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Blood Ties	By : maiafay376 Category: +S through Z > Silent Hill Views: 6706 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Silent Hill, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
A ghostly visit, investigations, and the Doll returns...
--------------------Chapter 5: A Forgotten Past--------------------
Had it been hours or minutes?
Uncertain, Daniel lay buried under his comforter, his mind groggy and head aching. The next moment, he became aware enough to realize that he was not�
Alone.
He stiffened; his body surged with adrenaline and his heart punched his ribs. He laid there, feeling the heady rush of flight or fight sensations, and unable to move. His breathing became sporadic, difficult to control. He was certain that whatever it was--it knew he was awake. Awake and terrified.
Daniel�s wide eyes darted toward the end of the couch and tried to glimpse the intruder without moving his head. His blankets obscured most of the figure, and he only saw dark hair fluttering into his line of sight. One foot pressed against the�thing, and his toes numbed as if he had touched a block of ice. Several minutes passed and Daniel did not move--not until a soft sigh floated in the air--distinctly feminine.
He braved a peek over his blanket. His eyes blinked in surprise as a woman sat on the end of his couch, her bare shoulders slumped forward and she held something in her hands. Her attire seemed formal, as if she had just came from a fancy party or dinner: mauve halter-top, tight skirt, with matching shoes and makeup. But bloodstains marred the clothing she wore, and frayed threads and tears zigzagged the skirt and top. Her short hair dangled, caked with grime and hid the woman�s features from his gaze. A dirty cast wrapped around one arm, also bloodstained, and lines of crimson marked every inch of skin bared. The woman made no sound--just sagged, as if she were a puppet sitting upon a toymaker�s shelf.
Daniel eased his body into a sitting position, and then flinched as the woman sighed again.
�It was long ago when I saw him there�so sad, so tired. He was crying on the stairs, crying and crying�wanted to see his mommy, but mommy wasn�t there. She went away�far away so he couldn�t find her. I felt sorry for the crying man�wanted to help him�make him happy again. I gave him my doll�it was my favorite�but I knew�I knew she would make him happy�if only for a little while��
Daniel said nothing as she spoke. Her face remained bent forward, but he could see her lips move through the dark curtain of hair, the words out of sync with her mouth. Like a mechanical doll, she lifted her head and fixed one brilliant green eye upon him.
He stared back, swallowing as he noted her spilt lip and vivid bruises over her cheeks and temple. A blood-dotted patch covered one eye, but the other remained riveted to his face. Her identity became apparent as he appraised her, the name spilling from his lips before he could think.
�Eileen? You�re Eileen Galvin aren�t you?�
She smiled then--a sweet, tender smile that one bestows upon their loved one or child. �I will make you happy Daniel�� she promised, edging her body forward. She moved like a rusted machine, her motions jerky and forced. �Just like the crying man. Here, here take this�she�ll love you�just like she loved him��
He looked down at the item in her hands, the one that he had ignored until now.
Black button eyes shone from the cotton and dirty face; torn little dress and tangled string hair contrasted with the bloodstained hand that held her. Eileen offered the doll to him; her gift of comfort and love--but to Daniel, it was only the object of disgust. He scooted back, shaking his head.
�No! I�m sorry�Eileen, but I can�t take that. There�s something wrong with it!�
She offered him a guileless smile, her green eye dulling. A fine, trickle of blood snaked from her ear and trailed down her cheek. Her lips began bleeding, the scarlet flow dripping off her chin and onto her collarbone. He watched in horror as every wound oozed apart and rivulets of fluid soaked her clothing. The patch over her eye became crimson, and it appeared as if she cried tears of blood. The thin rivers dribbled into her mouth, making her smile more grotesque instead of lovely. She stood then--the movement drunken and lolling. She came toward him on unsteady legs, still urging the doll forward. Daniel shrank away, almost falling as he scrambled off the couch.
�Eileen--Eileen what�s happening to you?�
�Finder�s keeper�s Daniel�she�ll love you, she�ll make you happy forever��
�No! Eileen stop it!�
She began whispering as she staggered to the side, her body covered in blood, and her flesh pealing away like rotting paint. �And God said, separate from the flesh too, she is who is the Mother Reborn and he who is the Receiver of Wisdom. If this be done, by the Mystery of the 21 Sacraments, the Mother shall be reborn and the Nation of Sin shall be redeemed."
�W-what?�
She took one more step forward, shuddering--then blew apart.
Thick blood splattered his face and clothes, drenching the walls, and soaking the carpet. He cried in horror, wiping at himself until his back slammed against the wall. Gore squished under his feet, the blood welling between his toes--and he gagged--close to vomiting. Her blood was cold�numbing his skin wherever it touched--tainting and invading him.
Her blood was so cold�
He woke with a cry--bolting off his couch and lurched against the dresser in panic.
His room was clean; no blood smeared the walls, no gore on the floor--but the doll was there, lying where Eileen had dropped it. Daniel stared, and it stared back. One line of crimson began oozing from its button eye, and from somewhere far away, he could hear that child crying again. He blinked once, his breath quickening--but then the blood vanished, and the doll was normal. He clenched his jaw tight, the pulse pounding in his ears. It was a dream�only a dream! None of this was real!
Snarling, he rushed to the window, throwing back the blinds and opened it wide. Daniel picked the doll up and flung it through the opened space, watching with satisfaction as the toy bounced on the pavement below. He slammed the window shut, his hands shaking.
�And stay the fuck out.�
He stalked to the bedroom door, but the image of stubby arms crawling up the wall became strong in his mind--and he stopped, casting a suspicious glance behind him. Daniel expected to see the doll tapping against the glass--those hard eyes demanding entry. That thought unnerved him, and he jerked his gaze away from the window.
He left his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. His apartment was quiet--lights still shining bright since he had forgotten to turn them off last night. Daniel flicked the switches and opened the blinds halfway, allowing daylight to filter inside. He trudged back to the bathroom, yawning and feeling like shit, desiring nothing more than a long shower to feel human again.
