Kate Wallis

**Kate Wallis** is a beautiful popular teen, the embodiment of teenage perfection, with a life to be envied, living in a small Texas town until she mysteriously disappears, abducted, in the 90's.

## Early History

Kate was born in Skylin, Texas, to Joyce. Her father died when Kate was still young which left Joy a lonely, rather poor, widow. Joy remarried to former professional football player Rod Wallis, and Kate grew up calling Rod her father.

## Biography

### 1993

In 1993, Kate had it all. She was the prettiest most popular girl in Skylin and a top student at Skylin High. She was best friends with Renee Talbot and Tennille Peterson. She was also madly in love with Jamie Henson, and they were very public with their affections for one another.

On June 21st, Kate went to the mall when a girl in her class approached her at a kiosk to compliment her purse. Kate thanked her and the girl blurted out that it was her birthday. Kate smiled and wished her a happy birthday. She recognized the girl as Jeanette Turner, despite being a grade above her. Their conversation was interrupted when Jamie Henson arrived and Kate kissed him. She wished Jeanette a final happy birthday before Jeanette awkwardly walked away. Kate and Jamie continued to smile, laugh, and kiss while her arms draped over his neck. She didn't notice that Jeanette watched her while she hugged her friends.

Around June 26, Kate and her mother attended a stepping workout class, though Kate was shy about her attire being too bright. Joy responded that Kate shined like a diamond no matter what she wore, then told her to meet her downstairs when she was done. Kate applied pink lip-gloss before she joined her mother. As they worked out, across the room Jeanette and her mother Cindy also took the class. Kate returned a wave to Cindy. When the class ended, Joy remarked on Billy Ray Cyrus and that she had to work out or her husband would run off with a football client and they would be left poor. Cindy stopped Joy and complimented her highlights, though the exchange was very awkward. Kate complimented Jeanette’s necklace, and Jeanette excitedly mentioned she got it for her birthday. She referenced the day they saw each other at the mall as the time she got it. Kate remembered the day. Cindy recommended that they have a girl’s day and a splurge at the salon. Joy began to turn it down when Kate remarked that it sounded fun. They walked off and Joy snapped that they weren't going to call. Kate merely stated that Jeanette seemed sweet.

Once home, Kate overheard her father talking on the phone with Candace Johnson. She heard him mention that he "*can't remember the last time they had sex*". As Kate and Joy prepared to leave for the party, Kate asked her mother about the relationship between Candace Johnson and her stepfather. She learned they worked together on the city council committee. Candace had a crush on Rod when he first arrived in Skylin, alongside everyone else in the town which included Cindy Turner. Kate asked if Cindy's former feelings for Rod were why Joy disliked her, but she claimed it was because Cindy looked at her as if she wanted to be her. She warned Kate that the apple might not fall far from the rotten tree when it came to Jeanette.

Once at the party, Kate socialized with some of the women who gossiped over how attractive Jamie was and how lucky Kate was to have him. She watched her father and Candace enter the house alone, and unable to bear it any longer, pulled Joy aside and told her about the affair. Joy laughed it off, but the more Kate insisted, the colder Joy became. She told Kate to stop making up stories as it was foolish and in bad taste. Kate snuck into the house to see for herself, and found Rod and Candace looking over a brochure for a romantic cruise that Rod had planned to take Joy on. She remarked that her mother would like that. She returned to the garden to tell her mother that she was wrong, to which Joy remarked that making false allegations was unflattering and embarrassing for Kate. She told her to run along as she didn't wish to speak with her right now.

Kate left the party that night, but saw Jeanette and her friends, Vince Fuller and Mallory Higgins, ride off on bikes. The trio crashed the party with shaving cream filled balloons. Kate and Jeanette exchanged a long look before Jeanette rode off to join her friends. Kate went to the playground where she drank an entire bottle of champagne on the swings. She was found by Scott Jones, the family landscaper, who worried for her well-being when she revealed this was her first time drinking. He assured her that he wouldn't call the police as her mother wouldn’t like that. Kate retorted her mother hated her, Cindy Turner, rap music, fatty foods, and her. She thought Scott should call the police as she’d be the prettiest girl there. She then vomited so Scott helped her home.

After a while of being upstairs, Kate came back down only to find Scott and Joy making out in the kitchen. She overheard Joy remark that they had to be careful as Kate was poking around. Now emotional, Kate snuck out of the house and ran down the street barefoot. She collapsed by some trash cans where she sobbed. A man approached her to see if she was okay, and offered to help her, but she refused as she didn't know him. He introduced himself as Martin Harris and they shook hands.

On July 15th, Rod showed his daughter Ashley how to clean and care for a rifle when Kate walked in. Per Rod's insistence , she took the rifle to ensure it was clean. He remarked that his girls think alike which she agreed with, though Ash didn't, and walked off. Rod assured Kate that Ash just needed time to adjust when she got back from her mom’s. The girls hung out as Rod recounted that he married Joy ten years ago. When Ash walked away, Kate asked Rod where Joy was and learned she was with Scott. Kate visited Ash in the garage to ask if they could talk later without their parents, but Ash snipped that Joy wasn't her parent and stormed away. Joy arrived and was excited about the hunting trip.

When they arrived at the hunting grounds, Kate got out of the car and hugged Jamie happily. Her mom still wouldn't let him sleep in her cabin so he ran off to get his bag. Joy remarked to Babs Stevenson that she invited another shooter, Martin Harris. Joy welcomed him to their home away from home. Kate joined them and Joy explained the invite was a thank you for him having escorted Kate back after the party. Martin promised to keep it between them. Kate watched Derek and the boys wrestle then smiled at Martin before she skipped off. As the group practiced shooting, Kate noticed that Martin jumped at the sound of the gunshots and assured him that he would get used to the startle after a while.

She approached Ash after the shooting to talk about family stuff that she couldn't talk about with anyone else. She tried to talk with Joy but it ended in a fight which surprised Ash, as she thought they were the perfect duo. Kate opened up about thinking Rod had an affair. This offended Ash so Kate apologized. Ash pushed that a rumor like that could ruin Rod, as they didn't have the privilege that came from looking like the Wallis’s. She remarked that Joy was probably the one stepping out as she was a gold digger. Kate countered that their parents loved each other. Ash told her to stop trying the whole sister thing and left.

Kate went to sneak out that night to meet Jamie when she saw Martin sitting on the lawn chairs. He knew she was sneaking out but said her secret was safe with him. She sat on the chair next to him and pointed out the constellations, which impressed him. She told him about the antipodes of the world and wondered what Skylin’s antipode sky looked like. He remarked that it would be different in South America which sounded like a dream to her. He gave her a blanket as she was cold and pointed out another constellation. He explained that the woman it was named after had a lot of family drama. She remarked that things weren't great now either. He asked if she wanted to talk about it, so she opened up about there being a thing that was eating her up inside. He knew the feeling as something tragic happened to his family when he was her age. It was a big family secret that he never talked about. She asked what it was, to which he admitted that his father committed suicide, and that was why he was jumpy around guns. She understood and he told her a fight was their last conversation. He told her to pick and choose her battles with her family. She remarked that she could finally fall asleep and gave back the blanket. He told her to sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

The next morning, Jamie greeted Kate eagerly and asked where she disappeared too. She lied that she crashed early. Babs remarked that it couldn’t have been too early as her sister was blaring music. Jamie remarked that he tapped on her window but the bed was empty. She retorted that she went for a walk in the woods. He thought she was scared of the woods, though she glanced toward Martin to say she wasn't afraid anymore.

On July 29th, Kate attended the annual Skylin carnival with Jamie and Ben. Jamie, Kate, and Ben talked about the order in which they would play the games and eat, since the boys had perfected it over the years. Kate saw Joy and Scott flirting from across the lot and she told Jamie to look at them. Jamie and Ben looked but Rod had joined them by the time they looked. Kate was annoyed that Jamie didn't seem to believe her that they had flirted and left to get a funnel cake. As she wandered the carnival grounds that night, she saw Martin Harris at a booth where he raised money for the local high school. He saw her and invited her over to play. She happily joined him and set her scrunchie on the booth.

