June and Sarah stood at the edge of the driveway, both of them looking down at the GPS on the phone that said the house was right here. They looked up at the house again, a small shack in the middle of the woods that looked insanely on brand for what they were having to try and do.

"Are you sure about this?" Sarah asked, her head turning to June who was staring at the house. They were a good distance away, the long dirt driveway putting about a block between the car and the house. June nodded, looking to the car where Cleo and Kie were sitting.

"Yeah we have to do this."

"Alright well...it least the house isn't creepy." Sarah said sarcastically, taking steps towards the house. June was quick to fall into step with her, her head shaking as she commented on that.

"It can never been a nice sunny little beach house. It's always some scary place in the middle of the woods." The two of them were visibly tense, Junes head turning every which way to check on their surroundings. As they approached the front June gave Sarah a nod, the girl calling Kie and June starting the recording on her own phone. She put it in her back pocket, her hand brushing against the gun as she was quickly reminded of its presence.

"Knock." Sarah said as they stood in front of the door. June gave her a look like she was insane, shaking her head at the girl and exclaiming.

"No way! You knock!" She said in a whisper yell, gesturing towards the door. Sarah quickly shook her head, immediately pointing out the reason why she should knock.

"No this was your idea. You knock." June gave her a glare and Sarah returned it, her hand going to hip. However June soon let out a defeated breath, turning towards the door and muttering something under her breath about the creepy place.

June warily lifted her hand to the door, her knuckles hesitantly connecting with the wood. After knocking three times she retracted her hand, running her fingers over her knuckles and letting out a nervous breath. There was complete silence between them, not even the utterance of a breath as she waited impatiently for whether or not someone would come to the door. Their heart rates spiked when they heard the sound of footsteps on the other side of the door, June feeling panic flood her lungs and clog her airway as she realized someone was going to answer.

Through the  small glass window in the door June could see  the side of a man's head, her stomach turning in nervousness as she saw the doorknob turn. When the door opened they both let out the breath they were holding, frozen in the spot as they looked at the man in front of them. He was tall, at least 6 feet, on the older side...at least 50. His black hair had streaks of grey in it and he was wearing jeans and a flannel, both of the girls figuring that he looked like any other 50 year old man. He looked between the two of them and pulled his hand towards his mouth, taking a drag of a lit cigarette. Junes nose scrunched up as the smoke blew out towards them, both of them fighting the urge to cough as the cloud filled their own lungs.

"Yeah?" The man said in a gruff voice, the two girl refraining from turning back and going back to the car. Junes determination to find the key led her to speak,  her fist balling at her side as she attempted to turn on her irresistible charm.

"Are you Thomas Mallory?" June asked in a questioning tone, Sarah side eyeing her and then directing her gaze back at the man. Junes eyes burned into his skin relentlessly and the man narrowed his eyes, leaning against the door frame with his body.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" He already seemed skeptical of their presence, and June knew she surely had to make a good excuse as to why they were here. Sarah searched her brain for some reason other than the fact that they were looking for that key, both of them reading the situation in the same way. However before Sarah could come up with something  good enough to say, June was already speaking.

"We're here with because our community outreach club at the high school assigned us to you." Sarah went with it immediately,  attempting to not look too surprised about Junes quickness. The March girl put on a winning smile, her hands clasping in front of her as she kept on with the lie. "Your name was on a signup sheet, so we get to come out here and spend an hour here with you. Can we come in air?"

Sarah was still frozen as she looked at the man, his gaze shifting to her.  He had a questioning look in his eyes, Sarah finally breaking into a  smile and nodding at him. His gaze flickered between the two of them, pulling the cigarette back to his mouth and taking another drag. His eyes went back to June and dropped over her, a sick feeling in her stomach as he did the same to Sarah. A deep guttural
dread filled her when he pushed the door open,  nodding his head and moving out of the doorway.  Her stomach dropped as she realized it was time to actually enter his home, her smile almost faltering as she walked through the doorway.

It was 20 degrees warmer in the home, the aroma of cigarette smoke and man musk making her breathe through her mouth instead. He closed the door behind the two girls, walking past them and leading them to a dining table in the small home. The place wasn't dirty, just someplace that a 50 year old man would live.

"It's Tom by the way." June looked at the table and  then at the man as he spoke, Tom leaning against the doorframe of the dining room. He had ashed his cigarette along the way, both girls happier that it was out. June gave him a smile that said she was polite, Sarah standing by her and struggling with the smile a bit. June could see the strange look in his eye and she was far from sure of what it was, whether it was skepticism or something else.  "You ladies want a drink or something?"

"What do you have?" Sarah asked, the corner of the mans mouth lifting for only a second before he started into his kitchen.  There was a wall dividing them,  June unable to see the man through it. He started calling out options from the kitchen but June and Sarah were mouthing frantic words at each other, both of them uneasy about being in the man's home. Sarah was saying t hey should leave but June was insinuating that they search the place without him knowing, Sarah refusing to do this.

