Tabitha Matthews

Tabitha Matthews
Basics info
Full name:	Tabitha Matthews
Age:	42 (2022)
Genre:	Female
Species:	Human
Status:	Alive
Nationality:	Colombian Latin-American
Social information
Relationship Status:	Widowed
Family:	Unnamed parents Jim Matthews † (husband) Julie Matthews (daughter) Ethan Matthews (son) Thomas Matthews † (son) Miranda Kavanaugh † (previous incarnation)
Interpretation
Interpreted by:	Catalina Sandino Moreno Vivian Crooks (young)
Appears in:	Long Day's Journey Into Night

Tabitha Matthews is the wife of Jim and mother to Julie and Ethan. Along with the rest of her family, she becomes trapped in the mysterious Town. She is determined to keep her family safe, and to figure out a way to escape.

Biography

Background

As a child, Tabitha experienced recurring nightmares of a Settlement surrounded by Totems, with a circle of three painted red rocks situated nearby.

Tabitha and Jim had been married for many years and had three children, Julie, Ethan, and Thomas. However, Thomas died while he was still an infant, putting enormous strain on Tabitha and Jim's marriage. Eventually, they decided to get a divorce. Before they did, they decided to take their children on a road trip to Colorado to see some relatives.

Season 1

As the Matthews family embarks on their roadtrip in the RV, the elder daughter, Julie, plays with her younger brother, Ethan’s, toys, enacting a scene for him where one of them, Norman, succumbs to his wounds from a monster. Norman’s death agitates Ethan, who asks him to be brought back to life, but Julie refuses, prompting Ethan to complain to their mother. Tabitha chides her daughter and asks what happened. Ethan says that the monsters killed him, and Tabitha tells him that monsters aren’t real, which means that Norman is still alive, cheering her son.

As they continue driving, Jim fondly recalls the first time he and Tabitha drove up to meet her parents. The two reminisce about the car he had back then, and how her parents did not end up hating him. Jim says it reminds him that things weren’t always the way they are, and Tabitha tells him not to try and do that. They then come across a lone Broken Tree blocking the road. They inspect the tree, finding it odd that there is only one fallen tree. Soon, the family is frightened by the appearance of a flock of crows, who loudly squawk overhead. With no way of moving or getting around it, they get back in the RV and try to circle around.

However, as they continue driving, the Matthews struggle to find the highway, and have no cell reception. Eventually, they make it into Town. As the funeral for the Pratts is concluding, the townspeople notice the RV arriving and Boyd and Kenny go to talk to Jim, who asks for help getting back to the highway. Boyd tells him to follow the road up the hill and he’ll see it. As they drive, Julie tries to scare her brother by telling him that groups of crows are called murders, and that they’re going to peck at him in his sleep. Jim angrily tells her to stop, while Tabitha says that she thinks the birds were ravens, groups of which are called “an unkindness,” and pointedly looks at her daughter. However, the road leads them back into the center of town, freaking them out. Sara finds her brother Nathan as he heads to the Barn to feed the livestock, and mournfully remarks how the worst part is when they still expect to find the road that leads to home. The Matthews try to rationalize what’s happening to them, but return to the center of Town.

Jim then makes a U-turn and heads in the opposite direction. However, on the way back the Matthews encounter a speeding car heading their way and swerve to avoid it, going down a hill and the RV turns over on its side, while the other car crashes into a tree. The driver of the car finds Boyd and Kenny on the road and informs them of the accident. While Kenny goes to secure further help, Boyd rushes to help the Matthews. In the overturned RV, Jim and Julie are fine, but Tabitha has been knocked unconscious and Ethan's leg impaled by a metal table leg.

Tabitha is successfully retrieved from the RV, but Kristi says that it will take at least an hour to safely remove the table leg from Ethan’s leg, while Kenny informs them that they have 40 minutes until dark. Boyd and Kristi decide to stay in the RV overnight with a talisman. Jim, Tabitha and Julie try to stay, but Boyd tells them that the woods are not safe after dark and pleads with them to head to town, but permits Jim to stay. Tabitha tells Jim she can’t leave, saying her baby is inside the RV and they’ll just get Thomas out and leave. Jim reminds her that it’s Ethan that’s stuck and Tabitha breaks down in tears, explaining that her head just hurts. A crying and frightened Tabitha tells Jim that she doesn’t trust the people from Town but Kenny arrives and says they need to leave.

Kenny drives Tabitha, Julie and the rest of them back to Town while Jim, Kristi and Boyd stay with Ethan in the RV. However, the tires of their truck are popped by the spike strip Kenny had laid down earlier. With no other options, Ellis and Kenny decide to lead them on foot to Colony House, the closest shelter.

Kenny leads his group to Colony House, and they struggle to make it through the rain. Father Khatri, who is carrying an unconscious Jade, falls, and Kenny helps him up. However, the people inside sound the alarm. Fatima tries to let them inside, but the guard doesn’t believe that it’s really them. As the Creatures approach, Donna arrives and grants them entry. However, she orders that Tabitha and Julie be tied up, as per protocol, much to their distress.

Donna approaches Tabitha in the room she is being kept in and apologizes for their treatment of her, cutting her ropes loose. Tabitha immediately makes a run for it, but is stopped by an armed guard. Donna sits down with her, and explains that though none of it makes sense to Tabitha, these are precautions they must take, and promises that no one wants to hurt her or her daughter, and they have all been in her shoes before. Donna then begins to explain the situation of the Town.

After Donna concludes her speech, Tabitha calls Donna crazy. Donna laughs before questioning Tabitha on the number of times she drove along the loop and notes that she saw the Creatures. Tabitha replies that she doesn’t know what she saw, and Donna laughs and says her sister said the same thing. As she pours them drinks, Donna explains that she and her sister were on a hunting trip when they saw the tree and the crows just a bit before sunset. Instead of doubling back, they pressed on and arrived in Town after dark. The first time they drove through, they saw some people on the road. The second time, a smiling Creature stood in front of the car. Donna’s sister exited the car with a shotgun and threatened the Creature, who proceeded to rip her sister’s face off. Donna recalls running until she found a hiding place in the forest, and listened to the screams of her sister as the Creatures tortured her. Donna tells Tabitha that she was lucky the sun was still out when she arrived. Donna finishes by saying that she has been trapped in Town for 3 years, 6 months and 17 days, and she can still hear her sister screaming.

The next morning, Tabitha and Julie are reunited with Jim and Ethan, and are given temporary lodging in Colony House.

At night, Tabitha has a nightmare about the Creatures, but wakes up to see that everyone is fine. After Ethan wakes up, Tabitha and Julie arrive with the news that Jim went to the RV to fetch their belongings. Ethan asks how long they will be there, and Tabitha replies that they are figuring it out. When Jim returns with their belongings, Tabitha and Jim imitate creatures from the Cromenockle, one of Ethan’s books, when Julie walks in. However, Donna cuts their reverie short to inform that Father Khatri has arrived to explain the Choosing Ceremony. Khatri explains that all newcomers have to decide whether they want to live up in Colony House or down in the town, and offers to give them a tour of both, including the house that they would stay in in Town. Julie wants to go with her parents, but they order her to remain in the House to look after Ethan, annoying her.

On the tour, Kahtri explains how the talismans protect them, but with kids in the house it is a requirement to nail the windows shut. Tabitha is shocked that people can walk around like this is normal, and Khatri explains that the ones who live are the ones who adapt. Khatri promises that if they follow his instructions, all will be well. Tabitha then asks what the box-like structure near the Sheriff’s Office is, and Khatri explains that those who break the rules are sentenced to a night in the box, and that night would be the first time they’re using it. The tour continues in the house that belonged to the Pratt’s, and Khatri explains that a family lived there previously, but the night before they arrived, Lauren and Meagan were killed while their father was passed out drunk on the other side of town, showing them the bloody room. This freaks Tabitha out and she asks Jim why he is taking any of this at face value. Jim grabs her and says he can still hear them whispering outside the RV and tapping on the glass. He tells her that their situation is very real and they are stuck, so they need to make the best of it, lest they end up like the Pratts.

