Day 3 dawned with a sense of normalcy that Eddie Diaz, Evan "Buck" Buckley, and Christopher Diaz hadn't felt in days. After the eerie events of the previous two nights—whispers, cold spots, and unsettling feelings—they were all eager to put the strange happenings behind them and enjoy a peaceful day out. The sun was shining, and the small town of Columbus, Indiana, beckoned with its quiet charm.
Christopher was particularly excited, his face lighting up at the idea of exploring a new town. "Dad, can we try that sandwich everyone keeps talking about? The Hoosier one?"
Eddie chuckled, tousling his son's hair. "The Hoosier Tenderloin? Sure, we can try it. I've heard it's pretty good."
Buck, leaning against the doorway with a grin, chimed in, "I'm in for anything that involves food. Let's do it."
After a few hours, they found themselves at a local diner, sinking their teeth into the famous Hoosier Tenderloin sandwiches. The crispy breading gave way to juicy pork, and the sandwich did not disappoint. Christopher happily munched away while Eddie and Buck talked about their lives back in Los Angeles, recalling stories from their time as firefighters with Station 118.
"You know," Buck said between bites, "I still can't believe we're not in L.A. anymore. I keep expecting Bobby to call us in for a shift."
Eddie smiled, though there was a hint of nostalgia in his expression. "Yeah, it's weird. But we needed this change. After everything... I think we deserve a quieter life."
Christopher looked up from his sandwich, curiosity in his eyes. "Do you think Uncle Bobby and the others miss us?"
Buck laughed, glancing at Eddie. "I'm sure they do, kid. We'll check in on them soon."
After they finished their sandwiches, they decided to grab some local desserts from Gramz Bakery and Cafe. The small café was cozy and warm, filled with the smell of freshly baked pastries. Buck couldn't resist getting a large piece of carrot cake, while Christopher picked out a chocolate muffin. Eddie, opting for something lighter, chose a lemon tart.
As they sat at the café, enjoying their treats, the conversation shifted back to their firefighting days. Buck told stories of daring rescues, Henrietta ("Hen") always keeping everyone in line, and Chimney (Howard Han) cracking jokes to lighten the mood, even during the most dangerous situations.
"You remember that time Chim tripped over his own hose and fell face-first into the water main?" Buck laughed, shaking his head. "Hen never let him live that down."
Eddie smiled at the memory, though there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes. "I miss it. I miss them."
Christopher, licking chocolate off his fingers, chimed in. "Can we call them when we get home? I want to see how they're doing."
Buck nodded. "Good idea, buddy. We'll give them a call."
Once they returned to the house, the unease that had lingered from the previous nights seemed to creep back in, but they brushed it off, determined to have a normal day. They settled into the living room, and Buck set up the FaceTime call to Bobby Nash. A few rings later, Bobby's familiar face appeared on the screen, his smile wide.
"Buck! Eddie! Christopher!" Bobby greeted them warmly, and next to him was his wife, Athena Grant-Nash, a formidable LAPD sergeant who had become family to them all.
"Hey, Cap!" Buck grinned, waving at the camera. "How are things in L.A.?"
Bobby chuckled. "Busy, as always. The station isn't the same without you two, though. Everyone's been asking about you. Hen, Chim, even Karen and Maddie have been checking in."
Eddie smiled. "We miss all of you. It's been strange not being on shift, but we needed the break."
Christopher leaned closer to the screen. "Uncle Bobby! We tried the Hoosier sandwich today. It was so good!"
Athena laughed softly. "That's a classic around here. Sounds like you're settling in well."
Eddie and Buck exchanged a glance, and then Eddie cleared his throat. "Actually, we wanted to talk to you guys about something... weird that's been happening."
Bobby's expression shifted to one of concern. "What do you mean?"
Eddie explained the strange events that had been happening since they moved into the house—the cold spots, the whispers, the unsettling feeling of being watched, and how Christopher had been particularly affected by it all. As Eddie spoke, Bobby and Athena's faces grew more serious.
"I don't know what's going on," Eddie continued, "but it doesn't feel right. There's something... off about this place."
Athena leaned in toward the screen, her voice calm but firm. "Have you considered that the house might have some history tied to it? Old houses like that tend to carry a lot of baggage. It could be residual energy, or... something more."
Bobby nodded in agreement. "It might be worth looking into. If you need help, there are people who specialize in this kind of thing."
Buck, who had been silent during Eddie's explanation, finally spoke up. "I don't know if I believe in all that, but whatever's happening, it's not normal. And Christopher's scared. We need to figure this out."
Eddie sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, we do. We can't keep ignoring it."
Christopher, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, his voice small. "Do you think the house is haunted?"
There was a brief silence, and then Athena's voice broke the tension. "It's possible. But don't worry, sweetheart. Your dad and Buck are going to figure this out. You're not alone in this."
Bobby nodded. "That's right. And if you ever need us, we're just a call away."
After a few more minutes of conversation, they ended the FaceTime call, feeling a little more grounded but still uneasy. The house was quiet, but the unsettling atmosphere had returned. Eddie looked at Buck, his face serious.
"We need to look into this place's history," Eddie said. "Something's going on here, and I don't want to wait until it gets worse."
Buck nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's start digging tomorrow. We'll figure this out."
Christopher, though still nervous, seemed comforted by the fact that they were taking action. As they settled in for the evening, the air in the house felt heavier again, the quiet stillness growing more suffocating as the night wore on.
But one thing was clear: whatever was haunting this house, it wasn't going to go away on its own.
And Eddie, Buck, and Christopher were far from safe.
