A Stray Child (Cold Case/Silent Hill Crossover)

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Title: A Stray Child
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: None
Summary:

The team opens up the case of Daniel Cartland the son of a man who was killed on April 27th, 1994 during a bank robbery.

"A dead person can't cry." - Douglas Cartland, Silent Hill 3.

Prologue

April 27th, 1994 2:30 pm

Judas by Grave plays in the background.

Two young men are outside of the Bank One in Philadelphia. Both of them are wearing black hoodies and black jeans. The first one is slightly younger than the other man who looks like he’s in his early 20s. The younger man places the hood over his head. He steps up to the door and places a gloved hand on the knob. With his other hand he fondles the 8mm tucked away inside of his jacket. He turns to the other guy.

“Ready, Brandon?” The younger man asked.

“Of course. Let’s descend this place.” Brandon smiled at the younger man.

The younger man took a deep breath, and then exhaled. “Hurry up, Daniel!” Brandon growled.

Daniel opened the door to the bank. Him and Brandon walked in, guns readied at the tellers.

“Nobody move! Put your hands in the air!” Daniel yelled at the people inside.

There was panic inside of the bank as Daniel and Brandon proceeded to rob the place.

*********************************************************************************

April 27th, 1994 2:43 pm

Outside of the bank Daniel was sprawled faced down on the cold concrete floor. A pool of blood was congealed around him, and there were streaks of blood leading from the vault to where he finally gave up the ghost. Clutched in his right hand was a sheet of paper.

*******************************************************************************
Another day, another victim, and another case unsolved. Detective Ryan Markus sighed as he carried another box down into the room, and placed it in an empty slot. Written on the box was the name Cartland D. April 27th, 1994.

The kid had been shot during a bank robbery, but nobody could figure out who had shot him. Oh well, another case of many waiting to be solved.


Chapter 1:

”Excuse me.” A woman in her late 50s yelled as politely as she could. She was a slightly overweight woman of 5’8. She had short brown hair that was graying, and her blue eyes were dulling from age.

Detective Lily Rush looked up from the document she was reading. “Yes, can I help you?”

The woman nodded. “12 years ago my boy Daniel was killed.”

”Daniel who?” Lily asked, interested.

”His name was Daniel Cartland. I’m Judy Cartland, his mother.” Judy informed Lily.

”Sit down Judy.” Lily told Judy. “Do you know anything new?” She asked.

Judy shook her head, “The only thing I know is that Daniel was hanging out with a group of very strange boys months before he was killed.”

”Strange, like how?” Lily asked.

She had heard of the teenagers back then being into the grunge scene. Perhaps this is what Judy was referring to.

Judy soon answered her question. “They were into this awful music. Daniel called it many names. Death metal, black metal, and thrash metal. All of it was awful, and very violent.”

Lil slowly nodded. “So you believe that one of these men might have killed Daniel?”

”I know it’s a long shot, but it’s been twelve years since my only child was taken from me. Nothing has been done about it. He made his mistakes, but he deserves to rest in peace, and so do I.” Judy choked.

”Ok, we’ll take the case.” Lilly smiled. “Can you tell me the names of any of them?”

Judy sighed, and went into deep thought. “I remember quite well this one named Brandon Hobbes.”

At that moment detective Scotty Valens stepped into the room. When he noticed Lilly with the older woman he figured that a case was about to be opened. “What’s the case, Lilly?” Scotty asked.

Lilly looked at Ms. Cartland, “We’ll solve your son’s case.” She told her.

Judy feigned a smile, but then left. Lilly walked to her desk, and began typing some words into the computer. “What are you doing?” Scotty asked.

”A woman named Judy Cartland came in wanting her son’s case opened. She gave me the name of one the guys than her son, Daniel used to hangout with before his murder.” Lilly continued typing, while she was talking with Scotty, “Found it!”



****

Brandon Hobbes age 33 was sitting down with a laptop; furiously tapping it’s keys, writing an article that will no doubt be revised several times over. The song, “Baphomet’s Throne” by Samael plays on the stereo next to Brandon. The man had short dark brown hair that was parted perfectly in the middle. His skin was a healthy shade of tan, and wrapped around a frame that was wrought with years of some sort of physical work. His deep-set eyes were a steely grey in color, the rest of his features hard. He wore a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

>>Each blasphemy is another stone to the edifice of your glory
I want to be the rock on which you'll build your church<<

He heard a knocking on the door, and went to answer it. When he opened the door he appeared as he did at the age of 22. A similar man as now, but his brown hair hung loose in a ponytail, his features younger. He wore a black long sleeved shirt with an inverted pentagram and two inverted crosses on either side of it. Oh how time had changed the appearance of a man.