As he entered the bathroom, Daniel hesitated before looking into the mirror, as he recalled that brown thing that slithered into his bedroom the night before. Feeling like a coward, he shut the door and locked it before raising his eyes to his reflection, then scowled at how haggard he appeared. He washed his face and shaved, then showered twice to get rid of the soiled feeling lingering from the dream. Even now--under the steaming hot water--he could feel the chill of her blood coating his face--sticky, metallic smelling, and staining his skin. Daniel fought the urge to scrub himself raw as he imagined the gore rising between his toes--Eileen�s flesh peeling away�
Just a dream�just a dream�just a dream�
He kept repeating this mantra as he dried himself and wrapped the towel around his waist. Before leaving the bathroom, Daniel opened the door and peeked into the hallway from the mirror. All he saw was a normal reflection. Relieved, he entered his bedroom and threw on some clothes, then made way to the kitchen for some morning grub.
Another note lay beneath the door.
Daniel halted and that old, sinking sensation settled in his stomach, wiping away all desire for breakfast. Who was it this time? Walter? His father? He glanced at Old Ben�s note. It was still crinkled on the coffee table where he had left it. The urge to cry snuck inside, but Daniel resisted. He had to endure; he had to be strong.
Giving himself a mental shake, he marched over to the letter and snatched it up. The paper was in the usual condition: stained, smelling, and hardly legible--but he determined the scribble of a different sender, one that coincidently--he heard weeping last night.
�Eileen? Are you there? Please�.too big to fit under door�locker 303.�
--Henry
Daniel read the words twice, skeptical of who the author implied he was. His thoughts reflected on the night before, on the man sobbing from 302. Was he Henry? The man who disappeared two years ago? Why was he calling him Eileen?
He frowned at the letter, wondering over the �locker 303� part and �too big to fit under door.� Did Henry put something in his mailbox?
Curious and now eager to know, Daniel forgot breakfast and headed downstairs.
Jogging quickly down the steps and into the lobby, he finally halted, staring at the mailboxes in anticipation. Fumbling with the key, Daniel finally opened his locker, giving a little noise of surprise when he saw the cloth bundle inside. Stained and worn, the material was rough to the touch, like sackcloth. He reached for it with caution, expecting the bundle to twitch or bite him. It did neither. Daniel unwrapped his mysterious gift, the folds of the stiff cloth revealing a small silver disk attached to a long chain--a medallion of some sort. Heart racing, he examined the necklace, noticing the age, weight, and the lackluster shine of aged silver. Designs wove throughout the surface, etched along the outer rim in intricate patterns. It seemed familiar somehow, but Daniel could not recall where he�d seen jewelry with similar markings. He rubbed his fingers over the carvings, lost in thought; it was beautiful, but why did Henry give it to him?
His eyes then caught a glimpse of white inside his mailbox--another letter.
Unfolding it, Daniel read the words in his head.
�This will keep you safe. Be careful�will break if used too much��
Safe? From whom? And�it would break? Daniel pondered these questions for a moment, then folded the letter and slid it inside his back pocket--placing the amulet inside the front. His jeans bulged comically from that side, and he felt the cool weight against his leg. But a strange feeling of serenity overcame him then, and suddenly, he felt better than he had all morning. Whether this sensation of peace was just in his head or emulating from the medallion--the feeling was comforting.
�D-Daniel! Hey! What are y-you doing u-up so early?�
He turned to find Melanie walking her bike inside the door, her face pink as roses and hair in disarray. Another long skirt and bunny shirt were the choice of clothing, the mascots of Lakeside deciding to ride the carousal with stupid grins. She seemed happy to see him, her eyes twinkling as she rested the bike against her waist. �W-were you going out?� she asked, her voice a little winded.
Daniel shook his head, shifting his body to the side so the bulge would be unnoticeable. �Oh, no, I was just checking my mail�I, uh, forgot to check it yesterday with the whole Andre thing.� he shrugged, confident the white lie would suffice. His hand brushed against the amulet nestled in his jeans. He had a bizarre urge to look at it again.
She nodded with sudden understanding, her eyes clouding over in anger. Daniel remembered how Andre insulted her yesterday, and knew that it must bother Melanie.
Daniel came closer, his expression apologetic and tone coaxing. �Hey, don�t worry about Andre and what he said about you. He�s just an asshole. Both he and Lucia just like to put others down to make themselves feel better; the world is full of people like them. You have to just ignore what they say, otherwise�they win.� He smiled, feeling a surge of warmth toward the younger girl. She gazed at him shyly, her cheeks blooming roses again. She tucked a stray lock of peach behind her ears but it got tangled in her earring. Tugging it free, she mustered an awkward smile.
�T-thank you. I know that I shouldn�t c-care, but it still gets to me sometimes�y-you know?�
�Yeah, I can imagine. Must have been hard going through school. Have you ever thought of speech classes?� Daniel suggested. �I bet they could help.� He shifted his stance, fingers tapping along the amulet�s shape. He had this terrible urge to show it to her. Could he confide in Melanie? Would she believe him? He was uncertain what her reaction would be if he divulged the events of last night and this morning. Would she think he was nuts?
�I tried s-speech classes, but nothing w-worked. My d-doctor says it�s p-psychological--all in my head.�
�Really?� Daniel said, crossing his arms and tried to ignore how his pocket protruded. �I guess that makes it even more difficult�wow, I�m sorry. I had no idea��
She gave a small noise in agreement and began walking her bike to the first floor stairs. She looked at him and raised her eyebrow. He took the hint, strolling along as she took the steps one at a time, her bike bumping alongside. The desire to confess his troubles was strong and he felt as if he would burst from all the secrets he kept. He wanted someone to share them with, but was Melanie the right person?