Khatri then holds the Choosing Ceremony, and explains that if the Matthews want to live in Town by their rules, working for the communal good until they can return home, they will choose a rock. If they prefer Colony House, where they will live for the present because the future is not guaranteed, they will choose the flower. Boyd then interrupts and begins to say that while he has them all gathered, he thought he would address the issue of Frank and the Box. As Boyd begins his speech, Frank asks to speak, and is given the floor. He explains to the group that he has been thinking about his last normal Christmas with his family, recalling that he used to be a good father. He confesses that he let the Town and the Creatures in the forest get to his head, and he forgot what really mattered, lamenting that had he been a little stronger, he could have had another Christmas with them all at their home. Frank instructs his fellow townspeople not to let that be taken away from them, and to take care of each other. He then turns to Boyd, and expresses gratitude for his attempted intervention, but points out that the only two things that he loved in the world are gone, and he just wants to see them again.

Jade, still believing that this is a performance, begins clapping and laughing. Boyd then restrains Jade and orders him to choose one and he picks a rock. As he begins threatening retribution at Boyd and the rest of them, Kenny offers to show him something and takes him away. Boyd then hastily concludes the ceremony, asking each member of the Matthews family what they’re picking. All pick Town except Julie, prompting an argument. However, according to the rules, the choice is final. Boyd assuages the Matthews parents, pointing out that his son will be up there and that she will be looked after. Khatri then reminds everyone that sundown is approaching, and tells them to get home. Before nightfall, Tabitha and her family move into their new home, and she and Jim read to Ethan as they put him to bed.

The next morning, Jim finds in Tabitha in the kitchen. Tabitha sadly recalls how “he” used to love this time of morning, and he’d stop crying as the sun came up. As she starts crying, Tabitha asks her husband if they are being punished. Jim asks why she would say that, and Tabitha points out that she is drinking tea from a dead woman’s mug in a place that can’t exist, in a house where a child died while their daughter is doing God knows what. Ethan then comes downstairs and asks if his mother is crying, but she answers that she just has a headache. Ethan says that he misses Julie, but Jim says they should go to the Diner for the big community breakfast. Tabitha says they should go without her while she unpacks and reorganizes their things.

While her husband and son are gone, Tabitha regains her composure and tries to unpack, but makes little progress. Tabitha decides to visit Colony House, and arrives with a sweater of Julie’s. Tabitha says that they miss her, and Julie admits she misses them. Tabitha entreats her daughter to return with her, pointing out that she can leave whenever she wants. She says they can tell Donna she made a mistake, and Julie grows angry and says she feels like they always treat her as if she’s making mistakes and has to admit she was wrong. As she begins to walk away, Tabitha stops her and says that they need to stick together in this place. Julie scoffs, and admits that she knew her parents were planning on getting a divorce and the roadtrip was a final hurrah before they broke the news, and tells her mother to stop treating her like a child. Tabitha admits her daughter is right, and explains that she and Jim love Julie and Ethan very much before Julie stops her and says that Thomas is dead, but they have two other kids and asks why they aren’t enough for her. Tabitha says it is not that simple but Julie walks away. As she wipes away her tears, Fatima promises to give the sweater to Julie.

Tabitha returns to her house and finds Jim sitting on the porch looking glum. She quips that he looks how she feels. Jim asks her about unpacking, and Tabitha explains she went to see Julie, which went as well as he’d expect. She adds that Julie knows about the divorce. Jim insists that everything will be ok and Tabitha tells him to stop saying that and admit that he has no idea what to do because he’s insistence that things will be ok makes the rest of them feel as if they’re doing something wrong. Jim retorts that that isn’t fair, and Tabitha counters by asking what part of the last 14 months have been fair.

Tabitha returns to her house with Jim on her heels asking to try and figure this out. Tabitha says she can’t do this and says she’s going to visit Julie with Ethan. However, she can’t find him, and Jim finds his crutch in the backyard. The two then frantically begin searching for him. As Jim and Tabitha search through the forest for Ethan, they come across a dog that looks exactly like the one in Victor’s memories. The two are then surrounded by barking dogs until Victor scares them away with a shot from the revolver he keeps in his lunchbox. Ethan is happy to see his parents, who are frightened by Victor. Jim angrily steps towards Victor, reminding him that he warned him about going near Ethan. Victor points the gun at Jim and promises that he is not a bad person and would never hurt Ethan.

After Boyd invites them to dinner, they join him for the meal at the Diner. Tabitha thanks him for what he did, and Boyd says that they take care of each other in Town, and compliments them on how they’re coping. Sara brings over another plate of food and asks Ethan if he wants to help her. The tabletop jukebox then turns on, confusing the Matthews parents, and Boyd explains that they do that sometimes. Boyd then excuses himself to go talk with Kenny for a moment. Jim apologizes to Tabitha, and admits that he doesn’t know what he is doing, and never meant to make her feel bad, explaining that he feels broken. Tabitha holds his hand and promises that they will figure it out together. Ethan then comes over with a plate of sweet potatoes. However, Sara then has a seizure, collapsing and shocking everyone.

Afterwards, Ethan asks his parents if Sara will be alright, and Jim and Tabitha assure him that she’s being taken care of by Kristi. In the meantime, Jim proposes that they try and figure out the mysteries of the Town by writing all the questions they have on the wall, beginning with “where are we?”.

The next morning, Jim continues looking at the wall with all the questions on it. Tabitha asks him if he’s figured it out, and Jim jokingly answers “12.” Jim repeats that everyone arrives from different parts of the country, sees the same fallen tree, but Tabitha interrupts and says everyone else has asked the same questions over and over again, and asks what difference writing on the wall will make? Jim explains that there is something they aren’t seeing yet, a question they haven’t yet asked. Jim hands Tabitha the marker, but she is reluctant to voice the question because she is not sure she wants to know the answer.

Later, Tabitha redresses Ethan’s wound, and points out that it’s healing very quickly. Ethan wonders if this place also helps people, and says maybe they should ask that question. Downstairs, Sara asks for Ethan. After assuring his parents that she is okay, she takes Ethan up on his offer to see the playground outside his house with him, and joins him on the merry go round. Tabitha observes Ethan and Sara from her window, and remarks to Jim that it’s the most like himself he’s seemed since they arrived. Tabitha goes outside and tells Ethan not to make Sara sit on the dirty merry go round. Sara offers to show Ethan the goats and chickens at the Barn, explaining her brother cares for the livestock. Tabitha joins them, while Jim remains to ponder the questions on the wall.

At the Barn, Sara introduces Tabitha and Ethan to Alma the goat. Sara tells Tabitha that she has a very nice family, and that it’s ok to be sad and scared due to their circumstances. However, she adds that Tabitha will be surprised by how quickly it becomes normal. Tabitha replies that she doesn’t want this to become normal, but to go home. Sara agrees, but is thankful for the Talismans, mentioning that Father Khatri always mentions how much worse things were before they found them. Prior to the Talismans, the people used hiding places. Sara adds that it’s useful to know about them if she ever gets stuck outside after dark, and offers to show Tabitha one in the Barn. Sara then leads Tabitha into the Barn, and opens a door. As Tabitha walks towards it, Sara pushes her in and locks the door, apologizing as Tabitha pounds on the door and demands to be let out. Sara proceeds to try and kill Ethan, believing that it will allow them all to go home. However, she is stopped by her brother, Nathan, and during the struggle Sara accidentally slashes his throat, killing him and devastating her.

A crowd gathers and Jim gets Tabitha out of the Barn. They panic, trying to find Ethan, who is brought by Julie, who explains that she found him on the road to Colony House. After they return to their house, Jim and Tabitha compliment Julie on her handling of the situation. Tabitha has Julie take Ethan upstairs, with Julie promising they can read the “Cromwhatsit.” Once they’re gone, Tabitha writes “did we survive the crash?”.

Tabitha looks through things in her house. After Father Khatri's sermon ends, she drops off papers with Bible verses written on them that she found in the Pratts' belongings. Khatri asks her how Ethan is doing, and she admits that he is scared and confused, not understanding why Sara would try and hurt him. She asks if anyone has seen Sara, and Khatri says not since she ran off into the woods and he was unable to keep up with her, and was probably killed during the night. Tabitha then asks if he wrote down the verses from memory, and he says that he did. He then asks her what she really came to ask him, and Tabitha asks how he knows any of this is real, and whether they are alive or dead. Khatri responds by asking if it mattered. If they were dead and trapped in some awful purgatory, they would still be stuck and searching for a way to go home, and all that would change is the home they are searching for. Tabitha guesses that she isn’t the first to ask that, and he says he has had plenty of chances to work on his answer. He adds that if it’s any consolation, the Matthews were all alive when they crashed in the Town, and that she and her family are alive.

