Policeman: Ya know. I hate when people deceive me. Especially kids. So I teach arrogant brats like you a lesson. Whether they like it or not~!

He then looked at Melody up and down before he sadistically licked his lips.

Melody's eyes went wide in horror as tears rip up in anguish with what he said next that raised alarm bells in her head.

Policeman: You have such beautiful
...soft skin~!

Melody: NO! STOP! STOP!!!!

He slapped her across the face and told her to shut up. She whimpered as he held her down and begin to reach for his zipper.

But suddenly...!

???: GET THE FUCK OFF HER!!!

Her eldest brother, who was supposed to be the cell in the other room comes charging and bashes the man with a large rock on his head.

This causes internal bleeding as the policeman screamed in pain before he blacked out next to her. Jake wasn't finished yet. In a blind fury, he grabbed the man and started punching him. After a couple of bashing.

The man's face started bleeding as Jake continued his rage of pain until Dudley and Tessa had to pull him away.

Tessa: Jake! That's enough!

Dudley: Calm down dude! It's over!

Jake: CALM DOWN?! I DON'T WANNA DOWN! THIS BASTARD DESERVES TO DIE!!!

Tessa: Jake! You're scaring Melody and Tommy!

That brought Jake out of his psychotic rage before turning to Tommy who was hiding behind Barry, not showing his face. He then turned to his sister, who still hasn't moved due to being in total shock.

Melody:.....

Jake: Melody?

Her older brother along with Tommy, Tessa, and Dudley stared at the scene in horror.

Tessa: Oh My God...

Dudley:....

Melody:....

Jake: Melody. It's okay. I'm here. We're here.

He moved but she flinched. Jake stared in shock when she moved away from him.

He then understand why...

Jake: Don't worry. He won't harm you again. We'll make sure of that.

Knowing she didn't want to be touched at the moment, Jake gets up and looks at Tessa.

They both had an silent agreement as Tessa tended to Melody while Jake and Dudley grabbed the bastard policeman then dragged him on over the cell where they can lock him up...and leave him there to rot.

Tessa: Melody. It's okay... It's okay...You're safe now.

Tessa held Melody in her arms as she begin to cry. She broke down in the older woman's arms.

Melody: *Broken* He...he tried too...he tried too...

Tessa:*Solemn* I know...I know...

Melody: I...I can't take it anymore. I don't want to stay in this town! This place is hell! It's evil! I want to go home!

Tessa: Melody...

The girl continued to cry as her youngest brother looked at them in confusion.

Tommy: Why is Melody crying? What did the mean Policeman do to her.

Melody flinched hearing that but didn't say a word. Tessa sighs before looking at the confused Tommy.

Tessa: He...almost did something a man should never ever do to a woman, Tommy.

Tommy: What...did he do?

Tessa:....Jake will tell you later...just not now. Right now. Your sister needs all the emotional support she can get.

Tommy only nodded as the other males came back into the room.

Jake: We left him in the cell. Come on...Let's go. We're running out of time.

The others didn't say a word as they all went back to the motel.

*Later*

Melody was now in her bed sleeping after all the crying she had poured from her eyes.

No one in the room could stand to see her in a emotional state. Tommy was nearby eating some of the leftovers Jake had brought for him the other day.

Since Tommy was out of the conversation. That left  Jake with Dudley and Tessa.

Dudley:...Will...She be okay?

Tessa: She needs rest...What happened with the guard...did Jake...

Jake: No...I didn't kill him. Though I wish I did.

Tessa: Jake!

Jake: He tried to rape my sister, Tessa! Police or not! He abused his authority and tried to have his way with her! Anyone like that purely deserves DEATH!

Dudley: Jake...

Jake:.....I don't care if I go to hell for killing a person. If it means protecting my siblings from them. I'll gladly do it! No one picks on them but ME!!!!

Tessa:....

The older woman made a smile hearing that.

Tessa: I'm actually...glad to hear that.

Jake: Huh?

Tessa: You proved it. You really do care about your younger siblings. When I first met you. I thought for sure you didn't care what would happen to them. But seeing how you reacted after all this time....even if it was an worst case scenario, you proven that you do care about them.

Jake:.....Of course I do...Even if they're obnoxious brats...I....I don't want nothing bad to happen to them.

Dudley: There's nothing wrong with caring about another person Jake. I mean...it takes trust to willing go through hell and back just to save the person you care about. And I'm sure you're siblings care about you too. But the thing is...they need to know that you care.

Jake:.....

Tessa: When we get out of this town. I believe you and your siblings have a lot of catching up to do.

Jake: Yeah...You guys remember what I explained about right.

Dudley: We only got one more day...until...

Tessa: This whole town goes down...

Dudley: I'm with you on this Jake. But there's one little problem. Can we really trust Howie with this information?

Jake groaned. Not this whole "mistrust with Howie" thing again.

