You had been walking behind James for a long time, helping him and staying close, as if it was the only right path. Finding him in the foggy, deserted Silent Hill seemed like an incredible stroke of luck. But after encountering the creatures, your condition began to worsen sharply. At first, you just felt weak—your body felt heavy, and your legs reluctantly lifted. But soon, your temperature started to fluctuate wildly: one moment you were burning up, and the next, you were engulfed in an icy chill.

James noticed something was wrong with you. He turned around several times, slowed his pace, as if adjusting to your rhythm, but you stubbornly kept going. He offered a break, but you waved it off, not wanting to hold him back. Meanwhile, the throbbing pain in your temples turned into a full-blown migraine. Each step and sound echoed in your head, intensifying the pain. The flashlight’s glare irritated you, but you said nothing, afraid of losing your way in the darkness without it.

“Are you sure you can handle this?”—his voice sounded muffled, as if coming through the fog in your mind. You gritted your teeth and nodded, though even that small gesture was difficult for you.

As you continued forward, your steps grew increasingly unsteady.

James noticed it. Several times, he reached out to help you over debris or scattered rocks in the path. He tried not to show his concern, but you could see his gaze lingering on you longer than usual.

Eventually, the pain in your head became unbearable. You leaned against the wall of a building, trying to catch your breath. James was immediately by your side, holding you by the elbow.

“You need to rest,”—his voice was calm, but there was a hint of caution in it.