”Greetings, are you hear to pick up the article? Unfortunately it’s not quite ready yet.” Brandon sighed, “I tell you the kids today and their bedroom black metal have no appreciation for the true art form of this music.”

>>Am I the son you've been waiting for?
Am I the chosen one?
To be your messiah on earth
And to sit at your left in hell
I've always ignored the doubt
Answers are in the questions<<

Scotty Valens stepped inside followed by Lilly Rush who cringed a little at the music that was playing. Both proceeded to show their badges, and upon seeing them Brandon looked a little concern. “We’re hoping you had information about the death of Daniel Cartland.” Scotty told Brandon.

>>Show me the way to the Baphomet's throne...

Guide my hand, light my path
My mouth will speak with your words
I'll make statements with your orders
I'll be the supreme insult
Which will forevermore soil the image of god
I'll be your revenge, I'll be your victory
Guide my hand, light my path<<

Brandon relaxed a little. “Yes, Daniel, it’s quite unfortunate what happened to him.”

>>Show me the way,
To reach one day the Baphomet's throne...<<

”So, do you know anything?” Lily yelled over the music, but the song stopped and she became a little embarrassed over her shouting.

Brandon walked over to the stereo and turned it off, and took the CD out. “Yeah, I know what happened to Daniel.”

”What?” Scotty asked.

”He died 12 years ago.” Brandon deadpanned while placing the CD in its case, and then placing it in a shelf marked 1994 along with other CDs.

Scotty had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes, and saying what he was thinking.

Thank you Captain Obvious.

”We’re aware that he’s been dead for 12 years. We were told by his mother that you were one of the guys that Daniel hung out with.” Scotty informed Brandon.

Brandon sat down.

****Flashback to April 19th, 1994***


“Tales From the Thousand Lakes” by Amorphis plays in the background.

Four men, ages 17 – 22 are inside of an apartment studio. All four of them are doing something related to music. The youngest one, Daniel a lathe young man with short dark blonde hair, fair skin and average features was busy setting up his keyboard. The oldest one Brandon was at the drum set
blasting away. Two other men age 20 and 21 were hooking up their guitar or bass, respectively. Both of them had black hair, no doubt dyed. While one wore his hair long, the other wore it military cut. All four of the men were wearing dark, torn jeans. Daniel was wearing a black shirt with an image of Baphomet on it. Brandon was not wearing a shirt, but his upper body was rife with tattoos. The most noticeable tattoo being an image a woman riding a goat. The other two men were wearing black shirts, and torn denim vests adorned with various patches.

”Yo, Danny, what’cha doin?” The man with long black hair asked.

Daniel stopped playing the keys for awhile and looked up, “I’m lovingly stroking these keys. Scott.”

Scott gave a hearty laugh, and started to play a couple of chords on his guitar. “Ha, ha, surely you jest?”

Daniel rolled his eyes, and started playing the keyboard again. Brandon looked up from his drum set, and turned his attention towards Daniel. “Hey Daniel, what’s that you’re playing?”

”I got a new album today. Amorphis “Tales From the Thousand Lakes”. I believe it’s the first death metal album to incorporate keyboards into the music.” Daniel explained.

The guy with short black hair, looked at Daniel. “Keyboards in death metal? HA!”

”Will it just happened, a band managed to find a way to do the improbable. Like it or not, Nick.” Daniel stated matter of factly.

”Yeah, yeah, instead of listening to some fruity music we need to focus on our own.” Nick huffed.

Daniel rolled his eyes. Scott walked to the middle of the room, guitar in hand, and shouted. “Hey guys, I just thought of a song!”

Scott began to strum the guitar, and then came the vocals.

”Feeble matter upon the altar,
Twisting and decaying sacrilege,
Deplore thy depths of thy altar,
Smell the rotting foliage.

Smell, smell, thy flesh!
Taste, taste, thy blood!
Lick, li-“

”Agh, that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” Brandon yelled, holding the plug to the amp in his hand.

Scott rolled his eyes. He took his guitar and went to a worn out couch and sat down. Daniel took out a piece of paper from his pocket. Nick saw this and asked, “What’s that, Daniel?”