Kate played the game while Martin cheered her on with compliments and affirmations. When she won, he told her to pick her prize since it came with 50 tickets that she could trade for snacks. He brought her a large pink bunny from the booth along with the tickets. She hoped that she fixed her image since the first time they met, as it was an embarrassing incident. He assured her that wasn’t his first impression of her. She was curious about what it was so he revealed that he saw her at the Garden Club Party with some moms and he mistook her for an adult at first. Kate wondered why he didn’t say hi to which he claimed he didn’t know her then. She pointed out that he knew her now so he said hi. Kate smiled and told him that she’ll see him around. He spotted her scrunchie on the countertop and grabbed it. He calls out to her that he’s looking forward to seeing her again. As she walked away he hid the scrunchie in his hands, which she didn't notice.

She returned home where she hugged the pink bunny happily. She then set it atop her dresser and smiled into the mirror as she practiced flirting with Martin.

On her sixteenth birthday, August 29th, Kate rolled over in her bed and happily smiled up at the pink bunny on her nightstand. She wished herself a happy birthday. She prepared for the day ahead as she applied makeup. Joy entered to warn her that Rod had started quizzing Jamie on NASA trivia, so Kate should hurry along. Kate notice her mother’s fancy outfit despite dinner not being until seven, which Joy pressed punctuality over. The doorbell rang and Joy assumed it was Scott with the flowers. Kate remarked that to the casual observer it seemed as though Joy tried to impress someone. Joy reminded her of the accusations she made about Rod at The Garden Party. She told Kate to finish getting ready instead of ruining her birthday by picking a fight. She kissed the top of Kate's head and wished her a happy sweet sixteen.

Kate went to the mall to celebrate her birthday alongside Jamie, Renee, Tennille, and Ben. They sat at the food court when Jamie asked Kate if she was ready for her present. She reluctantly said she was. He pulled out a ring which surprised her. He assured her that it was just a promise ring and put it on her finger. He explained that it was his way of saying he was all-in with their relationship. Tennille and Renee squealed happily while Kate looked at the ring with dissimulation. Tennille extend a pink bedazzled flask to Kate with a *happy birthday, biatch*, exclaim. Kate didn't want to take the alcohol, so Jamie took it instead and had a drink. He remarked this was a celebration, after all.

Kate, Tennille, and Renee happily shopped and talked until Jamie and Ben suddenly barreled into them. Tennille warned Jamie that she would take the flask away but he refused to give it up. He wanted to see Kate’s ring and she realized he was drunk and Ben knocked into him. Jamie spilled the flask over Kate’s dress which annoyed her as she needed to get home. He hurried off to get napkins, as the girls fretted over the dress.

A few minutes later, Jamie and Kate walked out of the mall as he drunkenly sang happy birthday to her. She tried to hurry him along as she was already late to her dinner party. He fell over on the ground so she helped him up. He asked what her favorite present was so she said it was an original print of *The Talented Mr. Ripley* that her dad gave her. He was hurt it wasn’t the ring so she quickly explained that she thought he meant her second favorite after the ring. He was happy over that and asked what the book was about. She asked what he wanted in the future. He eagerly explained that he wanted to buy a big house and have a big family with her. She reluctantly agreed that she dreamed of that too.

That night, Kate told Jamie who relieved himself in the bushes, to hurry up as Martin was coming. Martin exited his house quickly and asked if Jamie was okay. Jamie stumbled over and fell, to which Martin worriedly asked Kate if he was okay. He offered to let them come inside to call her parents, but she refused as she was already late. He then offered to give her a ride which she accepted.

As they drove, she thanked him but worried that her mom would be mad that she broke the rules. She noted that Joy had high expectations even though she broke them herself. They pulled up at the house and Kate asked if he remembered what she said about the family secret. He asked if it had gotten any better, but it hadn't. She felt like she would explode if she didn't say something. He told her to shine some light on it. She touched his hand and said that was exactly what she needed to hear. She got her things together and left the car.

She went inside to find the house empty. Joy remarked from the couch that Kate had finally decided to show up. She sneered at the scent of cheap booze. Everyone was here at seven while Kate was off doing something, so Joy lied that Kate had food poisoning to cover for her daughter. Kate assured her that she wasn’t the one drinking as she wasn't the one with an honesty problem. Rod entered the living room to ask if everything was okay. Kate stated that the night after The Garden Club Party she came down for water and saw Joy. Joy wanted her to stop before either of them said something they didn't mean. Rod wanted to know what Kate saw but Joy refused to answer. Kate admitted that she saw Joy kissing Scott Jones. Joy feigned surprise and blurted out that Kate had lied for attention again.

Joy revealed to Rod that Kate thought he had an affair a few weeks ago, which offended him. She apologizes as she misunderstood something. Joy remarked that she and Rod would discuss her punishment for the lies. Kate told Rod that she was sorry but she couldn't hold in this secret anymore. Joy spun her around to tell her that she didn't recognize her anymore as she was being a brat. Kate screamed back that Joy was being a bitch, so Joy smacked her across the face. Rod shouted at Joy but she retorted that she is Kate’s mother and would discipline her how she saw fit. Kate looked at Rod who stayed quiet, so she tearfully walked away.

Kate went to her room where she shoved clothes into a bag. Joy emerged and called the move tacky. The women argue and Joy called Kate naïve, simple, and boring - just like she was. Joy called her predictable and told her to run away and go to Renee or Tenielle’s until she came crawling back with her tail between her legs. Kate stormed out and, after a moment of hesitation, went to Martin’s house. She walked to Martin’s front door and rang the doorbell. He answered the door to ask her what was wrong. She did what he said and unloaded the secret. He asked her what happened and she admitted her mom hit her. He apologized as he only meant to help her and the situation. She just didn't know where to go as she didn't want to stay there, or at her friends as her mom would find her and drag her back. She was scared so he invited her inside for tea.

On August 30th, Kate didn't return home or go to the first day of high school. Joy, worried for her daughter, went to Martin in the hopes he knew where Kate was. Martin lied that he didn't. After his meeting with Joy, Martin confiscated a prank video from Mallory that captured him on tape from that morning. He played it in his office and, upon rewinding multiple times, was able to spot Kate in the living room window. He promptly destroyed the tape. In the meantime, Jeanette Turner had overheard the entire conversation between Martin and Joy. She warned Jamie after school that she overheard Joy report Kate missing to Mr. Harris. She though she should warn him since in the movies they always suspect the boyfriend.

#### Isolation and Captivity

On August 30th, Kate and Martin spoke on his couch where she admitted that she felt alone in her life. She didn't know how it happened. He assured her that she wasn’t alone because he was here and listening. She put her head on his shoulder where she fell asleep. He gently laid her on the couch, removed her sneakers, and covered her with a blanket.

She woke up the next day, August 31st, and went in search of him. She went to the basement where she checked her reflection in the mirror before she returned upstairs. He startled her at the top of stairs to see how she slept, which was like a baby. He made her breakfast and informed her that he had to go to school for a staff meeting, so she would have to walk to school alone. She was fine with that and thanked him for listening. He enjoyed their friendship and never connected with another student like this before, but reminded her that it's Mr. Harris - at least at school. She watched him leave from the window. While was gone, she explored the house by visiting the different rooms; the bathroom cabinets, the embroidered towels, and his perfect closet. She removed one of his shirts and tried it on.

That night, she tried to cook a frozen pizza but set off the smoke alarm. Martin came home and hurried into the kitchen and turned off the alarm. He asked why she wasn't at school to which she couldn't think of what to say to people. She wasn't a very good liar. Martin revealed that Joy went to the school that day in search of Kate and came to him specifically. He told her to leave as he could lose his job or worse if people found out where she was. The phone rang and stopped her from leaving, and Martin thanked the detective on the other end and told Kate that she was officially a missing persons. He closed the blinds but she assured him that she could fix this by going home. She just needed his help to concoct a lie about where she was. He poured them drinks but stopped her from drinking, as he forgot she was underage.

He should have called the police or her parents, but she assured him that he helped her. She told him that a distraction helped her think, like running. She offered to play a game to help them think. He didn't have Monopoly or knew where his deck of cards was. She proposed Never Have I Ever, the drinking game, to which he noted she was very convincing. He had her drink with the “never have I ever been on the debate team”. They ended up having dinner together, pancakes and laughed over the idea of breakfast for dinner.

