THE SHORT MESSAGE ~ Game Script

[The Adversary]

SILENT HILL: THE SHORT MESSAGE

CHAPTER 1

Anita (voiceover):

Seeking a connection with others is a sign of weakness…
It’s running away.

The strongest animals don’t form groups;
they act alone, and need only themselves to survive.

Those who betray themselves to fit into a group are pathetic…
There’s no beauty in living like that.

I want to be strong on my own, without a group.
If there were only someone who would understand that…

To adult me

Anita stands before a memorial.

Anita: Maya…

Anita awakens in a decrepit room and shines her phone’s flashlight around the room. A black circle about a foot wide is drawn on the wall opposite Anita.

Anita: But…wasn’t I just…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Maya:
i want to show you something
can you come to the villa?

Anita: Oh, yeah. Maya told me to come here…

Anita: This model… Is it this building?

The Plan to Rebuild Kettenstedt memo

Anita: Wow. So this place didn’t always suck. Our parents dreamed of this…?

Plans to Rebuild Kettenstadt Fail a 2nd Time memo

Anita: Everyone’s losing their futures… That’s all adults are: a slave to the system.

A blue door opens.

Anita: Where are you, Maya?

Anita: Oh great… It’s locked.

NO EXIT sign

Anita: I’m trapped… I’ve always been trapped…

Anita enters room 202.

Anita: Maya…?

A large painting of a woman is on the wall.

Anita: Did Maya do this…? “C.B.” Cherry Blossom. That’s Maya’s signature. She’s…amazing…

FLASHBACK

Maya: This city’s a blank canvas, begging for us to paint it with our hopes and dreams. I want to show the hidden side of girls—their impulses, their urges. What are YOU hiding inside…? Don’t worry about what people think. Be proud.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: *Sigh* How could I ever be proud of myself…?

About Graffiti Artist C.B. memo

Anita: Everyone can see how talented she is… I couldn’t be more different…

Anita: Who’s there…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Anita:
you still asleep? sorry if I woke you up
didnt see you at your job yesterday
still not feeling good?
you takin your meds?

Amelie:
sorry for the late reply i fell asleep

Anita:
dont worry about it. how you feeling?

Amelie:
im ok. i can actually kinda get some rest now
didnt mean to scare you or anything

Anita:
seriously dw about it, alls good now

Amelie:
im still a little tired, but im gonna get up soon

Anita: That’s a relief…

Anita enters a room covered in sticky notes with insults written on them

Anita: What’s with this place…? Why all the sticky notes?

Woman (voiceover): “Loser” “stupid” “Liar!”
“CRAZY” “crybaby” “Ugly!!”
“I HATE you” “dumb” “GO AWAY!!”

Anita: She never said anything nice…

Data Report on Neglect memo

Anita: *Sighs* My mom loved me…

Anita: Antidepressants… I’ve taken enough medication…

The bathroom door opens revealing razors and blood in the sink and bathtub.

FLASHBACK

Krysta (voiceover): This is all your fault! Bad things happen because of YOU!

Anita: I’m sorry… I’m sorry…

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Mom…

Anita exits the bathroom back into the apartment full of sticky notes

TEXT MESSAGES
17:46

Amelie:
what about you Anita?

Anita:
what?

Amelie:
you didnt look so hot the other day

Anita:
im fine
you dont have to worry about me

Amelie:
well obviously im gonna

Anita:
im takin my meds

Amelie:
meds are good, but what about therapy?

Anita:
that doesnt really do much to be honest
talkin to adults doesnt help

Amelie:
some of our classmates were hospitalized
you don't have to do this alone

Anita:
i know, ill let you know if i need anything
and those guys deserved it

Amelie:
they feel bad, you know. all of them

Anita: Maya…?

Sakura appears

Anita: What the fuck…?

Anita: Am I safe…? Where did it even go…? What the fuck was that thing…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:46

Maya:
you here?
im in the studio

Anita:
Maya?
theres a monster here! you ok?