Tabitha finishes packing away the Pratts' belongings while Jim examines the wires in the lamp. When asked, he reveals to Tabitha that there is no wire in the cord, and points out that their outlets are fake too, meaning that none of their lamps should work. Jade then barges in, and sees that they noticed the wires. Tabitha points out he nearly killed them when they arrived in Town. Jade points out that he wasn’t driving, and his best friend since fourth grade is now dead, so they should call it even. Jade reveals he has an idea, and asks if they want to participate. Tabitha and Ethan drop off the Pratts' things at the Diner, and Tian Chen leads them to the storage area. Tabitha notices that Ethan is nervous, and promises that Sara is not here or able to hurt him. In the storage room, Ethan is amazed by how much there is, and starts touching things, but Tabitha says not to, because it belonged to people who used to live in Town. Ethan compares it to the cavern of the lonely dragon, explaining that when the Cromenockle was lost in the rainbow sky, she found the cavern home of the lonely dragon, to whom the things no one else wanted were treasure. In one of those piles was the map of the rainbow sky, which the dragon gave the Cromenockle allowing her to find her way. Ethan then says that they could find the map in the storage room. Tabitha then notices a bracelet which she takes.

Back at their house, Ethan comes across his mother staring at the bracelet. Noticing the flickering lamp nearby, Ethan asks her what is causing it to do so, and Tabitha says she does not know, but says they should have an adventure, where they try to figure out where the light comes from. After unplugging the lamp and moving furniture, Tabitha begins hammering into the wall, shocking her son. When Jim returns, he finds Tabitha digging a hole in the basement floor. Jim informs his wife that he was able to get some static on the radio, which she interprets as a good sign. She then explains that she is searching for the source of the electricity, given the lack of power lines or wires, and that all the cords simply lead straight down. Jim asks her to stop digging and asks her what is going on. Tabitha stops and asks Jim if he remembers the bracelet she made him out the laces from his father’s boots from early in their relationship, and how he lost it in the hospital the night Julie was born. Tabitha then directs Jim’s gaze towards the shelf, where she has put the bracelet. Jim simply believes the bracelet is similar to the one she made him, but Tabitha insists it is the same. Tabitha points out a mistake in the bracelet from when she made it, which caused her to worry but Jim simply said “accidents are the best part” at the time. Tabitha asks him why he said that and he answers that they make it one of a kind. Jim insists that it is impossible, but Tabitha counters that no part of their situation makes sense, and while they may not be able to find out how the bracelet arrived in Town but they can find out where the wires go. Jim then tells her to give him a shovel.

As night falls, Tabitha reads to Ethan from the Cromenockle, and after noticing that Ethan has fallen asleep, begins closing the curtains. While Jim sketches plans for a radio tower, Tabitha informs him that Ethan is passed out. Jim jokes that she violated numerous child labor laws by having him dig in the basement, but Tabitha assures him that their son enjoyed it. Tabitha reveals that she gets nervous whenever he is out of her sight, and Jim admits he does as well, but points out that all the windows are nailed shut and doors locked, so it would be impossible for him to let the Creatures inside. Tabitha then admits she’s also worried about Julie, but Jim assures her that Donna will take good care of her. Tabitha asks Jim how the radio tower is going, and Jim responds that if he can convince Boyd to let him use all their building materials, drain all their batteries and get Donna to allow them to use Colony House’s high ground, it will be enough for everyone to hate him when it fails. Tabitha tells him not to doubt himself and reminds him that he got a signal. Jim corrects her and says it was static, but she assures him that it’s something, and kisses him. The two then joke about the hole in the basement before Tabitha leaves to continue digging. Jim arrives while she is digging and tells her that they’ll soon need a taller ladder, before descending to help his wife. Tabitha says she is fine, and Jim responds that none of them are really fine before massaging Tabitha’s shoulders. He offers to take over digging while she goes to rest with Ethan. As Jim continues massaging her, the two begin to kiss.

The morning after the Colony House attack, Julie explains how she escaped with Victor’s help and how he said “it’s starting”. Tabitha asks how it is possible that the tree transported her and Ethan explains that it was a Farway Tree, which can transport people to different places. Julie begins crying and asks what is happening to them, and Ethan innocently answers that they are digging a hole in the basement to find the source of the electricity. As she continues breaking down, Tabitha comforts her daughter and tells her that things will be ok. Jade barges in and asks where Victor is. Jim furiously pushes him outside and tells him to stay away from his daughter.

Later, Tabitha finds a despondent Julie sitting by the hole in the basement, and asks if she is hungry. Tabitha, concerned, offers to make Julie some food. Julie asks if her parents are still going through with their divorce, and Tabitha honestly says she does not have an answer. Julie replies that it’s a simple question, which Tabitha disagrees with. Julie reminds her mother that she said they love each other and begins crying, asking if it is her fault. Tabitha hugs her daughter and assures her that she did nothing wrong. Tabitha says that there are things she will only understand when she becomes a parent, one of those things being that you live for your children, and your one job becomes loving and protecting them. Tabitha confesses that when Thomas died, something inside her broke, and she has no idea how to fix it. She keeps reliving that day, remembering how normal it was, and in one split second while she and Jim were momentarily distracted, Thomas rolled off the table. Tabitha tells Julie that Jim is the love of her life, but sometimes when she sees him it reminds her of Thomas’s death. Julie asks her mother why she didn’t tell her that, and Tabitha responds that it is because Julie is still her little girl, so they pretended that everything was fine, making it worse. Tabitha apologizes to Julie, and the two hug.

Tabitha continues digging in the basement, and Jim calls her up for dinner. As she climbs the stairs, she has a vision that cuts between walking through the main street of town and ascending the stairs of a tower. She hears what sounds like a ship’s horn. As she continues climbing the tower, she finds several objects on the ground, including Ethan’s toys, and shouts that she told him to pick them up, seemingly not noticing that anything is amiss. She picks them up, but knocks over a glass bottle, which rolls down the stairs, and asks someone to pick it up. Tabitha then hears the sound of a phone ringing and a baby crying, and tells Jim to get the kids because something is wrong. As she grows more nervous, she notices the wall above her is inscribed with various years. She then looks up, she notices Jim dangling from the ceiling, and suddenly his mouth opens as if to scream but the sound of a car horn emits, flashing her back to the RV crash, and Tabitha wakes up in her bed.

In Town, Tabitha and her children sort through Victor’s drawings. Tabitha does not understand them, and Julie says that Ethan thinks it’s a puzzle. Ethan corrects her and says that they’re a story, and they can figure out what to do next once they understand the story. After finding a drawing of massacred townspeople, Tabitha says they should stop. Ethan says they have to figure out the story and keep looking. Julie asks her mother if she thinks the radio tower will work, and Tabitha answers that they have to wait and see. Ethan then asks where they think a drawing of a mauled torso goes, prompting Tabitha to say they should stop. Tabitha offers to play a different game with Ethan, where they talk about what they look forward to when they get home. Tabitha says that when she gets home, she is going to order everything on the menu from Giovelli’s. Julie says that she will call her friends. Ethan says he wants to be happy the way they are in Town, because they never play games at the table at home. That night, the family continues to dig deeper, while Ethan repeats his belief that they are on a quest. They stop when Tabitha says she thinks they hit the bottom.

Tom leads Tabitha to a toolshed, where she looks for something to break into the rock under the basement floor. As he leaves, she asks him why he isn’t working on the radio tower, and if he thinks it will not work. Tom explains that he has seen many people with clever ideas about how to escape, and they all end up at his Bar. Tabitha then digs through the shed and finds a pickaxe. She later visits Colony House as they are preparing to erect the radio tower on the roof. After they get it standing, Jim turns it on, and informs them that they have a signal, and hugs his family in joy. Tabitha then returns to digging in her basement, which she calls their Plan B. Tabitha hacks at the rock beneath the basement with the pickaxe, but the floor collapses and she lands in a cave, where she is found by Victor. Victor says that the Boy in White said she would come, and that he was supposed to wait for her. As tremors shake the house above her, Victor says that it isn’t safe, for the tunnels are where the Creatures sleep, and shows her the cave paintings that they make. before dragging her off.