Kate asked how old Martin was but he redirected by asking how old she thought he is. She knew he’s old enough to be wise, but she’s wise too. She reminded him that he mistook her for an adult when they first met. It was her turn to say “never have I ever” so she mentioned never having been on a road trip. He took a drink. He drove from Maine through Florida until the road just ended in Key West. She asked what made him drive that far, asking if it was for a girl. It was so he mentioned that she should go to Key West sometime, though she should have a tour guide. She asked if it should be someone wise which he agreed. It was his turn so he says “never have I ever kissed someone older”. She drank since Jamie was six months older. He asked if she had kissed someone much older, which she hadn't. She asked if he was daring her too but he wasn't; she’s beautiful and smart but no. She knew it would be crazy, which he questioned again. She was tired so he told her it was time for bed.

Twenty one days later, Kate and Martin played tag in his house and he found her in the closet. She threw a towel at him, fell into his arms, and they kissed. She darted off as he pursued her. They wound up downstairs where he pulled her in to kiss her neck. She was sweaty so he told her to run a shower for them. She left and Martin joined her a few minutes later while she sang. He went into the bathroom and closed the doors behind him.

On day thirty, she asked him to stay home that day which made him chuckled as she asked that everyday. He ironed his shirt while she rambled about being stuck inside with TV and a lot of energy. He told her to go through travel guides to pick places they should go when it's safe. He cited her eighteenth birthday as a safe day. He iterated that it was her homework. That night, she made the bed with him and though they should move away to Thailand or a French island, or maybe Bora Bora. He agreed and flipped her over, kissed her forehead, and told her it was bedtime.

On day thirty four, they laid on the couch where she remarked that she could wait until she was enough for people not to worry about their age difference. He expressed regret that she had to choose between him and her family. He wanted her to have both, but they couldn't right now - at east not here. They agreed on Bora Bora and kissed. The doorbell rang so Martin shoved Kate into the closet while he answered the door. It was Greg Turner, whose tired had blown out and needed to call his wife. Martin tried to brush him off as the house being a mess and him sick, but Greg didn't care. He pushed inside anyway and called Cindy. Martin anxiously watched Greg wander to the closet and back again. Greg noticed the two coffee cups and apologized if he had ruined a romantic morning after, but Martin brushed it off as lazy housework. He ushered Greg out so Kate emerged annoyed. That was too close for both of them. He hung a dark curtain over the front door so no one could see in or out.

On day sixty-four, they celebrated Halloween. She wanted to wear a mask for trick-or-treaters but he refused since people would know the person wasn't him. He promised they'll do something fun like watch scary movies. He had a PTA meeting so she asked if the police were still around the school. He looked away from her to say that the assumption is that she ran away. He pressed this was a good thing since people snooping around would be bad for both of them. They made a romantic blanket for in the foyer. She asked how their bubble would end, since it couldn't go on forever. Martin kissed her forehead and told her to watch the movie.

On day eighty-nine, Thanksgiving Day, they ate dinner together when she inquired about Ben Hallowell and if he gloated over Skylin High School's win over Medford. He coolly said he hadn't noticed. She asked about his parents but he brushed it off as him being buried in work. He noticed her displeasure with the stuffing and encouraged her to voice her opinion. She admitted that her mama didn't put apples in the stuffing. He insisted they would make their own traditions and recipes.

By Christmas Eve, Martin noticed Kate's depression worsened as she refused to get out of bed. He brought her cookies and tea but she didn't eat. She missed the mall, the movies, the buttery popcorn, and the people. He pointed out that they watch tons of movies. She missed sunlight on her skin and other people. She mostly missed the mall. He told her to stay in bed as long as she wanted but he had to run some last-minute Christmas errands. Once he left, Kate came downstairs where she admired the Christmas decorations and a snow globe on the TV. She picked up the phone and dialed Jamie’s number. She didn't say anything on the phone but turned the dial on the snow globe to let it play. She left a voiceless voicemail. She heard the door open and Jeanette’s voice. She ran upstairs quickly, while Jeanette yelled hello. Jeanette picked up the snow globe when she heard footsteps creaking upstairs, as Kate spied on her from the top of the stairs. Jeanette quickly left the house but took the snow globe with her. Kate came downstairs to see that Jeanette dropped her necklace. She picked it up and looked out the window, but knocked over a nutcracker in the process. She also saw a woman outside on the lawn and a bike she had seen Jeanette Turner ride the previous year. The woman looked back at Kate, though Kate couldn't make out her face. Kate kept the necklace to herself as she enjoyed having a secret from Martin.

When Martin returned, he gave the pretzel to Kate and heated it up for her. She decided to go to bed early as she didn't feel well. That night, she snuck out of the house for the first time. She snuck to her old house where she watched her parents from the window. She saw Joy and Rod laughing and drinking, so she decided to leave. She went back to Martin's and climbed into the bed but laid awake, unaware that Martin was also awake.

On day 119, Christmas Day, Kate opened her last gift from Martin, a pearl necklace. She loved it and he helped her put it on. That night, she wore a red dress and pearls. He told her she looked stunning. They ate dinner together. He noted that she seemed better but she pointed out that it was Christmas. She lied that was the only reason. He asked if she felt guilty for sneaking out. He asked where she went, so she told him not to be mad. He coolly stated that he would decide if he was angry or not. He repeated the questions. She admitted that she went her house, but he clarified it was her old house, just to see her parents. She didn’t go in nor did anyone see her. He asked if she knew how bad it would be if someone saw her, or if she ever thought of him. She noted that she was suffocating - the circumstances, the hiding, she couldn't stand it. He remarked that he did everything he could to make her happy.

He told her to never go outside again, not until she was eighteen. She pointed out what it sounds like; as if he was her kidnapper. He asked her not to ever say that. She told him to let her leave, so he asked if that’s really what she wanted. She removed the pearls and put them on the table. He didn't believe her but she didn't care. He told her to think about what will happen to him, but she promised not to tell. He pointed out that people would find out the truth. It also didn't look good for her - people looked for her while she lived here. She’ll figure it out but had to leave. He begged her not to leave as he took her in when no one else would and they loved each other. She asked where her suitcase was. He told her it was in the basement.

She apologized that it ended this way. When she was out of the room he apologized too. She went down the steps but stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Martin slowly closed the door which startled her. He locked it with a key. She ran up the stairs to find it locked. He went to the living room and put on a vinyl record as she shouted for him to open the door and banged on it. He drowned her out with the Christmas music. She screamed for him to let her out while she banged on the locked basement door. As the days passed, she could hear the sounds of cars passing the house and the occasional siren, but no one came to save her. She later recounted that the adjustment period was hard for both of them. They had to learn their roles in the situation.

One day, she took a shower when she heard Martin leaving. She ran to the stairs while screaming "no" while he locked the door. She saw a box of trail mix on the steps and angrily threw it while she exclaimed that she didn't want more trail mix. She cried that she just wanted to go home. The next day, Martin ensured that the shower downstairs was running before he unlocked the bolts on the door to bring Kate toast with jelly on it. He stepped over a creaky step and entered the basement. Kate hid behind a wall and waited for the moment where she could run. She sprinted up the steps to the door only to learn it's locked. He watched her stoically as she retreated to the basement. She asked him why he’s doing this and what he wanted. He wanted her to eat and extended the plate toward her. She took it then threw it aside as she attacked him. She scratched his face. He threw her aside and quickly ran away and locked the door. After her attempted escape, things got much worse for her.

She ate nearly all of her jellied toast but laid on the floor of the basement, unable to move either from dehydration or drugging. Martin came to see her and assured her that this part would be over soon. Moments later, she went unconscious. She awakened to find that the basement had been filled with gallons of water, boxes of snack food, bags of fruit and vegetables, tampons, mouthwash, and toilet paper. She also noticed the barbed wires attached to the windows.

Kate tried to flee and banged on the door as she angrily screamed for help. Martin ran up the steps behind her as she struggled to breathe. Martin told Kate about a girl that he was accused of being too close with during his time in Widow Falls. He was her tutor but nothing inappropriate happened between them as he only ever stayed after class to help her with schoolwork. She wasn't like Kate or the situation she was in.

She once refused to let Martin inside the basement. He assured her that he wouldn't force himself in though she pointed out that he forced her to live down here. He brought her chicken but she didn't want it, though he worried that she couldn't survive on protein bars and juice. He also thought she needed someone to talk to. She just wanted to get out so she could tell everyone he was a sicko. He admitted that he didn’t want to tell her this, but people had given up looking for her. She began to cry as he pushed that her friends, family, police, and even Jamie have given up. He dated Jeanette Turner now and Skylin had moved on from Kate Wallis. He told her to get comfortable as this was her new world.