Infamous Suicide Spot memo

Anita: Please, not Maya, too… She has been acting weird lately…

FLASHBACK

Maya: Cherry blossoms bloom within the grasp of death. With most flowers, the rot sets in…they they fall… That’s the price of new life. Not cherry blossoms, though. They bloom beautiful; they fall beautiful. That’s how I want me life to be.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Why is she not replying? Come ON! I have to find her…

Anita: That monster… It’s gone, right? Where is this studio…?

Anita: The famous suicide spot…

The Younger Generation and Social Media memo

Anita: Creepy… Maya… I hope you’re all right…

TEXT MESSAGES
17:46

Amelie:
btw
thought any more about college?

Anita:
i cant do it

Amelie:
you dont have to decide right now

Anita:
so…
once ur at college are you not comin back here?

Amelie:
no way. ill come back occasionally
my parents would give me shit if i didnt come home for breaks
but yeah, just give college some more though ok?

Anita:
i told you i cant go, its not for me
studying isnt my thing

Amelie:
i told you i would help you!

Anita:
its fine, i cant do anything. don't know what id do if i got in

Amelie:
thats not true
ur way too hard on yourself
be proud of who you are
wait, what about those drawings you showed me?
you could audit an art class. it could lead to a job?

Anita:
IM NOT MAYA OK?!

Anita: Amelie doesn’t get it…

FLASHBACK

Maya: Gotcha. So you don’t really like this place. I get it. People in this town see graffit as nothing but trashy doodles. And, my classmates talk about me… Might not be a bad idea to leave town, actually… The great thing about graffiti is, the world’s your canvas. And as long as I’m with you I can have fun anywhere.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: There’s no way out…

Anita enters room 214. C.B. is on the door.

Anita: Maya? Are you here? Is this…your studio?

SKIZZENBUCH

Anita: Are these Maya’s sketches…? These aren’t even finished, and they look this good… They seem happy… A new life…? So full of life…

Anita: Maya?!

TEXT MESSAGES
17:46

Maya:
are you here?

Anita:
where are???
this place is dangerous! we need to GO!
Maya respond PLEASE

Anita: Why won’t she reply…? Where are you? Am I going crazy …?

Anita: It’s beautiful… Who did Maya have in mind? Did you post this too?

Anita looks at Instagram.

C.B.
Anita
Little Bear

Anita: Even more followers… I lost followers again… Some new followers here… I need to upload stuff like this, to get as many likes as Maya…

Voices:
Wow! Sexy! Lovin it!
stop with the boring photos already
no sexy stuff no followers!!!
Wow. U hate ur followers?
Congrats on reaching your follower goal!
Cmon we want sexy pics alredy [sic]

Anita: Stop…! Just stop…! Please!

Anita falls to her knees crying.

Amelie calls Anita.

Amelie: I’m sorry. You have your own situation to deal. I was out of line. I was thinking selfishly. I’m so sorry.

Anita: No, I shouldn’t have gotten mad like that.

Amelie: Thanks, Anita. I guess I haven't accepted Maya’s death yet.

Anita: Huh?

Amelie: Why did she jump from the Villa? Why did she have to die?

Anita: Maya’s…dead?

Flashback to memorial

Anita: Wait. Maya’s really dead…? H-How…? How could I forget that…?

Amelie: Are you alright, Anita? Hello? HELLO?

Anita checks her text messages

Anita: Then…who’s this?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Maya:
find it

Anita: Who…?

Sakura appears

Anita: What the fuck…?

Anita arrives on the roof of the Villa and finds Maya’s masterpiece.

Anita: Maya died, but her art lives on…
Even more followers… No one is ever going to notice me… This is where…Maya jumped from…

Krysta (voiceover): This is all your fault! Bad things happen because of YOU!