As his thoughts tumbled about, Melanie continued speaking, her bike making soft clicking sounds as they walked down the second floor hall. �It�s really not t-that bad. Sometimes I-I can say full sentences w-without stuttering.�
She seemed embarrassed, keeping her face averted as she spoke and her hair formed a soft barrier around her face. It reminded him of Eileen. �B-but only in my room. I-I can�t seem t-to do it when other people a-are around.�
�I guess we make you nervous?� He emitted a weak laugh that sounded phony to his ears. He fidgeted as Melanie unlocked her door. He pushed Eileen�s flayed corpse away from his thoughts, his hand falling against the amulet again. For some reason, the necklace soothed him. Melanie shot him a side-glance, her lips puffing a little as she gazed at him with a puzzled frown. �A-are you okay? You seem a l-little preoccupied. I-is something wrong?�
�I�no, well�maybe.�
�W-what is it?�
Daniel took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. He had to tell her; if this moment passed and he said nothing--he had a feeling he would regret it. �You�re going to think I�m crazy--� he laughed after he said that, unable to finish the sentence. He cleared his throat, and even though it was hard to do without his cheeks catching on fire, he looked her in the eyes. �But, I�ve been hearing some freaky shit in room 302. I don�t know why, or how�but I think I heard people murdered last night. I also saw this creature in the mirror crawling around afterward--and I�m not sure if I was hallucinating or dreaming. I�ve been having these horrible nightmares since I moved in�and I-I keep getting these notes--�
Daniel shoved his hand into the back pocket of his jeans, pulling out Henry�s letter. He handed it to Melanie, who stood mute and silent, and just stared at him. Daniel pointed to the letter, yanking the amulet from his pocket and dangled it before her. �See? I found this in my mailbox�just like the letter said. I�m the only one that has this key. How could someone besides me have access? And look--just look at the name�Henry. How can someone who supposedly disappeared write me letters? And how could I receive a letter from my father who�s been dead for three weeks? Yeah--� he added, when she shot him a startled look. �He died from a heart attack and was cremated. I got that one last night. It smelled like smoke and said, �Do you miss me.� He fixed her with an imploring look, trying to convey sincerity. �If you want, I can show you that one�and the other I received from Walter Sullivan--�
�Walter Sullivan?� Melanie finally spoke, her words quiet and dubious. She held Henry�s letter tight in her hands, her gaze darting toward the amulet, then back to the letter again.
�Yes�don�t get me started on that bastard. Frank won�t discuss him, but I know he exists. I ran into him the first night I moved in, and I saw him again after I had left the laundry room. Please believe me�I wouldn�t lie about all this. Not to you. Everything started when I ran into Walter Sullivan�everything that�s happening to me now is somehow connected to him! I need to find out who he is--and what the hell he wants from me!�
�O-okay��
Daniel blinked as Melanie folded the letter and handed it back, giving the amulet in his hands a thoughtful look. �Okay? You--you, believe me?� he asked, uncertain that he heard her. He expected her to laugh at him, or at least scoff and claim stress had something to do with his delusions. But, she did none of those things, and instead--appeared almost�thrilled.
Her jade eyes gleamed as she nodded and her words spilled out in a rush. �I-I know you wouldn�t lie to me�and I-I know there�s something wrong here. I haven�t experienced a-anything like you, but I-I know the last tenant d-did. I-it�s why he moved away.�
�Oh�he did? Well, that explains it�I guess--thank you�thank you so much for not thinking I�m crazy.� Daniel put the letter back in his jeans, trying not to burst into tears. His emotions felt battered enough, and he was afraid he might start sobbing in gratitude. She believed him, still considered him sane--and now he had someone who understood.
Melanie swung the door open, beckoning with a slim hand for him to enter. �Y-you�re not crazy Daniel.� she assured, tugging the bike along and setting it against the wall. She closed the door behind him and huffed, pulling her hair back into a messy bun. She gestured to the expensive looking laptop sitting upon the coffee table. �I-I can help you find everything you need on Walter. I-I have a computer�we can research.� She winked and sat on the couch. Daniel followed her over, squinting his eyes against the various shades of pink assailing his vision.
Frank was right; Melanie definitely had odd quirks. Daniel felt ill-at-ease around so many�bunnies. While not as many as the super implied: the stuffed monstrosities overran the floor, furniture and infested the refrigerator door as cute magnets. On top of that: her drapes, couch and kitchen rugs were also the same shade as the toys, making it difficult to concentrate with color radiating from the background like the fallout from a fuchsia nuclear bomb. Daniel inhaled and blinked his eyes a few times, trying to keep the fluffiness from invading his brain. �Wow,� he said, trying to keep from saying something asinine. �You�ve got�a lot of pinkness in here, don�t you?
Melanie opened her laptop with a giggle and signed online. �I-I know it�s overwhelming to everyone e-else, but it�s my favorite c-color. Don�t worry about t-trying to be polite, I-I�ll understand if it freaks you out.�
Daniel scooted closer, craning his head to view the screen better. �It�s not the color really, but all these bunnies lying around. Why do you have so many? Hidden bunny fetish?� He said this lightly, with a hint of smile twitching along the corner of his lips. Again, his hand slid inside the pocket containing the amulet, letting his fingers rest against the cool metal. It was compulsive, but he could not stop touching it.
Melanie opened her browser, fingers nimble as they flew across the keys. She kept her face toward the screen, the harsh light illuminating freckles he had never noticed before. She typed �Walter Sullivan� on the Google search page, her tone mild, almost detached as she spoke. �I-I had a cousin who was murdered at L-Lakeside Amusement P-Park. T-Taken by someone--they never c-caught who. T-they found her a few days a-after she went missing, c-cut up in a duffle bag.� she shrugged, giving the sense of forced nonchalance and pressed the enter key. �I suppose I-I keep them to r-remind me of h-her, and that even wonderful places can be d-deadly if y-you�re not careful.�
Daniel stared at her, taken aback, and fumbling in his head for some sort of comforting phrase besides �I�m sorry.� Finding none, he sighed and patted her shoulder, his fingers brushing against escaped strands of red from her bun. �I�m sorry Melanie; I mean that. I know it irritates me when I�m told �I�m sorry� all the time by complete strangers, but please don�t think I�m just saying that to be polite.�
She grinned as if she found his words absurd. �You�re not a stranger Daniel,� she said softly and returned to the computer; leaving him feeling more cherished and important than he had in a long time.