Kate later ate a plate of food in the basement with fingers, eating hurriedly, as Martin watched. He vocalized his thoughts about what she said earlier about him being a sicko. He didn't understand how she could call him that when he was the one who kept her clothed, comfortable, and prepared her food. She stopped eating for a moment. He told her that before she started calling him more names, she should remember how she ended up here. She closed her eyes for a moment and then returned to her food.

### 1994

On June 21st, 1994, Kate sat in the basement of Martin's house as she read a book in the dim light. Martin came downstairs to see Kate. He came with a small wooden box and was visibly distraught. He tried to find another way for this to end but there wasn't one. Kate put down the book she was reading and stood up. She told him they could find another way. He revealed that the police came to his house today and there was only a matter of time before they came back with a search warrant. He opened the box to show a gun that he removed. He introduced Kate to Annabelle, a family heirloom. Kate asked why he brought the gun. It was the one that his father used. Kate asked if he was going to kill her. He apologized for the things he did and what he was about to do. She begged him not to kill her.

He told her to go live her life and see the world as they wanted, to know she’s truly loved. He said goodbye and put the gun to his head which scared her. He couldn't do it and slowly put it down before he dropped it to the floor. Martin then solemnly walked to the steps and let out a scream. He banged his hands on the walls as he shouts. She picked up the gun, cocked it, and pointed it at him. He looked at her and told her to listen to home. He was wrong as it was the two of them and they would find a way. He asked for the gun back as she didn't want to do this. She loved him. Kate flashed through their moments together. The good and the bad. After a long moment, Kate pulled the trigger and shot Martin. She dropped the gun and began to cry. She kneeled next to Martin’s body. She sat with him all night as she felt paralyzed and guilty for loving him, hating him, and killing him. The next day, Kate called the police for help and they came to rescue her.

The police arrived on June 22nd, upon Kate having called them for help. The public story was that the police had learned of her location, having acquired a search warrant earlier in the morning. Her captor Martin Harris died in a shootout which Kate had witnessed. She was escorted back to her home where she recovered with the help of her mother Joy Wallis, stepfather Rod Wallis, and ex-boyfriend-turned-current-boyfriend Jamie Henson. She began to tell those around her that she had been seen during her kidnapping by Jeanette Turner, who at the time, was in a relationship with Jamie and best friends with Tennille Peterson and Renee Talbot.

On June 26th, she sat at her vanity when Joy entered, telling her that Jamie, Renee, and Tennille were coming over. Kate doesn’t view them as her friends, and Joy tried to put earrings on her daughter to make her look presentable. The force caused her ears to bleed as the holes closed, while Kate bluntly remarked they must have closed while she was locked in a basement. Kate began to hum to herself as Joy forced the earring in.

She laid in the bottom of the bathtub fully clothed when Jamie came to check on her. He rushed in and pulled her out of the water while she struggled to catch her breath. He asked what she was doing. She was thinking about the things she missed while she was away - burgers, her favorite sweater, warm baths, so she put it on and took a bath. She also wanted to know how he and Jeanette got together but he wasn't sure she wanted to know. She opened up about feeling replaceable and wants to understand how things happened between him and Jeanette. He explained that one day he was putting up missing person flyers when Jeanette offered to help. She kept coming around. Kate heard that Jamie hit her, and was surprised that he hit people now. He assured her he’s the same person and offered to sit in the bed with her but she refuses. He told Kate that Jeanette was an imposter who couldn’t steal her life. Kate’s here now and gets to reclaim it.

After the bath, Kate and Joy argued as Joy wanted her daughter to speak with the press or the police about what happened, though Kate wasn't ready. She's still upset with Joy over the last thing she said before she went missing. Joy sighed that Kate knew that she didn't mean those things, but Kate snapped back that she had a long time to wonder if she did. She was joined upstairs later that day by Renee Talbot and Tennille Peterson, her former best friends. Renee and Tennille try to talk with Kate who wasn't listening. Tennille remarked that someone told her that Jeanette did see Kate chained to a wall, but Kate snapped back that she was never chained up. Renee rebutted that Jeanette told the girl right after it happened, but Kate doesn’t believe that. Jeanette would have too much to lose if she were found, like her best friends who suddenly became Jeanette’s best friends. Renee admitted that Joy wanted them to convince Kate to speak with the press or police, but Kate wanted her statement to mean something.

Kate and Jamie sat on her bed that evening. They ate burgers and talked about how much things have changed. She remembered thinking that her parents could keep her safe when they tucked her in at night. He promised to protect her and she found it cute that he thought it was up to him. She asked him to get her water and he obliged. His pager buzzed and she read that someone wanted to meet him tonight. When he returned, she asked if he has plans tonight, to which he claimed to be hanging out with the guys after the garden party. She remarked that the only good thing to come out of being locked in a basement was that she got to skip those events. After he left, Kate found an online support chat for abduction victims and read some of the users messages, and resonated with their feelings of paranoia and unsettlement.

When night fell, Kate went to the park to see who Jamie would meet with, as she knew he lied earlier. She watched him kiss Jeanette Turner. She went to the police station to make a statement about the day in question. She said that Jeanette Turner saw her when she was held captive around December, but she couldn't be sure as she didn’t have a calendar or clock. Jeanette wasn’t her friend as Kate barely knew her. The cop asked if she’s sure it was Jeanette Turner - Greg and Cindy’s little girl. Kate claimed she had proof and presented a necklace with the “you go, girl” symbol on it. The cop asked one last question about how well she knew Martin Harris before the abduction. Kate claimed she didn’t know him well at all.

On July 15th, Kate wandered into the formal dining room and examined the décor. Ash entered and Kate remarked that they changed the wallpaper. While she was trapped in a basement her parents were picking out samples. Ash didn't know that as she only came back to talk with Kate.

Jamie dropped Kate off at therapy so she asked him what the guys did after the Garden Club Party two weeks ago, and he lied that he and Ben just hung out. He wondered why she asked but she hurried out to therapy. In therapy, Kate was assured that the office was a safe space, even though she felt like there is no such thing anymore. The last time she felt safe was before her kidnapping. She liked her bedroom a lot before her trauma. She noted that it’s meticulously decorated and every piece curated which she loved so much, but now, it just felt like another cage. She belonged to it once but not anymore. She admired ribbons on the wall and slowly pulled the tassels off it. She looked at medals and ribbons on a row and pulled them all of the walls. She told the therapist, Dr. Sylvia Parks, that the world kept spinning without her and now that she’s back everything seems spoiled. She asked if the therapist could fix that to which the therapist decided to go through her memory and process it.

Kate left therapy and saw Mallory in the waiting room as they both see the same therapist. Mallory didn't think therapy should be a secret but Sylvia was cool and helped. Kate asked what Mallory saw her for, and Mallory noted that it’s because she’s the child of a divorce but the other stuff was heavy. She clarified that heavy wasn't like what Kate went through, it was more verbal abuse. She introduced herself but Kate remembered as Mallory came to her third-grade party. She asked if Mallory and Jeanette were best friends but Mallory revealed they’re no longer friends. Kate asked if she could tell her something and took a seat next to her. She revealed that she saw Jeanette kiss Jamie but decided not to call her out since the police would deal with her. She had evidence that would bite her any minute now. Mallory confessed that she used to dislike Kate which surprised her, and Mallory understands why now that she's met her.

She woke up the next morning with a vivid nightmare of Martin Harris at the end of her bed. She told Sylvia about the nightmare which was common after a traumatic experience. People tried to protect themselves so they misremember things, replace memories with a version that makes them more comfortable. Kate retorted that she remembers everything about the kidnapping. She told her about how in the beginning they were both learning their roles since the basement didn’t come with a learning guide. She was in the dark, wondering what he was planning, which wasn’t even the worst part. Eventually, it was clear what their roles were - she was a lion and him the lion tamer, he stood between her and her freedom, and when he realized she would claw him to death if she had the chance. After she tried to escape things got worse - much worse.

At home, she played cards with herself when Joy happily entered since the police just called about the case and want her to go down to the station to talk with her. They had news and wanted her immediately, to which Kate hoped that Jeanette’s fingerprints were on the necklace. Joy remarked that she had to get her lipstick before they leave.

