Charlie climbs the locked gate at the Sycamore Street house after hearing Radar’s howl and finds Mr. Howard Bowditch on the back steps with a severe leg fracture. He calls 911, retrieves expired Empirin from a tiny bathroom, and notes the dim hall stacked with old magazines and books and a tidy, old-fashioned kitchen. Bowditch shivers, worries about Radar, and warns Charlie not to snoop.

EMTs CeeCee and Craig arrive, dismiss the old pills, administer Demerol, and prepare Bowditch for transport. Bowditch, focused on Radar, authorizes Charlie to use the backdoor key and instructs him to feed Radar a cup of Orijen Regional Red at six and again in the morning if he’s kept overnight, with no meat and no snacks. He briefly mentions and retracts money in a flour cannister, repeats his no-snooping warning, and is taken away.

Charlie stays to study and observe the house, resisting the urge to check the flour cannister but raiding the cookie jar himself. He discovers a doomsday-level pantry and a nearly empty dog-food bin, feeds Radar, and notes a padlocked outbuilding he assumes is a toolshed. After dinner with his father, he returns, spooked by the “Psycho House” atmosphere, but Radar greets him warmly.

Inside, Charlie leaves a light on, briefly plays fetch with Radar’s worn toys, bends the “no snacks” rule with a pecan sandy, and places Bowditch’s chambray shirt for her to lie on. He bolts the dog door to keep her from wandering, plans an early-morning feeding, and texts his teachers that he may miss first periods to visit someone in the hospital.