Over three fateful June nights in Southern California, these vacationing campers are unwittingly caught up in the horrifying events that unfold at and around Desert Rocks State Park. Let us introduce them...
Dan Montgomery – age 42
Dan is employed as a lineman with St. Louis Power. He’s a hard worker and, with his wife Linda, scrambles against today’s economy to keep his family afloat. Both a leader and team player, Dan can keep his fear in check to move forward decisively and protect everyone. Dan is husband to Linda and father to Patrick and Jennie.
Linda Montgomery – 37
A professional veterinarian, Linda works full time at the St. Louis Zoo. She pays attention to detail and loves her job – but, above all, she cares for her family. Linda totally understands and supports Dan. However, with both of them working long hours, she wishes they had more time for each other and for their son and daughter.
Patrick Montgomery – 13
Patrick may be physically challenged but he is extremely smart and amiable. As an infant, Patrick contracted an extremely rare illness. He recovered well but ended up with impaired use of his legs. Moving about on crutches or with his wheelchair and accessing the world’s knowledge through his laptop computer, he manages just fine.
Jennie Montgomery – 16
Jealous of the extra attention her parents have had to give Patrick, Jennie can be short-tempered and volatile. With Dan and Linda constantly having to work, Jennie has not always had a stable role model around her. Now feeling that she is old enough to make her own decisions in life, Jennie longs for more adventures with her peers.
Tom Hernandez – 37
Tom and Yoli Hernandez are a 3rd-generation Tex-Mex couple – almost hippiesque in style and totally into crystals. A jovial family man who is always ready to welcome anyone he meets, Tom appreciates his friendships and seeks to make them stronger. Being a construction worker, Tom relates to Dan fairly well.
Yoli Hernandez – 34
Yoli complements her husband, Tom, perfectly. Sporting a blend of Southern and Tex-Mex accents, Yoli is a welcoming person – ready to make friends with anyone she encounters. She’s a socializer and an organizer. Everyone is going to have a good time – whether they want to or not – and Yoli is going to see to it!
Billy Hernandez – 11
Tom and Yoli’s good natures have clearly rubbed-off on their son, Billy. He’s a cheerful boy who makes friends quickly. Billy is also an obedient son who doesn’t mind doing chores for his parents. But when danger threatens, he can stand-up to the tasks before him – sometimes even feeling a tinge of excitement. A good friend to have.
Al Nishida – much older than you’d think
Semi-Retired Park Ranger, Al – a 2nd-generation Japanese-American widower – is an affable fellow with a big heart who cares for all of his guests. He’s as agile as a 30-year-old and doesn’t let his years keep him from being active. Al adores his son’s fiancée, Lauri, and looks forward to the couple blessing him with grandchildren.
Robert Nishida – 35
The park’s Co-Ranger, Robert, is Al’s only child. Loving nature and photography, he naturally conducts the hikes through Desert Rocks’ more exotic and remote areas. Living with his father in a decaying bungalow at the park’s boundary, Robert also sells nature articles and photos for extra income. Being 3rd-generation, he’s pure American.
Lauri Young – 23
Robert’s fiancée, Lauri is the sweet “pretty blue-eyed-blonde girl next door” who has just returned from college with a degree in conservation. Even though she always hopes for the best, Lauri easily worries over things that can affect something or someone she cares about. And she will fiercely protect what she loves.
Ken Young – 46
Lauri’s parents, Ken and Joyce Young, operate a modest cattle ranch just south of the small town of Highridge and several miles north of Desert Rocks State Park. Ken is a gruff but friendly man with a strong build. He’s a practical type but sometimes maybe a little too practical to see the reality of a situation until it’s right on top of him.
Joyce Young – 44
Joyce is a friendly, outgoing canyon country mamma – the ideal companion for Ken. At a party in low light, you could easily mistake her for her daughter, Lauri. While she loves a good time, she’s no slacker. Joyce can quickly get a handle on things when she has to.
Michael Reyes – mid-20’s
Fun to be around, Michael and Elaine Reyes are on a budget honeymoon and are ready to partake in whatever Desert Rocks has to offer. They don’t care where they are as long as they’re together. In fact, Michael – a 2nd-generation Filipino-American – has done all the cooking on this trip so that Elaine can relax before she begins life as a homemaker.
Elaine Reyes – 19
Like all of the girls from her village, Elaine is drop-dead gorgeous and utterly unaware of it. Having migrated with her parents from an island in the central Philippines, Elaine has only been in the USA for two years. Though she’ll attain citizenship through her marriage, she and Michael are madly in love and totally complete each other.
Frank Stewart – 53
Principal attorney of Richmark Oil’s New York legal department and one who clearly “fell upwards” at the expense of the co-workers he stabbed in the back. Frank is a self-centered bigot who’s reluctant to cooperate with anyone when he’s not in control. Though he often exercises bad judgment, he can be resourceful if he chooses. Just give him an incentive that will be worth his time.
Margaret Stewart – 42
A former model, Margaret looks stunning for her age – but, beyond that, she’s hardly ever worked a day in her life. Margaret takes care of number one and also cares greatly for her 4-year-old daughter. However, she’d sacrifice anyone to, say, drain a river so she could get across, instead of working with others to build a bridge to benefit all.
Tiffani Stewart – 4
Frank and Margaret’s daughter is capable of causing trouble for anyone. Like her parents, Tiffani’s learned to mostly only worry about herself. And, stirring the pot further, Frank – the dummy – doesn’t know that Tiffani is not his biological child. Five years ago, Margaret successfully hid an affair from Frank, and Tiffani was the result.
Jim Johnson – mid-80’s
Jim and Anne Johnson are a retired African American couple. While Indiana is home, they frequently vacation around the country in their Silverstream trailer. Jim is a good-natured and outspoken fellow who enjoys taking photos with his vintage camera. When forced into the fray, though, he will surprise you.
Anne Johnson – mid-80’s
Anne is a warm relator. But she’s also a thinker and, compared to Jim, a bit more reserved. Anne isn’t going to go too far out of her way to offer help at first – though when asked, she will enthusiastically deliver. Anne chides Jim for being too outgoing, but she also loves him for it.
Steve Lacy – 19
Sporting leather attire and riding a classic Harley, Steve comes off as the independent bohemian type. He is intelligent, smokes dope, and is soft-spoken – though he’ll put on the “tough guy” act when he deems it necessary.
Mitch Davis – 18
Mitch is liked by everyone because he’s a tall, handsome, well-built African American high-school running back. Because of that, he’s used to getting what he wants. It doesn’t hurt that his family is well off financially, either – owning a high-end home in Baldwin Hills. His red Mustang convertible was a graduation gift from his father.
Kathy Smith – 18
Mitch’s girlfriend, Kathy, is pure sweetness – never having held a malicious thought against anyone in her life. And here they are at Desert Rocks, grabbing a short vacation before starting college together in the fall. Kathy’s latched on to Mitch because she thinks he’s a winner. And, seeing the dollar signs, Kathy’s dad thinks so too.
David Grogan – 21
David Grogan is a good-natured and friendly relator. He is at Desert Rocks for a weekend camping getaway with his college buddy, Gary Archer. Having both recently turned 21, they have strategically placed a small cooler stuffed with beer between their two pup tents.
Gary Archer – 21
Gary Archer is a friendly and outgoing socializer. He is at Desert Rocks for a weekend camping getaway with his college buddy, David Grogan. Gary has three more cases of beer stowed away in his beat-up cargo van, ready to refill their cooler at a moment’s notice.