When Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Monica moved out of the tower to live in his childhood home, which had once belonged to his parents, Rhodey made a promise to Ethan and Eva. He assured them that they would be able to spend a couple of weeks there during the summer. After a few years, the time finally came for them to fulfill this promise.
As soon as they arrived, Ethan eagerly ventured into the neighborhood with his cousin Colton, leaving Eva with Aunt Monica since there were no other girls her age to play with. While Monica didn't mind having her niece around, Eva often found herself bored with the grown-up activities they engaged in. Recognizing this, they had a conversation with the boys about including Eva more in their adventures.
Although the boys agreed, they seem to do so somewhat reluctantly. Nevertheless, the morning after their discussion, the boys made plans to explore the neighborhood together again and invited Eva to join them.
"Be careful, kids!" Rhodey called out as the three of them embarked on their bikes.
"We will, Dad!" Colton promised, taking the lead.
They rode down the street and turned onto the next one, prompting Eva to inquire, "Where are we going?"
"You'll see!" Ethan replied, his voice carrying back to her.
Eva shrugged and followed her brother and cousin.
After a series of twists and turns, the boys stopped in front of an old, abandoned house.
Eva swallowed nervously and surveyed her surroundings. "I... I don't think we should be here, Ethan!"
But Colton and Ethan had already left their bikes at the curb and were motioning for her to follow them.
"Come on, Evie!" Ethan yelled.
Eva still had a feeling they shouldn't be doing this even as she abandoned her bike too, and hurried to catch up with them.
"You know, they say this place is cursed," Ethan told his sister.
"There's no such thing, Ethan!" she said, bravely.
"Oh, yes there is!" Colton interjected, "A whole family got murdered here, three of them kids! Now their spirits are trapped in the house's walls!"
Eva stopped a few feet in front of the door, "I don't want to go in!"
Her brother shrugged, "Okay, suit yourself but exploring this house is what we were planning to do today. If you don't want to come with us, you don't have to."
"Okay, I won't!" she said, and she start back for her bike.
"Just don't tell my Mom or Dad what we're doing!" Colton called out. "And don't go back home!"
"But I don't want to stay here!" Eva exclaimed.
The boys shrugged, "Again, you wanted to tag along with us!"
"Why are you being so mean, Ethan?" Eva asked, her voice trembling.
Ethan didn't answer her for a moment, then said, "I'm not trying to be mean. I just wanted me and Colton to be able to hang out and do what we want without anyone else."
"Yeah, we really didn't want a little scaredy cat tagging along with us to begin with!" Colton added.
Eva stared at them, tears welled up in her eyes, and overflowed. She turned and bolted back to her bike, riding off on it before they could stop her.
"Great!" Ethan grumbled, turning to Colton, "You know she's going back to tell on us!"
"Yeah, if she doesn't get lost first!"
At hearing that, it only took Ethan a second to go get on his bike, and take off after his sister.
Colton rolled his eyes, and got on his own bike, knowing if he did't catch them, they'd both get lost.
"Eva! Wait!" Ethan yelled.
Eva looked back when she heard him, and started pedaling faster, "Leave me alone!"
"Eva, stop!" he yelled, increasing his speed.
"No! I hate you! Leave me alone!" she yelled.
Colton huffed as he increased his speed to catch up with Ethan, "We've got to stop her! She's come up to the intersection!"
Ethan nodded, and pedaled as fast as he could go.
Eva saw him and went faster.
Colton pumped harder and passed Ethan.
Eva saw him and tried to increase the gap between them.
He came up beside her, "Stop!"
"No!"
"Stop now!" he ordered again.
She shook her head.
Colton reached up and grabbed her handle bars.
A car's horn was heard blowing.
Colton turned them both to the side of the road where the both crashed.
The driver of the car got out and ran over to them, "Are you kids okay?"
Eva was crying her eyes out, and Colton was cringing.
"Stay there, and don't move. I'll call 9-1-1!" the driver said.
Ethan arrived at that second, stopping then dropping his bike, and ran over to his sister and cousin.
He knelt beside her, "Evie, what's wrong?"
"My arm hurts really bad!" Eva whimpered, clutching it against herself.
"Let me see—"
"No, don't touch her! Her arm might be broken," the driver said, "I've called an ambulance. They'll take care of her arm." He looked at Colton, "Are you okay?"
Colton nodded, "I think so."
"They can look you over too just to be safe. Do you have a phone or do I need to call your parents?"
"Yeah I've got a phone. In my backpack."
"I think you should get it out and call them. Let them know what's happened, and that you're little sister have to go to the hospital."
Colton nodded, and took off his backpack.
"We're going to be in such big trouble for this!" Ethan said.
"Yeah, I know. Man, do I know!" the other boy agreed as he dialed his aunt.
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