Season 2

Victor leads Tabitha through the tunnels. Tabitha asks where they are going but Victor tells her not to talk, lest they wake the Creatures, who sleep in the caverns beneath the Town, and explains that he was told by the Boy in White to wait for her. As they walk, Tabitha finds a suitcase with a wedding dress inside, but Victor urges her to keep moving because the Creatures will wake up soon. They continue making their way through the tunnels. After seeing rats feeding on the corpse of a bird, Tabitha says they should go back but Victor tells her they have to go through and be brave.

Tabitha and Victor find a number of sleeping creatures surrounded by a collection of random objects, including the ventriloquists dummy Jade saw in his earlier vision, the sight of which causes Victor to run off. Tabitha finds him curled up in a corner, and asks him which way they should go. Victor says he is scared, because this isn’t the way the Boy told him to go. Tabitha tells him that they have to be brave and keep moving, and chooses one of the tunnels in the fork. Tabitha and Victor find a chamber with various archways blocked by sticks, and a stacked pile of stones in the center. A ball-like stone is rolled from one, knocking the stacked stones over. Tabitha examines one of the archways, and sees a vision of a Ghoulish Child, frightening her. Victor warns her that the Creatures are beginning to wake up, and they panic before heading down another tunnel. The two emerge in the forest, and Victor begins leading them.

Victor and Tabitha wander through the forest after nightfall. With Town being too far, Victor leads her to his hideout at the Clairy’s Canned Produce Truck. Tabitha asks Victor about the Boy in White, and Victor explains that he is his friend, but hasn’t seen him for a while until now. Tabitha asks him how long he has lived here, and he says “a while”. Tabitha asks him how he arrived, and he replies that he does not like to talk about that. Victor then finds a box of chocolate chip cookies, and shares them with her. He says there used to be more snacks, but there haven’t been many new people in a few months. Tabitha then asks where he gets all the stuff in the truck, and Victor says some of it is from newcomers, some was here already, and some of it was from his mother, his voice breaking as he describes her. They then hear banging outside the truck and the back opens up revealing Boyd, who is shocked to see them. Elgin then approaches the truck, and begs to be let inside. After seeing that the Creatures are stalking him, they let him inside, shut the door and hang the Talisman. Boyd points his gun at Elgin and asks who he is. Elgin introduces himself and says he was on the bus, but none of them know about the bus’s arrival.

Boyd treats his wound while Elgin sleeps in the back. Victor says he does not trust Elgin. Boyd says they are all still alive, but Victor grimly replies “for now”. Boyd asks Tabitha how she is doing, and she answers fine. As the four exit the truck, Boyd asks Elgin how many people were on the bus. Elgin answers at least 20-25, and that Donna tried to get them all into the Diner, but it became chaos after the house collapsed. Tabitha asks which house, and Elgin says the one next to the Diner. Realizing it was her house, Tabitha runs off to Town. As Boyd tries to get her to stay with the group, he notices worms crawling beneath his arm. He then turns to Victor, who is staring at him, and tells him to close the truck, and the three go after Tabitha.

The next morning at the Clinic, Kristi finishes patching up Jim as his family watches. Jim tries to rise to leave, but the pain prevents him, and Kristi tells him that he has cracked ribs and likely a bruised lung, and needs to rest. Kristi asks Tabitha how she is doing, and she says she is fine. Noticing Marielle has entered, Kristi leaves to go talk to her. Jim then asks Julie and Ethan for privacy before telling her that he thought she was dead and that he can’t lose her. She tells him that the wires weren’t connected to anything. Jim asks how the kids are holding up, and Tabitha admits that she doesn’t know. The two say they love each other and kiss.

Tabitha gets breakfast with her children at the Diner. Ethan asks if they can see Victor, but Tabitha says he has had a rough few days. Ethan says he hopes Victor is not mad at him because he and Jade were in his room looking for clues, even though he told Jade that Victor would not like it. Ethan then asks if they will be able to get their belongings out of the rubble. Tabitha says she does not know and leaves to talk to Tian-Chen. Tabitha asks Tian-Chen, who oversees many of the Town’s supplies, if she can go through some of the storage for supplies and clothing. Tian-Chen offers to host her family, saying that mothers help each other, gladdening Tabitha.

In the Barn, Julie and Tabitha sort through old clothes. Julie complains about having to look through clothes while Ethan gets to pick out new toys with Mrs. Liu. Tabitha tells her that this is what being an adult looks like. Tabitha finds a cardigan for Julie, who finds the fact that all the clothes belong to dead people creepy, but her mother says it’s the same as a thrift store. As they leave, Julie asks if they are living with the Lius and Jade now. Tabitha says at least until Jim is back on his feet, but stops short as she sees a vision of two ghoulish children standing in front of them. Julie notices her mother’s reaction and becomes concerned, asking what is wrong. Tabitha tells her she’s fine, and briskly walks home.

On the porch of the Liu home, Ethan plays with a wooden block puzzle he got from Tian-Chen, stacking them in a tower. Tabitha tells him that she knows he likes to view everything like a quest, but Ethan cuts her short and says he knows that things are dangerous and promises to be careful. Ethan completes the tower puzzle, and the shape is similar to the stacked rocks she saw in the Tunnels. Tabitha then sees two Ghostly Children staring at her, and she ushers Ethan inside.

In the Lius’ house, Julie finds her mother in the kitchen, and noticing the disturbed expression on Tabitha’s face, asks if she is ok, realizing that she had another vision. Tabitha asks Julie to watch Ethan while she talks to her father, but Julie tells her mother that she can confide in her. Tabitha confesses that it happened again, but insists that she is fine, but simply needs to talk to Jim, and hugs her daughter. Ethan comes downstairs and asks where Tabitha is going. Before Julie can answer, Jade enters and rudely asks if the Matthews are living with the Lius now. Ethan points out that their house collapsed, but Jade rudely complains about how they finally got rid of the Colony House people but now have to deal with them. Julie rolls her eyes at Jade and takes Ethan to see Victor.

Tabitha visits Jim in the Clinic, but does not find him in bed. She looks for him, and finds Marielle looking through the medicine cabinet. Tabitha asks who she is, and Marielle introduces herself, and explains that she is a nurse and was helping Kristi with inventory. Tabitha asks about her husband, and Mari says that he left a little while ago. Tabitha finds him looking at the bus passengers unload their belongings, and scolds him for not resting. Jim directs her to their collapsed house and explains that the entire night he was trapped he ruminated on the question of why this happened to them. They then overhear Randall criticizing Tian-Chen for taking the belongings of the deceased. Jim then informs Tabitha that Kristi’s fiancee was on the bus. He then voices his belief that the Town is all a messed up experiment. He reveals that the radio worked, but they haven’t told anyone, and that the voice on the other end addressed him by name and said Tabitha shouldn’t be digging right before the house collapsed. Tabitha then asks if anyone else heard the voice.

After hearing of Sara Myers' return, Tabitha and Jim go to confront her and Boyd at the Church. Boyd tries to tell them that there is much they don’t understand, but Tabitha says that Kenny told them what he would say and reminds Boyd that she is a murderer. Boyd insists that she is not going to hurt anyone, but Tabitha ignores him and reminds Boyd that she tried to kill Ethan. Jim asks if they are supposed to pretend like nothing happened and why Boyd is not enforcing his own rules. Boyd insists that things have changed, prompting Jim to defiantly ask how. Boyd, exasperated, answers that Jim got everyone hopes up with the radio tower and now they are all looking at him wondering why he did not return with all the answers, they have a busload of people who they don’t have the resources for, and the Matthews’ home collapsed for no reason. Thus, if Sara can help them figure out what is going on, then she stays out of the Box. Sara then emerges, and Tabitha forcefully tells her to stay away from her family. Boyd tries to reason with them but they both depart, leaving Boyd frustrated.