Daniel shoved the paper back in his pocket, and stammered, “It’s, it’s nothing.”

***End Flashback***

”Do you have any idea what that paper was?” Lilly asked.

Brandon shook his head. “If you want to know more, look up the band, Skeletal Ashes.”

The two detectives now with a couple of leads, left the place.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Chapter 2

Back at the precinct Scotty, Lilly, Vera and Jeffries were in the file room going through Daniel’s box. Jeffries took out a bag that contained a crumpled up piece of paper inside of it. He examined its contents for a minute before speaking up. “Seems our Daniel was accepted into the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College.”

”Let me see that.” Lilly told the older detective.

Jeffries handed Lilly the paper. She took it and glanced over it. Sure enough it was a letter accepting Daniel Cartland into the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College. “Seems like Daniel had some sort of talent for music.” Lilly noted.

”Is there anything else in that box? Anything that might be useful?” Scotty asked. He watched as Jeffries rummaged through the box.

”Nothing.” Jeffries stated placing the box down.

Scotty looked at Lilly who only replied, “We talked to Brandon Hobbes today. He told us to look up a band called Skeletal Ashes.”

”Never heard of ‘em” Nick replied.

”Then we better look them up.” Scotty said.

Him and Lilly went back to the office area with Nick and Jeffries placing the evidence box back in its rightful place. By the time the two got to the office, Lilly had already found the band’s official website. The site was rather monotonous to behold. The entire site was done up in black and white and various shades in between. In a matter of seconds, Lilly found a piece of information that would prove helpful.

Skeletal Ashes will be performing on August 1st, 2006 at 9pm at the. We ask that all patrons to please restrain from consuming any alcoholic beverages before the show. Thank you.

”Wow, a heavy metal band that doesn’t want alcohol present at the show. What happened to the good old days when metal was a wild and drunken passion?” Scotty asked, mostly to Lilly.

”It died back in 1993.” She deadpanned, “It’s 6:00 now. We should go there now to question these two guys.”

*******

Back stage at the Hollywood Bistro club two men both in their 30s were practicing material for their upcoming gig. The older one had his long black hair tied back, while the younger one had his head completely shaved. Both men were wearing matching uniforms consisting of black slacks, grey button down shirts, black ties, and black jackets. Just as the younger one was plugging in his amp and guitar to do some tuning, Lilly and Scotty walked in flashing their badges and stating their purpose.

”Woah, what’s going down?” The longhaired one stammered.

”We’re gathering information about a former band mate of yours, Daniel Cartland.” Lilly answered.

The shaved one started giggling. “Shut up Scott!” The long haired one hissed.

”Hell, don’t be so uptight Nick.” Scott giggled.

”Daniel Cartland was killed on April 27th after robbing a bank. Do you know anything about this?” Scotty asked.

Scott went into deep thought for a moment. “Nick, Brandon, and I met Daniel back in 1992. All four of us were drawn together by our love for a genre of music that not many people knew about. We found out that the other could play an instrument, and we decided to form a band. After two years we believed that we would be good enough to get a deal with a major label.”

”I don’t think the major labels care much for this death metal” Lilly retorted.

”Obviously you’ve never heard of Century Media, Nuclear Blast, or Metal Blade records then.” Nick huffed.

”We also noticed that Daniel was carrying a piece of paper with him. An acceptance letter to be more exact. Know anything about it?” Scotty asked.

Nick and Scott looked at each other.

****Flashback to April 20th, 1994***

Healthy Man by Freak Kitchen plays.

I am so healthy, I’m the healthy man
I eat a lot of greens, I do the best I can
Send the germs right up, be a yoghurt-fan
Healthy

”Tonight is the night in which we smoke weed to honor the God HEMP!” A rather drunk Scott yelled while swaggering around.

Start the day with yoga
Live in harmony
Then purge the guts real good
And have some oriental tea

Then I stroll into the garden
Where I’m working nude
You see, I grow my own plants
Yeah, I’m a healthy dude

Nick didn’t look the least bit pleased, “C’mon Scott we have a chance to get signed and you have to get drunk off your ass? Have you no love for metal?”

I am so healthy, I’m the healthy man
I eat a lot of greens, I do the best I can
Send the germs right up, be a yoghurt-fan

Healthy

Live by my carrot
I’ll save you from decay
Think de-caffeinated
Throw your cigarettes away

”I do, I do, its jest sooo damn fun to drink! Hell yeah!” Scott yelled out. He then stumbled onto the couch and landed on top of Brandon, “Ooh Brandon so comfy!”