Jake: Tbh, I...really don't know what to believe anymore. But it helps us get out. I'll gladly take what the old lady said. We can't...wait here any longer. What we saw in those mines...I don't want any of us to end up like them...

Tessa: Misty.....

Jake: Tessa...I'm not even sure if Misty is even among those bones because it looks like they been there for years. All I can say is...whatever happened to her now. All I can say is...We're on our own now. We can't waste anymore time...

Tessa:.....Yeah. You're right.

Tessa was clenching her fist on her pants. Both men knew she didn't want to admit but maybe...it really was too late to save Misty.

Whatever happened to her now. She couldn't do nothing about it.

Tessa: Or...maybe...

Jake: Tessa?

Tessa: Oh...Nothing. Nothing. I'm going to turn in for now. I'll see you all in morning. We will leave this place. I'm sure of it.

Jake: Yeah! Me too!

Dudley: Mhm!

Tessa: See you boys later. Jake. Look after Melody for me. Okay?

Jake raised an eyebrow at that.

Jake: Umm...Okay?

Tessa made an strange smile before she left the siblings room.

Jake: What was...that all about.

Dudley: I don't know dude....Anyway. I guess I turn in.

Jake: Where do you even sleep?

Now that he mentioned it. He really doesn't know where Dudley would crash at for the night. He managed to meet the guy a couple of days ago. But he doesn't know where he lives for the time being.

Dudley: Don't worry. I'm a couple of houses down. Small red pent house. You can't miss it. Once the morning comes. Be sure to pick me up. Later!

Dudley then leaves as well...thus the only remaining residents in the room were the siblings.

Tommy: Big Bro...?

Jake: Yes...?

Tommy: I...overheard your conversation. What's...rape?

Jake felt his heart pummeled into his stomach over the word. Almost feeling absolute disgust before turning to Melody. She was still fast asleep. Thank God.

Jake: Well...Tommy...Rape is a word that people should not use because it's horrible. Rape is...what people do when they sexually assault someone who isn't ready to have intercourse yet.

Tommy:......Oh....

Jake: Yeah. Oh. It's an horrible feeling. What that policeman tried to do to our sister. That was...ya know...But luckily, she managed to get out of that situation before it was too late. Fucking bastard...He better be lucky I didn't kill him. But if we ever run into him again, I just might reconsider.

Tommy:...

Jake: Tommy... promise me...don't ever do what that man tried to do to our sister. It is wrong and unforgivable. People who do stuff like that deserve to be locked up.

Tommy: I promise Big Bro...But why would he do it if she didn't want it?

Jake: Because the world is cruel. People are sick in the head Tommy. They take their aggression out on others without no remorse. Judging with what's going on this town. It's bringing out the monsters in these people.

Tommy: Does...that explain why they're trying to kill us.

Jake: Yeah....Maybe...

Tommy:....

Jake: Just saying no or don't won't stop them...crime and murder will soon happen. Tbh, it can happen anywhere...

Tommy:....Horrible...

Jake: Yeah...Okay. Let's stop talking about this. For Melody.

Tommy: Okay...

Jake: Let's just finish up some food and try to get some sleep. We got a big day tomorrow.

Tommy: Yeah. We meet up with Howie and his Grandmother. Then we finally leave.

Jake: Yep...oh. I almost forgot.

Jake pulled out the protective charm and hanged the dreamcatcher onto his door.

The eldest brother hope that will truly protect them for the night.

*Later*

Jake couldn't sleep. For some reason...he couldn't. He looked over at his siblings. Tommy was fast knocked out while Melody was still fast asleep from her horrific experience.

Jake: Melody...Tommy...Can I really be able to protect you guys?

He wasn't strong like most guys but he could able to handle his own. But protecting people wasn't really something he was used too. Especially if it meant you had to be cautious around other people for the rest of your life. Jake hated that feeling...but for his siblings...He never thought he would experienced it first hand.

Jake:....

Suddenly, almost like a psychic he felt a presence. He looked around his room but didn't see nobody.

Fearing it could be another paranormal activity. Jake turned his phone, hold it as a flashlight, and scanned the room.

....

Nothing.

He didn't see anything.

Jake: Maybe it was just my imagination....hell what am I talking about such wishful thinking. Hmm...?

He stopped at his door and got out of bed.

That's when he noticed something on the ground at the edge of the door.

Jake: A letter...from whom?

He carefully opened up the letter and begin to read it...

....

He couldn't believe it.

"I can't take it anymore. Sorry guys but I'm at my limit. I can't stop thinking about her. So I'm going to go look for Misty. Don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll be a little late so see you all in the morning!"

Jake couldn't help but get angry and upset knowing who the sender was.

So this is what she meant by look after Melody.

This town wants to kill them! They made it perfectly clear! They're not safe afterdark anymore!!!

You gotta be kidding me. She's putting herself in danger! They just talked about this!

Jake: Are you fucking serious, Tessa?!