CHAPTER21 “Before…what was that? I mean you guys saw it right? What she did? How is that possible?”   “How is anything in this town possible?”   “You think it’s just because of the town? Do you think any of us can do stuff like that then?”   “…I think~”   “Will the both of you shut up! I’m tired of listening to your bull conversation.”   “Jaehwa! Look, I know you’re going through a hard time right now, but~”   “You don’t know so just shut up Kris.”   “I’m your boyfriend, you can’t talk to me like that.”   “Whatever.”   “…Don’t argue. We all have gone through a lot. Besides, all the noise will wake Miah.”   “Of course that’s all you care for Suho. Mi-Ah. She’s the only important thing to you. You could careless about us; about what happened to Junghwa.”   “Jae!”   She was right. But Miah couldn’t say it aloud. She couldn’t tell them she'd been listening this whole time; that she woke up an hour ago when Kris had started talking about missing clear skies and normalcy. She couldn’t tell them she knew it was her fault. She couldn't face the judgment in their eyes; the revulsion she knew she'd find.   So Miah continued to pretend until someone cared enough to see how she was doing. Of course it would be Suho.   He came over to her and shook her shoulders gently, calling her name while doing so. She wanted to ignore him; to pretend she was still passed out, but Miah knew she couldn’t. She knew they had moved her to some building to hide out, but staying in one place for too long was dangerous, and she'd caused enough danger already.   Eventually, she scrunched her face up, as if she was just being awoken. Then slowly rising into a sitting position, Miah faced him, whispering, “Suho,” in a fake sleepy voice. He smiled at the girl, asking if she was okay. She nodded and carefully looked over to the other two. Kris was leaned against a wall looking their way curiously. When their eyes met Miah immediately averted her gaze. She couldn’t face his uncomfortable demeanor, just like she couldn’t face Suho’s smile.   Jae, however, did not look Miah's way. She didn’t care if the girl was okay or not; that much was clear. She sat, her back to everyone, gazing into an empty corner. Or more so, beyond it. Her face wasn’t seeable from Miah's position, but a cold emptiness came off her in waves. An emptiness that screamed get away, and stay away.   It broke Miah's heart. That wasn’t Jae; not the Jae she knew at least. I knew why though; why she was acting like that.   Miah hurt too though. His death affected her too.   “I’m sorry,” Miah half whispered, half whimpered in Jae's direction. The room became awkwardly silent; everyone knowing what she was apologizing for, no one knowing how to react towards it.   Suho eventually put a hand to her back and rubbed it in small circles. It was soothing, and the comfort she needed to get her next words out. “It’s my fault, I know. Being stuck here. Going through all this. J-Junggie. I know that, and that’s why I won’t let the same happen to you three. I won’t let you die in this god awful place. I’ll get you out! I promise.”   “How?” Kris asks, breaking the silence that followed her words. The girl looked at him solemnly. “I think I know a way out. Or at least how to find one.”   “You do?” Suho questions in surprise. She nodded to him, “Yes, Alessa...she visted me in a dream. She told me she could help us. That she knew a way out of here.” “Alessa? But can she be trusted. I mean after everything…just look at our surroundings. If it weren’t for her would we even be stuck in this place?”   Confused, Kris interrupts, “What are you guys talking about? Who’s Alessa?” Suho and Miah look at each other, mentally agreeing on his next words. “It doesn’t matter, but if Miah thinks she may know a way to get us out then that’s our only hope.”   “And why should we trust her?” Jae finally speaks, putting emphasis on the ‘her’. Miah's heart ached at her bitterness. She hated her, but Miah wanted to run up and hold her; to tell her how sorry she was; to say she would bring Junggie back. That she would trade her life for his, but she couldn’t. She didn’t know how. Nothing she could do would bring him back, and nothing she could say would console her friend. So Miah chose to stay quite. To give Jae the small relief of not having to hear her voice.   Kris broke the silence again, “What other choice do we have.” Jae looked at him with a blank, far off look; but got up and headed for the door. “Let’s go then,” she whispered. The others nodded and followed.   “So where to Miah?” Suho asks encouragingly. She gave him a small smile, “The hospital.” “Do you know which way it is?” he asked, but she shook her head indicating she didn’t.   “We do,” Jae declares. Suho and Miah look at her in surprise. “We passed it the first day here when we got separated,” Kris adds.   “Lead the way then."   They walk a few blocks in silence. At peace knowing there wouldn’t be too many ‘creatures’ out yet. In awkwardness because of the tension. Jae and Kris in the lead; Suho and Miah a few leagues back, trying to create as much space as they thought Jae might need. It didn’t help though. She never turned their way. Never acknowledged Miah's presence. It was as if she forgot the girl existed. Forgot she had a best friend. Maybe she considered her dead the moment Junggie died.   As they reached the entrance of the hospital Jae finally turns around and looks Miah in the eyes, “Now what?” she gulped, not being able to take her friend's intense gaze. Shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot Miah said, “I’ll take the lead now. I know where to go.”   “How would you know? I thought you hadn’t been here before,” Jae squints her eyes at the girl. She shakes her head, “I haven’t, but Alessa showed me.” “Alessa who?” Silence ensues. Miah couldn’t bring herself to tell her. To say the person they were seeking was the reason behind Silent Hill, and ultimately the reason behind Junggie’s death.   Then again, maybe it was unfair for them not to know what she was leading them into. No telling what kind dangers await them inside.   “I think….I should go alone,” Miah finally announces.    “No.” Suho frowns, not letting her continue. Giving him a grave look, she explained, “She’s dangerous, and we don’t know what is inside there. It could be a trap for all we know.” “Then don’t go,” he argued. “But Suho!”   “What the hell are you guys talking about? Stop cutting us out!” Kris yells. They both look at him, then sigh in defeat.   “Alessa…is a girl. Or was; I’m not really sure what she is now,” Miah started, “She is the reason we are stuck here. She created the veil that shrouds Silent Hill from the real world.”   “You mean she is the one that creates the monsters,” Jae growls. She nodded somberly. Jae then continues, just as vicious, “You want to take us to the person that killed Junggie?”   “It’s not her fault! She can’t control everything that goes on here,” Miah exclaims.   “Now you’re defending her!”   “No! It’s just..”   “Just what!?”   “You don’t know what she’s been through,” Miah murmured softly.   “Miah it’s too dangerous. I can’t let you go alone,” Suho interjects.   “He’s right. We should stick together,” Kris adds, but the girl shakes her head in denial. “No. I can’t ask you guys to endanger yourself needlessly.”   “Then we’ll find another way!” Suho declares.   “No. We all know there is no other way. She is our only chance out of here. I will go alone. She won’t hurt me. I’ll find out if she’s lying o