*Jake's Pov*

I messaged Dudley that we managed to find Tommy. Strange. Even though this damn town don't have no reception, we can still message people...only if they're within the radar...He messaged me back saying he was relieved to know that he was alright.

I asked him to meet us back in the Dusty Motel. But he said he got some things to do.

Though he did apologies about earlier.

"Yeah. Sorry about what happened back there. I supposed your brother running away was my fault because I pressured you guys into going back to that Warehouse. Guess the little tyke couldn't take it anymore being in this town. Tbh, I don't blame him nor your sister for wanting to leave."

Me: Don't worry about it for now, Dude. You do your part. We'll do ours. I'll meet up with Tessa to see what's the holdup with her car...

Dudley: She still worried about Misty?

Me: Even if she isn't showing it, I can tell.

Dudley: Can't blame her either. If I had someone whom I known for so long go missing, I would personally tear down this whole entire town, every nook and cranny just to find them.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at that even though I know he sounded serious.

Dudley: Hey...tell me, Jake. Take it too personal...but...would you do the same if it was your siblings?

I frown at that. I know he wasn't trying to start anything. But still hearing that question had made me tighten my hold on the phone.

Me: Yes. I would. As much as those two brats annoy me. I...can't imagine myself in a world without them.

Dudley:....

Me: I'll see you later dude.

Dudley: Yeah. See ya. Good luck on your search.

Me: You too! TYL.

We stopped messaging each other after a couple of minutes. I took a deep breath trying to hold in all my frustrations at the moment.

So let's see...

It's been three days since we been abandoned...

I have no idea where our parents are...?

We came to this stupid godforsaken town with people acting like a bunch of weirdos.

Though, we did met Dudley, Tessa, Howie, and his Grandma. So I wouldn't say this situation isn't all that bad...

.....No scratch that...this situation is bad.

Tessa's friend Misty is missing and it's accurate that the people of this town has something to do with it.

The local legends Dudley talked about.

Ghosts, Satanists, Monster Sightings...

The people here staying silent acting like nothing is wrong.

If we don't get out of here before the week is over...

Who knows what happend to us...

We're running out of time. We only have four days left...

We need to hurry up and stop playing around...

I turned to my siblings seeing Melody calming down the depressed Tommy, who held Barry closed to him in his arms.

Melody: Have you controlled yourself now?

The little boy nodded though he was still sniffling.

Tommy: I-I'm okay now...

Melody: Good. Because we can't have you bailing out on us just yet. We'll find a way out of this town, Tommy. Just trust us.

Tommy: Okay...

He sounded so weak and quiet saying that. Just looking at him now made him feel so small and meek.

...We have to get out of here. We can't continue sitting around waiting for something to happen. Plus, with that monster on the loose and the people here acting all crazy. We ain't got no choice.

Me: We'll make it. Don't worry, Tommy. No one's going to hurt as long as I'm around.

Tommy: Jake...

Melody: So what do we do now?

Me: Let's start by getting something to eat first then begin our investigation later. There's something this town has to offer.

*Later*

After getting something to eat from the store, the only food we were able to get to were a couple bags of chips, drinks, and box of cereal...without milk.

We made it back in the motel with annoyance crossing our features.

Melody: I can't believe the nerve of that store owner. He almost gave us expired milk!

Tommy: I-It's like he hates us.

I decided to go with Dudley's theory about us being outsiders is the reason why the people here are treating us poorly.

Me: Do you think he put it there on purpose...because we're outsiders to this town?

Melody: I wouldn't put it past that. Because he should have a couple of milk cartons still good.

Me:....Anyway. We got a couple of items now...We ate a few so let's begin.

Melody: Where should we start...

Me: There are plenty of areas. Back then we first came here, when I was out and about. I did see a couple of houses nearby. I think they're evicted. So we could check those out. Like from Dudley's stories about this town being haunted. We can look at a few sites away from prying eyes. Such as the library...or maybe a graveyard.

Tommy: G-G-Graveyard? You mean a place where people die?!

Me: Would you whether take your chances back at the Warehouse?

Tommy shook his head no.

Me: Good...Okay...So which places do you guys want to start first?

Melody: Hmmmm...I would say the library...but something about those houses you mentioned had pique my interest. I say we should go check them out.

Tommy: I second that. Barry also agrees! Maybe we'll some clues.

Melody: Anything that we'll probably either give Tessa closure about Misty's disappearance or a way out of here.

Me: Heh. You had me at 'A way out of here'.

Melody: But wait. Even if those houses are evicted. Shouldn't they have any keys to open the locks to them.

Oh shit. She's right. Now that I think about it. How are we going to find any keys lying around. They're not just going to magically appear.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Me: Huh?

We turned our heads to the door. Curious. I went on over to the peephole but didn't see anything.

Melody: Who is it?

Tommy: Is it Mr. Dudley or Miss Tessa.

Me: No. It can't be them. They're both busy with their own problems.

Tommy: T-Then whose out there? The lady at the desk?

Me: No. We haven't heard from her in awhile.

Now that think about it, where is she...? Isn't it her job to keep a close eye on her tenants? Where the hell did she go?

Realizing that no one they're familiar with was at the door, both of them were set on edge.

Melody: I'm scared....

Afraid that their could be a trap, I reach for the kitchen knife nearby on the table and swiftly opened up the door.

Me: Eh?

Again. I didn't see nobody.

However I heard footsteps and turned to my right to see a familiar person with tan skin and grey hoodie walking down the stairs.

Melody: Was that...Howie?

Both my siblings were right behind me. They must've saw Howie's figure before he vanished down the stairs.

Tommy: What was he doing here?

I wished I knew...

I then felt something near my feet. I looked down to see a pair of three keys. I picked them up to examined them....

They were house keys...

The very things we were looking for.

Me: What the...?

How did Howie had them...and furthermore, why would he give them to us...?

Is he...actually helping us?

Or is there more to it. Or is he leading us to what could be a trap...

Howie...even if you're a person who lives in this town...

Can we really trust you?