Joy and Kate waited in the interrogation room as they discussed what Jeanette would be charged with. Joy wanted her to be an accomplice behind a kidnapping. Detective Anderson entered to tell them that they don’t have a case against Jeanette, which shocked Joy. She told Anderson that the police station was a disgrace. Kate asked about the necklace but fingerprints were inconclusive and Jeanette denied it was her. Joy told Anderson to do a lie detector test but Anderson wasn't keen on going after a teenaged girl, and the worst they could do to her would be community service. Kate was astounded that Jeanette could get away with it but Joy was sure the court of public opinion would hold Jeanette accountable. Kate couldn't believe she’s the only one who suffered consequences and stormed out.

She went home to see Ash hovered over her computer. Ash claimed she’s doing nothing which Kate remarked is on-brand for her. She brought up last year's hunting trip but Ash knew she was a crappy sister. Kate laughed at the claim that they’re sisters now, but Ash was trying to be. Kate snapped that she left her alone to fend for herself after twisting her words, to which Ash was sorry that she left her alone. Kate told her about meeting Martin that night. She called Ash a ghost in the house and their parents barely know each other. When Ash remarked that they’re sisters Kate denied it, so Ash left. She asks the group chat if anyone was out there as she needed to talk. That night, she met her future chatting partner Berenice94.

On July 29th, Jamie and Kate arrived at the fair. He apologized for picking her up late. He explained that his mom made him do extra chores around the house. She snapped that he deserved it for punching his ex-girlfriend, though Jamie wanted to move past that. She pointed out that the opposite of love was indifference not hate. She asked if he really wanted to be with her or if he just felt bad for her. He assured her that he didn't associate with psychos like Jeanette, so Kate asked why he kissed her. He told her that he loves Kate and that’s real. She told him that she followed him that night and saw him kiss Jeanette. She had finally worked up the courage to ask him about it. He asked if that’s her therapy talking. She stated that she's trying to stay focused on reality and he pointed out that she shouldn’t focus on made-up stories like him having kissed Jeanette. She left the car and he banged on the steering wheel angrily.

Kate tried to go to the fair when cameramen ambushed her with questions and photographs. Jamie aggressively told them to leave. He then turned to Kate and admitted that he met up with Jeanette at the park. He knew he shouldn’t have done it but he felt bad for her. He stated that he didn’t kiss her, though Kate was sure she saw it. He wondered if the trauma made her misremember which angered her. She stated that making her doubt herself is so much worse then having kissed Jeanette. She then broke up with him.

As she walked the grounds, Kate was joined by Renee and Tennille who were eager to see her. She told them she needed space to which Renee hesitantly agreed to give it to her. Jeanette called to Kate from across the lot, though Kate tried to hurry away. Mallory intervened to tell her that they can lose Janette in the Monkey Maze. Jeanette ran in after her against Derek’s advice. Renee and Tennille run in after them as they giggled. Kate was separated from Mallory in the mirrors. Jeanette got lost in the mirrors. They see one another but only in reflection. When Kate looked at the mirror she saw Martin’s reflection.

On August 29th, her seventeenth birthday, Kate sat at her desktop as she chatted with Berenice4. She admitted to not being able to eat as Martin used food to control her. Rod and Joy suddenly burst in and sang happy birthday. Joy remarked that she had the best birthday present - the Marsha Bailey show wanted Kate as a gust. Rod clarified that it was only if Kate wanted to do it, which she sharply remarked that she didn't. Joy thought it would spread the truth, but Kate promptly returned to bed and refused to leave. That afternoon, Mallory rang the bell and Joy answered the door. She told Mallory they weren't interested in whatever she was selling, though Kate popped around the door a few seconds later. She happily pulled Mallory into the house, which confused Joy. Once upstairs, Mallory was in shock over the lace bed skirts. Rod walked in to ask what Kate wanted for a birthday snack. He introduced himself to Mallory but she knew who he was already, and cited the notoriety of his football career. He left to whip them up a surprise. Once he left, Mallory was surprised it was Kate’s birthday and that she chose to invite her of all people over. Kate admitted she didn't have much of an appetite, but Mallory had a remedy for that.

Kate and Mallory got high and happily ate nachos. Kate remarked that she hadn't loved food or eaten this much in a long time. Ashley walked in to Whish Kate and happy birthday, but happily noticed that Kate was eating. She realized they are high but promised not to nark on them as she dabbled a few times before. Mallory invited her to stay for a movie, though Ashley was reluctant. Kate pressed it was just a movie so Ashley happily accepted.

The trio went to Rent 2 Nite, where Vince Fuller greeted them. He realized the guests were Mallory and Kate, so he grew quiet. Ashley and Kate looked through movies until they agreed on one. They returned to their house to watch the movie. Mallory remarked that she was a fan of all the Wallis girls. Kate revealed that her mother wanted her to go on TV, which Ashley assured was very insensitive of Joy. Kate thinks Ashley was right about her mom all along, but Ashley carefully said that they each might have unrealistic expectations of the woman. As Kate watched the movie, she wondered why the girl didn't run faster. She began to panic as she yelled at the girl to run away, hurry, as "*he'll*" get her.

They stopped the movie and Mallory opened the blinds and asked if Kate wanted water or anything, but she doesn’t. Ashley told her that paranoia and PTSD are real. Joy walked in to ask if everything was okay, but Ashley brushed it off as just a movie. Mallory hesitantly said she had to leave as she started a new job at the roller rink that day. She wished Kate a final happy birthday, which made her smile, before Mallory left. Joy wanted to talk about The Marsha Bailey show again, but Kate was set on her decision not to appear. Ashley gave her a strong and supportive smile before she left to check her email. Joy pressed the importance of the show and to view it as an opportunity and an honor. Kate laughed as she remembered Marsha Bailey's interview with Miss. Piggy. The laughter made Joy realize that Kate was high, which a bad look to everyone who mattered. Kate snapped for her mom to leave her alone so her birthday wouldn't suck as much as it did last year.

Rod brought Kate more food as he started cooking after she went missing. It helped him cope. He baked a lot so Joy gave the muffins away at church. Kate didn't want to go on the Marsha Bailey Show, which Rod thought might be the right move. She scoffed that he always took Joy's side. He admitted that he did before, especially last yet. He thought Joy should call the shots with her daughter, but then stated that Kate was always his daughter since the day they met. He won't forgive himself for not making that clear last year. He became emotional and she asked how he managed to forgive Joy. Losing Kate was an Earthquake so everything else was a speed bump. She wanted his opinion on the Marsha Bailey Show to which he didn't want her to discredit the idea because it was Joy’s idea. Joy entered and told them to turn the TV on. Molly Green announced a report that Kate wasn’t the first minor Martin had his eye on. An unnamed teen from Widow Falls claimed she had a near-miss with Martin before he moved to Skylin.

The Wallis’s turned off the TV while Rod wondered how many lives Martin hurt. Kate found it unfair that the teen tried to equate what happened with her to what happened with Kate. She thought it was a wild exaggeration which prompted Joy to ask how she knew that. Kate revealed that Martin told her about the girl, but it wasn’t anything special as he only helped the girl after class. He was just her tutor and the girl shouldn’t have come out of the woodwork as it was wrong. Joy jumped in to say that she should go on Marsha Bailey to air the truth.

As Kate gradually grew more comfortable with her therapist, Dr. Sylvia Parks, she began to open up about what happened with Martin. Dr. Parks talked about the concept of grooming; isolating the victim. He saw her unfulfilled need to confide in someone then positioned himself to be that sole person to fulfill that need. Groomers pose as saviors when in reality they are predators. The false sense of security was a well-laid trap. She asked if Kate could see that reality, but she found it hard when there was something she hasn’t confessed. She wasn’t always trapped in the basement. She had kept a massive secret that she wasn't always confined to the basement. As she explained the extent of her relationship with Martin to Dr. Parks. Kate admitted that she she still felt bad for Martin because of their friendship, though Dr. Parks reminded her that friendship occurred between two people who were equals. Given the power dynamic between them, that was unlikely to have happened. Kate didn't think he could help it. When asked if she was afraid to disappoint Martin, Kate admitted she was afraid of disappointing anyone. Martin noticed everything about her, liked her for her, and made her feel seen. Dr. Parks asked what stopped her from walking out the door. Kate stated that he made it clear that she had to choose between him and the outside world. She chose him for a long time. They had an unspoken rule that they knew what they were doing was wrong but never talked about it. A sense of suspended disbelief.

