Ray Thurston

Ray Thurston is an antagonist in Welcome to Dead House as well as the television adaptation of the episode.

History
Ray is one of the many residents of Dark Falls. In 1988, he and his family moved to Dark Falls and lived in what is dubbed by the town as the Dead House, a house the town uses to trick unsuspecting families so they can kill them and feast on their blood to survive. Ray and his family were killed, but much like the other residents, became the living dead, continuing the cycle of luring new victims. He was then given the role of The Watcher, tasked with stalking the Benson family from within their new home, making sure that they weren't aware of the town's plans beforehand. Knowing that dogs can detect the dead, Ray panics and kills Petey, the Benson family dog in order to try and keep the secret. But when Amanda and Josh go looking for Petey, they wind up in the town cemetery, where they find the gravestones for many of the kids in Dark Falls, including Ray's. He panics and starts to float above Amanda, seemingly choking her, until Josh shines his halogen flashlight over him, causing his flesh and other body parts to melt off off, leaving nothing but a skeletal heap on the ground. However, the end of the book seems to establish that this isn't permanent and he and the town continue their cycle with a new family as quickly as before the Bensons can make their escape.

Physical appearance
The book describes Ray as having wavy blond hair, a turned up nose and a serious looking face. He wears a maroon long-sleeved sweatshirt and black jeans and occasionally a blue baseball cap.