Anita: Maybe I can be like her… Here goes…

Anita steps off the roof. Her cracked phone is seen: It is 17:45 on Monday 12 September, 2022.


CHAPTER 2


Anita wakes up in the same decrepit room.

Anita: Am I back at the Villa…? B-But…why didn’t I die…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Maya:
you find it?

Anita:
find what?

Maya:
cant leave til you find it

Anita:
this really you Maya?

Maya:
cant leave til you find it

Anita:
Maya’s dead, ur not her

Maya:
cant leave til you find it

Anita:
who the fuck is this?!

Maya:
you cant leave til you find it

Anita:
TELL ME!!!

Anita: What the fuck…?

Anita: No… My battery…

Krysta (voiceover): Bad girl gets an empty plate

Written on freezer door: Bad girl gets an empty plate
Written on hallway banister: It’s all your fault

Anita: Ahh! (clutches her head)

FLASHBACK TO KRYSTA

Krysta: This is all your fault! Bad things happen because of YOU!

END FLASHBACK

The painting from before is destroyed.

Anita: What…? Who would do this…?

Wait, it’s back on?

How could somebody do this?

Anita checks the comments on Maya’s Instagram.

Some people really have nothing better to do. Wait, I bet it was these guys…

Laughing is heard as Anita turns around. Bullies appear.

Anita examines where the memorial in the courtyard was. It’s all gone.

Anita: What’s this…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Amelie:
sorry for the late reply i fell asleep

Anita: This is just like before…

Anita:
you feeling ok?

Amelie:
good enough to get out of bed
sorry for being a bad friend

Anita:
so…….is Maya really dead?

Amelie:
why are you asking that?

Anita:
please tell me

Amelie:
i still cant believe shes gone either. wish it was a lie
she seemed perfectly fine before it happened…

Anita:
so Maya really is dead then yeah?

Amelie:
Anita, are you ok? you getting enough sleep?

Anita:
kinda. im takin some really good meds

Amelie:
meds are good, but what about therapy?

Anita:
that doesnt really do much to be honest

Anita: You’re so good to me… But you’re leaving me behind…

Anita:
Maya really didn't tell you anything?

Amelie:
no. all she talked about was a book she read recently
still, i feel guilty for what happened
even if she didnt tell me anything, i should’ve known something was up……..

Anita: Did Maya really not say anything…like at all?

FLASHBACK

Maya: So what’d you think of the book? The author killed themselves when they were young. Something beautiful from something tragic… It's kinda enchanting, isn’t it? I wonder what they were thinking right before they died… Anyway… I didn’t think you’d share your thoughts in a letter. You really are shy, aren’t you? I actually kinda like that, though. You write in a really flowery and passionate way. I can't wait to read more.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Oh, okay… Letters…

Krysta (voiceover): If you want food, DO WHAT I SAY

Written on refrigerator: If you want food, do what I say

FLASHBACK

Maya: Wonder what those guys are talking about. Fortune-telling? A lot of people are getting into that, huh? You don’t believe in that stuff? Well, I think there’s something real about it. My great grandmother was a fortune teller. I hear people here used to treat her like some sort of prophet. But they all eventually turned on my great-grandmother. Guess you can predict other people’s futures, but not your own.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Tarot cards… No point predicting my future…

Hate-Filled Notebook memo found in Trash Room

Anita enters room 207.

University Orientation and College Prep Diaries found here

Anita: This is for the college Amelie wants to go to…

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Amelie:
hey Anita, you got a minute to talk?

Anita:
sure, whats up

Amelie:
you seemed kinda out of it before
if something’s bothering you, you can lemme know

Anita:
thanks but im fine

Amelie:
sorry to bring it up, dont wanna pry

Anita:
nah its ok i dont mind

Amelie:
hey, we should go shopping together sometime
i havent left my house in what feels like forever
plus my brother’s coming here

Anita:
oh right. you ok?

Amelie:
yeah, just gonna try to avoid him as much as possible
so shopping, yeah? we can find you something cute!