By Halloween in her insolation, Kate was ready to have real conversations but he wasn’t. She thought it was funny since, before Martin’s, she hated that her parents were different people in public than at home. Only she ended up living a secret life with Martin. Martin made her think that everything she needed was inside with him at all times. But by Christmas Eve she was so homesick it was crushing. She told Dr. Parks about Jeanette breaking in and how she picked up the necklace. Dr. Parks asked Kate why she didn’t tell Martin about the necklace or Jeanette. Kate thought about it but liked having a secret from Martin, a secret of her own. It felt powerful for her. Dr. Parks thought Kate may have hoped Jeanette would tell someone so she would be forced to leave. Kate admitted that she did leave once, but when she saw her parents happy she remembered why she left in the first place. But by Christmas, she was genuinely afraid of him. Dr. Parks pointed out that Martin ran out of tools to manipulate her with.

### 1995

Kate spent June of 1995 testing the limits of her life, pushing boundaries, and experimenting with alcohol. On June 26th, she stayed out late, cut her hair, and got a belly button piercing. While her stepfather supported the choice, he warned that her mother wouldn't approve and would shit a brick. Kate hoped this would be the case. He asked how therapy went by she admitted to skipping again, she is tired of talking about Martin Harris, Jeanette Turner, and her feelings. She couldn't wait for Jeanette to join Martin in Hell.

Kate continued her conversations with a fellow abduction victim via a messaging service, someone with the screen name Berenice4. She asked the user what people would do if they found out. Berenice4 asked which part, to which Kate responded with that she hadn't been entirely honestly. She put on headphones and listened to music as she ran down the street.

When she returned, Joy was shocked by Kate’s piercing to which Kate brought up what the pastor and how Kate's behavior is pushing her limits. Kate recanted what the pastor said when she was rescued “*God only gives you what you can handle*". The news anchor on the TV stated there had been a twist regarding Jeanette Turner. The Wallis family turned up the volume and learned that Jeanette was now suing Kate Wallis over defamation of character. Joy remarked that this is terrible, called Jeanette a vindictive wolf, and pushed how Kate is the real victim. As Rod and Joy argued, Kate watched the television in disbelief. She then let out an emotional scream at the TV.

On July 4th, Kate was out for a drive when she stopped a stop light next to Jeanette Turner. She angrily got out of the car to confront Jeanette. Kate stalked to the car and banged don the hood and then the window. She demanded for Jeanette to get out of the car. She yelled that Jeanette stole her life because hers was pathetic. She is enraged that Jeanette is going after her family’s money. She demanded to know what other sloppy seconds of hers Jeanette wanted, and for the first time, Jeanette glared at Kate. Kate called her a chicken shit coward so Jeanette ran the light to escape, while Kate screamed after her that she was actual trash.

On July 15th, Kate, Rod, and Joy met with a lawyer who remarked on the tastefulness of the wallpaper. Kate’s reputation and the Wallis family’s reputation were at stake alongside a large sum of money, but Joy just wanted to win. Kate wanted to know how to win and told her talkative mother to let the lawyer talk. She remarked that Jeanette was smart to build her case in secret but luckily, Kate was smarter, as she doesn’t go hunting without arming up first. She asked the lawyer how to prepare. Jeanette was alleging that Kate spread false information and her legal team will paint Kate as an unreliable narrator, but Kate claimed she doesn’t lie. The lawyer knew that but Jeanette's team would ask everyone and even her since her memory was in question. Her legal victory laid in the consistency of the details of her memory. They went over the details of the case to prepare.

Kate’s lawyer told her to act like he’s Jeanette’s lawyer for the sake of cross-examination. He asked about the day in question and asked precisely how long she was in captivity but she isn’t sure. She was in captivity for months when she heard someone break in, though they left before she could see them. She peered through the cages on the windows and saw Jeanette fleeing the scene. She was sure it was Jeanette since they held eye contact. He noted that Jeanette’s lawyer was good as she’ll dig deeper by picking through her entire time in captivity. They’ll try to spin the trauma to pick apart her memory. He asked about the day she was rescued but she doesn’t want to give much information.

Later, Kate and Mallory got high in the bathroom where Mallory agreed that Kate shouldn’t have to defend herself against Jeanette who was a weasel. Kate suddenly decided to get dunk-a-roos. Kate and Mallory raided the fridge when Joy arrived with a note that was taped to the front door. Now that news about the lawsuit was out the tides were changing. The only word on the paper is Liar.

Mallory noted that everyone in the town was Team Wallis except Jeanette, so the letter had to be from her. Joy told her that there might be a cockroach or two that believed Jeanette and if they undermined her story, they would lose the house and her college fund. Kate wasn't surprised her mother was worried about the house, but Joy clarified that they would lose everything. Joy invited her to Hartwood for the hunting trip so they could make their friends pledge their allegiance with a blood oath if needed. Joy wanted to fill Babs’ big mouth with their story. Joy left so Kate invited Mallory along to the hunting trip.

Once they arrived at Hartwood, Mallory refused to partake in the shooting as she was against the act, so Kate decided not to, and they both admitted to being vegetarians. Rod practices his skeet shooting. Joy and Rod told people that Jeanette’s lawyers were deposing people, and Tucker remarked that Vince Fuller was already deposed. Rod clarified that no one was safe and they felt obligated to warn them as they’re allies, but Babs wondered if they would be under oath. Joy questioned why that would be a problem since Kate always told the truth and fired her gun. Kate jumped when the gun went off.

That night Kate and Mallory went for a walk together. Kate asked Mallory if she thought Babs was staring at her all night. Mallory told her that Kate is her favorite person. She then revealed that Joy thought she wrote the letter. She assured Kate she never sent it and Kate approached her family around the bonfire and glared at Joy. Tucker was supposed to tell a ghost story but Kate had a better one. She told a tale about Annabelle, a girl who found herself alone in the woods at night. She was on a hunting trip with her family who were hypocrites. Rod and Joy agreed that the story might not be appropriate, and Kate subtly said that people had secrets, a thirst for gossip, and accusations. Little Annabelle was alone until she wasn’t. A man joined her, one that grown-ups trusted, so Annabelle trusted him too. That trust leads to something unspeakable which puts blood on the grown-up’s hands too as they were responsible for what happened to Annabelle. She warned that their stories better be straight because Annabelle has hers. She told them to sleep tight and not let the bed bugs bite.

Once they were back home, Kate pulled out her therapy session tapes with Mallory, who worried that Kate wasn't ready to revisit them. She assured Mallory that people were about to doubt her and even though she had her story straight she needed to revisit to feel confident. Mallory reminded her that listening to her tapes might be scary, but Kate had to be brave as this was the only version of her that made it out alive. She put on the headset and listened to the first tape. She fast-forwarded through the tape where she talked about things getting worse. She talked about Martin coming downstairs before she was rescued and something was different, wrong, and that was when she met Annabelle. Kate began to disassociate as she couldn't remember who Annabelle was. Mallory asked if she’s okay but Kate couldn't hear her as she tried to recall Annabelle.

On July 29th, Kate went through her morning routine and prepared to do her makeup. She looked in the mirror and saw Martin behind her. He whispered, "Liar" to her but when she whirled around he wasn't there. She retreated to her bedroom where she listened to her therapy tapes about Martin. She admitted to having lied to the cops about not having known Martin before she was kidnapped. She lied as she thought it would make her look bad. Sylvia told her that she was a minor and couldn't be at fault for anything that happened, so there was no "looking bad" in the situation. Kate recalled an event at the county fair. In the present, Kate absently sketched Annabelle’s name.

Kate messaged with Berenice94 about who could have sent the letter. Berenice94 asked who could benefit from the letter. Kate thought it was Jeanette so Berenice urged her to believe that. Mallory snuck in through the window to tell Kate that Jeanette was going to sit in the dunk tank to pay for her legal fees. Kate wanted to go to the fair so Mallory reminded her that she was the one who said the fair was for shut-ins. Kate only wanted to go to make sure that Jeanette wasn't there.

