In Orientations, she tells Michelle that she is originally from San Francisco, but her parents moved to Missouri shortly after her turning. The reasons why have not been fully explained. Greg was the first non-human she met, and she convinced him to go to college in order to try to find more mythical creatures like them. She has no siblings (that she knows of), Kory adds. When Merial turned her parents locked her in the bathroom for five weeks, not knowing what to do with her. It seems they have become much more supportive after this, even helping Greg some years later.