After a few moments of pleasant silence and scanning the search results-- Melanie made a noise of disbelief, her face pale as she gaped at the screen. Turning the laptop toward him, she motioned to the information. Frowning, Daniel nudged his body closer, his shoulder grazing hers as he read all about the infamous Walter Sullivan.
Report upon report of murders, mutilations and copycat killings greeted his eyes. His mouth dropped as his gaze flickered over one article after another. Numbers on the victim�s bodies, children butchered, Walter�s supposed suicide, and then the killing spree continuing beyond his death. He saw the names of Richard Braintree, Jasper Gein, Cynthia Velasquez, Andrew DeSlavo, and Eileen Galvin as the last killed by the alleged �copycat�, and even a mention of room 302 as a frequented spot by Walter when he was alive. Some websites even revered Walter: sensationalizing his crimes and giving ample information of the rumors and occult ties surrounding his �demise.� Daniel found those more useful than the others, asking Melanie to grab a paper and pen so he could jot down notes. His hands trembled as he scrawled the name of the orphanage where Walter spent his childhood, recalling the little boy in the hallway, those pale, green eyes downcast and frightened.
�I don�t know�they said bad men would hurt me if I left�that everything outside the Wish House is scary�unclean��
So, that boy�was Walter? Daniel shook his head, his mind trying to fathom how it was possible. He barely understood how he saw Walter to begin with. The man was dead, yet, lived; he was corporeal somehow, even twelve years after his suicide. Daniel had the bruises to prove that.
He glanced at Melanie; she was also reading the pages. Her face looked pale. She caught him staring and swiveled her head with a questioning frown. He cleared his throat, his hand over the amulet again, and the details of his �Walter� encounters began tumbling from his lips. He told her everything from the night he moved in--to the dream he had this morning. She sat silent as he talked, giving little noises of alarm at many points of his tale. Her eyes focused on the screen when he finished, and she seemed lost in thought. �I believe you Daniel� she said finally, meeting his gaze with a worried pout. �I-I never seen him, but I know other people w-who have. I never knew h-his name of course, but the last t-tenant in your room described s-someone similar in appearance sulking around the t-third floor. Like you, he also said h-he heard odd noises coming from 302--babies c-crying, people screaming, and h-he said he felt a presence in the bedroom a-all the time, as if someone was w-watching him.�
�Yeah, Frank told me that when he showed the apartment to me. And to think, I thought it was all interesting. I�m such an idiot.�
�D-don�t say that�you couldn�t have k-known�� she rose from the couch, leaving the computer on the coffee table, and went into the kitchen. She rummaged through the fridge and pulled out some fruit prearranged in a shiny blue bowl. He picked at the strawberries when she sat it down in front of him, looking at Walter�s picture on the computer.
He was an attractive man, strong jaw, dirty blonde hair and full lips. His eyes twinkled even from the screen, somehow innocent and malevolent at the same time. Daniel remembered those eyes, how they bored into his own while the world bled around him. He dropped the strawberry back into the bowl, feeling nauseous.
�Y-you don�t w-want any fruit?� Melanie tugged at her hair, freeing the locks from the confines of the bun, but then retied it into a ponytail. Daniel had the sudden impulse to pull the hair tie out and watch that berry cascade fall around her shoulders--but he resisted.
�Not hungry really. Been feeling queasy ever since that dream.�
�O-okay then, I�ll keep it in the f-fridge if you want it later.�
�Thanks.�
She stood up again, putting the fruit away, and then paused at the hall. �I-I�m kinda grungy from my bike ride, so I-I�m going to change my clothes. I�ll be b-back in an m-minute.�
�Okay, I�ll be here.� He leaned forward, scrolling down a newspaper article about Eileen. Melanie disappeared into her room and closed the door.
Daniel continued perusing the article, shaking his head as he saw Eileen�s picture: the woman generated warmth and life--completely opposite the pale corpse that had sat on his couch. The computer screen flickered a few times, and Daniel refreshed the page, irritated that he had to click the link again. Then the site he surfed closed, along with the other pages he had minimized.
�What the hell?� Daniel muttered, as he messed with the browser. Then he sat back as the screen suddenly went insane. It blipped and flickered like a strobe light--then white noise enveloped the display. He stared at it, afraid to touch anything as images flashed and stuttered, much like film from an old projector. The screen then blobbed and dissolved as if it were plastic burning, and a high-pitched whine erupted from the computer. Daniel glanced behind him and saw the door to Melanie�s room remained shut, her shadow passing back and forth beneath. How could she not hear that?
A flash of something red mixed with rusty brown manifested for a moment--and then a shadow crawled up the side of a wall, twitching. The picture of chains replaced the shadow, swaying from a wet ceiling and dripping fluid upon the floor; that image swiftly warped into something humanoid, staggering and lolling down a hall full of corroded doors. Black stains came next--splattering the screen like spores from some rotting fungus. Daniel felt for the amulet in his pocket again, pulling it out and held it tight within his palm. He sensed the cooling power penetrate his hand, traveling up his arm and spread like liquid through his body.
As if in response, the images upon the computer slowed somewhat, ceasing their jerky, disturbing cavalcade, and then faded all together. Daniel hissed a sigh of relief and came closer, the amulet still swaying in his hands. A webpage blinked back to life, the dirty, brown background seething with black squiggles and dots. The site fizzed into clarity a moment later, the image upon it--a newspaper report. Daniel set his hands on the couch and leaned forward, his eyes skipping along the lines with interest. It appeared to be an article straight out of the Silent hill Chronicle. The date was ineligible, but he could make out the words:
Judge or Executioner?
Silent Hill Chronicle
Staff Reporter Matthew Hammond
As reported last Thursday, the Historic Societies renovation team discovered original court documents predating to the Ninetieth Century. The crew had unearthed a secret vault located between the basement and first floors of the old Silent Hill Historic Society. Among the artifacts found--the diary of �Jonah Thomas�, a colonial judge speculated to have lived in Silent hill before plague forced its citizens to flee.
