoke:

"Pretty interesting. Now I'm really curious what this monster has to do with you. Speaking about the last case, I haven't seen the being you described. It may be the same monster, maybe not, this I can't say. I just have never seen this one."

"Aha, I see," Linda said. "Now, all that remains is to go there and find out."

James smiled to her and then an idea suddenly appeared in his mind.

"And when are you planning to go?" he asked.

"We have plans about the next Saturday, early morning," Alice answered. "Why?"

"Actually, if you don't mind, I could offer to drive you to Silent Hill and accompany you there. I remember streets and buildings. Besides, I still have a map of the town at home."

"That's very kind of you, James," Linda smiled to him and looked at Alice, like waiting for her approval. Alice's smile widened, like if she was a Cheshire cat, and nodded. It seemed like she was happy about this option.

"I support this idea," she said. "Only if it's convenient for you"

"It is, no worries," James smiled back. "So, next Saturday, you say? At what time approximately would you like to go?"

"Well, we planned to wake up at five in the morning, and approximately at six we could go," Linda replied. "The faster we finish with all this thing, the better. Would that be fine for you?"

"Sure, no problem," James answered. "Where shall we meet then next Saturday? I could maybe drive to your house and collect you. Or any other options?"

"No, no, that would be nice," Alice said at once. "Linda could come to my place and we'll wait for you there. Would you mind to come to my home, Linda?"

"No, it's fine for me," Linda agreed. "Then we should exchange phone numbers."

James gave his phone number to Linda and Alice and they gave him their numbers. Alice also told him her address and James wrote it down in his notebook. After that they stood up from the bench to say goodbye to each other.

"Well, it's time for me to go now. It was really nice to meet you, ladies. So, till next Saturday?" James asked, keeping his eyes on Alice and smiling. Linda watched them and smirked.

"Yes, it was nice to meet you, too," she said, and Linda nodded. "We see us then next Saturday. Have a nice evening."

"Thank you very much. Same to you," he said and left. Linda and Alice slowly began to walk home.

"A nice young man," Alice said.

"Yes, I think so, too," Linda agreed. "And you liked him."

Alice looked at her friend with surprise.

"Oh, come on, dear. You think I'm blind and see nothing? And I can say for sure – he's interested in you as well."

"You think so?" Alice asked and blushed.

"I'm sure," Linda smiled gently. "And I hope that you both become friends and your friendship develops into something more."

"I hope so, too," Alice giggled. "I really liked James. There's something about him that made my heart beat faster but don't know yet what exactly."

"I'm sure you'll find out soon," Linda winked.

It was beginning to get dark so both women decided to walk faster. Linda walked with Alice to her home and then went to her block of flats. Entering her flat, she washed her hands and prepared supper. Turning the TV set in the kitchen, Linda began eating and drinking tea while watching evening news. Now she was looking forward to next Saturday, just as her friend was, no matter that they had different reasons for that. Linda couldn't wait to go to Silent Hill and hoped to return home alive and with answers that she was looking for.