"What school did you girls say you were from?!" He said in a questioning voice from the kitchen, Junes stomach dropping as he started.

"The high school." Sarah replied, June hitting her in the arm as she realized how suspicious that answer seemed . There was a pause and then he replied, June gesturing towards the hallway with her hand and trying to get Sarah to go.

"Right...you know I don't remember signing up for community outreach."

"You don't have to sign up. Someone can refer you too." He returned into the room with two bottle of water, Junes explanation seeming to making quick sense. Sarah nodded and June could tell the man was still skeptical, her stomach turning as she tried to keep ahead of her lie. She let out a uncomfortable chuckle, taking the water from his hand and tilting her head to the side with an uneasy smile. "My friend needs a bathroom...can she use yours?"

"Of course. Second door on the left in the hallway." Tom said, his eyes flickering to Sarah.

"Thanks." The Cameron girl thanked. She headed down the hallway and disappeared into the bathroom, June hoping she could be stealthy about sneaking around the house. She looked back at the man with a smile, taking a seat so she was facing the hallway and then turning her chair so he had no choice but to sit with his back to it. He took a seat, leaning against the table with his elbow and then speaking.

"So what's your name?"

"I'm sorry?" June asked, almost as if she didn't hear him. Her stomach was in knots as she directed all of her attention on him, his questioning eyes burning holes into her skin.

"Your name? You never introduced yourself." He said obviously, June acting apologetic and quickly getting along with introducing herself and Sarah.

"Oh...sorry about that. This is my first time doing this. I'm Jessie and she's Emily." She knew telling him their real names probably wouldn't be the best thing, and while their faces had been plastered all over town the past few months, he seemed none the wiser when he nodded his head. She wanted to let out a relieved sigh when he changed the subject, her stomach unknotting.

"So what do you do in community outreach? How far are you reaching?" He took a sip of the beer he had brought back for himself, June watching it all the way to his mouth. She watched him swallow it, blinking a few times at the bobbing Adams apple and then attempting to put together an answer.

"Just spend some time with people and get to know them. Like you...what do you do?" While occupying his time for a search she was hoping that she could also get some info on him, there was a lot she wanted to know.

"I used to work in Charleston, and then I worked near the water and for some time as a uh...security guard. Did a lot of stuff like that for about 20 years in the same position. Retired last year with some decent money, I mean I'm 53 and retired already so I'm not complaining." She feigned shock, leaning forwards and pushing some hair behind her ear as she attempted to charm him.

"Wow you're 53? That's much older than I would've pegged you for." His eyes traced over her face and he managed a strange smile, taking a sip of his drink and gesturing towards her.

"How old did you think I was?"

"45 maybe...nothing over 50." June said, letting out a short chuckle as she kept with the shocked exaltation. His eyebrows raised and he shook his head, June noting that this was definitely working.

"Really? And uh...how old are you?" Her stomach dropped as he asked, June pretty sure she knew why he was asking. Creepy houses in the woods held creepy men.

"Turning 18 in September."

"Ah okay." He seemed pleased with her answer, his eyes dropping over her again much to Junes dismay. However she was sure maybe she could sweet talk some info out of him, maybe somehow get him to tell them where the key is.

"So whats working on a boat like?" She asked, the man smile immediately dropping as she said it. His eyes narrowed again and he answered her, June wondering what she had done wrong.

"I never said I worked on a boat." The memory of Pope telling her that he was a deckhand made her blind with knowledge, the girl realizing she had revealed too much. However she went with it, knowing this is something she could easily get out of.

"You said you worked on the water." She said, the man sitting back and taking another sip of his beer. He struggled to believe her innocence act, June looking curiously at him as she tried to forge her own point home.

"I said I worked near the water. Not on it."

"I must've misheard." June said, an apologetic look on her face as she leaned towards him. He seemed to ease up but only for a moment because the second after she leaned forwards there was aloud thump from down the hallway, Junes eyes shifting to the hall where she couldn't see anything but darkness. The man also turned his head, his eyes now holding an incredibly suspicious gaze as he looked back at June.

"Your friend okay back there?"

"I'm sure she's fine. You should tell me about your old job." June tried to get back on track, but she could tell by the man's expression that something had changed. He wasn't believing her anymore, and she wasn't sure why.

"Uh give me one minute...I have something in the oven." June could see the distrust in his eyes, the decision behind them that she was unsure about. He stood from the table and walked towards the kitchen, the second he disappeared out of view giving her the headway to run down the hall and retrieve Sarah. She checked the bathroom first but she wasn't in there, June hurrying to the next door and pushing it open. This seemed to be the bedroom, the Cameron girl on all fours beside the nightstand, her head turning rather quickly when June opened the door.

"Come on." June mouthed to her, a frantic look on her face as she beckoned her with her hand. Sarah was quick to get up, both of them starting back down the hallway and into the dining room. "Did you find anything?"