As is generally known, the name �Silent Hill� established around 1810, when the town resettled and became a penal colony. All history prior to the epidemic of 1739 is virtually unknown. Many believe Silent Hill participated in a minor version of the Salem Witch Trials, condemning and burning over fifteen women and men during the late sixteen hundreds and well into the Eighteenth Century. However, only one execution is officially documented: Jennifer Carrol, (Saint Jennifer) persecuted for her beliefs by Christians and whose body is said to reside at the bottom of Toluca Lake. In memory, her statue now stands in Rosewater Park.
After opening the vault, society members immediately began the daunting task of piecing together each page of the diary in chronological order. �Many of the pages are missing unfortunately, and are lost within other ledgers and documents it was contained with,� says senior member of the group, Mary Ellen. �It�s taking longer than we expected.�
After many days deciphering and analyzing the material, it was determined that almost ninety percent of the diary was salvageable. However, the writing within paints a morbid picture of our early history. President Fredrick Bailey of the historic society states, �We are very excited at this find, but also disturbed. The diary of Mr. Thomas details some horrific acts that were both inhumane and incredibly sadistic. Many of the women he condemned were innocent of any wrongdoing, and he confesses this often throughout his prose.�
Upon separate interviews with junior members of the historic society, other details began to emerge about the mysterious judge.
The pages revealed that Jonah Thomas had a brother--the Reverend Jacob Thomas--whose task was to �cleanse� the tainted, and personally executed each woman his brother condemned. This council of judges seemed comprised of only the most wealthy and influential families; four other names appeared within Jonah�s writings: Gerald Hall, Robert Gillespie, Trevor Potter, and William Morgan. One member of the Historic Society even alluded that the brothers betrayed a member of their own council--as William Morgan�s young wife (name unmentioned) apparently met her end by Jacob�s hand.
When asked for an official viewing of these documents, Mr. Bailey declined, saying: �The paper is handmade, very delicate--all documents within the vault must be kept at a stable temperature and humidity level. We will disclose the details upon the reopening of the Historic Society, as we are building a display dedicated to this period of our history.�
Daniel cocked his head at the screen, reading the names of these mysterious judges aloud. One name stood apart from the others--William Morgan. Morgan? Just a coincidence? He was sure other people shared that surname, but to find it here (especially after the screen went bonkers), had to mean something. He sat back, his thoughts addled and uneasy.
�D-Daniel? Have you f-found something else?�
He swiveled his head and found Melanie by the couch, dressed in blue jeans and a (gasp!) normal shirt. Little yellow butterflies flew in arcs over the front, and the short sleeves trimmed with ivory lace hugged her arms. She came closer, peering at the screen. �W-what is that?�
�It�s a newspaper article from the Silent Hill Chronicle, but I�m not sure where it came from. The screen started flickering and displayed some�odd things before it spat this at me.� he sighed and scratched the back of his head. �Is there any way I can print this out?�
�S-sure.�
She knelt and hooked the laptop to a small printer hidden under the table, and then tinkered with the settings. The page emerged the next moment, with Daniel snatching it from the tray and reading it over again. Melanie printed another copy for herself, and set it aside on the table. �W-what does it mean? D-do you think W-William Morgan might be a r-relative?�
�I honestly don�t know. Morgan is a common name�he could be anyone�s ancestor,� he gave an irritated grunt and stood. �I think I need to head back up to my room. Maybe think on this a while, get some sleep, and try to dream without having guts flying in my face.�
Melanie nodded in sympathy, her expression pained but displayed concern. She escorted him to the door, and stood with her cheek pressed against the surface, watching him as he paused outside. She seemed hesitant, as if something was on her mind. He waited for a moment, and his hand drifted over the medallion, the movement unconscious and assuring. Melanie sighed, a forlorn and miserable sound that made Daniel want to hug her. �I-I wanted to tell you that I�ll be gone until next Tuesday. I�m leaving t-tonight to visit my grandparents for a while. My g-grandpa fell ill last year, and never got better. This will probably be the last time I�ll see h-him.� She flushed, casting her eyes downward. She seemed more upset that she had to leave, than with her grandfather�s state of health. �I-I feel bad about leaving y-you Daniel�with all this going on. I-I hope you�ll keep safe��
Daniel winced, feeling guilty, and gave his condolences. �Don�t worry about me�I�ll be fine. Family comes first and I wouldn�t want to you miss seeing your grandfather on my account. Really,� he insisted, noticing the dismay on her face, her eyes big and heartfelt. �I�ll be fine. I have Frank to complain to if things get out of hand.�
That is�if he believes me�
She pulled from the door and gave him another caring smile as she fiddled with the knob. �O-okay�can I have your number? Y-you know�t-to check on y-you? Make sure everything�s o-okay?� The doorknob gave a groaning whine as she wrung it back and forth. The flush she wore crept down to her neck. Daniel chuckled, trying to put her at ease.
�Sure, let me have yours as well. Do you carry a cell phone?�
She nodded, radiant, and finally left the doorknob alone. �Y-yes, I do. Let me get a pen��
---
They exchanged numbers and goodbyes, with Daniel giving her an awkward hug at the end to show his appreciation. His body felt warm where they had embraced, and the scent of her hair lingered. His mood was good as he strode down the hall--which was probably the reason why he saw Walter outside room 207--Lucia and Andre�s apartment.
Daniel�s legs stopped moving, and he mustered a convincing, yet alarmed glare in Sullivan�s direction. Walter shimmered there in the hall, the air around him hazy and radiating heat. The effect was disquieting, only reemphasizing the fact that Walter existed in some other realm--a place between places that Daniel wished he would remain. Walter graced him with a lewd wink and a coy smile, before returning his attention to the door in front of him. He raised his hand and paused, as if waiting for the right moment, then knocked firm and politely, shifting those pale eyes toward Daniel with malicious glee.