I’m a vegetarian
And you should be one too
And sound mind in sound body
I know what best for you

”Get the hell off of me!” Brandon shrieked as he pushed Scott off of him.

Scott fell to the other side of the couch and passed out. Brandon looked at him and groaned, “Great, now what are we going to do? We can’t practice with our guitarist passed out.”

I am so healthy, I’m the healthy man
I eat a lot of greens, I do the best I can
Send the germs right up, be a yoghurt-fan

Yoghurt

Daniel who had been quiet during the whole thing suddenly piped up. “Guys, I didn’t say anything yesterday, but I got accepted into the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College.”

Then one day it happened
The healthy man got sick
He ate all kinds of herbs
But they wouldn’t do the trick

For once Nick looked happy for his band mate. “Hey, man, that is great! Congratulations! Nice to see that one of us has talent and dedication. Not like Scott.” Nick tossed a glare at Scott who was still passed out.

The healthy man got desperate
But no one gave a f---
He took one step too far
And got run over by a truck

”Hey that’s great! What did your parents say?” Brandon asked.

Daniel sighed, “I haven’t exactly told them.”

He was so healthy, he was the healthy man
He ate a lot of greens, he was a yoghurt-fan
He was so healthy, he was the healthy man
He ate a lot of beans, but no one gave a damn

Brandon knew that this was a lie.

****End Flashback***

”So Daniel hadn’t told his parents. Do you any reason why?” Lilly asked.

Nick shrugged, “I dunno. Go ask his pop, Douglas Cartland.”

Lilly and Scotty thanked the two men for the information and left.


.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

****Chapter 3****

Back at the precinct Stillman was talking to Judy Cartland. “Have you found out anything?” Judy asked.

At that moment Lilly Rush walked through the door, and headed straight to Stillman and Judy. “Hi, Boss.” Lilly nodded at Stillman; he acknowledged her presence.

”Rush, have you gotten anything on the Cartland case?” Stillman asked, a bit dryly.

”Actually I was just about to ask Ms. Cartland something.” Lilly stated.

Judy piped up, “What is it dear?”

”Judy, by any chance were there any problems between Daniel and his father?” Lilly asked.

The older woman sighed, “Douglas and I got a divorce when Daniel was 16. Douglas had been injured during his job. He hurt his leg, but instead of getting better he just sat around.”

”And I take it this caused some friction between the two of you?” Lilly asked.

”What would you do? Douglas wasn’t doing anything, and we had a son that was dreaming way too big.”

***Flashback to October 17th, 1993***

”Would” by Alice in Chains plays in the background.

Know Me Broken By My Master
Teach Thee On Child Of Love Hereafter

Into The Flood Again
Same Old Trip It Was Back Then
So I Made A Big Mistake
Try To See It Once My Way

The setting is a small house on the outskirts of Philadelphia. A stocky man with dark brown hair that was starting to gray in his 40s was aloft on the couch with his right leg propped up. A younger Judy enters the picture. She is noticeably slimmer during this time. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a ponytail, and she is wearing a business casual outfit. She walks up to Douglas and kicks the couch.

”Ow! Judy, what was that for?” Douglas asked gritting his teeth.

”It’s been eight months since you injured your leg and you haven’t been doing a damn thing to get better! Our bills have been piling up, and Daniel is starting to look into college. All you can do is sit on your behind and eat what I cook you!” Judy was furious.

”Judy, I’ve been try-“

Judy quickly cutoff Douglas, ”Don’t you dare give me that story Douglas! You haven’t done anything to get better! I want a divorce!”

At that moment, Daniel comes walking in. “Where were you Daniel? It’s 8pm on a school night.” Judy asked.

”I was with the guys.” Daniel answered, as he began to search the fridge for something to eat, finally settling on an apple.

”Son, what good is going to come from those guys? They’re nothing but bad news.” Douglas coughed.

Drifting Body Its Sole Desertion
Flying Not Yet Quite The Notion

Am I Wrong?
Have I Run Too Far To Get Home?
Am I Gone?
And Left You Here Alone
If I Would Could You?

”Yeah, but you haven’t done anything. I figure I better start somewhere.” Daniel retorted as he raced to his room and slammed the door.

”Da- nevermind.” Douglas sighed.