Tabitha and Jim return to their house and find Julie knocking on the door of the bedroom. Julie explains that Ethan overheard them talking about Sara and now will not leave his room. Tabitha tries to assure him that they will not let anything happen to him, while Jim adds that it’s like the Cromenockle, when she is afraid to go into the cave. Ethan then exits, and declares that he wants to see Sara. Tabitha and Jim argue over this, as she refuses to let Ethan near Sara, and asks him how he could even consider this. Jim realizes that this is because of Thomas, and reminds her that the doctors all said they should let him lead sometimes and work through things in his own way, while their role is to support him. Jim assures her that he will be with Ethan. Tabitha demands to join them, but Ethan arrives and recalls what Tabitha said about how scary this place is. Ethan says that on a quest, it is necessary to face the scary things in order to take away their power.

After confronting Sara, Jim and Ethan return to the Lius’ house, and Ethan happily tells Tabitha that he isn’t afraid anymore. Julie fist bumps him and asks him to help peel potatoes for dinner, which he grudgingly does. Tabitha asks Jim how Ethan did, and he says Ethan did great. As they hug, Tabitha has a vision of Ethan’s wooden block puzzle. Tabitha then goes to the forest and assembles Ethan’s block puzzle by the mouth of the caves and announces her presence. The Ghoulish Children emerge from the Forest, all saying “anghkooey” repeatedly. Tabitha tries to ask who they are but they surround her and begin touching her, overwhelming her. After they disappear, Jade arrives, and Tabitha asks if he saw them. Jade points out her nose is bleeding and asks what she means.

Donna leads Tian-Chen and the Matthews in preserving their food supplies. She instructs Ethan to use only two tablespoons of salt per jar, as they have a limited supply. Julie asks how long their supply will last, and Donna answers a year if they ration properly. Jim asks if this is all their food, pointing out that they have a month’s worth of food at most. Jim says they need to warn people but Donna says it will make them panic. Jim scolds her for not telling him sooner, and Donna asks if she was supposed to tell him when he was stuck under the house. Donna says they are simply trying to do their best. Jim then says that whoever is watching would want to increase the stress level. Ethan worriedly asks what he meant when he said they don’t have enough food. Jim tells him it’s ok and to get back to jarring, but Tabitha and Julie are concerned.

Meanwhile, the Matthews and Mrs. Liu prepare breakfast. Ethan says he wants to see Victor, and Julie offers to take him, but Jim does not think it’s a good idea. Tabitha replies that she thinks it will be ok, and Jim asks to talk outside. In the backyard, Jim says he doesn’t know what is going on with Tabitha, confusing her. He explains that they are supposed to be a team but she is undermining him. Tabitha sarcastically asks if he wants to keep the children locked in the basement, reminding him that he took Ethan to see Sara, the person who tried to kill him. Jim insists that was different but Tabitha says it was their acceptance of the fact that they cannot lock their kids away until they find a way home. Tabitha warns him that if they do, the kids will sneak out, and at least this way they know where he is. Jim says he is uncomfortable with their nine year old son hanging out with a strange, emotionally stunted adult who walks around with a gun in his lunchbox. Tabitha reminds him that Victor saved both her and Julie, but Jim says that’s what they want her to think, and reminds her of the voice on the radio. Tabitha understands that he wants this all to make sense, but tells him that had he seen the tunnels, but Jim merely says that is what they wanted her to see. Tabitha asks how “they” created the monsters, and says she has seen them up close. Tabitha continues to say that Jim is certain that the voice on the radio is the answer to everything, but asks if he has considered that it may not have been a person. Jim asks what else she thinks it was, and she admits she does not know and it terrifies her, but for now she is going inside to eat breakfast with her children, and he is welcome to join.

In the Bar, Tabitha approaches Jade while he works on refining the distillery. She asks him why he wasn’t surprised when he found her yelling on the ground in the woods. Jade reveals that Jim found him like that once, but did not explain what happened. Jade tells Tabitha that in his hallucination, he was attacked by an angry Civil War soldier. Jade then tells her that if she wants to learn more, she needs to help him with the still. After they finish fixing the still, Jade begins to explain his visions. The first was the man crushed by a boulder in the armoire in the Root Cellar, then the Civil War soldiers, and then the vision of Christopher. Tabitha asks about Christopher, and Jade gives her the photo of him with the journal, and points out child Victor in the background. Tabitha asks if the visions are different every time, and Jade says yes, except for the symbol which is always present. Tabitha explains that she always sees terrifying children, which made her think she was losing her mind or being punished for Thomas’ death. Jade offers her condolences before telling her that she is not being punished, and offers the possibility that they are just trapped in a messed up place with no explanation behind it. Tabitha then notices the journal with the symbols, and says she saw it in the tunnels, which Jade then asks about.

Tabitha takes Jade to the mouth of the Tunnels and says it’s where she first saw the Children and the symbol, as well as the sleeping Creatures. Jade believes that it can’t be a coincidence, and references chaos theory to explain how two seemingly unrelated events can be intricately connected. Jade says that they need to find out more to figure out the connection, but Tabitha refuses to reenter the caves. Jade then asks if Victor saw the symbol, and Tabitha answers that he pointed it out to her. Jade is furious that Victor withheld information from him, and points out that all of the crazy things they have seen are connected to Victor.

Jade and Tabitha arrive at the Diner in search of Victor but he tries to leave. Jade grabs Victor, prompting Julie to order him to leave Victor alone. Jade reminds Victor that in exchange for playing the song he was supposed to tell Jade about the symbol. Victor says he did, but Jade points out that he neglected to mention its presence in the Caves. Tabitha tries to calmly ask Victor for answers, and she and Jade follow him as he leaves. Jade grabs Victor again and orders him to tell them everything he knows because it might be how they go home, asking if he would like that. Victor defiantly replies that this place is his home and walks away. Tabitha excoriates Jade for behaving poorly and runs after Victor.

Tabitha follows Victor to Colony House. She knocks on his door and thanks him for giving Ethan his coat. She then sees the toy and says that Ethan said it upset Victor when he found it. Victor explains that he had not seen it for a long time. Tabitha asks why he didn’t tell Jade about the symbol in the tunnels, and Victor replies that people should not go looking for answers because they do not return. Tabitha argues that it’s the only way out, but Victor does not think there is a way out. Tabitha tries to persuade him, and Victor struggles to explain how his mother said they were going home but something bad happened. Victor cannot fully remember what happened, but his pictures might, and these are kept somewhere safe.

Victor leads Tabitha to the Car Graveyard. He calls her nice, and says he wants to help but he is afraid to remember. Tabitha tells him to be brave, and Victor says that is what his mother told him. Victor opens the trunk of his mother’s car and finds his drawings. He flashes back to his final encounter with his mother as he sorts through them, and begins panicking. He finds a drawing of him and a girl named Eloise, and begins sobbing. Victor then explains that his mother told him and his sister to hide and that he was supposed to protect Eloise. However, she ran and he failed to run after her because he was afraid. Tabitha tells him that he was just a little kid, and Victor says that the next morning everyone was dead. Tabitha then notices a drawing of a lighthouse and asks what it is. Victor explains that Eloise said it’s where their mother was going that night, to save the children locked in the tower.

After being warned that they cannot fall asleep, Tabitha tells Julie to come inside as Jade and Victor arrive. Ethan says they can’t leave their father out there, but Julie assures him that he will be fine. Tabitha adds that Boyd will keep him safe, and the best thing they can do is be safe. That night, Tabitha and Jade go over Victor and Eloise’s drawings. Jade notices one of Civil War soldiers, and asks why a little girl would draw that. Tabitha says the pictures were based off the stories Victor’s mother would tell, and Jade then asks why he is having visions of stories that a dead woman told 40 years ago. Tabitha then points out the drawing of the Lighthouse, and how Victor’s mother said she needed to go there to free the children in order to get everyone home. Tabitha reveals that since her arrival, she has had dreams about a tower just like that, and theorizes that the children are asking for her help. Jade tells Tabitha her theory is crazy, but Tabitha thinks it is promising. They are interrupted by a shriek from Julie, who is screaming in pain as her eyes glaze over.

