"Rose?"

The soft breath against my neck made me smile. "Mmmm?"

"I think it's morning." Cybil's voice was barely louder than a whisper, but I could feel the vibration against my ear. I could feel her, pressed against my back.

Blinking my eyes open in slight confusion, I turned my head just to have it almost collide with Cybil's.

Whoa, close!

She pulled her head back a little, allowing me to study her face. Her blue eyes were still rimmed with red, but other than that she looked calm. I smiled at her, feeling relief wash through my veins, and then promptly closed my eyes again. Morning? No way. I felt no need whatsoever to move from my current position. With hazy satisfaction, I noted that her arm was wrapped snugly around my waist.

"Hey! You're not supposed to fall asleep again!"

"Ugh, go away." My brain catched up on my words, and I gripped her wrist. "No wait. Stay, but be quiet."

"You're hopeless." She grabbed hold of my shoulder and turned me over onto my back.

I blinked up at her. "Um… morning."

She grinned down at me, and I couldn't help but smile in return, reaching up to stroke her cheek. "Feelin' better?"

She nodded and brushed her lips over my palm. "Now get up before your daughter starts asking questions."

"Perhaps she wants to be a police officer?" I sighed as a still fully dressed Cybil followed her own advice and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me to drift off to sleep again.

--

I ruefully played with the cross around my neck as I watched three creatures in nurse uniforms come into view in the garden below, chasing our newly acquired with their scalpels raised high. Part of a foot already lay twitching in the listless grass behind them. It was obvious that the hunted one had no chance in hell, and I had to turn my head away when it spun around, legs flailing as it made one last stand. The nurses reminded me of when I went into the heart of Silent Hill to find Alessa in the darkness, but they also scared me for a wholly other reason. Memories of white walls, painful shots and leather straps around my wrists flashed before my eyes and I quickly got to my feet. Clenching my jaw, I managed to cut the memories off before they could begin replaying in earnest.

It was just as well that Cybil wasn't around at the moment - she wouldn't have been able to handle this very well. The sounds of rusty scalpels parting dead flesh followed me indoors.

Cybil

Cybil, no matter how brave or wonderful she was, didn't belong here with me. She didn't deserve to share our twisted existence. She didn't deserve being bound to the growing darkness that was me.

Do I deserve staying here?

I rested my palm against the cold wall in the corridor, frowning as I noticed I was shaking, and stood absolutely still until it subsided. Yes, I actually did. I had chosen. I was a murderer, and on top of that I had been unfit for the real world even when I was actually in it. I knew that I wouldn't be able to pretend if I went back, never again be someone that anyone could truly love.

I found my daughter in her room, building a Lego castle with the deep concentration only young girls and autists seem to master. Kneeling before her, I studied her dark hair, her long eyelashes and her pale cheeks. She was a beautiful child.

"Hey mommy, what is it?" She looked up at me, tilting her head to the side.

I smiled faintly at her, stroking my hand over her hair. "Nothing really… I just wanted to ask you something, honey."

She looked curious now, putting a Lego piece down before mimicking my kneeling position. "Ask what?"

I took a deep breath. "Could you let Cybil back out into the real world?

"Would you really want me to, mommy?"

It felt like we'd had this conversation before, but I could tell that my answer this time surprised her. "Yes."

"You love her."

"Yes."

She studied me for a long moment, and I looked down, gripping the hem of my brown skirt.

"When do you want her to go back, mommy?"

I swallowed, suddenly having a hard time breathing. "T-tomorrow morning? When she sleeps?"

"It shall be done." She nodded once, solemnly, and then suddenly grinned. "Wanna help me with my castle? I need to build a bridge."

--

The day passed like all the others. When Cybil returned from the basement, sweaty from having used Christopher's equipment, she found me curled up on the couch, clothes and my skin smeared with ashes. I knew I was making the seats dirty, but I couldn't bring myself to care anymore. Seeing the look on my face, she came closer and knelt by my side, her black t-shirt clinging to her broad shoulders. She was stunning.

"Rose?" She looked at me with worried eyes, and I reached out for her, wrapping my arms tightly around her neck, pulling her close. I could smell the fresh sweat on her skin, and I knew she could smell the ashes on mine.

Cybil wrapped her arms around my back and gently pulled me down from the couch and into her lap, stroking my sides soothingly. It was sweet. It was excruciating.

I tilted her head up towards mine, and I pressed my lips desperately against hers, feeling the familiar electric current pulse through my veins. When she returned the kiss I let out an involuntary sound and buried my fingers in her hair, then my face at her neck. I breathed hard, but trying as I might I couldn't keep the tears from falling, wetting her skin.

"Rose…"

"You're not happy here, Cybil." My voice was nothing but a whisper, my lips brushing against her earlobe.

She stroked my hair, my neck, my shoulders, and I pressed closer, trembling.

"And you are?"

--

We lie in bed, my arms wrapped tightly around your sleeping form, my nose in your messy blonde hair. Your breaths are heavy, warming my chest as I stay completely still, filing away moment after broken moment into my memory to keep. Once again, I have chosen. I never told you, Cybil, but I'm sure you will be happier out there. You will meet your mother, return to work. You will settle down, forget all about Silent Hill and me. I will not forget you. In the end, it is all about love. And fear.

I feel tears burning in my eyes again and I hug you closer. You mumble something, nuzzling softly against me, and time grinds to another halt as I let myself drown in the sensation. When I look up again, Sharon is standing in the doorway.

"Ready?", she mouths, and I nod, squeezing my eyes shut as I press my lips against your forehead one last time.

I will let you go now, Cybil. Please, be happy.