"I see… that's wonderful... " Carrie forced a smile, preparing to lower her head and leave again.
At that moment, Luke called out to her.
"Carrie, I need your help with something."
He needs my h-help..? Carrie immediately looked up.
"What is it?"
"Do you know the way to Silent Hill?"
"Silent Hill? Isn't this Silent Hill?"
Carrie answered instinctively.
"Our town is called New Silent Hill! It's also a well-known resort."
Rose looked confused. "This… is Silent Hill?"
How was this any different from what Luke had described? Hadn't he said this place was constantly shrouded in coal fires?
Luke was also surprised, but quickly realized that many of the residents here were likely survivors who had relocated after the Silent Hill mining fire thirty years ago.
Alessa had once been a kind girl. Even after turning dark, she had only targeted those who had bullied her.
Most people had not been trapped in the inner and outer worlds. They had successfully left Silent Hill before the fire spread.
Silent Hill and New Silent Hill were similar to the relationship between New Orleans vs. Orleans.
Except the former had been driven out by flames and Alessa, while the latter had been relocated by people.
Luke added, "I mean the Silent Hill from thirty years ago."
Carrie paused. "You want to go to Old Silent Hill? But… the road leading there has been blocked."
"So, do you know how to get there?"
Luke didn't care whether there was a road or not. Paths could always be made by walking, and the first person to take a path only made it better.
"We need to go to Silent Hill to take care of something, but the navigation and maps haven't updated the route. So we need a reliable local to guide us."
"Carrie, can you help us?"
Carrie hesitated.
She probably did know how to get there.
But… she had to go home.
Her mother, Margaret, never allowed her to stay out late. She counted the seconds of Carrie's return, and if she was even a moment late, she would be scolded.
Carrie didn't want to go to that dark, terrifying prayer room.
It wasn't the closest place to the Lord.
To her, it felt more like hell.
"You don't want to? I thought we could become good friends. If you help us get to Silent Hill, I can help you as well. After all, friends help each other, don't they?"
When Luke said this, the corner of Madison's mouth twitched.
Such low-level manipulation.
No normal person would fall for it.
Forget it, she thought, I'll handle this.
Madison was just about to step in...
"Really?"
Carrie's eyes lit up.
"We can become friends who help each other?"
"Of course. As long as you're willing, we'll be the best of friends."
Luke nodded, his tone sincere.
Who said they wouldn't be?
Completely honest with each other—that was what friendship meant.
Carrie felt two opposing thoughts clash in her mind. One feared being scolded by her mother, while the other told her that if she had a true friend, she wouldn't need to be afraid of anyone—not even her mother.
She hesitated, until she met Luke's unwavering gaze.
"Carrie, sometimes you should be your true self. Live not for anyone else, but for yourself."
"This is only the first time. It won't be the last."
Carrie pursed her lips. In her mind, the darker voice overwhelmed the other.
"Okay, I'll help you! After all… you're my friend."
Carrie nodded firmly.
She had made her choice.
After making her decision, Carrie felt a sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, leaving her feeling unusually at ease.
And in her heart, she added: You are my first and only friend.
Carrie had never experienced being loved or cared for. She was willing to do something for her first friend.
It was just guiding the way. Even if her mother found out, what could she say?
After all, there wasn't just a man in the car—there were also three women.
Nothing bad would happen. It was only a few hours; she could return home soon.
Carrie set her bicycle by the roadside and timidly got into Bumblebee's back seat.
[Gained sincere recognition from Abnormal Target Carrie. Obtained 1000 (900+100) Anomaly Points.]
[Reality Editor upgraded to Version 5.2. Current Anomaly Points: 0 / 4300.]
Successfully gained another girl.
Luke began to understand why people said girls should be raised well.
Carrie was a textbook example. If Margaret hadn't treated her so harshly, it wouldn't have been so easy for him to gain her sincere recognition.
He hadn't even needed a luxury car or exceptional looks. As long as he spoke kindly and was willing to help, Carrie would follow him wholeheartedly in no time.
Girls who lacked affection were the easiest to win over.
Of course, such girls often came with other complications. Gaining their trust was easy, but dealing with their family later could be troublesome.
It was also easy to get into conflicts because of it.
But Luke wasn't worried at all. Margaret and those bullies were nothing. He wouldn't even need to act personally—sending Yulinka would be more than enough.
Does anyone understand the value of the triple advantage of high intelligence, being female, and youth?
Luke's mood became exceptionally pleasant. Taking a slight detour and picking up a beauty along the way—what good fortune.
Seeing Luke's sincere smile, Carrie felt happy as well.
So this is what friendship feels like… it's wonderful.
Carrie focused her attention, pushed thoughts of Margaret out of her mind, and diligently gave directions.
"Next, go straight, then turn right, then left. After reaching a fork in the road, take the left path…"
"Bumblebee, let's go!"
Vroom—vroom—vroom—!!
Bumblebee instantly accelerated, reaching two hundred yards per second in moments.
The rear windows rolled down as well.
That intense speed brought Carrie a completely new experience—something she had never felt before.
The car is so fast… it feels like flying!
At first, Carrie didn't dare open her eyes because of the rushing wind, but with Luke and Madison deliberately encouraging her, she slowly opened them and watched the mountains and trees blur past.
She couldn't help but scream, releasing much of the frustration and unhappiness buried in her heart.
The speed kept increasing. She was scared—but it was also exhilarating.
She didn't understand why she felt this way. It was as if some invisible restraint within her had loosened.
Unknowingly, Carrie began to fall in love with this rebellious, unrestrained sense of freedom.
When she looked toward the driver's seat, she saw Luke leaning back with his hands behind his head, completely at ease.
What a handsome posture.
Wait… something wasn't right.
Carrie froze for a moment, then her expression changed drastically.
Luke's hands weren't on the steering wheel at all. He was even sitting with his legs crossed, not touching the pedals.
So…
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah!!"
____
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