Daniel retreated one step, his voice trembling despite all effort to convey confidence. �What are you doing Walter? Why are you here? How--� Walter ceased knocking and suddenly flashed him a boyish grin. Daniel blinked as Sullivan began walking away, blowing a lazy kiss over his shoulder before fading.
Daniel came forward and noticed the little slivers of heat still rolling in the air-- tangible evidence that Walter was no illusion. He reached his hand out, intent on touching these last vestiges of energy--but in that moment, the door to 207 swung open and Andre appeared--staring at him with fury.
�What the FUCK?� the small man snarled, his face swelling red and eyes narrowing. His attire consisted of a wife beater tucked sloppily inside black jeans, with various gold necklaces swaying around his throat, twinkling in the hallway light. They yo-yoed violently across his chest as he slammed the door against the wall again, the sound echoing like a gunshot. �So, YOU�VE been nigger knockin on my door all goddamn morning! What the hell�s the matter with you gringo? You think I ain�t home? You think that you can come up here and fuck my woman?�
Daniel spun toward Andre in shock, his face blank and stupid as he sputtered some nonsense apology. Andre came forward, fists balled tight and knuckles pale. His nostrils flared in obstinate rage, the thick cords of his neck flexing beneath his skin like waves. Daniel backed away, holding his hands up to ward the other man off. �Hey�I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time! I never knocked on your door--�
�BULLSHIT!� Andre roared, bloodshot eyes bulging with wild indignation.
Daniel pressed against the wall, his mind wiped clean by fear. He knew Andre had every intention to kick his ass, but for some reason, his limbs refused to move. Fatigue and surprise caught him off guard, and now he was about to pay for it.
�Andre! What are you doing?�
Lucia, clad in only a red nightie and slippers appeared in the doorway, gawking at the two men with bewilderment. Upon realizing the situation, however, she flew forward like a startled doe, wrapping her body around Andre, and tugged him back to give Daniel some breathing room. �Andre! Stop it! You can�t hurt him! We�ll be evicted!�
�He�s FUCKING with me! Knocking on the FUCKING door like some PUNK-ASS kid.� Andre struggled like a wild boar and Lucia clung, one ruby slipper falling as she crawled onto his back.
�I don�t want to move Andre! Stop it! He didn�t knock on the door! It was someone else!�
In the back of Daniel�s mind, he knew he would laugh about this later--as the image of Lucia, almost nude and clinging to her bull of a boyfriend made quite an impression on his memory. But, right now, he just wanted to remain out of reach of Andre�s grasping fists.
�D-Daniel! Hey, what�s going o-on?�
Everyone stopped and stared at Melanie, who in turn, blanched as Andre�s beady eyes scorched in her direction. �Fucking Stutter Bunny�mind your own business! I�m just going to kick gringo�s ass here for knocking on my FUCKING door all FUCKING morning so he can FUCK my woman!�
�It wasn�t me! I keep trying to tell you that, asshole!� Daniel shouted, his temper finally emerging. He shook in fury, wanting nothing more than to pummel Andre�s face into the ugly, beige carpet. Melanie chose that moment to rush forward, setting a cool hand upon his arm and blinking with maudlin distress.
�O-oh no, Daniel, my �apartment� is over t-there.� She pointed in the direction of room 206, and heaved a great plaintive sigh, as if this was all her fault.
Daniel caught the hint and grunted with embarrassment, �Oh, I guess I had the wrong one then�sorry.� He followed that with a casual shrug, hoping that Andre would simmer down. Amazingly, the small man did relax, shaking off Lucia and threw her a sneer of contempt. His gaze returned to Daniel, watching him close as Melanie led him away. She kept taking measured and careful steps in the direction of 206--walking away as one might from a rabid dog or savage beast. Daniel allowed Melanie to lead on, sneaking a glance toward Andre to gauge his reaction. The man just stood there, unmoving, and then he uttered an ugly snort, his lips curling into a leer.
�So, you�re fucking Stutter Bunny huh? Damn, gringo, you sure do get around don�t ya? Are the rest taking numbers?�
Daniel growled low, and Melanie�s hand tightened. She shot him a pointed look that said, �Don�t even think about it,� and pulled him to the door. She opened it and yanked him inside, leaving Andre muttering to himself as he pushed Lucia back into their apartment. Daniel felt his stomach twist as he heard glass breaking and shouting a moment later--and he pivoted, intending to deal with the little bastard.
�No!� Melanie grasped his hand, shaking her head adamantly, red hair flying. �H-he won�t hit her�he knows better. T-they always break stuff when they f-fight--it�s typical.�
�Nice,� he grumbled, and flopped onto the couch. Not even the pink could cheer him from the sour mood that descended. In the background, Lucia shrieked obscenities, and moments later, the sound of metallic thuds hit the wall.
�S-she�s throwing the pans again.� Melanie sighed and sat next to him. She smiled in apology, nodding with her head toward the bedroom. �I know you wanted to sleep. Y-You�re more than welcome to c-crash in my room�m-my bed�s pretty comfy you know,� she offered, biting her lip.
Daniel managed a tiny smile, looking interested. �Thanks, I think I might have to take you up on that.� His grin faded however, as he remembered what happened in the hall-- the real reason why Andre caught him outside the door. �I saw him again�Walter. He was knocking on Lucia�s door,� he said. Melanie stared at him, her color draining. She looked blankly at the computer, as if it would speak the answers for her.
�W-why? Did he say anything?�
�No, just smiled and blew me a kiss. Something tells me that he was just playing around�just playing.� He grew quiet as he said the last, thinking about how nasty Walter could be if he finally stopped �playing.� The images of dead children and Eileen surged through his mind like a sudden wind, making him wince, his fingers trailing once more over the amulet for comfort. He did not want to think about it--not now. �I need sleep,� he groaned, cracking his neck and yawning. He looked at her, his head resting on the back of the couch. He added, �Point me in the direction of the pink comfy bed?�
Melanie forced a small laugh and stood, beckoning to the hall. �T-this way��
They entered her room and he waited while she tossed her collection of Lakeside bunnies onto the floor. Her room was pink as the rest of the house, with lacy curtains and white furniture. The canopy bed looked expensive, girly, but �comfy� as promised. He collapsed on it, throwing open the comforter and snuggled inside. He peeped at her from his hole; Melanie stood staring with a mixture of such sadness and longing that it made his chest tighten. She sighed, and then pulled her hair down again, only to rearrange it into the previous bun. He wondered why she did that.
