The family reels after Eugene’s four-hour, letter-by-letter account of the waterfall. They take ten minutes to grieve together in silence, overwhelmed by the physical and emotional toll, then brace for the looming CPS hearing despite exhaustion.

Shannon departs, immediately sending the recording and transcription of Eugene’s statements to the detectives, asking them to drop the case and rescind detention. She warns corroboration may still be required, including identifying the three boys and unlocking Adam’s phone for a photo of Eugene with their first written exchange. Mia overhears a pointed remark about how helpful it would have been if those two pages had been in Adam’s backpack.

Mia fixates on eerie overlaps between Eugene’s story and the whispered reconstruction she and John made the night before. She considers possibilities: a shared mental “transmission,” Eugene unintentionally absorbing and blending their words with his memories, or even deliberate embellishment to protect Adam or himself. The implications threaten both truth and corroboration.

Vic leaves after preparing lunch, likely having heard much from the adjacent kitchen. Fearing he’s a witness who could complicate matters, Mia urges him to drive straight out of state. Before leaving, Vic slips her a flash drive and note.

On the drive are enhanced HQ notebook images and a printed file: Adam’s “Notes for Mia—Fall 2020.” Mia reads Adam’s reflections on her academic choices and his long-running thoughts on reconciling ambition with happiness—lowering the baseline while keeping expectations high, and a practical exercise to “want what you have.”

Moved by Adam’s perspective, Mia resolves to anchor her happiness baseline at this present low point—Dad missing and Eugene at legal risk—so future gains feel meaningful. She convinces herself this must be the bottom, even as the day’s ominous hints suggest greater trials may still come.