Stay

Baby picks up the scent trail again in the morning and follows it to Mercy Memorial. He goes up one hallway after another, searching for Jewel, even making it into the lift after remembering the sound of it opening from his previous visit. Just as he approaches Jewel’s room, however, hospital attendants spot him, and they capture and take him away.

Karina and Daria, another of the Firefly Girls, help Piper find out more about Jewel using her belongings. Based on an electric company Jewel mentioned having to call in her diary, the girls figure out she probably lived in Kentucky. They also theorize that the silver key is a locker key, based on its size and what is engraved on it: “CWS three, number twenty-five” (152).

Mrs. Bailey tells the girls that the boxes of brownies have arrived, and Piper and the others help unload the boxes. Just as they are done, Ree arrives with news of Baby: He made it to the hospital, but the hospital staff took him away before he could find Jewel. The hospital sent him to the animal shelter.

Mrs. Bailey spots Ree, and Meg returns from the library with Dylan as well; Piper and Ree fill both in on what has happened.