"No I—"Before Sarah could finish her sentence Tom stepped into view, both of their eyes widening when they realized he was holding a shotgun in his hands. He lifted it and June pulled them to the ground as he shot it, the gunshot kicking the adrenaline into both of the girls bodies.

"Now I know y'all didn't come from the high school, you got about 10 seconds to tell me what you're really doing here!" He shouted from his spot, June and Sarah crawling under the table. Sarah looked terrified, June equally as afraid as his booted feet walked towards them.

"We're here for the community outreach!" June said, her voice shaky as she said it. He reloaded the gun, the clicking of it making them both jump. It was at this exact moment she remembered her own weapon, June reaching into her pants and pulling the handgun out. Sarah's eyes widened as she saw it in her hand, June feeling her heart almost burst as she tried to work up the courage to point it at him.

"Bullshit!" He turned his body towards the table and June knew she had to get up, handing Sarah the pocket knife and seeing the seat that had immediately jumped onto both of their skins. "I know what you're here for."

"Okay okay...you're right. We're here for the key." June stood from the under the table, holding the gun up to him with a fearfully serious expression. She had no plan here, not sure at all what she would do, what she would say, or if this man would do anything other than shoot her.

"It's not here. And you won't find it. I'm the only person who knows where it is and I ain't gonna tell none of you." June heard his words but had given too much attention to the gun in her hands, her eyes trailing up the black barrel. She felt a cool feeling that she only ever got when she was remembering, and when she finally looked back up at the man he was no longer Tom Mallory. It was Singh. She faltered and almost fell back, her face scrunching up in fear and confusion as she saw him standing there. The blood was a big dark spot on his chest, water dripping onto the carpet of the terrible shack and the blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. She closed her eyes and brought her hands up to head, shaking it so that the image would go away. But when she reopened her eyes he was still there, her heartbeat feeling suspended as he stared back at her. The hairs on her arms stood up as his arm began to lift and she shook her head, lifting the gun up and pointing it at him again.

"Get out of here!" She yelled, closing her eyes again and trying to dismiss him. Her hands went to her head again and she attempted to rid herself of him, pulling at the hair as she tried to bring herself back to reality. Tom Mallory and Sarah were both confused, the man impatient with her strange fit and relifting his previously lowered gun. Sarah was watching her with a fearful expression, looking down at the pocket knife and then towards the man's leg. She let out a shaky breath and launched forwards, stabbing him in the calf and then shooting up, her hand gripping the barrel of the shotgun as he yelled out. He fell, Sarah pulling the gun out of his hands and pointing it at him, her voice calling out to June.

"June! June come on!" June still seemed to be in her own world, her eyes clenched and her hands covering her ears. Sarah glanced between the man and June before decidedly going towards June, knowing he wouldn't possibly be going anywhere. "Hey...hey come back."

June jumped when Sarah's hand clasped around her wrist, pulling the hand not holding the gun down from the side of her head. Junes eyes reopened and she was back to reality, a terrified and drained look on her face as she realized Singh was gone. She looked around and saw Sarah who looked nervous, her eyes then catching onto Tom Mallory who was writhing in pain on the floor. Her eyes dropped tot he gun in her hand and she slowly pushed it into her pants again, knowing she was not ready to use it in any circumstances.

They walked back over to Tom Mallory who was whimpering in pain, June regathering herself on the trip over. Sarah lifted the gun and June quickly asked the first question, adrenaline pumping through her.

"Where's the key?!"

"Fuck you!"

"Where's the key or she'll blow your fucking face off." Sarah didn't seem too sure of what June said but she put on a brave face, adjusting the gun and holding it the best she could.

"I can't believe I'm getting robbed by girls." Tom said in a whiny voice, June looking to Sarah as she quickly quipped back at him.

"We're not robbing you. We're asking you where the key is." June was getting impatient with the talking, leaning forwards and grabbing the knife from the floor, taking a few steps towards him and extending the blade towards his face.

"Where's the key?! Where is it?! Where's the key or I swear she—"

"I buried it! I buried it in Kitty Hawk!" Junes stomach dropped at the mention of Kitty Hawk, Sarah and her sharing a look as they realized the key wasn't here. "In the park. The memorial park."

"Where in the park?!" Sarah asked, stepping closer with the shotgun.

"Behind the 1903 monument. Right behind it."  He whispered out as he held his leg. June and Sarah shared another look and then Sarah spoke, June realizing they needed to get out of there.

"It better be there or I swear a stab in the leg will be the least of your worries!" June was taken aback by Sarah's tough attitude, the girl nodding in agreement and folding the knife back up. She pushed it into her pocket and started towards the door, Sarah backing away slowly with the shotgun still in hand. They got through the door and she shut it, both of them taking off towards the car. However when they got to the end of the driveway the car was nowhere to be found, both of them breathing heavily and panicked as they looked around.

"Where are they?!"

"What the—okay well we can't stay here! Just—just go! Sarah go into the woods! Shit!"