The next morning, Kristi checks on Julie and assures Tabitha and Jim that she is breathing alright. When Kristi moves to check Julie’s eyes, Julie begins screaming in pain. After she settles down, Jim and Tabitha watch over their daughter. Tabitha tells him about how Victor’s mother tried to free the children in the tower, just like her dreams, and believes the key to saving Julie is the tower. Jim is against the idea, pointing out that his theory about the Township almost got him killed. Tabitha counters that their daughter is experiencing something out of a nightmare while her mother is powerless to help her and all she can think of is Thomas when he died. Tabitha says she can’t sit around, but Jim reminds her that Victor’s mother never came back, and Victor had to grow up alone. Tabitha tearfully says she needs his blessing to go.

Tian-Chen, Ethan and Victor return, and Ethan says Julie will be hungry when she wakes up. Tian-Chen promises that they will make her favorite food. Tabitha then asks to talk to Victor privately. She asks him about his mother and the children in the tower, and if he knows the way to the tower. Victor shakes his head no, but says he knows the way to the Bottle Tree, visiting which is necessary to get to the tower. Jim asks for a second with Tabitha, still skeptical, and Tabitha says she has to at least try if it will save their daughter. Jim is deeply worried and they hug.

As Victor and Tabitha trek through the forest, Tabitha asks for more information, but all he can say is that the children needed her. They then find the Bottle Tree, and Victor reveals that it is where he found her body. He then explains that the tree is a faraway tree, which Tabitha remembers is how he and Julie escaped Colony House. Victor says that they usually transport people to different places, but this one always transports people to same place. Victor then gives Tabitha his lunch box, which he packed with snacks for her. Tabitha thanks and hugs him before going inside the tree. She is then transported to the entrance of the Lighthouse.

Tabitha climbs the steps of the Lighthouse, and hears a child’s voice say “anghkooey” from up above. She ascends to the top floor and gazes out at the vast expanse. The Boy in White then apologizes, saying this is the only way before pushing her through the window. Tabitha then wakes up in a hospital, seemingly back in the normal world. Dr. Brody then arrives, and Tabitha asks where she is. Dr. Brody explains that she is in St. Anthony’s Hospital, having been found by hikers three days prior unconscious in the woods. Dr. Brody continues to ask her questions, as Tabitha stares in disbelief outside the window, and sees that she is no longer in the Township.

Season 3

As Tabitha struggles to process what Dr. Brody has just told her, she asks where the hospital is located. Brody reveals that she is in Camden, Maine, and asks Tabitha for her name, and if she could tell them more about what happened. Tabitha remains in disbelief as a nurse informs Dr. Brody that the police are arriving shortly, which Brody explains is just a formality. Brody asks to run a few more tests later before leaving. Tabitha then rips out her IV and changes into her clothes. She sneaks out of the hospital, only to see the Boy in White across the street. Tabitha chases after him and confronts him in a cafe, only to find that it is just a normal boy, whose mother scolds her.

Tabitha continues to wander through Camden, finding a market. She borrows a teenager’s phone and calls her mother, who is shocked and begins asking questions, noting that the police are looking for her and her family. Tabitha tells her mother she loves her, and she is trying to bring her family back before tearfully hanging up. She then notices a nearby church.

Tabitha goes to confession. Tabitha says she has nowhere else to go but can’t tell anyone what has happened because they will think her crazy, and that she is on the verge of breaking down. The priest tries to comfort her and begins talking about God, but Tabitha interrupts him and says if God is real then he made the Towship, suffering and let her baby fall off the changing table. As she begins to leave, the Priest stops her and asks about Thomas and whether she has other children, noting the lunchbox. Tabitha explains it belongs to Victor, who gave it to her before she left a place where monsters emerge at night that people can’t believe, and a tree took her to a lighthouse, but a boy pushed her out saying “this is the only way.” She admits she has no clue what she is supposed to do or get back to her trapped family. The Priest asks what Victor prepared for her, promising that he wants to help her. Tabitha reminices about how Victor is still a little boy. As she looks through the lunchbox, she sees an address for Victor’s home: 1597 Burrow Street, in Camden. Tabitha then rushes out. She finds the address in Victor’s lunchbox as a car arrives. The driver tells her to leave, but recognizes the lunchbox in her arms, and demands she tell him where she found that. Tabitha realizes that he is Victor’s father.

Tabitha wakes up on Henry’s couch, and finds Henry asleep in a nearby chair with a gun in his hand. Tabitha asks what happened, but grows alarmed at the sight of the gun. Henry tells her she passed out, and orders her to sit. Henry demands she explain how she found the lunchbox. Tabitha explains what happened to her family and how they became trapped in the Town. As she explains, Henry cuts her off, and agitatedly asks where she got the lunchbox. Tabitha says Victor gave it to her. Henry does not believe her, and threatens to call the police. Tabitha begs him not to, but Henry says he called them 20 minutes ago.

In order to prove her story, Tabitha shows Henry missing persons reports of people trapped in the Township. Henry refuses to believe her, asking how she was the one person who escaped. Tabitha says she does not understand but Victor helped her, and is friends with her son and saved her daughter. As she talks about saving the children in the tower, Henry grows interested. Tabitha explains that she saw visions of Ghoulish Children, and maybe saving them would allow them to escape. The police then arrive. Henry covers for her, saying it was false alarm.

As Henry and Tabitha eat, Henry explains that Miranda began hearing voices of children calling out to her, asking to be saved from the tower. The only person he told was a detective who died 20 years prior. He shows her Victor and Eloise’s room, and explains his life fell apart after their disappearance, even being suspected of playing a part in it. Henry explains that he has concluded that Tabitha is telling the truth, and he wants to show her the basement. Henry explains that after an acid trip, Miranda started having visions. In the basement, Tabitha finds visions of the Ghoulish Children. Henry continues to explain that Miranda had visions of the Township, the Creatures, and that she had to find and free the children. Miranda believed she was chosen, like others before her who had all failed. Henry says Tabitha has been chosen, and asks how she escaped as Tabitha finds a painting of the Boy in White.

The next morning, Tabitha emerges from the basement after spending all night looking at the paintings. She explains again how she was pushed out of the Lighthouse and accidentally reveals that Miranda was killed. Henry admits he had accepted long ago that she was dead. Hearing clinking, Henry confirms the sound is real and made by bottles tied to a tree in the backyard.

In his backyard, Henry shows her the Bottle Tree, explaining that Miranda was an artist with many installations around town. Tabitha explains that the tree in the Township has an opening that can teleport people. Henry reveals that this tree is a copy, and the original installation is a few towns over. He then remembers that that tree is where they took acid together, where she first received visions of the Township. Tabitha demands he take her, but he insists she rest. As they get in the car, Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” begins playing. Henry explains that the song was Miranda’s favorite, and the car plays it because the tape is stuck. A shocked Tabitha says it is also her and her husband’s song.

As they drive, Tabitha finds a bracelet in Henry’s glove compartment and asks where he got that, as it is similar to the one she made Jim. After Henry answers that Miranda made it for him, Tabitha starts to believe that she is not really in Camden and is still stuck in the Township. As Tabitha continues to spiral and tries to leave, Henry tells her that she does not get to arrive and say that his son is alive and then leave. As she tries to get out of the car, Henry holds the door shut and begins driving, but they are hit by an oncoming vehicle. Tabitha wakes up in an ambulance, where she is told that Henry is having trouble but is largely stable. Acosta, the police officer, tells her that they have been looking for her since she ran out of the hospital. As Tabitha tries to convince them to let her go, the ambulance stops, as their path is blocked by a Fallen Tree.

As the EMTs examine the Fallen Tree blocking the road, Acosta observes how empty the area is. Tabitha exits the ambulance and stares in shock at the tree as the crows begin squawking overhead. Acosta orders the EMTs to find a detour around the tree. As Tabitha mutters that it will not work, Acosta escorts her back to the ambulance. The ambulance continues driving through the Forest, with night having fallen. The EMTs suggest turning around, believing they are lost, but Tabitha urges them to keep going forward towards Town. The EMTs remind her that they are looking for the highway.

