*Third's Pov*

After pulling Tommy up from the caverns. All three siblings hugged one another for what almost feel like they been separated for years.

Tommy cried in their arms before explaining what he saw in the cave he fell in.

Melody's face turned to aghast and upset learning that the creature that hunted her earlier in now on the prowl through the mines.

Jake remained indifferent. However, he was surprised and startled to see that Tommy had received another clue about Misty's whereabouts.

They couldn't pressed on for more answers because the sun was going down and nighttime was going to hit soon.

Seeing that they had wasted so much time trying to get Tommy out of the cave. The siblings returned to the Dusty Motel.

There they had called for Dudley and Tessa to come see them so they could discuss what had happened.

To their surprise, another guest was at their door waiting for them with an impassive expression.

Jake: Howie?

Howie: Jake. I see that you and your siblings are still in this town...

Jake: Sadly...Yes...But we're not giving not so soon. We're going to get out of here. Guaranteed.

Howie only nodded though the way he remained standing at their door made the siblings more suspecious of his motives.

For instance, they were still wondering why him of all people gave them those keys.

Where did he get them? How long had he had them? Also...was he aware of what went down in those homes earlier?

Furthermore, why was he here in the first place...?

Jake: Why are you here? I thought you didn't want to be around strangers.

Howie: That usually depends on what situation anyone could be in. Besides, I...need to tell you all something.

Melody: Hmmm?

Tommy:....

Jake: Okay. We'll let you in for a few minutes. Right now, we're waiting for Dudley and Tessa to show up. We all need to talk.

Melody: Exactly. We have so many things to discuss.

Howie: I see...Alright. I can wait.

After a few minutes had passed, both Dudley and Tessa had showed up. Now that they were all together. It felt strange for some reason to Jake. The eldest sibling had noticed Dudley was staring at Howie with an immense expression. Oh that's right...the two haven't gotten to know each other yet. Since both men haven't met until now, Jake had introduced them to each other.

Jake: Dudley. This is Howie. We mentioned him a while ago. Howie. This is Dudley...another outlander like us.

Dudley: Heeeey! That introduction was terrible!

Jake: Sorry. I'm just not in the fucking mood right now because my little brother almost got attacked by the same monster back in the warehouse.

Melody:....

Tessa:....

Both girls shuddered at the mentioned of the monster. Not wanting to stay too long through the tense atmosphere, Howie shook Dudley's hand to show no hostile behavior despite the latter being an outsider.

Howie: Nice to meet you.

Dudley:....Likewise.

Tessa: *Eyebrow Raised* Hmm?

Melody: Anyway. Back to business. So what did everyone found out on their end?

Tessa: Straight to the point, I see. Okay...well...I went to go see about my car back at the shop. But here's the strangest thing...Once I got there. I repeatedly knocked on their door asking what was taking so long...but then I noticed their door was open...

Jake: And...?

Tessa:...I walked inside...and I noticed the entire shop was empty. Not only was my car gone but mechanic who was supposed to be fixing it is missing as well.

Jake: Dafaq?

Howie:....

Dudley: Well damn...

Tessa: Dudley! Not in the front of the kids!

Dudley: Oh! Sorry!

Tommy:...

Jake: So you're serious. They just up and vanished. Along with your car?

Tessa: Yeah! It's so strange! Where did they put it?!

Melody: (Great...just great! Now how are we supposed to get out of here!/)!)

Dudley: Seriously... there's no way out...

Jake: What about you? What happened on your end?

Dudley: No updates. So far. I still haven't found a way to hitch a ride. I just been searching around town on a wild goose chase.

Tessa: Did you see anything? What about the scorpions and spiders?

Howie: They're still all over the desert road. They won't leave until mating season is over.

Melody: Gross...how long will that be...

Howie: For about another week or two.

Hearing that made everyone feel on edge. They can't stay another week. Not while there's a looming threat roaming around this town!

They have to get out of here soon!

Melody: Ugggh...How are we going to get out of here. There's no cell phone service. No cars. No trucks. We can't even leave on foot not while those scorpions and spiders still running around.

Dudley: So we're basically sitting ducks.

