Magnolia wrote:
1. She taunts Harry for no reason and scares the hell out of people on purpose for little or no reason
Taunting Harry? Do you mean the few times Cheryl is seen and heard? I think it's up to personal opinion, but I like to think there's a very small part of Cheryl left within Alessa, and that's the part that reaches out to Harry (phone call and on the tv in the mall). That would also explain the "to school" note Harry finds, as well as various other things he finds that point him in the right direction. They could be subconsciously created by what little is left of Cheryl to get her father to help her/Alessa. At least that's what I like to think...
Magnolia wrote:2. She refuses to speak
After everything she's gone through I think it's understandable that she wouldn't be one for idle chatter.
Magnolia wrote:3. She manipulates people as if they were toys, rather than simply requesting their help
I wouldn't say the manipulates anyone. Sure, she gets Travis to go through his own hell in order to get her the Flauros, but that was necessary. Who else was going to help her? He had already saved her from the fire, so she probably thought she could trust him. I admit she could've spoken to him, but I got the impression she was a shy child. Understandable considering her upbringing.
Magnolia wrote:Indications of good?:
1. In the end of the first game,
she entrusts care of ...herself... to Harry, probably to return Cheryl to him in return for his services
That wasn't Alessa. She no longer existed at that time. Besides, it would've been very out of character and reckless of her to give the God another chance at being born. Sure, she might not have know if was still within that child, but any chance, however small, is still too much to risk to take.