How do I know?

Wyatt looks at Katie with intrigue at the mention of the past, but he doesn’t question. “I know what you’re saying, and I agree. But if they’ve already gone this far, threatening legal action against them won’t do any good. Besides that, if we threatened and had to follow through, we’d jeopardize TJY’s position in this whole thing. We’ve got to get Ty out of here without giving away our own identities or getting caught by higher authority. I wanted to see the sheriff, but maybe it’s better that he’s not here.”
He nods, knowing they won’t get into trouble for changing the plans. “Dad trusts me, and he trusts you too. We’re alone out here and if his goal was to get Ty out of this, then we have to act now. I don’t see any other options.” He throws Katie a wink and turns to go back through the door.

The deputy’s eyes narrow as Wyatt approaches him. “Visiting hour is almost over. You better get your woman out of there.”

“Let her be,” Wyatt growls. “At least let those two have some privacy.” He moves closer and turns to rest half of his body on the desk, cocking his head at the deputy. “I know a good lawyer…”

“That kid don’t need a lawyer.”

“I wasn’t talking about Ty.” A sly grin comes to Wyatt’s face.

The deputy’s eyes widen slightly. “Remove yourself from this office or I’ll have the sheriff on you so quick that your head will spin.”

Wyatt laughs, and reaches into his pocket. “You don’t wanna get caught, and I don’t wanna get caught. Looks like we have something in common.” He pulls out a wad of bills. “What’s bail?”

“There is none,” the deputy scoffs.

“I said…” Wyatt glares at him. “What’s bail?” When the deputy doesn’t answer, he grins. “Being a deputy can sometimes have a benefit on one’s income. Oh, a prisoner might escape by unknown means every once in a while, but in the end, a deputy’s pocket is sure to be full. Now…what’s bail?”

In minutes, Wyatt is back with Katie and Ty with a key. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

Ty hesitates for a moment. “How do I know I can trust you guys?”



Mick doesn’t like admitting to himself that what Rosetta is saying makes sense. It all fit…and if Jesus was what made her so happy and peaceful during the tough times, then wasn’t what she saying true?
“Well what about all the other stuff like…like baptism?” Mick resumes grooming Beauty to keep his hands and eyes busy. “Sparky says that if someone believes in God and accepts Jesus, that they should be baptized if they’re physically able and circumstances allow.” He shrugs. “Something about all the examples in the Bible, and how often it was taught or something. I dunno…he said that it was faith that brought somebody to God in the first place, but that baptism is like the physical sign of taking an oath…and that it goes hand-in-hand with accepting Jesus…not that salvation is based on a physical act, but that it’s showing obedience and kinda like, I dunno…like proving you’re serious about it or something…” Mick suddenly stops and looks up, realizing that he’s revealed how much he’s really paid attention to things people have told him, and simply hasn’t wanted to sort through them before. “So…Sparky quoted some verses…is that really what the Bible teaches?”


Clint shrugs. “I guess I haven’t thought much about it because I don’t have an awful lot of faith that this thing is gonna be over any time soon. I see people like Jeff…he ended up going home a couple weeks ago to put his stuff in storage and giving up his apartment. Luke’s friend brought his car and he’s still got his apartment, but he’s thinking about going the same route. Sparky…he misses home, I can tell, and he’s stuck between staying here or going back to his friends and life he loved.” Clint sighs a little. “Then my folks…they still got the house, but it’s just sitting there being paid for while it’s vacant. Eric - he moved all his stuff out of his place, sold half of it, and kept the rest in his rig…” He pauses, thinking about it all. “It’s like we’ve all settled on the fact that this could go on for a very long time, yet we all hope it won’t. I just don’t know what to think about it…I don’t know where I fit in.”


Jason eases down on the edge of his bed and stares at the floor. Despite knowing the decision made was right, the pain was lingering. Maybe he’d been foolish to think that Jade would want to stay with someone like him. He was glad they were still friends, but it would be different…awkward…
He shakes his head and flops backward, closing his eyes. Could someone like him really find happiness and peace? Or would his chosen path continue to lead him down a miserable road? Did he really have to give up what his life was made up of, in order to gain someone like Jade?
Jason grits his teeth as his emotions start to rise behind his eyes. It wasn’t fair that he and Jade had to do this…but who said life was fair?


Jade wanders from the kitchen and back outside. A tear rolls down her cheek and she brushes it away with the back of her hand. She wished her mom was here…she wished Katie was here…. She ignores someone she meets as she trudges past Angel’s office, her eyes glued to the ground.