"How on Earth do you put up with me? I'm the laughing stock of this circus."

"I don't care, William. You'll get better with time. You're still new at this."

"Yes but… everyone else does so perfect in their acts…"

"That's because they've been at it longer. Patience is a virtue, William."

"Charlie…"

"I'm not giving up on you that easily. We'll work on it together."

"... Thank you…"

"Anytime, William."

William…

Charlie sighed as she lowered her head a little, looking at the glasses she held in her disfigured hands.

I miss you…

"Holding up alright?"

Charlie glanced up, seeing a man in a glowing white cloak approach her, half his face hidden by the hood of it.

"Could be better… I have to admit, fighting urges is no easy task."

"I know… You try your best every night…"

"And as do you with your duties… Any new souls?"

"As of late, no. I've mainly just been keeping my eyes on the new arrivals Maxwell brought… They've had some close calls but so far they're still alive." The man sighed. "Sadly, the downside is when there are no new deaths, the shadows just get more aggravated."

Charlie sighed, holding the glasses a bit closer to her.

"It's not easy… Especially since they're not like the others that have wound up here before… They've faced the odds and kept fighting… Even when I'm sure the shadows were sure there would be an easy death… We got in their way…"

"Indeed… We do what we can, but in the end, it's all they've done that has let them survive." The man turned away, looking upward. "And along with them… I feel things are changing… I don't know what it is, but something… something feels different this time."

"It's something in the air… Usually by now there would've been a camp burnt to the ground and someone dead… But they're making their moves more carefully… The shadows didn't realize what happened when they chose that man…"

"Wilson Percival Higgsbury…" The man muttered. "He's… something. That's for sure."

"... He reminds me of him… Of William." Charlie looked down at the glasses. "He's gentle… Smart… But he's a lot less fearful than our William was…"

He keeps beating the odds… At this rate, who knows how long it may take for Maxwell to truly snap.

"I see the similarities too. It's honestly uncanny… Maybe I should ask the old witch if she has any idea as to why things feel different. She always seems to know."

Charlie nodded quickly. "That's a good plan. Besides… She's one of the few who can see you."

"Along with that kid of hers." The man chuckled, making his way out. "I'll report back once I have some answers. Keep an eye on Maxwell."

"As always." Charlie giggled a bit, giving a small salute. When he was gone she took a deep breath before making her way to the throne room, keeping to the shadows.

Maxwell was pacing about the area, keeping in the light. His eyes were locked to the ground, keeping his facial expression hidden. He was quiet… deadly quiet… till…

"RAAAAAH!"

He lashed out, throwing shadow flames into the air.

"WHY WON'T YOU STAY QUIET!?" He demanded.

What?

Charlie got a perplexed look in her eyes, before it turned to shock as she saw Maxwell's expression change from one of frustration and anger… to one of desperation.

"I'm someone! I'm not you! I'm whoever this William man was!"

Maxwell's expression changed back to anger.

"SHUT UP!"

"NO!"

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

Maxwell hit himself hard in the face, growling.

Charlie gasped, covering her mouth with one of her hands, just… shocked. This was not something she expected.

"... Why do you hate me so much…? I was a person… I had a life-!"

"You…. are… NO ONE! WILLIAM CARTER IS DEAD!" Maxwell panted, before grinning to himself. "No more…" His expression changed again.

"NO! NO! NOOOOOOOO!"

"That's right… go back to sleep… There's nothing… Only Maxwell."

Charlie shook her head, keeping close to the shadows.

William, please don't give up… You're still in there… I know you are...

"No… I'm still here… it's not just Maxwell… There's me too! I know I'm someone! That woman who appeared a few nights ago! She remembers me!"

"Charlie knows nothing of you! She's a MONSTER! She doesn't care about anything and she most certainly doesn't care about you!"

Charlie gasped, eyes going wide.

"Charlie… No… She has to… Someone has to...She knows me! I know her-!"

"SHUT UP!" Maxwell hit himself again. "I've been too soft with you… Your guilty conscious is ruining EVERYTHING. I feel your regret and have been speaking as if I were you. You spineless… worthless… magician…"

"If ruining everything… Means getting my body back… Let me ruin it all then!" Shadow flames came to his hands. "Ack!"

"WHY YOU-!" Maxwell had to refrain from hitting himself again, knowing hitting himself now would result in burns.

Charlie couldn't take it anymore. She took her full shadow form, putting out the torches before tackling Maxwell to the ground, shrieking at him.

"I THINK I'VE HEARD ENOUGH OUT OF YOU, MAXWELL!"

