July 27

Jack returns to his vigil at the Marysville Hole. Later, an SUV stops at the entrance of the cave, and the five investigators get out. Ralph waits for them to move into a position that will give him a clear shot.

The investigators find the main entrance to the cave blocked with cement. They will have to go around to the back entrance. They hear a rifle shot. A second shot takes Howie in the head. A third shot gets Alec. The three survivors run for cover.

The noise of the gunshots disturbs a rattlesnake, which bites Jack. By the time Jack has dealt with the snake, the “meddlers” are running for cover. Jack shoots Sablo in the arm, dislocating his shoulder. With the investigators then out of sight, Jack fires into the gas tank of the SUV, blowing it up in a tower of smoke and fire.

Holly and Ralph run for the trail toward the back entrance of the cave system while Sablo gives them cover fire. Jack intercepts them on the trail. He is all but dead from the snakebite and the outsider’s poison touch, but he still tries to shoot Holly. Ralph shoots him first.