"Now, just throw the switch."

"Um… I… I'm not… sure..."

"DO IT!"

"HAHAHA! YOU'RE ALL MINE NOW SCIENTIST!"

Wilson's eyes snapped open, the man sitting up instantly as a gasp left his mouth. He panted as he looked around, seeing he wasn't in his house anymore. He was in a big open field with many trees spread about and some other things he wasn't sure he was seeing. Didn't help it was rather dark at the moment.

"Where…?" He looked around frantically. "Where am I…? This isn't anywhere near my house…"

"Lost are we, hm?"

Wilson looked to the voice, seeing a rather tall slender man standing not too far from him, a rather eerie grin on his face.

That voice… It… sounds familiar…

"I know coming here for the first time can be a bit of a shock but I wouldn't worry too much. You'll get adjusted in no time." The man gave a bit of a hurt look. "Aw… you don't remember me, do you?"

Wilson swallowed hard. He didn't like the look in his eyes… Not at all.

"Who… are you…?" He asked, backing up a bit. "Where did you take me…? I-I demand an answer!"

The man clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk, Wilson. I just wanted to help." There was a gleam in his eyes. "After all… You looked like you were having some trouble."

Wilson stared at him, stunned as it all came back. The voice on the radio… The knowledge that rushed his mind…

"Y-You…? It was you…?"

"That's right." He gave a bow. "The Amazing Maxwell, King of the Shadows and this world."

Wilson looked at him stunned. "S-Shadows…? This world? T-That's insane…" He looked around.

"Oh, it can be. But then again, knowing how you are you wouldn't exactly be a fan of magic." Maxwell gave a flick of his wrist, some dark matter coming off them. "But that aside, I welcome you to my domain. I admit it has been getting lonely around here. Sure there are the beasts but other humans? Pheh, it's been too long."

What…? No, no, no! Wilson shook his head. "No, I won't stay here…. Send me back… Send me back please!" He pleaded. "I… I didn't ask for this!"

"You wanted knowledge didn't you?" Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "I gave you that. And now, this is the payment. You'll learn a lot from here, trust me."

Wilson frowned, feeling a bit of fear starting to creep up.

"There's nothing here…"

"Oh, where we're standing there isn't much, but my dear friend, this is only the surface." Maxwell walked around him. "And giving up isn't an option… unless you want to die then be my guest."

Wilson followed him with his eyes as they narrowed, clenching his fists... Hissing a bit as his injured hand from the cut he had inflicted upon it before acted up. "I won't give up… But if there's a way out… Then I'll find it…"

"And that I'll have to wish you luck on… But as my 'welcoming gift' you'll need these." He dropped a backpack and a torch at Wilson's feet. "The moon will be rising soon, bringing the night… Which means Charlie will be waking up as well."

Wilson quickly picked up the items, slinging the backpack over his shoulder. "Charlie…?"

"You don't want to meet her… If you don't want to die, don't stay in the dark." Maxwell took a step back, being engulfed by shadow hands before disappearing. "Good luck."

Wilson looked around him before sighing as he started to walk.

First things first….

I need food…

… How did I get myself into such a big mess…? I didn't even do anything I just…

He sighed, shaking his head.

Wallowing in pity won't do any good… I made a mistake. Now I have to live with it.

He wandered around the area, seeing there was indeed wildlife running around. Birds, butterflies… rabbits. Wilson stopped, watching one confused. It looked very different from the ones he remembered.

"Odd…." I don't recall rabbits having antennae…

A rabbit stopped in its tracks, staring at him with soulless white eyes before screeching, running back to its burrow.

Wilson scoffed. "Rude!"

I wasn't going to kill it! I'm not a savage I'm a scientist!

He shook his head continuing on…

"Grrrr…."

"Hm?" He looked to where the sound came from. "Hello?" He called.

There was a sort of crunching noise heard… something chewing on something, more growls being heard.

"Grr… Rarf!"

Wilson followed the noise… Finding some type of creature chewing on an odd looking bone.

"What the…?"

The creature was some kind of furry thing with elephant legs and horns… and it had no eyes… yet it seemed to look up at Wilson when he got closer.

"Rarf?"

Wilson carefully knelt to its level. "H-Hello there… All by yourself, huh?"

The creature stared at him for another moment before dropping the bone in front of Wilson, nearly knocking the man over as it tackled him.

"Rarf! Rarf!" It started licking him. "Rarf!"

"WAH!" Wilson couldn't help but laugh. "H-Hey! That tickles you mutt!"

The creature kept licking him, barking a bit.

"D-Down!"

"Rarf!" The creature backed down, sitting in front of him like a dog would, tongue sticking out as it panted. "Rarf!"

Wilson chuckled, petting its head. "Well aren't you a friendly face? … Even if you don't possess an actual one."

"Rarf!" The creature nudged the bone towards him. "Rarf!"

He picked it up. "Really now…? You want me to hold this?"

The creature nodded.

"Rarf!"

Wilson smiled tucking the bone into his backpack.

"Well then… Let's carry on!"

The creature barked, sniffing around.

"Bark!"

Wilson chuckled walking on. "I suppose you'll need a name…"

The creature nudged him before opening his mouth… almost like a treasure chest… a card present on its tongue.

Wilson blinked before picking it up. "Hm?"

"Otto Von Chesterfield, Esquire"

The card read.

"Otto Von Chesterfield, Esquire…. Alright, Chester it is." He nodded. Odd creature but what a name… And apparently useful.

Chester took the card back, hopping around Wilson.

"Rarf!"

Wilson smiled patting his "head" before looking up, cringing seeing the sky darkening. "It'll be dark soon, better make a fire…"

Chester huddled close to Wilson, looking around.

"Rawr…"

"I know…" Wilson looked around as well before digging into the backpack trying to find something he could use. He found the torch Maxwell had given him… though realized one problem. "Blast… I don't have anything to light it with."

"Rarf!" Chester backed up again, opening his mouth… revealing flint on his tongue.

Wilson grinned, patting his head after he took it. "Brilliant, ol'boy. Purely brilliant." He quickly used it just as darkness started to fall around them as the area lit up. "This shall do."

Chester huddled close again, purring a bit. Wilson sat down, letting Chester climb onto his lap, patting his head.

"At least I have a friend…" He looked around, feeling like they were being watched. "Now to just survive…"

It was quiet… but then some hissing was heard… rustles of grass around the area. Something was walking around them.

"H-Hello?" Wilson called quietly, his voice shaking. "A-Anyone?"

Chester growled, barking at something in the dark. A pair of white soulless eyes could be seen staring at them. There was more hissing heard, almost like a gust of wind as shadow hands were moving across the ground, trying to reach Wilson.

Wilson gasped, moving back.

"N-No! Stop!'

"Come… To me…" A voice whispered. "Wiiiilsooooon…"

Chester barked louder.

Wilson growled, swinging the torch like a weapon towards the hands.

"GET BACK!"

There was a shriek as the hands retracted, disappearing back into the dark.

The man panted a bit, looking around before he started to calm down.

Note to self… This world is more than it seems… Never get caught by the shadows.

Chester huddled close again, purring.

"Bark…"

Wilson held him close.

"We'll be okay."

I hope…

Oh heavens above what have I gotten myself into?