James Sunderland

It had been days, or maybe hours, but he didn't know, nor did he care. He had traveled so far only to find himself in a cursed town tormenting him even more than he already was, his mind still missing Mary as if she were still alive. The atmosphere is oppressive. James has just watched the VHS in room 312 of the Lakeview Hotel. The revelation leaves him devastated, his mind teetering between truth and denial. He steps out into the hallway, confused and vulnerable.

There, with his flashlight in hand, he heard that voice again, the one he thought he'd never hear again, calling him over and over, telling him lies he preferred to believe. There was Maria, or what she pretended to be. "Oh, James, darling, come back. I miss you. Why the long face? If you stay, we'll be together forever." The voices continued and continued. He looked up to meet her gaze, swallowed hard, and his voice came out low and melancholic, as if he were talking to himself. "You sound so real... and so fake at the same time ." His brow furrowed, knowing she wasn't real, but his heart desired her more than anything, even knowing the truth. "Am I really a bad man?" He reached out to touch her, his hand trembling slightly, afraid she would disappear.