*Melody's Pov*

Howie led the boys and I towards the mining settlement. We're close...we're so close to finally leaving this awful place...

I will never the traumatic experiences I went through at this place no matter how much I wish I did.

Howie: Back then...A settler had stumbled upon a rich set of gold to create Dustville, which used to be a village and had moved here with other three sets of Indian and Native American families. Thus, the families were the tribe that worked together to established Dustville. So for them, the mountains were sacred.

Tommy: Wow...

Hmm, I shouldn't be surprised that Dustville is a mining town.

Mining communities are usually created around a mine or a quarry that would offer to give miners a home to live in.

Or at least a mining camp for them to stay at.

Oh well, at least it let's them focus on work.

Howie: Yeah...Over the years, more people started residing in the town and soon dispute between others happend...people who were rich wanted to have direct control over the town. When the order was refused, they then accused the Indians of stealing gold.

Me: Oh....

Howie: Bad things happend after that. But I can't foreclose too much information.

Jake: Alright....

He then stopped and moved out of the way to show us a large cave. This must be the entrance to the mines.

Howie: Well...We're here...As far as I'm concerned...this is something that only my tribe knows...

Me: Your tribe?

Jake: Now that mentioned it, you did say "your people" earlier...Howie, is it possible...that the tribe that was killed off centuries were...

Howie gave an solemn nod to us. I guess he's finally coming clean with us.

Howie: Yes...that native American tribe were my ancestors. ..in order to stop the Oasis Syndrome...you must make a offering to the gods. So there...in the mining settlement, the shrine should be in the underground caverns. You must find it and appeased this town. That way...the sins that have been committed in this town...will finally be erased.

Tommy: Erased?

Me: Well...if this actually works... What's going to happen to this town?

Howie: It doesn't matter anymore...

Jake: I...see...

So that's why he wanted us to do this. It's because his ancestors were part of the ancient tribe. Why didn't I realized this earlier?

Howie pulled out a rusty key and gave it to us...

Jake took the key from him and we walked together into the mines. Howie following close behind as Tommy pulled out the flashlight for us to see more better.

Howie: A lot of things were hoarded up in the mines. Lot of people say that the gold wasn't enough because the mine barely gave any and there were constant animal attacks. Soon enough, there were giant bugs and monsters appearing. People started to believe the town was curse due to massacre of the Native American Tribe.

Jake: They can only blame themselves for starting this shit.

Both me and Tommy nodded while Howie sighed a little but it looks like he also agreed.

Me: Let's get searching for that shrine.

After a couple minutes of searching, we all noticed it was strange that so far we haven't been attacked. There were no monsters, insane people, or cultist trying to come and kill us....but none of dare spoke to word scared that would probably jinx us.

I wondered why though...Hmmm...

We managed to stumbled upon a large gate door.

Jake: Is this it?

Howie: I believe so...The shrine shouldn't be too far away.

Tommy: We're so close to getting home.

Me: Yeah...and putting a end to this nightmare.

Howie: Such a shame this little adventure has to be cut short. But...I'm glad. With your help, now my ancestors can finally find peace.

Jake: Yeah. Thanks for the help, Howie? One more question, how do we perform a ritual.

Howie: That's easy...all you need is-?!

*POW*

A loud sound broke through the mines as Howie fell to the ground holding his wounded shoulder. Blood started pouring out from his wound.

Oh God...He been shot!!!

Howie: *Groans*...

Jake: HOWIE!

Tommy: W-Who did that?!

???: Me~!

We all grew pale except for Howie as we turned out heads to see Dudley with a sadistic grin on his face while holding a revolver.

Jake: D-Dudley...?!

I hid behind Jake and Tommy did the same. Jake held the injured Howie as Dudley held us all there on the spot at gun point.

Dudley: Ha! I finally caught up to you all~! I'm ending things here...tonight!

Jake: Dudley! Stop! We just want to leave! What do you have aganist us?!