”Tomorrow I’m getting a lawyer.” Judy yelled from the kitchen.

****End Flashback***

”Ms. Cartland, do you know where we could find your husband now?” Lilly asked.

Judy stood up, and answered, “Last I heard he was working as a private detective.”

Lilly knew what she had to do.

***

”According to this the last case Douglas worked on was on December 18th, 1999 – April 20th, 2000.” Scotty said clicking on the site.

”Wow, that guy must have been lonely.” Nick said.

”Yeah, but this is weird. He was hired by a woman named Claudia Wolf to find a girl by the name of Alessa Gillespie, who had been kidnapped by a man named Harry Mason. Apparently the man renamed Alessa, Cheryl Mason. After an incident with a cult member Harry and Cheryl were forced to change their names. Cheryl became Heather Morris, and Harry became Roger Morris.” Scotty was paraphrasing what he had read.

”Wow, talk about a case of multiple personality disorder.” Lilly mused.

”So do you think that Claudia woman would know anything?” Nick asked.

Scotty sighed, “According to this she died on April 20th, 2000. They don’t list the cause.”

”Hmmm, I wonder if our MPD girl would know anything?” Lilly asked.

Scotty typed in something, “According to this our girl is working at RETIRN.”

”What’s RETIRN?” Lilly asked.

Nick piped up, “It’s a psychology center that helps individuals and families who have been harmed by cults”

”Well, this sounds plausible. Let’s go.” Scotty commanded as he rose from his seat and put on his coat.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Chapter 4 is now ready.

Author's notes: There are 2 more chapters left to write before this story is completed. Comments are more than welcome by the way.

******

”Did he say anything else?” Lilly asked.

”Look, in 2000 I had a lot of crap happen to me. Some cult freak killed my father, and I had some psychotic woman making outlandish claims about me. At the time I didn’t give a damn about Douglas’s son.” Cheryl stated, just a little pensive.

Neither Nick nor Lilly wanted to push the woman. “Can you tell us where Douglas is now?” Lilly asked.

”Yeah, he changed his named to Gregory Almein. Listen I have a patient, so if we’re done.” Cheryl motioned to the door.

”Yes, that will be all. Thank you for your time Miss.” Nick said.

The two detectives left the building.

***

Thirty minutes later Nick and Lilly had located Greg. He was sitting on a bench on the porch of his home. He was a stocky man with thinning grey hair, and a 5 o clock shadow. It was obvious that in his younger days he would have been pretty good looking, and after all he did look a little similar to Bruce Willis, Lilly thought to herself. At this moment however they needed to ask the man some questions. The two detectives stepped up to the man: Lilly spoke first.

”Are you Douglas Cartland?” she asked.

”Lady, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” The older man answered gruffly.

Lilly produced her badge, “or should we be asking for Gregory Almein?” she asked.

Gregory gave out a sigh, before he spoke. “What is this about detectives?”

“It’s about the death of your son, Daniel Cartland.” Lilly answered.

Gregory, or rather Douglas let out a loud sigh, just before answering back, “My son was killed robbing a bank. It’s water under the bridge.”

”You’re wife doesn’t think so.” Scotty replied.

”What the hell would she know? She divorced me a year and a half before Daniel was murdered.” Douglas groaned.

”Where were you on April 27th, 1994?” Lilly decided to ask.

Douglas quickly answered, “I was working that day. You know, detectives, it’s not me you should be questioning. You should be questioning Brandon. I never trusted that no good son of a nothing.”

Scotty thought that the answer was made a bit too quickly, but neither him nor Lil had the due cause to arrest him. “Thank you for your time Mr. Cartland.” Scotty stated.

Him and Lilly left the premises, each one wondering about the new information.

[longislanditalian2]

I like it very well written

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Thankyou very much!

After the story is completed I'll be taking some questions and answering them. I'm also brainstorming two other stories.

Stay Tuned.

[michelle]

Good job so far, Rev! Keep it coming!

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Gracias!

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Chapter 5


Back in his apartment, Brandon was on his laptop typing away. Playing on the stereo is the song, "Planets" by Tiamat. Brandon here's a knock on the door. "Come in!" He yells.

Scotty and Lilly open the door. Brandon looks up from his computer and sighs, "Oh, hi, detectives."

Scotty looked around the room, and remarked, "You sure do listen to some odd music."

"It's not against the law, and besides I doubt you came here to discuss the merits of heavy metal." Brandon retorted.

