true love waits in haunted houses

by thelivingautomaton

Summary:

In my restless dreams, I see that town. Silent Hill. I know I promised to take you there again, someday. And I never did. Well, I'm alone there now – in our special place – waiting for you.

Thirty-six words. One for every month since her diagnosis. One for every month without her James. Of course she came here to find him. She just hadn't decided whether she would kiss him or kill him once she did.

(Or: Mary gets sick. James disappears. Then she gets a letter.)

Notes:

if this work looks familiar, don't worry, it is -- this is me taking the idea behind my earlier fic "there's more than one of everything" and running it as far as it'll go (and maybe further). the previous piece definitely isn't required reading by any means (and in fact, when I get to that point in this fic it'll probably look somewhat different), but check it out if you want to see more of what I've got in mind!

also, this fic has a playlist, for the vibes. enjoy <3

Chapter 1: prologue: just the beginning, only the ending

prologue: just the beginning, only the ending

“Now repeat after me.

“I, Mary Shepherd…”

(Mary? Mary’s gone. She’s not here any more. She grew wings and flew away, and she’s never coming back. All that’s left is this…pathetic, wasted shell. Hateful. You hate it. I hate it too.)

“...do take thee, James Sunderland, to be my wedded husband…”

(Don’t act like you don’t know. I can see right through you. Like you’re a ghost. Hah. You’re dead, and so am I. What a pair we make.)

“…to have and to hold from this day onward…”

(Hold me, like you used to – hold me, touch me, kiss me, love me. Look at me. God damn it, why won’t you LOOK AT ME)

“…for better or worse, richer or poorer –”

(Don’t you understand? I am sick – I am a disease – I am NOT going to get better, there IS no getting better, time to turn out the lights and lock the doors because baby, this is IT)

“– in sickness and in health –”

(If you can’t look at me then lie to me. Please? Tell me – tell me I’m still beautiful. Tell me I’m yours. Tell me I’m not going to die.)

“– to love, honor, and cherish –”

(Liar, I hate you, I HATE YOU)

“– till death do us part.”

(it hurts, oh god, it hurts so much)

“Thank you. By the power vested in me –”

(why don’t they let me die why don’t you let me die I just want it to stop make it stop James please make it stop)

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

(...!)

“You may kiss the bride.”

(James? Honey? Is that you?)

(...James?)

Notes:

today's song: This Road - Poe. (it's not a loop, it's a spiral - iykyk.)