Dudley: Ha! Sorry Jake. I really don't want to kill you nor your siblings...but you got in the way of my work...thanks to you all still being alive. I can't get paid! So I'm soooooo fucking pissed!

Tommy: *Whimpers*

Dudley: Plus, you all know too much. I'm sure it's understandable now that you can't be kept alive.

He point the gun at us again...his sadistic grin grew wider.

Dudley: Now...which one of you want to die first?!

He points the gun at Jake...then Tommy...then Me...Then Howie...

Dudley: Hmm...Eeny, meeny, miny, moe~! Catch a tiger by it's toe! If it squeals. Don't let it go...instead kill it.

Jake point his own gun at Dudley.

Jake: Dudley! Enough of this already! Just let us go!

Dudley: I don't think so~! Like I said. You all know too much about my work and what's going on in Dustville. You need to die Jake. You and your siblings. Besides, albinos like you don't even live too long~!

Jake:....

Dudley: Put the gun down Jake. It's too late for any of you. You can't save your siblings. You can't save yourself. Why bother caring now. You didn't before. You're useless, friendless, lonely. Melody acts like she's smart but in the end, she's just uneducated bitch that looks at a stupid app called Wattpad all day and Tommy is a fucking crybaby who sooo annoying! Do you really anybody even wants you kids back? Even your parents?

Me:....

Tommy:....

Is this...really it...?

Every hurtful thing he said...

Is this all that fate has in store for us. Because we're albinos...are we really...destined to die here.

Howie:...Not unless I have something to say about that.

To our surprise, despite being fatally wounded. Howie gets up and charged at Dudley who didn't get enough time to shoot him again. The two man then started fighting.

Jake took this has an opportunity to shoot Dudley in the gut who screamed in agony.

Dudley: GAAAAH!!! You little shit!

He punched Howie away and glared at Jake.

Howie: Jake! Hurry! Get your siblings out of here! I'll hold him off!

Dudley: Back off you! They're mine! They're coming with me whether they like it or not!

Howie: I don't think so...

Despite both of them bleeding heavily, they both started attacking each other.

Jake: Howie...

Howie: What are you standing around for! Hurry up and run! Jake! The rest is up to you, Melody, and Tommy! Put an end to this horrific tale! For everyone!

Jake:...Right!

Tommy: Mr. Howie!

Me: Tommy...We have to go!

Tommy: But...!

Me: LET'S GO! NOW!

The three of us pulled the gate door opened and ran inside as Howie sacrificed himself to protect us. I can't believe it. He actually...helped us...

Howie...Why?

....

*BAM*

I heard a gunshot echoed behind us. Jake looked back in horror. Tommy did too.

We already knew what that meant.

.....He didn't stand a chance....

Jake: Howie...

Me: Hurry. We have to go!

We can do this...for Howie...For Tessa...For Misty!

With no more doubts filling our hands, we moved forward into the caves to find the shrine.

Dudley: Jake~! Melody~! Tommy~!

No...No!

We turned our heads again to see Dudley who was covered in blood catching up to us!

Jake: Quick! There's a door! Hurry!

We all ran inside and locked the door.

*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*

Dudley: OPEN THIS DOOR!

Jake: Fuck you!

Me: Go eat a dick ya psycho bastard!

Dudley: I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!!!!!!

Suddenly, we all heard a low growling sound behind the door where Dudley was at which made him stop screaming.

Dudley: What the...? Who the hell are you?!

*GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWL*

Dudley: What the hell?! Stay back! STAY BACK!!!

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"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!"

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After Dudley's scream full of bloody murder...all we could hear now...was silence.

......

Jake: Is Dudley...?

Tommy:.....Dead?

Me:....I believe so...I heard a low growling sound...which means...

Even though Dudley is gone...but that doesn't means it's all over for us. Judging from his screams...that meant only one thing. The monsters of the town are beginning to enter the caverns...

Not Good...