"You're right; we're not here to discuss what you listen to. We don't care about that. What we do care about is you're involvement with Daniel's murder." Lilly answered back.

Brandon sighed, "I told you I had nothing to do with Daniel's murder."

"So, then what happened?" Scotty asked.

"We were rehearsing this one day, when Daniel announced that he was going to rob a bank."

Flashback to April 25th, 1994

The song, "Blind Lightning" by The Obsessed plays in the background.

Dreamer, warped by time
You’re a martyr of your mind
Visions, ideas unheard, future’s
Just another word

Brandon, Daniel, Scott, and Nick were back in the garage/studio working on their demo CD. There was something amiss, and Brandon could tell that Daniel was upset.

"Yo, Danny boy. What's got you upset?" Brandon asked.

"It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time." Daniel replied.

Scott and Nick stopped playing, "Woah, what brought this on?"

"It's nothing guys." Daniel answered.

Your road turns to a path of
Darkness stride on unafraid
Searching for lost moments you’ve
Seen them, eternal grave

The other guys knew that something was up, but it was Brandon that pressed the issue. "C'mon hombre, what's up?"

Daniel never really answered the question, instead saying "I'm going to rob a bank. Get myself some money for that college."

"Woah! woah! Robbing a bank is not going to help you out. " Scott replied.

Nick piped up, "The last thing we need is for you to go to jail and start writing paganistic stories about you being a knight."

"Either that or some guy that's in prison that changes his religious views every month." Brandon smirked, "This month I become a Cheesecakian! Zieg Heil Cheesecake!"

Daniel groaned, and ignored Brandon "So what am I supposed to do? Just sit around and do nothing?"

You’re charged with disregard
Yet the sounds you hear are
From a million voices
Your dreams intense as lightning
Yet man’s simple fluid, can
Lead and blind you

Stride on

"Daniel, the band! All of us are talented, and I'm sure we could get signed." Scott answered, trying to convince Daniel that his plan was wrong.

"Oh, yeah! We'll really make it if we're signed by Dead Goat Baby records." Daniel snapped.

Nick snapped back, "Just chill, alright? Nobody is robbing a bank, and nobody is being signed to Dead Goat Baby records. Is that clear?"

"Whatever." Daniel huffed.

Brandon, Scott, and Nick watched as Daniel left.

(end flashback)

"Do you know where Daniel went?" Lilly asked.

"I don't, and this was on April 25th, a couple of days before he died." Brandon answered.

With nothing else to ask the two detectives left.

****

"What if we stopped by the bank. Checked out the surveillance tape from that day?" Scotty asked.

"It's worth a shot." Lilly answered.

****

At the bank Lilly and Scotty were talking to one of the security guards. They had already asked for a tape of that day, and as luck would have it they still had the tape. The two detectives and the guard were watching the tiny screen. Soon they saw two young men wearing black hooded sweatshirts enter the bank. The first one pulled out a gun and proceeded to hold up the place. The second man walked to the camera, and knocked it down. Just before the camera went to static, the guy's hood fell.

"Wait! Go back, slowmotion." Lilly commanded.

The guard did so, and when the camera showed a face Lilly told him to pause it. Staring at them from the screen was Brandon Hobbes. "Looks like we got our perp." Scotty said.

***

Back at the apartment Brandon was lounging back listening to his MP3 player. The song he was listening to was Grave's "Bloodshed." The song being a death metal song was rather intense, so much so that at first Brandon didn't know when the two detectives had let themselves in. In fact he was completely unaware of them until Scotty ripped off his earphones.

"Hey! Those are expensive!" Brandon yelled.

"Brandon Hobbes, you're under arrest for the armed robbery of Bank One, and the murder of Daniel of Cartland. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you." Lilly yelled as Scotty handcuffed Brandon.

"What the, are you crazy? I didn't kill Daniel!" Brandon snapped.

"We'll see." Scotty replied as he dragged Brandon off, with Lilly following close behind.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Chapter 6 (and the last chapter)

"So Brandon, why did you do it? Jealousy?" Lilly asked Brandon in the interrogation room.

Brandon sighed, and started drumming his fingers. "Look, I didn't kill Daniel. Why would I?"

Lilly leaned towards Brandon, "Jealousy maybe? You were jealous of his talent."

"Pffft!" Brandon snorted, "In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed are kings."

"Stop with the philosophy!" Lilly snapped.