Anita:
nah im good. im not a fan of crowds
and nothing looks cute on me anyway

Amelie:
stop talking like that! ur way too hard on yourself
youve got the looks, you just need to find the right outfit

Anita: Too hard on myself, huh…? Amelie’s the only one who thinks that…

Krysta (voiceover): Stay home alone

Written on refrigerator: Stay home alone

Anita: Amelie hated the way her brother looked at her… I bet she wants to leave to get away from all that…

Student Found Dead memo

Anita: Amelie’s not like this, though…right?

Anita: School…?

Girl: *throws shoe* Dumb!
Girl 2: *throws bottle* Go away!

Anita: *opens Maya’s locker* Wh-What the hell…?

Girl 3: Get out you freak!
Girl 4: Slut!
Guy 1: Your art’s fucking weird!
Guy 2: You’re a freak!
Girl 5: Cocky piece of shit!

Anita gets tossed in a closet. When she gets out, the Walk of Shame begins.

Guy 3: Crazy!
Girl 6: Shut your whore mouth!
Girl 7: Ugly!!
Guy 4: Get out you freak!

Anita walks down the spinning red hallway.

Anita: Maya’s not a freak… She’s my friend…

Anita gets up off the school hallway floor.

Sakura appears

Anita: Don’t look at me… Stop it…

Anita: Why are you chasing me? Not again…not again… What did I do to deserve this…?

Anita screams as she receives a text from Maya.

TEXT MESSAGES
17:46

Maya:
find it

Anita:
find what?

Maya:
find it

Anita:
just tell me what im looking for

Maya:
find it

Anita: What the fuck am I supposed to find…?

Anita: The girl in this picture…is Amelie…?

SKIZZENBUCH

Anita: This guy looks familiar… They’re hurt… Where are you going…? Yeah… That’s right… Amelie…?

FLASHBACK

Maya: Hm…? What’s that? Oh, you like what you see? Come closer, then. Wait a sec. You two are from my class. Those glasses look good on you. Sorry. She’s so cute. I couldn’t help myself. Feel free to stop by anytime. You’re always welcome… Heh-heh.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Maya only ever cared about Amelie… She didn’t see me… I was invisible to her…

Maya’s Diary found

Anita: The library…? So I’m back at school…

FLASHBACK

Maya: There’s no beauty…in any of this… Oh, uh, sorry… I was just thinking about something. I borrowed that book you wanted. I finished it, so it’s all yours. I wrote my impressions in a letter. Read it when you get home, ‘kay?

END FLASHBACK

Anita: Where was it…? That book…

Witch’s Curse Impedes Progress memo

Anita: So it is a curse… But…why me? Why do I have to be cursed like this…?

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Maya:
find it

Anita:
TELL ME! IS THIS YOUR CURSE?!

Maya:
find it

Anita: Find what in a place like this?!

The Witch Hunt memo

Anita: A witch’s curse…? Is that why I saw what I did before…?

Anita: Looks like there’s space for a book here. Wait, I think I know these…

Anita clutches her head as an image of a locker is seen.

Anita: No way…

FLASHBACK

Maya: It’s like that other school… Why does this always happen?

END FLASHBACK

Anita: I’ve never seen Maya like that before…

TEXT MESSAGES
17:45

Amelie:
you alright Anita?
you left me on read so i was worried

Anita:
sorry was just thinkin about Maya
not sure if you know this but
Maya was bullied at school

Amelie:
i know
but she said she was ok
i figured i shouldnt push the issue
then it was too late……
why didn't she say anything before she died
i wish she had talked to me
maybe she didn't see me as a friend…

Anita: That’s not true…

Anita is back in the school hallway. LIAR is drawn on Maya’s desk.

Anita: What…? Maya’s locker… No, it’s not here… It wasn’t here before either…

My locker… Why is it locked? Is there something I don't want to see?i

Amelie’s locker… Yes… It's just a novel… Wait a sec…

Anita clutches her head again.