�You know, this bed seriously threatens my masculinity,� he murmured in mock disgust, burrowing further under the covers. They smelled like peaches.
Melanie tittered and patted his head, her somber mood lightening a little. �Y-you can sleep until four, but then I-I have to leave for my g-grandparents house. H-have good dreams okay?� Daniel thought he felt her bend down, and brush a kiss over his head--but he could have just imagined it. Either way, it pleased him.
---
Sometime later, Daniel woke with a start. He didn�t recognize his surroundings. It took him a second to realize he was in Melanie�s bed, with the door opened a crack, and late afternoon light peeking between the lace curtains. He stretched and scratched, then felt embarrassed as he glanced toward the bedroom door. Soft footfalls approached, and Melanie emerged from the hallway, her hair now in a ponytail. �R-rise and shine s-sleepy head,� she called gently. �I-it�s almost four. I-I�m about ready to leave s-so�� she let her words trail off, appearing moody and despondent. Daniel offered a grateful smile, feeling well-rested.
�Hey, I overstayed my welcome anyway. Thanks for letting me crash. I hope your visit goes well�just hurry back okay?� A shadow fell over his face as he said this, his mood shifting into a darkened corner. He rose and straightened his clothing, then looked at the bed with guilt. He made quite a mess. �I�m sorry, do you want me to make your bed? I tear apart sheets like a dog sometimes�� without waiting for an answer, Daniel began tugging the covers in place, smoothing out the wrinkles until Melanie chuckled and pulled him away.
�D-don�t worry about the bed. When I come back h-home, I want to remember you s-slept in it.� Her cheeks flamed and she walked to the door. �C-come on, I�ll see y-you out okay?�
He stared at her, fascinated, then nodded. �Yeah�okay.�
---
Minutes later, Daniel climbed the stairs to his apartment, his pace thoughtful and mind alert. He made sure to remain vigilant for signs of Walter--should the blond man decide to �play� again. However, the trek to his room remained uneventful--until he rounded the corner and spied Frank outside 302. He had his keys in hand and cursed lowly. He saw Daniel the next instant, blinked at him in surprise, and then dropped his gaze to the door again. He jiggled the handle and slid his key inside, mindful now that Daniel was watching. The super unlocked 302, swung the door open, peeked inside, and then slammed it shut--locking the room in haste.
Daniel lifted his eyebrows in amusement, wondering at Frank�s odd behavior. The super came toward him, looking vaguely agitated and uncomfortable. He halted beside Daniel, his tone defensive as if he was caught in the middle of doing something shameful. �I like to check the room sometimes and make sure I can still get inside...the lock sticks every once in a while--as you saw.� Frank stood straight, his hands deep within his pockets and projected haughty defiance, as if preparing for Daniel to scoff and question But, the younger man stood quietly, the burning need he had once to confide in Frank--now sated with Melanie.
�It�s fine Frank, do what you need to do.� he said, unlocking his door and threw the super a smile. Frank seemed dumbfounded by Daniel�s reaction, his face a mirror of uncertainty and resentment--though, none of these sentiments seemed directed at him. His posture relaxed and he gave a �chuff� sound. He shook his head and slapped Daniel on the back. �You�re an interesting kid, you know that?� He chuckled and walked past, his steps purposeful, lighthearted. Daniel stared after him, his eyes flickering in surprise when Frank suddenly stopped and turned back.
�Oh Daniel? I want you to know I�ll be out of the complex for the next week or so. I have some family obligations to see too, and won�t be available if you need anything. I have Bob in charge of minor repairs, he�s in room 104 if you have a problem. I should be back on Wednesday or Thursday-- provided everything goes as planned.� He pressed his lips thoughtfully together, his mind clearly on what lay ahead. Daniel felt a twinge of unease, but ignored it, and gave the super a pithy nod.
�Hey, no problem. Good luck with the family, I hope everything works out for you.�
�Thanks son, I�ll see you in a few days. Have yourself a pleasant evening now.�
�You too�� Daniel watched the super stroll down the hall, whistling some oldie tune. He felt that uncertainty again, a nagging poke that made his stomach squirm and skin tingle, but he shoved it away and entered his apartment.
Great�so all my allies disappear�
His mood took a slight nosedive, but he persevered with the notion they would return soon. Perhaps with Melanie�s help, he could convince Frank of Walter�s existence, and then deal with the threat he presented.
He knows�deep down he knows there�s something wrong in that apartment, and even with this building�he�s just trying to hide--delude himself into pretending it doesn�t �exist.� But it does Frank�no matter how hard you rationalize�
With his thoughts heavy, Daniel cooked some frozen pizza and sat on the couch, flicking the TV on to watch the evening news. The usual crimes and reports paraded one after the other, and Daniel found himself dozing off. He shook himself awake as the special bulletin music chimed, rising and rubbing his eyes while staring at the TV in mild interest.
The reporter on screen folded his hands, staring gravely at the audience and cleared his throat once, eyes conveying polite sympathy. �We have just received word that the body of twenty-five year old �Daniel Morgan� was found in South Ashfield late Friday evening--in the South Ashfield Heights apartments, or better known to viewers as SAH--�
Daniel did a double take and gave a harsh noise of disbelief. He gaped at the screen in horror. The reporter droned on, giving several more details about his �death�:
�The apartment�s superintendent, Frank Sunderland, discovered Mr. Morgan in his room after noticing that several days went by without contact. Cause of death appears to be homicide, with the victim apparently bludgeoned to death and the phrase �Child of Sin� carved into his back. Police say this could be related to another incident involving a young woman in the same complex, Melanie Knight. Both victims were dismembered and mutilated beyond recognition, requiring forensics to rely on dental records for identification.�
Daniel stood and approached the TV, his hands clenching and unclenching. This was some horrible joke�it had to be�or was he just dreaming again?