As they continue driving, Tabitha continues to urge them to get to Town, but Acosta and the EMTs continue to disbelieve her. They soon notice a body on the road. Tabitha frantically tries to prevent them leaving, but Acosta cuffs her to a bar and orders her to calm down. The EMTs begin examining the Creature as Acosta approaches. The Creature then turns into her monstrous form and kills both of the EMTs. Acosta tries shooting the Creature, to no effect. As more Creatures approach, Acosta runs away. Tabitha wakes Henry up as she struggles to break free. Jim Matthews arrives, shocked to find his wife, followed shortly by Boyd and Randall. With no way to free Tabitha, Randall runs to the bus to fetch a toolkit. However, his return is blocked by the Creatures. He throws Boyd the toolkit, but is overwhelmed by hallucinations and surrounded by Creatures as he tries to return to the bus. Boyd drives the ambulance away, leaving Randall behind.

Tabitha is freed from the cuffs, and the ambulance arrives at Colony House, where her arrival shocks everyone. She notices Acosta nearby and admonishes her for not listening. At their request, Donna takes Tabitha and Jim to a room upstairs. Once in private, Jim and Tabitha talk about Henry and Victor. Tabitha explains that Miranda had visions of the Township prior to her arrival, and that the Boy in White wanted her to find something. She begins crying and apologizing, but Jim reassures her that all that matters is that she is alive and safe.

The next morning, Tabitha tells her family about her experience in the outside world. Julie is confused by how she was teleported to the real world, but Jim is happy that they are reunited. Jade bursts in, and begins asking about the Bottle Tree and the Lighthouse. Jade insists that they return to the tree. Tabitha says she will speak at the Town meeting, but Jade wants to leave immediately.

Later that day, the residents of the Township gather in the Diner to hear Tabitha's story. After she concludes her story for the people in the Diner. Fatima asks if she tried reaching out to the police, and Tabitha says she wanted to, prompting anger. Tabitha justifies herself, saying they would not have believed her, and Henry tries to back her up, pointing out that he didn’t believe her at first, and that his circumstances are different than the average person’s. Acosta agrees, noting that she and the EMTs thought Tabitha hysterical, but this only angers people further, who point out that she killed Nicky. Clara admonishes Tabitha for wasting her opportunity in the outside world to get help. Jim asks the crowd what they would have done. Fatima also criticizes Tabitha, who apologizes for not finding answers and leaves.

Tabitha and Jim return to the Lius' Home, and they admit the meeting went poorly. Tabitha says they should go to the tree, admitting that the crowd was right. Jim is reluctant, pulling Tabitha aside and warning her to think, reminding her that they all thought her dead. Tabitha says that all she will do is show them the location of the tree. Jim insists that Ethan remain, telling her that he would run off when she was gone. Tabitha agrees, ordering Ethan to remain in the house while she and Jade head to the tree.

At the Bottle Tree, Jade tries knocking bottles down. Tabitha tells him that the papers only have numbers written on them. Jade points out that they all have four numbers written on them, and theorizes that they may be dates. However, Tabitha points out that one reads 2659, and thinks that Jim might be right. Jade sits beside her, and admits that he saw the Ghoulish Children, having gone into the Tunnels to find something to help Julie. He explains that he saw the Symbol as a hole in the ceiling, with the lines formed by roots, while the children were on stone slabs repeating “anghkooey.” Jade says he never felt such fear, but felt like there threads finally starting to connect. Jade insists that they cannot deny what the tree did, and believes that the bottles must mean something. Dale arrives, and he marvels at the Bottle Tree. Tabitha and Jade try to convince Dale not to go inside the tree. Dale insists that they have to try, and says they will thank him later as he disappears inside. The tree transports Dale into the wall of the Star Magic Motel Pool, killing him.

As Jim struggles to sleep, he notices Tabitha is awake, and she explains that she had a nightmare. She blames herself for not trying to get help while she had the chance in the outside world. Jim rises and says she did the best she could, trying to comfort her. However, this only angers Tabitha, who says he has no idea and is just saying that to make her feel better. As the two argue, Jim says that she always finds it easier to cut and run and deal with things on her own, which is why she wanted a divorce. Tabitha reminds him that he was able to throw himself into work, while she dealt with the  effects of Thomas’ death on their children. Jim then storms out of the room.

The next morning, Julie finds her mother in the kitchen and asks where Jim is. Tabitha answers that he went to the Log Cabins to help gather the rest of the food. Julie asks if this had anything to do with their argument the previous night. As Tabitha prepares to speak, Julie remarks that things are normal again with them fighting, and leaves to get Ethan for breakfast.

At the pool, Donna uses tones to erect a cairn over Dale’s body, which is still trapped in the concrete. Tabitha approaches and offers her condolences. Donna asks if Tabitha is alright after the meeting, and she says that she feels like she let everyone down by not getting answers. Donna reminds her that her children thought she was dead, and that they didn’t need answers, they needed her back. Tabitha wonders if the others were right and she wasted her opportunity, but Donna points out she could have ended up like Dale, and advises that she not be a hero, but spend time with her children and not take it for granted. Tabitha pulls Donna into a hug and comforts her.

At the Lius’, Ethan reads one of Tian-Chen’s books when Tabitha arrives. Ethan asks if Tian-Chen is with Bing-Qian now and if their marriage was happy. Tabitha apologizes for the fight, and says that they are trying their best. Ethan remarks that he liked it more when they first arrived and were too scared to be angry. Ethan asks if they were fighting over what Jade is doing, and Tabitha explains that Jade is trying to solve the puzzle. Tabitha hears noises upstairs, and after Ethan says no one elsie is home, she goes to investigate. She is confronted by several Ghoulish Children chanting “anghkooey” as she tells them to leave. Ethan arrives as they disappear, hearing her cries. After explaining that it was the children, Ethan takes her outside.

In the Bar, Tabitha and Ethan find Jade writing notes and offer to help Jade solve his puzzle. Jade tells Tabitha that there is another Bottle Tree with the same numbers, albeit written out in cursive. Furthermore, some numbers repeat. Jade admits that he has no idea what it means, but believes that it points them closer to answers. Jade and Ethan go over the numbers as Jade explains that there has to be a pattern. They observe that some of the numbers are backwards sometimes. Jade goes over to Tabitha and says that the Children will not hurt her, as they want her help. Tabitha reminds him that this is based on something a dead woman saw 40 years ago. She then finds Jade’s drawings of the Totems, and he explains that he found them scattered around the Log Cabins. Tabitha flashes back to her childhood, and asks if he saw three red stones in a circle. Tabitha explains that as a child, she would have the same nightmare repeatedly, and that she also saw the Township in her dreams but did not know it.

Tabitha, Ethan and Jade go to the Settlement, surprising Jim. They explain that Tabitha had visions of the Settlement as a child. Ethan remarks that the Settlement is creepy, and asks who lived out there. Jade admits he does not know, and warns him to look out for bear traps. Jim theorizes that Tabitha might be trying to make connections that aren’t there, but she reiterates that she had this dream for months, and it had the exact same Totems as the Settlement. Jim warns that previous attempts at trying to figure things out have ended in failure or death. Tabitha says those were different because they happened once they became trapped in the Township, but she had her dreams as a child before she ever arrived in the Township. Tabitha says she needs to find out what it means, and Jim agrees.

As they explore, the Matthews and Jade arrive at the three red rocks. Ethan asks if they are the same as her dream, and Tabitha says everything is identical, including the feeling of fear. Tabitha retraces her steps in her dreams, but cannot remember what it was that was frightening her. Jim asks how this helps, while Jade remarks that maybe Tabitha was chosen and destined to arrive, like Miranda.

After they return to the Lius' Home, Jim finds Tabitha in the kitchen, and tells her that she is trying to make everything mean something, and to fix something that they cannot. Jim reveals that he took the phone off the wall because it rang and the voice on the other end called itself Thomas, shocking Tabitha. Jim says that something out there knows things about them and knows which buttons to push. The two are interrupted when Sara arrives with the news that Victor is in bad shape and only wants to talk to Tabitha.

Sara brings Tabitha to Victor, who directs her to sit with Jasper and asks her to help him get Jasper to reveal the secrets he told Christopher. Tabitha says it is just a doll as Victor grows more agitated. Tabitha calms him, and Victor says he cannot remember. The two sit down and Tabitha has Victor tell her about Jasper. Victor explains that he heard Jasper telling Christopher things they need to know. Tabitha comforts him and tells him that they will remember together. Tabitha and Sara ask Victor questions to get him to remember what Jasper said. Sara asks about the weather, and Victor recalls that it was sunny and he and Eloise were playing hide and seek. As Victor recalls that he searched in the Church, which she did not go inside as it scared her. Victor is then certain that he saw Jasper talking to Christopher in the Church.