Anita: Wait…

Anita unlocks her locker: 0312

Anita: I know what’s inside. And I can't look away. Here it is. What's this letter…? Was it inside the book…?

Maya’s Letter found here

Maya:

My dear Amelie,

Remember when I said I wanted to live like a cherry blossom?

To be beautiful and dignified for a fleeting moment simply by letting go of life.
Daring to bloom knowing it won’t last, and so falling in vivid color.

I wish I could live like that.
I want to experience true beauty, if only for a moment.

I met someone who made me feel different.
He showed me a whole new world, gave me hope.
I honestly thought he could help me find a new me.
I felt it with all my heart.

But people didn’t understand us, didn't want that from us.
In the end, they took my hope from me.
They took him away.

People who can’t achieve beauty seek comfort in others.
They fear anyone different. Hate them. Try to tear them down.

I can’t take much more of this.
I wish you and I could run away together, Amelie. Just me and you…

Maya

Anita: Maya… She was asking Amelie for help… But I just…!

Anita clutches her head.

FLASHBACK

Anita: Maya, you have everything. You’re way more talented that me. So, why…? Why take Amelie from me…? You acted like I wasn’t even there… Amelie is MY friend… She’s MINE!

END FLASHBACK

Anita: I only wanted to take her down a bit… She was taking Amelie away from me… She wouldn't pay attention to me… How was I supposed to know she’d actually kill herself?!

Sakura appears

Anita: I’m sorry!

Anita finds herself on the roof again.

Anita: Maya, I finally get it… I know what you wanted me to find…

Anita calls Amelie.

Amelie: Anita…? What’s up?

Anita: I’m so sorry, Amelie… Maya died because I killed her!

Amelie: What are you talking about?

Anita: You and Maya wrote letters to each other, right?

Amelie: Yeah…but then Maya jumped off the Villa roof…

Anita: Well, there was supposed to be one in the last book you had, too…

Amelie: What…?

Anita: That letter… That letter was a message for you…

Amelie: Wh-Why are you telling me this, Anita?

Anita: I was jealous of Maya… I was afraid she'd take you away from me! My mom was right… I should never have been born!

Amelie: W-Wait, Anita, calm down!

Anita steps off the roof.


CHAPTER 3

Anita wakes up on the floor of a room.

Anita: What?! But I jumped off the building…

She sees her lifeless body next to her.

Anita: Huh?! Even if I die, this doesn’t end…?! How many times do I have to go through this…?

TEXT MESSAGES
•• : ••

Maya:
find it

Anita:
how can i get you to forgive me?
please Maya tell me
why won’t you say anything?

Krysta (voiceover): Don’t you dare go outside!

Written on refrigerator: Don’t you DARE go outside

NO HOPE
NO FUTURE
NO EXIT

Anita enters an apartment.

Anita: This is… Wait… Me and my mom lived her. This is our living room…

Diary of a Single Mother: December 2011 memo

Krysta (voiceover): Why won’t you listen to a damn thing I say?!

Diary of a Single Mother: February 2012 memo

Krysta (voiceover): I’m giving up my life for you!

Diary of a Single Mother: March to April 2012 memo

Anita has reverted to her 8-year-old self.

Diary of a Single Mother: May to July 2012

A baby is heard crying in the messy apartment. “Don’t you DARE go outside” is written on the refrigerator door. The crying intensifies as Anita gets closer to it. The freezer door starts banging as the child cries.

Anita: Stop…

Notice from Child Welfare Center memo

News Article on Child Death by Neglect

Anita is locked in the closet. Sakura can be seen through the slats.

Krysta (voiceover): You disobeyed me AGAIN! You can just stay in there.

