Joshua Shepherd
From Silent Hill Wiki
| “ | Alex...(laughs)
- To Alex, in his nightmare. | ” |
Joshua is Alex's brother and only sense of stability after what has happened to his mother and father. But with Alex's return he somehow disappears, leaving Alex to find him, hoping not to lose the one last thing he cherishes. Joshua continues a tradition just as Cheryl from Silent Hill and Mary from Silent Hill 2, as being the lost loved one the main character sets out to find. Joshua is about 9 years old.
Personality
Despite the partial favoritism of his parents and the age difference, it is implied that Josh and Alex got along rather well. However their differential treatment eventually affects both of them, Joshua feeling more guilt and Alex resentment. Josh accepts the treatment and orders given to him and remains the center of attention in the family, as well as befriends the other children of Shepherd's Glen.
The Josh that Alex chases through Shepherd's Glen and Silent Hill behaves differently, however. Aside from constantly running from Alex he shows hesitation to interacting with him in any way, even when Alex brings the toy he asks for. He is also usually absorbed in drawing and hiding.
Role in Silent Hill Homecoming
Josh plays a key figure as Alex's main focus for the majority of the game. Although Alex does find him in various locations, he is constantly running away from Alex, forcing him to give chase and find out what exactly has happened in Shepherd's Glen.
Josh also leaves behind various clues in the form of photos and drawings, scattered throughout the game and usually hidden in some way.
Nearing the end of the game, as nothing is revealed of Josh's status previously, Alex learns that he has been deceased the entire time. The figure of Josh that Alex constantly chases is actually a manifestation of the guilt Alex feels, and his repressed memories beginning to surface (somewhat similar to Silent Hill 2's Pyramid Head or Maria). If one takes notice, no other character mentions Josh's status, or answers Alex's inquiries about where he is (his mother simply states that she misses him).
Josh's death was the main plot driver in the game, but it isn't revealed how he died until the end. The curse that befalls Shepherd's Glen began when Alex inadvertently causes Joshua's death, as he was not meant to be sacrificed like Alex. From the shock of his death Alex enters a state of denial and is later institutionalized for becoming mentally unstable. Upon realizing all this Alex faces Amnion, the manifestation of Josh's spirit and death, and finally makes amends for what he has done.
Gallery
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| Characters in Silent Hill: Homecoming | |
|---|---|
| Main Characters | |
| Minor Characters | |