Kate and Mallory arrived at the dunk tank where they mistook the person in it for Jeanette. Kate yelled for them to show their face, and Jamie looked at them as he was inside the tank. She threw a ball at the target despite his objections. She dunked him then walked away with Mallory. Kate and Mallory walked as they discussed how great it felt to dunk Jamie. Kate spotted Tennille and Renee talking with reporters. The reporters stated that no one had seen Jeanette in months. Tennille though she saw Jeanette buying black hair dye at the drugstore. She also heard that Jeanette wasn't coming to school. Renee called her a drop-out and a shut-in. Kate merely rolled her eyes at the claims then saw the Monkey Maze ride.

Mallory asked if she wanted to go back to the house to watch a show, but Kate declined as she wanted to listen to a therapy tape first. She placed her headset on and fast-forwarded to the night of the 1993 county fair. She explained to Dr. Parks that Martin ran some silly game booth to raise money for school. She played the game along with everyone else, but Parks reminded her that she wasn't everyone else to Martin Harris. She asked Kate if she was familiar with the idea of grooming, to which Kate simplified that Martin was only nice to her because he planned to kidnap her. Dr. Parks affirmed this but said he did it on some level.

On their way out of the carnival, they spotted Jamie across the lot. Kate walked up to him to ask what he was doing. A kid bet him a six-pack that he couldn’t steal the banner so he did. He was visibly drunk so she asked him if he was okay. He returned the question but she didn't know if she was or not. He wanted to tell her something and admitted that she was right. He did kiss Jeanette last Summer and he lied to her. He thought he was protecting her but she deserved to know the truth. She repeated that she knew it which he confirmed before apologizing again. He didn't know what else to say and asked if she wanted to hit him. She just wanted him to say it again. He repeated that he lied but she wanted to hear the other part. He told her that she was right so she kissed his cheek and remarked that was the nicest thing ever did for her. She walked away to join Mallory.

The girls went to a cemetery and hopped the chain link fence. Once inside, Kate was hesitant that she could do it, so Mallory assured her she could. She told Kate that she deserved to get over this by letting her anger out. Kate took the pink bunny Martin gave her in 1993 out of her coat and exchanged it for a shovel that Mallory held. She began to dig and buried the bunny in front of Martin’s grave. She spit on the stone then took the shovel to the tombstone. She broke it down then smashed it into pieces.

Kate spent the next month trying to piece together who Annabelle was, as she still didn't have any luck in her memory. She woke up on August 29th, her eighteenth birthday, to Mallory's tap on her shoulder. Kate’s mouth was dry and her eyes hurt, which Mallory knew was from the weed. She urged Kate out of bed and wished her a happy birthday, as well as, a happy friend-versary of their friendship. A few hours later, Kate listened to the Annabelle tapes and told Mallory that she found more about her. She asked Mallory to sit with her so she did. Kate played the tape and listened to the doctor ask if she wanted to talk about her again. On the tape, 1994 Kate couldn't remember anything about Annabelle. She told the doctor that she didn't want to remember. She gripped the armchair as her breath quickened. The doctor told her to breathe and Kate proclaimed she wanted to stop.

She turned off the tape, but couldn't believe that an entire memory was gone and worried about what else she couldn't remember. Mallory suggested that she give herself a break but Kate didn't want to. She knew Jeanette’s lawyers wouldn't stop. Mallory told her that today was her day to escape the crappiness of the world. She also had a surprise planned.

Mallory and Kate reached the bottom of the steps where Joy ambushed them by talking about lawyers and Tanya Peterson. Mallory stepped forward and calmly stated that Kate had employed her as the keeper of her birthday. As her keeper, she informed Joy that Kate would not discuss anything legal or unpleasant. Joy tried to talk about the trial again, so Mallory interrupted her and pulled Kate away.

Kate and Mallory walked to the roller rink as Mallory blindfolded her, and Kate remarked that Mallory was the only person she would trust to blindfold her. When she removed the blindfold Mallory worried that Kate thought the surprise was lame, but Kate assured her it wasn't. After the disaster of her last two birthdays, she gave up on idea of having a good one ever again. She didn't know how she’d be standing without Mallory. She eagerly asked how Mallory managed to have an empty rink. Mallory was promoted to the new assistant manager, and the only perk was an extra set of keys and the ability to close for maintenance. They run to the counters gleefully and pulled out a box. They took out boa’s and dug through the accessory box as they laughed happily. Mallory convinced Kate to dance on the countertops. They laced their skates and took off onto the rink. Kate urged Mallory to follow her out on the rink and they took hands. Mallory gave Kate a matching lollipop ring as they skated. Mallory admitted that she wasn't great at skating so Kate helped her along. They happily exclaimed that it was the best birthday ever.

At home, Kate remarked that she was starved and tired. Mallory saw a printer in the donation box and asked if she could have it, so Kate said yes. Mallory pulled out a jammed piece of paper and solemnly admitted that she found something unpleasant. Kate crouched down to see it and Mallory showed her what jammed the printer.

Kate approached her mother in the kitchen to ask Joy if she hated her. She put the paper that said Liar on the counter. She asked if Joy wrote it and concocted a story. Joy tried to explain but Kate emotionally asked how she could do that to her. Kate told her that the therapist thought that Martin groomed her from the beginning and she kept thinking about why her. But the answer was obvious not - it was because Joy toted her around. She believed everything Joy said and did everything she asked. The moment she questioned Joy she slandered her. She was raised to be trusting, obedient, and open. Martin took that from her. She brought up the Marsha Bailey Show which got her sued. Joy retorted that only happened because Kate went off script, so Kate screamed back that she wasn't a puppet.

She didn't understand why Rod got that but not Joy. Joy asked if she knew how hard it was to watch her and Rod get to spend time together. She didn't understand why Kate forgave Rod but not her. She admitted that she truly missed Kate. Kate instead asked why Joy sent the letter. She thought Kate needed a bad guy since that had always been what motivated her, and Joy needed her to take the lawsuit seriously. She approached Kate and apologized for not protecting her from Martin Harris, but she would die to protect her from everything else even if Kate hated her for it. Kate whispered that she missed her mom too.

On October 3rd, the trial of Turner versus Wallis began. Kate rolled up to the courthouse in the back seat of a car and reporters swarmed her car. Jeanette Turner pulled up on the other side of the entrance, so the reporters swarmed her car instead. Kate and Jeanette exchanged a long look through their car windows. The lawyers delivered opening statements where Nick Marshall represented Kate and the Wallis estate. After the hearing, Kate exited the courthouse with her laughter and family. She headed right to the car while the press swarmed Jeanette to ask if she thought 11 million dollars was greedy. Kate watched the team struggle past the reporter before she got into her car.

She sat at home where she messaged Berenice94 again. Berenice told Kate to pick her words carefully during her testimony, but not to worry as she was the debate team captain. Kate kept this in mind when she was called to testify as a hostile witness.

Denise interviewed her about Martin Harris having captured her by force. Denise asked what happened, to which Kate claimed that Martin offered her a ride home but he took her to his place instead. She drank the drugged soda, passed out, and woke up in the basement. Denise asked if that was what Kate relayed to the police, which was correct. It was also what she maintained today under oath. Denise presented evidence, though Nick objected as it wasn’t in discovery. Denise pressed that it was for impeachment purposes, so the judge allowed it. Denise gave Kate a chat log between TraumaRama and Berenice94. She had Kate read the screen names aloud. She then showed the entire court the document. Kate reluctantly read the messages, which were shocking to the parents and team, as they admitted that she went willingly into Martin's house. Denise asked if that was her screen name.

After court, Kate didn't understand how Jeanette’s lawyers found the messages. Nick did some digging and learned that Ashley was Berenice94. The Wallis’ were calling Ashley now to talk with her. Kate was surprised. He told her that the log was a problem as she hadn't been honest. This was a huge blow to her case. If there was anything else she hadn't told him then he needed to know now.

She went home and sat her desktop while Mallory reacted to the news about Ashley. Kate relayed that Ashley had a weak excuse for starting the conversations - she claimed that Kate needed someone. But now, Kate felt betrayed, as she thought she was chatting with someone who went through hell like her. That Berenice could be her future but now that didn't exist. She also didn't have the whole puzzle. She was wrong about Bernice and she couldn't remember Annabelle. She wanted to try what Sylvia suggested and picked up the phone.

She snuck into Martin's house and saw the knocked-over lamps, tables, and liquor trays. She looked around then played a record on the machine. Jeanette appeared behind her to ask why she wanted to meet there of all places. Kate knew this was where the truth lied, which is what they both wanted.

