(Begin)
"What's wrong?" Michelle seemed annoyed by Emmet's interruption.
"You hear that?"
Howard perked up. "Sounds like a helicopter."
Michelle listened closely. "It's not. Too loud."
"What is it, then?"
"Probably a scout ship. Extraterrestrial, I'm guessing."
"You think it's the same aliens who launched the first attack?"
"Yeah. That attack was just Phase I. Phase II is a systematic sweep of the countryside for survivors. They find any, they'll kill them. I doubt they'll find us in here, though."
The lights briefly dimmed. "Generator's on the fritz. Give it some time."
Sure enough, the lights soon restored themselves. But then the air vent began to rasp, as though someone was trying to plug them.
Michelle did a quick check. "The system needs to be reset. Someone will have to squeeze through the vents. Howard, you should fit."
"Can't you do it? Or Emmet?"
"The vents are too wide. I can't get a good enough grip. And Emmet's arm is still broken thanks to you. As such, you have to do it."
Minutes later, Howard was crawling through the vents. Michelle, watching him through an open grate, directed him to climb up a narrow shaft to reach the controls.
After several minutes of effort, Howard reached the attic. He found the controls and reset them, restoring the flow of oxygen.
Needing a breather, he sat down for a few seconds. His eyes, always restless, wandered the length of the room. Finally, they fell upon a small object lying in the corner.
Howard walked over and inspected it. It was a small gold rosary, with the chain broken.
Then he noticed a ladder leading up to a partially covered skylight. Climbing up, he noticed faint trace marks on it. Moving the trapdoor, he discovered that they spelled a word: HELP!
Michelle had someone locked up here before me. Probably even before Emmet. But who was it?
(Stop)