The reporter�s voice faded into a distorted jumble, with the audio emitting a high pitched whine. Plumes of black erupted from the corners of the television, spreading like dark paint blown across paper. The picture flickered; several images suddenly overlapped one another--much as they had done on the computer screen. Daniel winced as the noise vibrated his ear drums and he retreated from the television, cradling his head in pain. The next moment, the picture went dead; the noise ceased at the same time, leaving his ears buzzing. He stumbled onto the couch, feeling dizzy.
Did he wake up? Was it a dream? Daniel peered around the room, trying to gain his bearings and determine if he was awake or asleep. A soft wail trembled from his bedroom then, like a mournful bird; the despairing cry raised his fear and doubt. He jerked to his feet, breath quickening.
No�it can�t be�
Stomach tight with dread, he walked into his bedroom--surprised, but not surprised to see that hated doll slumped on the couch, its little cotton arms thrown open in welcome. He glared at it, and its button eyes glittered in triumph. They seemed to say: See? I�m back aren�t I? You can throw me away, hurt me, but I�ll always find a way inside�back into your arms�I love you Daniel�why, why won�t you love me?
He came forward, his eyes never leaving the doll�s blank face, or that tiny thread mouth which seemed to curl into a gloating smile. The child�s cry faltered as he approached, waxing and waning from its far, otherworldly prison. He felt something vibrate then, a cold tremor that penetrated his thigh to the bone.
The amulet.
Daniel reached his hand into the pocket it resided, pulling the heavy necklace out in one motion. It dangled from his hands, tiny ripples of energy morphing over the face of the metal disk. The etchings were a blur to his eyes, as the stone oscillated and hummed like a swarm of furious bees.
�It will keep you safe��
His eyes shifted to the doll with grim purpose. He wanted it out; he wanted the damn thing to �stay� out. Why and how it kept returning was none of his concern, he just wanted rid of it once and for all.
Daniel wrapped the medallion around his wrist, the disk snug inside his palm. He reached for the doll with his other hand, fingers fisting within the black threads of its hair, jerking it up by the head. It felt heavy, filled, as if it would burst apart at any moment. Then, without warning, the thing shrieked--wiggling in his hand like a squirming puppy.
Daniel gave a high yelp as if burned, dashing the doll into the wall. It hit with a wet slap, sliding to the floor and then skittered under the couch like a rodent. He retreated from the bedroom, slamming the door shut and rushed into the kitchen. After pulling various drawers and spilling utensils in panic, he finally found a dirty steak knife in the sink. It would do.
Grasping the hilt with stiff fingers, he stalked down the hall, pausing every few steps to listen. He hesitated outside his bedroom door, the smell of marinated beef wavering from the knife he carried. Scuttling sounds, a small bump, a disturbing and tiny giggle. His heart pounded and the amulet hummed; Daniel pressed his ear to the door, waiting.
With courage he was amazed he possessed, he swung open the door, and at the same time, rolled his body into the room, slamming it shut behind him. Something small and stealthy crawled on the wall to his left, his peripherals catching the movement just as it leaped for him. Daniel shouted and swung the knife without thought. He missed.
It hit the side of his face, cold and wet, and groping his cheek. He screamed and flung it away. The doll rolled through the air, stopped and then hovered like an oversized hummingbird. He blinked in disbelief and edged to the right, watching as it jerked its limbs, giggled, then shot forward with unnatural speed. He dove behind Old Ben�s couch just as it smacked the wall behind him. It twitched and then whispered his name.
�Daniel�Daniel��
Daniel watched it skitter over the wall toward him. His heart roared in his ears, and his hands were sweaty. The blade was hard to keep straight. The smell of sour, Steak One sauce filled his nose and churned his stomach. He wiped his hand on the back of the couch, and clutched his weapon tight. With a twist of its cotton head, it hissed his name again and launched itself. He rolled to his feet and sidestepped--but this time, he swung the knife as the doll shot past.
It shrieked as the knife plunged into its back, impaling it to the other wall. He stepped away, breathing heavy.
It thrashed there, gurgling and mewling like an animal, cotton limbs flailing in agony and black fluid soaking through its already filthy dress. The amulet in his hands hummed in savage flux, responding to whatever dark force invaded the toy. On some strange instinct, Daniel raised the necklace closer to the doll, watching uncomfortably as it bent and contorted with a flurry of motion, the movements blurring its form. Then, suddenly, and with a strangled gasp--the doll sagged--cotton stuffing and blank eyes once more, the dark fluid evaporating as if it were ash.
Disgusted and angry, Daniel wasted no time as he tore it from the wall, knife still attached, and threw it outside the window. He watched the doll hit the ground, but unlike before, he remained and stared at it for several minutes. It just lay there; no movement; nothing.
Not that it means anything�will it come back? Am I going to wake up? Am I awake now?
Feeling helpless, Daniel continued to watch the toy, straining his eyes against the failing light of the day, waiting and hoping that it would remain stationary.
The light glinted off the knife, winking a greeting at the moon when it swelled in the sky above. Daniel blinked, then blinked again--not trusting his eyes. Somehow, even as he watched, the doll had vanished--dissolving as if it were never there at all.
He shut the window and locked it, his heart skipping beats as he frantically checked all the windows in his apartment. After locking each one, he stood in the center of the living room, scared and tired of all this supernatural bullshit--but unwilling to admit defeat.
I should have left�I should have taken another apartment�I should have never come here�
This sudden hindsight made no difference. He was besieged by things he did not understand, and he knew with certainty--that this would get worse before it got better. But, that doll and Walter had no right to drive him away; they were dead, and did not belong in this world. This was his home now, and he would fight to keep it�no matter what the cost.
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Blood Ties