Anita (as a child): Don’t lock me in here… Let me out… Mom…

Krysta (voiceover): This is all your fault! Bad things happen because of YOU! You should never have been born! You’re a burden! A curse from my mother! Yeah! That's exactly it! My mother yelled at me, hit me, locked me up… She inflicted that curse on my womb, and I gave it life! *Laughter*

Anita (as a child): I’m sorry, Mom… Mom…let me out… Please don't leave me… Mom… Please don’t leave me… Please don’t leave me…

The closet door opens and Anita falls to her knees.

Anita: I'm a curse… You always said you’d be better off without me…

Krysta (voiceover): You’re not my daughter! You're a burden! A curse from my mother!

Anita: You’re wrong, Mom. I am your daughter. And just like you…I’m curse…

A baby doll is seen among a pile of trash bags.

Anita: Why am I seeing this room here in the Villa? I tried so hard to forget this place…

The freezer door is now open. In it is another baby doll, a soda can, and can of Campbell’s soup, among other food items.

Sakura appears

Amelie (flashback): I really like what you drew me way back.

Unknown girl (flashback): You’re into art, right? You could audit an art class.

Maya (flashback): Hm…? What’s that? Oh, you like what you see?

Maya (flashback): What are YOU hiding inside…?

Anita: I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…

Amelie (flashback): You’re way too hard on yourself.

The chained door is unlocked and open now.

Anita: Am I…going to be alone forever…?

Anita is back in Maya’s studio.

Maya’s Diary 3 memo

Popular Artist Found Dead, Cause Unknown memo

Anita: Wait… She killed herself…half a year ago…? Then that means…I’ve been here this whole time…? What’ll it take for you to forgive me…? Please end this. Just let me die…

Maya’s SKIZZENBUCH topples over on its own.

Anita: Hm? Is this…me? When did she draw this…?

FLASHBACK

Maya: I want to show the hidden side of girls—their impulses, their urges. What are YOU hiding inside…? Don’t worry about what people think. Be proud.

END FLASHBACK

Anita: So she did notice me…

Anita finds herself in a hallway lit with candles, with memories every 50 feet.

Anita: I was so happy when my mom like the first picture I drew… I could’ve had a different life too… I guess someone finally did love me… You actually noticed me… I never thought you would… Amelie, what should I do…?

Anita is back on the roof, looking at Maya’s final painting. The entire building is covered in sticky notes. Anita calls Amelie.

Amelie: Anita…? What’s up?

Anita: I’m sorry, Amelie… I'm such a piece of shit. I had no idea she’d do that!

Amelie: What’re you talking about? Did something happen?

Anita: I thought I was invisible, that I didn’t matter. No matter what anyone said, I didn’t listen…

Amelie: Anita?

Anita: But you and Maya…both of you DID see me. I should’ve figured that out sooner…

Amelie: Anita… Wait, where are you right now?!

Anita: Thank you, Amelie… You were always there for me… I’m going to go apologize to Maya now…

Amelie: Wait! Anita, calm down! Just listen to—

Anita steps to the ledge.

Anita: Amelie…

Anita receives a text.

TEXT MESSAGES
•• : ••

Amelie:
lets go shopping tomorrow
we can talk, just the two of us
tell each other everything thats on our minds
dont go Anita!
please dont leave me

Anita: Amelie…

The clouds and sticky notes are all blown away. Anita starts crying. Amelie calls.

Amelie: I’m here for you, Anita…

FADE TO BLACK

Anita (voiceover):

Seeking a connection with others is a sign of weakness…
It’s running away.

The strongest animals don’t form groups;
they act alone, and need only themselves to survive.

Those who betray themselves to fit into a group are pathetic…
There’s no beauty in living like that.

But…I don’t really mind.
I just want someone to understand me…

For those I love, and for those who love me…

I want to keep moving forward…and never look back…

To 18-year-old me


EPILOGUE

September 29, 2022

Amelie: Moving day. It feels kind of scary leaving my hometown…but I’ll be fine. I have my best friend with me!


ƒin.