Yeah, we came out of it with Mercy Fuller still alive, Barnes conceded. How are you doing?

A little shaken. I want to get back home, but I feel like I need to see what happens with Mercy.

That girl is one hell of a fighter, Barnes said. Did they tell you what she used to stab Kramer with?

They did. A lock-pick. My lock-pick. It must have fallen through one of the cracks between the floor boards when he was throwing my stuff on the ground.

It looked as if Barnes wanted to say something else. But in the end, he settled for an encouraging soft clap to her back and a smile of appreciation. He then walked over to where the small group was stull huddled around Mercy.

Kate looked in that direction as she hopped down out of the ambulance. Mercy was looking over the heads of the six different people standing around her. Her eyes finally found Kate. She offered a forced smile, but never took her eyes off of the agent who had come out here to the middle of nowhere to find her.

It brought tears to Kates eye, but they were happy tears. As she wiped them away, she caught Mercy smiling at her. This time, it was genuine.

The girl broke away from the little group and started over toward Kate. Those around her started to reach for her, to keep her stationary, until they realized where she was headed. Kate put an arm around her instinctively when the girl reached her.

The sheriff told me hed help me with anything regarding social services, Mercy said. He said it in this kind of pained way, like he was hiding something. She looked down at her feet and, as if embarrassed, added: I know about my parents. Well, I mean, I know theres some question about if Mom and Dad are my real…my real…

How do you know that?

A man claiming to be my real dad called a few weeks ago. Left a message. I never called him back.

What did the message say?

That he was my real father and the Fullers were liars and thieves.

Did you believe him?

Mercy shrugged, leaning into Kate. I dont know. I…well, there would be times when I would look at my mom and dad and realize I looked nothing like them. And there arent any baby pictures of me around the house. I just…something never felt quite right. And it got stronger the older I got.

So you did believe him?

No. Not at first. But all of this…what happened…Agent Wise, was he right? Was he telling the truth?