For two days, Lynn and Roxy were kept in quarantine at the nearby military base. They had wisely kept Roxy with Lynn rather than face her wrath. All the women could do was watch television, news reports of how the government had swept in to gather the returned in order to study them and make sure they posed no threat, and to handle the growing throngs of family and loved ones who rushed the hastily arranged confinement centers, to see if they could locate their missing.

When Kate finally arrived, with a furious Stella in tow, it was with news that they could leave. When asked where William was, Kate’s face had just turned sad, handing her a piece of paper.

“He doesn’t want us to know,” she said.

There was no question it was his handwriting.

You’re together, and that’s what matters. Aunt Kate said that Steven gave you a flash drive. I’m sorry you have to find out this way, but you have to read it. And then find a man by the name of Rudd in Florida. Ask the Researchers.

Give me some time. I love you. Nanna. You were right. You were right all along.

- William

So, of course, she had read what was contained in the files. The next day, after she conferred with a man named SJ Rudd, her entire family had arrived in Florida to make the discovery that had stunned them to their very core.

Still, in all her joy, William was gone.

Every month or so, they would get a message delivered to them by a government official. Always in William’s handwriting, stating that he was somewhere far away, and had to make sure he wasn’t a danger—

“Are we ready?” Jane asked, buckling her seatbelt.

“Bags are all in,” Roxy said, sliding in. “I hope my back doesn’t give out riding in this thing.”

Quincy had warned her about the conditions of where William and Jane were living, when he’d first broken the news to her over the phone. “Me and the girls went to see William, Lynn. Now, don’t be mad. William’s just testing the waters, to see what would happen if he was around more of the others, besides Jane. Everything was fine. And when he’s up for more visitors, you are going to take my plane. No questions asked. But I’ll warn you, it’s remote. Seriously remote.”

Lynn had demanded to go immediately, but Quincy said he was sworn to secrecy. William had not reached out. Then, six months later, Quincy Martin himself had come, with those darling girls in tow, and asked Lynn to summon her entire family.

“I suppose I should say congratulations, first,” Quincy had said, holding out a picture of a baby with a fuzz of red hair. “You’re a great-grandmother, Mrs. Roseworth. William and Jane had a son.”