Jeanette wanted to face the truth since last year. Kate knew 11 million dollars wouldn't hurt her but it would bankrupt her parents. Jeanette countered that now Kate knew Jeanette would win she wanted to settle outside of court. Kate told her the chats were a low blow. Jeanette angrily retorted that naming her on national tv was a low blow. Kate snapped that Jeanette stole her trauma journal and shared it with an entire courtroom which was cruel. Jeanette claimed that Kate ruined her life, while Kate retorted that Jeanette stole hers. Jeanette shouted back that Kate didn't even want it. While she read the logs she still didn't know the whole story, but did know that Kate was lucky that some secrets were buried with Martin Harris.

Jeanette asked Kate about Jamie, as Kate was basically over him when she went missing. But when she came back she claimed Jamie even though Jeanette was in love with him. Kate pointed out how Jeanette went to great lengths to leave her in hell just to keep Jamie. She also wanted to get down to business. She knew Jeanette snuck into the house, and not just to play hide and seeks; but on Christmas Eve in '93. Jeanette didn't deny it but also wasn't in the basement which meant Kate wasn't there either. Kate admitted that she wasn't in the basement at that time, but knew Jeanette saw her. Jeanette knew she didn't. Kate explained that the day Jeanette broke in, she was home alone and played with a snow globe. Jeanette knew that as she heard Jamie's voicemail. They suspected it was Kate but couldn't be sure as she was supposed to be kidnapped.

Jeanette crudely said the message was nonsense with the breathing and background noise. But when she heard the snow globes jingle she knew Kate wasn't kidnaped. Kate explained that the night she broke in she hid on the second floor. Jeanette snuck in and was sure no one was home as she saw Martin at the mall. But when she heard a noise upstairs she left. Kate admitted that she came downstairs and found the necklace, which Jeanette pointed out meant nothing in the end. Kate pressed that she looked out the window and saw Jeanette's bike.

Jeanette asked if Kate saw her face or just her bike, and pointed out that Kate lied about having held eye contact. Kate retorted that while Jeanette's face was shadowed she saw Jeanette's bike with the card on the wheel. Jeanette began to realized that the bike Kate saw wasn't hers, as Kate had only seen her ride the bike at the Garden Club Party; when she borrowed Mallory's. Jeanette revealed this to Kate who was in a state of disbelief, as this meant that Mallory saw her despite all the time they had spent together over the past year.

Jeanette explained that she went home after she left Martin's house, but Mallory had seen her go into the house and wanted to bust her. When she went home, Mallory confronted her about the break-in, so Jeanette gave her the snow globe. If Kate were to search Mallory's room it would be there. Kate realized Jeanette wasn't lying and apologized as she thought she was right. Jeanette asked what happened between her and Martin. Kate admitted they were friends. He was kind, fascinating, and Jeanette pointed out, someone with secrets. Kate slept over the first night which led to more nights, and then more than friends. Things escalated to a dark place but she still couldn't remember one thing. Her therapist believed that if she went back down to the basement it would unlock her memory. She asked Jeanette to come down to the basement, and Jeanette agreed.

The girls went to the basement which was empty except for a lamp and a bloodstain. Jeanette and Kate stood at the mirrors where Jeanette asked if she was okay. Kate shakily said that the night before her rescue Martin came downstairs to see her, but something was different. Something was wrong. He was vulnerable but at peace. It seemed like he had worked up the courage to kill her. She described the event to Jeanette in vivid detail, as she emotionally remembered that Annabelle was a gun. While Martin planned to kill himself with it, things spiraled and Kate fatally killed him. She told Jeanette that she felt guilty for having loved him, hated him, and killing him. She called the police in the morning and they presumed he died in a shootout because of his injures. She must have internalized that too, which Sylvia said could happen.

Kate believed she was the bad guy but Jeanette told her she wasn't. No one could blame her for killing Martin. Kate told Jeanette that she should sue her, as Jeanette didn't deserve for any of this to happen. She should take the money and start over. But it wasn't ever about the money for Jeanette. She just wanted to feel what it was like to be Kate. Not to be her specifically, but to feel popular, beautiful, or enough. She wanted to know what that felt like.

Later, at the steps of the courthouse, Kate told the reporters that she was kidnapped, but there was another truth she was certain of. Jeanette didn’t see her at Martin’s. She was not the monster the media made her out to be. She was the victim. The reporters turned on her quickly as their questions became brazen. Kate left the courthouse and went to Mallory's, and caught her packing up her belongings along with the snow globe.

Kate was angered that Mallory befriended her and didn't say anything about having seen her. Mallory admitted that she did see Kate. But she saw a woman living freely - not in the basement. She thought it was Martin's girlfriend or sister. Kate admitted she was half right. Mallory didn't think it made sense for a missing girl to make a call - she didn't ever imagine it was Kate until after she saw it on the news. Kate understood, though Mallory elaborated that the world only ever thought Kate was in the basement. If she revealed the truth it would expose both their secrets. They had become friends. Mallory began to say something else but couldn't, despite Kate pressing the issue. She planned to leave town forever so Kate never had to see her again. But Kate didn't' want to be left in Skylin without Mallory. She told her not to dare leave and they hugged, while Mallory broke down in Kate's arms.

One month later, Mallory and Kate sat together at the foot of Mallory's bed as they watched Jeanette Turner go on The Marsha Bailey Show. Mallory thought the entire situation was creepy but Kate noted that the creep was innocent. She asked Mallory to go for a drive with her. They drove and listened to a great song. Kate made her stop the car and pull over, as she refused to let her stay in the car this time. They danced around to the front of the car and hopped up and down to the music. Kate stopped for a moment as she watched Mallory, then kissed Mallory happily. The girls smiled as Kate let out a happy shout before she returned to her dancing, finally free of the nightmare of the past few years, ready to embrace her new future.

### 2000

By 2000, Kate was an established author, having written a book about her experience with Martin Harris. It was titled "Out of the Basement: The Kate Wallis Story".

## Personality

Kate is a sweet and caring young teenager who had the world at her feet. She was popular and seemed to have it all, from a cute boyfriend to reliable best friends. Despite her popularity she was kind-hearted and sweet. She was also naturally curious and protective of her mother, though the protectiveness often led them to disagreements. Joy demanded the absolute best out of Kate at all times, praising her for being better then the other kids her age. Kate was devastated when she learned her mother was having an affair.

Her personality altered after she was kidnapped by Martin Harris. Upon being found, Kate was depressed, angry, and confused. She no longer believed that anyone could keep her safe, as the security that she felt from her parents had disappeared. She held resentment for her mothers last words to her and questioned how Jamie had moved on with Jeanette Turner. She sought justice for herself and claimed upon her rescue that Jeanette had seen her months into her kidnapping and did nothing. Since there were no legal ramifications for Jeanette, Kate decided to speak her truth and tell her story to the police, and later talk show host Marsha Bailey. By 1995, Kate became rebellious and wild, staying out late and drinking.

## Physical Appearance

In 1993, Kate is a young teenager with armpit-length golden blonde hair, almond-shaped hazel eyes, fair skin, and a slender figure. She dresses in high-end stylish clothing, wearing just the right amount of jewelry, and light makeup. She is the embodiment of teen perfection.

By 1994, Kate had spent many months abducted which weathered her appearance. Her blonde hair was longer and straighter, she wore minimal makeup following her rescue, and her ear piercings closed - a problem that her mother quickly rectified. On the rare occasion that Kate made a public appearance, she dressed herself up in bright colors, a pearl necklace, and makeup.

By 1995, Kate had rebelled against the "goody-two-shoes act" and cut her hair shorter, dyed black highlights, and opted for a grunge style. She wore cut-off high-waisted shorts, a crop top, and a long over shirt. She also pierced her bellybutton and wore heavy, dark makeup.

## Notes and Trivia

* Kate's screen name is Traumarama79.
* She was initially going to be played by Mika Abdalla (most known for *Project Mc²*)

## References

1. ↑ Missing persons flyer promotional image.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 1.01 Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 1.02 A Smashing Good Time
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 1.04 You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 1.05 As The Carny Gods Intended
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 1.07 Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
7. ↑ 1.08 Proof
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 1.09 A Secret of My Own
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 1.10 Hostile Witness
10. ↑ 1.03 Off With A Bang
11. ↑ 2.10 - "Endgame"