Victor, Tabitha and Sara go to the Church and descend into the basement. Victor recalls doing the same as a child, and seeing Jasper tell Christopher secrets that made him angry. However, Victor then realizes that it was the Boy in White, not Jasper. He remembers the Boy saying that the "answers to the end are in the beginning," starting with the children. The children had been murdered by people they trusted. The children had been told a story of hope as they lay on the stones, the roots became the Farway Trees. The Boy told Christopher that to save the children, he would have to go through the tree, but Christopher got angry and refused to listen. Victor then remembers that he told his mother what the Boy in White said, and that's why she left them that night.

Victor breaks down while Tabitha and Sara try to get him to tell them about his memories. However, Victor blames himself for telling his mother about the Tree, believing himself responsible for her death. As Tabitha grabs Victor, she freezes, and Victor wrestles free and leaves. Sara notices, but before they can discuss Kenny arrives with the news that something happened to Julie in the woods. She arrives at the Clinic after Julie's checkup is concluded. The family stay at the Clinic overnight, so Kristi and Mari can monitor Julie. As night falls, Jim reports that the kids are asleep. He apologizes to Tabitha for his behavior and promises to support her in trying to figure out how to get home.

The next morning, the Matthews go to the Diner, now up and running again thanks to Bakta. Bakta praises Ethan for helping with the cleaning and organizing, telling him that he is welcome to help out anytime. Bakta explains that Kenny was very supportive, and she felt like people needed a place to feel normal after Tillie’s death. As they eat, Ethan glumly picks at his food, saying he misses Tian-Chen’s pancakes before leaving for the bathroom. Julie tells her parents that he blames himself for what happened to her, because she brought him with her to the ruins, and asked him if she should enter them. Julie acknowledges it was a mistake, but explains that it felt like one of Ethan’s stories. She adds that Jim and Tabitha trying to pretend things are alright is only making things worse.

Outside the Diner, Boyd and Donna assemble everyone. Donna acknowledges that everyone is scared and wants answers about what happened to Tillie. Boyd then reveals that Fatima is missing, and they ask everyone to help with the search. One person asks if the same thing that took her is what killed Tillie. Boyd admits he does not know, and only knows that she is close. When asked how he knows this, Boyd says it is because something wants them to know she is close, is alone, afraid, and it believes they do not have what it takes to find her. Boyd gives an inspiring speech to the crowd, encouraging them to help with the search party. Bakta asks how they will do this, and Boyd says they will pair up in groups of two and cover every inch. Julie and Ethan both want to help, and Jim agrees to take Ethan while Tabitha takes Julie.

Tabitha and Julie search in the Clairy’s Canned Goods Truck. Julie worries that they will be picked off, one by one, and recalls that Fatima was the first person to make the Township seem like it could be normal. Julie reveals that she does not think she was dreaming when she blacked out at the ruins. She believes that she was transported somewhere, first to the Dungeon where they were screaming, there was a man shackled to the wall. She then heard her mother’s voice in the Tunnels and tried to follow it, but it kept getting further away. She also heard the children, repeating the word “anghkooey.” Julie says she was worried that she would die alone, but Tabitha pulls her into a hug and tells her that she will never be alone. Tabitha then sees a Ghoulish Child in the distance, and reveals to her daughter that the child is beckoning them to follow.

The Ghoulish Child leads Tabitha and Julie through the forest to the open Root Cellar doors. Tabitha begins to enter, but freezes again. After Julie snaps her out of it, Tabitha continues downstairs and finds Victor, continuing to lament his role in his mother’s death. Tabitha reassures him that it was not his fault, as he was just a child. Tabitha begins having flashes of the night Miranda left her children in the cellar. As Tabitha runs outside, overwhelmed, she sees Miranda running to the Bottle Tree, only to be attacked by Smiley.

The three return to the Lius' Home. When Jim returns, Tabitha explains that the child led her to the Root Cellar, where she found Victor blaming himself for her death. However, she then experienced Miranda’s memories, and it felt like Miranda was trying to tell her something. Jim fetches Jade, and Tabitha explains how Miranda almost got to the Bottle Tree, but was attacked by a Creature. Jim notes that Jade has had visions previously, but Jade explains that he sees things that should not be there, like the Civil War Soldier. Jade asks Tabitha what Miranda was trying to tell her. As Tabitha admits she sounds crazy, Jade says she is not, and explains that according to thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or destroyed. He theorizes that the energy behaves in unique ways in the Township, and says that the Children appear to want her to see Miranda’s memories. He asks where she was when she saw the child, and she says near Victor’s truck.

Tabitha, Jim and Jade arrive at the Clairy’s Canned Goods Truck, and Jade explains that there may be a reason the Child appeared at the truck, and the Children are the one thread connecting all their experiences. He further explains how he saw them on altars underneath roots forming the Symbol. Tabitha says that Victor told her that the Children poured their hope into the roots which became the Bottle Tree. Jade shouts at the sky in frustration over the confusing messages. Jim asks if he feels better, and Jade admits he does not.

In the truck, Jade says that if the Children made the tree, then the numbers must also matter. Jim says that they do not even know who put them on the tree, and they could be some sort of delusion. Tabitha argues that Miranda knew they were important, as Miranda made a replica in her yard. Jim notes that the 2 and the 7 were backwards. As Jade rants about trying to solve the puzzle, Jim notes that there are 12 notes in a musical scale. Jade hails him as a genius, and tells Jim to find Miranda’s violin while he and Tabitha go to the Bar.

In the Bar, Jade and Tabitha try to figure out the order of the notes. Jim arrives with the violin as Jade places the notes in order. As he hums to himself, Jim asks what the tune is, and Jade explains that he heard the music as he looked at the notes. Jim warns that this may not be a good idea, reminding Jade that the Township might be manipulating him. Jade says it’s just music, but Jim points out that the Music Box nearly killed everyone. Tabitha agrees that they should not play the music in Town, and suggests playing the tune at the Bottle Tree.

At the tree, Tabitha sees the Ghoulish Children arriving, as does Jade, though Jim cannot see them. As Jade keeps playing, one Child approaches Tabitha. In the tunnel, Boyd finds a light. Meanwhile, Fatima reveals to Ellis that the Creatures sacrificed their children because they were promised immortality. The Kimono Woman brings the pod to a chamber filled with the Creatures and the Smiley Creature emerges from it as Boyd stares in disbelief.

After Jade finishes the song, the child approaches Tabitha and tells her “anghkooey.” Tabitha realizes that the word means “remember.” Tabitha runs off, and when Jim asks what happened, Jade only says they used to sing them lullabies. Jim runs after Tabitha and begs her to talk to him. Tabitha explains that the reason she and Jade can see them is because they are reincarnations of Miranda and Christopher. The two are reincarnations of the people who tried to save the children from being sacrificed, as one of the children was their daughter. Jim is shocked, and Tabitha asks for some time.

Trivia

• Missing since: 2/20/2022, Last seen: traveling from Glendale, Arizona towards Colorado.
• Like Miranda Kavanaugh, Tabitha appears to have been chosen to free the inhabitants of the Township. The two have many parallels to their journeys including:
  • Having dreams of the Township before their arrival.
  • Arriving in the Township with two children, a son and a daughter.

Appearances

Season 1

• Long Day's Journey Into Night
• The Way Things Are Now
• Choosing Day
• A Rock and a Farway
• Silhouettes
• Book 74
• All Good Things...
• Broken Windows, Open Doors
• Into The Woods
• Oh, the Places We'll Go

Season 2

• Strangers in a Strange Land
• The Kindness of Strangers
• Tether
• This Way Gone
• Lullaby
• Pas de Deux
• Belly of the Beast
• Forest for the Trees
• Ball of Magic Fire
• Once Upon a Time…

Season 3

• Shatter
• When We Go
• Mouse Trap
• There and Back Again
• The Light of Day
• Scar Tissue