"It only means detectives that when people are blind they are ruled by those with one eye. If you would bother to open your other eye you would have suspected Douglas Cartland. Are you forgetting that he was a police officer too?" Brandon explained.

Lilly sighed, and then motioned for the guard's to take Brandon back to his cell. She then left the room and went to find Stillman.

***
After talking to Stillman, Lilly Rush and Scotty Valens were in the interregation room with Douglas Cartland.

"Mr. Cartland, you weren't too clear about where you were the night your son was killed." Lilly stated.

Douglas sighed, "I was at fwork."

"And where were you working?" Scotty asked.

"It's none of your business." Douglas snapped gruffly.

"Oh, I believe it is our business!" Lilly snapped

Douglas looked at her, "I was on a round that day, got a call at a bank."

"Would it happen to be the Bank One?" Scotty asked.

Douglas sighed, and then rested his head in his hands. "I had a feeling this day would come."

*flashback to April 27th, 1994.*

*The song "Tomhet" by Burzum plays in the background

Two young men are outside of the Bank One in Philadelphia. Both of them are wearing black hoodies and black jeans. The first one is slightly younger than the other man who looks like he’s in his early 20s. The younger man places the hood over his head. He steps up to the door and places a gloved hand on the knob. With his other hand he fondles the 8mm tucked away inside of his jacket. He turns to the other guy.

“Ready, Brandon?” The younger man asked.

“Of course. Let’s descend this place.” Brandon smiled at the younger man.

The younger man took a deep breath, and then exhaled. “Hurry up, Daniel!” Brandon growled.

Daniel opened the door to the bank. Him and Brandon walked in, guns readied at the tellers.

“Nobody move! Put your hands in the air!” Daniel yelled at the people inside.

There was panic inside of the bank as Daniel and Brandon proceeded to rob the place. Brandon walked to the security camera, and knocked it down. "Crap, my hood came off! Oh well."

He then joined Daniel, pointing there guns at the people. "Everybody on the floor! Nobody move!" Daniel yelled, and watched as everyone hit the floor.

Brandon pointed a gun at one of the tellers, "Hit that alarm and you'll be "Dead" like Dead!" Brandon shouted, and laughed a little with glee.

Daniel walked behind the counter to the manager. "To the vault now!" He shouted.

The manager reluctantly lead Daniel to the Vault, and Brandon kept the other people in control. Once Daniel was in the vault he proceeded to fill up bags with money. Soon we had his fill, he exited through the back door. Following close behind was Brandon. (The other people had been let go.)

"Hey, man that was great!" Brandom patted his friend on the back.

Daniel didn't have time to reply: A police car pulled up and his father stepped out.

"Oh, sh-" Daniel seethed as he saw his father stepping towards him.

"Brandon, you no good son of a dog. What have you done to my son, this time?" Douglas asked readying his gun.

"I didn't do nothing! This bank robbery was all Daniel's idea! I was only it for the ride!" Brandon yelled.

"My son wouldn't rob a bank, not unless he was influenced by some deadbeat like you!" Douglas shouted.

Daniel then snapped, "You mean a deadbeat like you dad? Yeah, I robbed this bank on my own freewill!"

"But, why?" Douglas asked.

"I got accepted into a top school! A place where I could have made it, but you and your laziness, couldn't bother to get better when you damaged your leg! As a result you spent all the money that was meant for my college tuition!!" Daniel yelled, now crying.

"Son, I...Robbing a bank won't help you either!" Douglas shouted.

"Yeah, speaking of which..." Brandon yawned, "Give me the money, all of it!" Brandon growled as he caught Daniel in a headlock, and pointed the gun at his head.

Douglas pointed his gun at Brandon, "Drop the gun!" Douglas shouted.

"Fat chance!" Brandon yelled.

Daniel began to breathe heavily, and cry.

"Quit crying!" Brandon snapped.

Douglas watched them, and then when he thought he had the right moment, when Brandon was open, he fired his gun. The next events transpired in slow motion; the bullet left the chamber and travelled through the air. Brandon pushed Daniel into the path of the bullet and dove out of the way. The bullet hit Daniel in the stomach, causing him to fall back. Brandon quickly left the scene.

Douglas looked shocked and just stood there. He had shot his son, his only child. Daniel wasn't quite dead yet. He crawled towards his father, leaving a huge streak of blood until finally he made it.

"Da-ad...I'm...s-sorry." Daniel breathed.