Tessa:....This is just not our week.

Dudley:....Well...I still haven't found any cars yet like I said. I'll look again tomorrow.

Tessa: Same here. I'll find those jerks for what they did to my car! This isn't even a joke anymore....

She sounded really serious. No one can blame her. First her best friend disappears, now her car. Plus, the people here are acting really suspecious.

Tessa: And here I thought we would find Misty and finally get out of here.

Jake: Don't be anxious. We'll find a way out soon. Plus, we could be close to Misty sooner than expected.

Tessa gave him a confused look wondering what he meant by that. Jake then looked at his siblings giving them the signal to pull out the items they found.

Melody pulls out the diary of Misty Brooks that they found in the second evicted home while Tommy did the same with the ring to which he found in the caverns.

Tessa's eyes went wide.

Tessa: T-These are...Misty's...!

Jake: We found them on our search. According for what we learned. It's true that Misty was definitely abducted.

Tessa: No...I can't believe this...

Melody: Sorry but it's the truth. We found her diary in one of the abandoned homes not too far away. She must've been held hostage there for a little while until her kidnappers moved her to a new location. After we forcefully separated from Tommy. He managed to stumbled upon her ring in the caverns...which means...

Tessa:....They could holding her somewhere down here...

Dudley:...

Jake: But the question is...how are we going to get back down there? The gaping hole was enough to fit Tommy...

Melody:...But he's too scared Jake. The monster was down here. We can't put him at risk again.

Tommy: *Nods*...

Melody: Plus, I don't want to go face to face with that creature again either.

Jake: Yeah you're right. Sorry. I wasn't thinking.

Howie: Wait...Creature...What are you guys talking about?

The quiet Howie looked at everyone confused until Jake begin to explain the monster his siblings and Tessa saw along with the paranormal experiences they've been seeing for the past few days. Finally, stopping at the point with what they all come within contact today.

Howie's expression turned to mixture of shock and alarmed.

Howie: I...see....

Melody: You don't believe us, do you?

Howie:....Actually. That's the opposite.

Tessa: Pardon?

Dudley: Now that I think about it.

The eldest male in the room turned to Howie with a suspecious glance.

Dudley: According to Jake, you were the one who gave them those keys to the houses right. One of them that contain the dead body he mentioned and Misty Brooks' diary. Now how about you start explaining how you had those keys...

Howie:...

Dudley: Are you involved with what's going on?

Howie: No. I was just in the neighborhood. I heard you needed help so I provided support.

Hearing this only irked Dudley and he shouted.

Dudley: That doesn't explain how you had those keys!!!

Jake: Dudley!

Tessa: Look dude! Calm down! You have a point there but casting suspension upon others will make things worst!

Dudley:....My apologies.

Melody:...Howie...You said you had something to tell us, right?

Howie: Yes I did...I do owe you guys a real answers...

Everyone:...

Howie: Remember the day you all met my Grandma. What did she said you to guys?

Jake: She said...Strangers don't last here.

Howie: Well she's correct. If you guys don't leave within a few days. I can't comprehend what fate will be in stored for you.

Dudley: Is that a threat?!

Tessa: Hold on. Let him finish!

Howie: Thing is...I haven't been entirely truthful once I met you guys. But I can prove that I am an ally on your side. But due to tradition I can't always help you.

Jake:...

Howie: The thing is...I know what's going on with this town. It happens once a year during the summer. You picked an horrible time to come to this town.

Melody: Hmmm?

Tommy: What?

Tessa: What happens once every year during the summer?

Howie: A plague...

Hearing that made everyone's eyes went wide.

Howie: The sudden disappearances, the creature, satanic rituals. Everything you said makes sense....
Once there a full moon of Dustville. A plague would spread everywhere...turning it's inhabitants into monsters.

Jake: ....What?

Melody: Excuse me?

Tessa: A plague?!

Dudley:....

Tommy: W-What do you mean by that?

Howie gave them all a solemn look.

Howie: Everyone...You must know...this town...the land is cursed. If you don't leave in about 2-3 days...

"Then The Oasis Syndrome Will Come And Claim You..."