Bel freezes when the filthy, limping woman across the road reveals herself as Rachel Price, alive after sixteen years. Overwhelmed by fear and disbelief, Bel runs home, locks herself inside, and tries to convince herself there must be another explanation, but Rachel’s face and mannerisms leave no real doubt.

Inside the house, Bel struggles between doing nothing and acting. Thinking of Charlie, who has spent years grieving Rachel and defending himself against suspicion, Bel decides that Rachel’s return is proof of Charlie’s innocence and might make him happy. Before Bel can go back outside to find Rachel, Rachel knocks at the front door.

Bel opens the door and faces her mother directly. Rachel recognizes Bel as Annabel, enters the house, and is shaken by how familiar everything looks. Rachel is exhausted, dirty, coughing, and bleeding through her shoes, so Bel gives her water and urges her to sit.

Rachel suggests they should call the police, but Bel distrusts the Gorham police and does not want Charlie to lose the first reunion he has dreamed about for years. Bel starts to dial 911, deletes it, and secretly calls Charlie instead, telling him there is an emergency and that he must come home immediately.

When Rachel catches Bel in the kitchen, Bel lies that she called the police. Rachel reassures Bel that everything will be okay, but Bel remains frightened and emotionally distant. Rachel explains that she has thought of Bel as “Anna” for years, imagining her growing up, and Bel corrects her that she now goes by Bel.

Bel finally asks the central question: where Rachel has been. Rachel, looking down at her grimy hands, answers that she does not know.