"Son, don't worry, we'll get help." Douglas knelt before Daniel.

"It's too late, please...don't let this burden you..." Daniel whispered his voice becoming fainter.

He then started to cough up blood, and Douglas could only watch in horror as his son shook, in the throws of a death rattle, and then die.[/i]

****
*"Bridge" by Queensryche plays during this ending montage*

You called me up on the phone today
struggling with the right words to say.
Time can change a thing or two.
Time has changed the lives of me and you,
but you know... it could have been different dad.

Douglas Cartland signs a paper confessing to manslaughter in the second degree. He then hands it to Lilly, who looks at Stillman who in turn looks grieved. Douglas is shown again, as he appeared in 1994.

The word brings back a sweet memory.
I'm sitting on a bluff on a broken tree,

Brandon Hobbes was sitting in his cell, rapping his hands on the bed like a set of drums. It then showed him from 1994, playing an actual drumkit, but then it turned back.

by my side a distinguished man
giving me encouragement, telling me I can,
and you know... you're not there.

Cheryl Mason is seen talking to a client about something. Lilly enters the room and appears to tell Cheryl what happened. Cheryl nods.

You say, "Son, let's forget the past,
I want another chance, gonna make it last."
You're begging me for a brand new start,
trying to mend a bridge that's been blown apart,
but you know... you never built it dad.

Scotty is talking to Judy Cartland about what happened. She breaks down sobbing for awhile, and appears as she did in 1994. Scotty pats her on the back. Judy then appears as she does today.

So I sit here through the night,
and I write myself to sleep,
and time keeps ticking...

Nick and Scott are seen performing at a concert, with Scott on Guitar and Vocals, and Nick handling the keys. They both appear as they did in 1994, and both are playing either the guitar or the bass.

*solo*

The focus then came on Scott as he begin to play a solo that lasted for 45 seconds.

Time has made you finally realize
your loneliness and your guilt inside.
You're reaching for something you never had,
turning around now you're looking back,
and you know... I'm not there.

Douglas Cartland walked around the cemetary until he spotted his son's grave. He knelt down and placed some flowers on it, and brushed off the dirt from it. When he looked up he was shocked. Staring at him was his son, Daniel, dressed in a black hooded sweater. Daniel looked at his father for awhile. He then gave the horns sign, before walking off and disappearing.

You say, "Son, let's forget the past.
I want another chance, gonna make it last."
You're begging me for a brand new start,
trying to mend a bridge that's been blown apart,
but you know... you never built it dad.

Lilly Rush, was in the box room putting the files for Daniel Cartland away, and marking it as CLOSED. She smiled reluctantly; another case had been solved, and another mystery solved. She couldn't help but think, "but at what cost?"

THE END

*****

Author's notes: This story was heavily inspired by a certain scene from Silent Hill 3. In one part the protaganist "Heather aka Cheryl Mason aka Alessa Gillespie" is told by Douglas Cartland that "Nobodies going to cry over my grave anyway." In a later scene he compares Heather to his son, and then reveals that he was shot robbing a bank.

This caused fan speculation that it had been Douglas who had shot his son. The biggest backup for this speculation is that Douglas had once been to Silent Hill, and described it as a messed up town. The town of Silent Hill has the ability to call on people who hold darkness in their heart.

Songlist.

Grave - "Judas"

Freak Kitchen - "Healthy Man"

Alice in Chains - "Would"

The Obsessed - "Blind Lightning"

Burzum - "Tomhet"

Queensryche - "Bridge"

Alright, now taking questions and comments.

[Disasterfreak]

Hey, Rev! Just read your story. That was some casefile, really well thought out. Everything made sense and there were some really good character moments. Dialogues were funny (when they were supposed to be) and your descriptions were awesome, I could see your characters and situations perfectly. The only thing that was a little strange was WHY this case went cold in the first place, the police should have been able to figure it out. But that's happened in the show too--and probably in real life--so no matter. There was no real reason for the mom to suddenly pick up the case after all these years either but... ahhh, well, creative license.

For the record--I DON'T think I could do better. Your story was just great, it read like an actual episode, so kudos!

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Thanks for the comments, and the constructive criticism.

As for the case going cold, I have to accredit that to both creative license and SH3. In the game he shows guilt over the death of his son, and yet never mentions being in jail. He's even hired by someone in 1999, and I suspect had he been in jail he wouldn't have been hired, or even allowed to work.

Still that is a good critique, and I thankyou