Maxwell looked at her with terror… and anger in his eyes. "You…" He snarled before snapping his fingers, flicking shadow flames towards a nearby torch, lighting it back up. "BEGONE!"

Charlie shrieked, retreating to the shadows.

"Did you see that, William? You did that to her… This is all… YOUR fault… If you want, I'll illuminate this whole room... and kill her."

"No… No, leave her out of this… This is between you and me… She has nothing to do with this!"

"Then… be a good boy… and sleep… FOREVER!"

"AUUUUUUUGGGGH!"

oooooo

Wilson looked up from where he was stoking the fire pit, hearing a scream. A scream of utter agony and heartbreak.

"What in the world…?" He murmured, getting up and peering outside. The sun was just coming up so he felt safe enough opening the door.

What was that? It sounded like someone dying!

He looked back into the base, seeing the girls and Willow were still fast asleep. He let them be, looking around the area, keeping a spear ready in hand. There was nothing to be seen as far as he could tell.

"I'm guessing you heard it too?"

Wilson jumped, his head snapping towards the source of the voice, relaxing as he saw who it was. It was Woodie, who had a large pile of logs in his arms. He had a look of sadness in his facial features.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you like that but… the way you were looking around I was thinking you might have heard what I heard."

"A scream of agony?" Wilson asked as the other man nodded. Wilson frowned, lowering his spear. "It… sounded so close… So desperate."

"Like they were calling for help but couldn't get any…" Woodie looked outward. "I'm afraid I've heard it time and time again from survivors who didn't make it… Yet this one I think is the loudest I've ever heard."

Wilson followed his gaze, shielding his eyes a bit from the sunlight. "I can't help but wonder if someone was brought in the night and just… killed right there.."

"Only heaven or Maxwell would know…" Woodie sighed. "In any case…" He held up the logs he had. "I brought these to replace the ones I ate… and I was thinking I could take you to Wickerbottom today since I'm feeling better than I was when we met."

Wilson nodded. "I'd like that… And in that case, since it's early enough, would… you like to stay for breakfast? We have plenty."

"If it's not too much." Woodie smiled a bit. "I know I kind of scared one of your kiddies."

Wilson chuckled. "I'm sure she'll be more up to meeting new people once she knows someone wasn't trying to steal our fire source."

"Right, right." Woodie looked to Lucy on his back. "Well, shall we my dear?"

"But of course!"

Wilson smiled before leading the way back to camp… Getting knocked over as soon as he came through the door.

"OOF!"

The twins were hugging him tightly, looking up at him.

"Papa, where were you!?"

"Yeah! It's not completely light out yet!"

"W-Was just checking on something, girls, and I wasn't alone."

Woodie poked his head in.

"How's it goin' eh?"

Abigail blinked, while Wendy's jaw dropped. "... The log thief?"

"He's not a thief. It was a misunderstanding… And he's a guest, so please be polite…"

Woodie knelt to Wendy's level.

"I really didn't mean to steal I just… have problems… But I promise I wouldn't hurt anyone."

Wendy looked him over before she smiled a bit. "It's okay… We just get a little jumpy when it's getting dark out… It's scary out there. Spiders come out at night all the time."

"Oh yeah I've seen 'em. Nasty things. But Lucy and I are able to take 'em on."

"That's right." Lucy giggled. "No one can match up to me!"

The girls' eyes widened, seeming to light up.

"Your axe is like Abi!" Wendy chirped while Abigail grinned sheepishly.

"Would seem so."

Woodie smiled, taking Lucy off his back, showing her to the girls.

"It's an odd situation but we make it work."

Abigail smiled… seeming to shake hands with someone.

"Nice meet you, Lucy."

"Nice to meet you too."

"You're really pretty… I hope you two like it here."

Wendy smiled, stepping back, letting her sister have her conversation. She doesn't get to talk to other ghosts all the time…

Woodie's eyes had surprise in them.

"You can see her too…?"

"Like they said, Woodie, I'm like her." Lucy smiled. "So… it makes sense."

Wilson kept quiet… trying to wrack his brain over what he was seeing.

… I know anything seems possible at this point but it's so hard to believe when I can't see anything.

"What's all the noise…?"

Willow was in view now, still half asleep and yawning.

"Oh, good morning, Willow… Sleep well?"

She gave him an irritated look. "Was til a few minutes ago… What's going on in here?"

"Well, our visitor from a few days ago came back." Wilson gestured over to Woodie. "He wants to take me to see someone who might have answers on how to get out of here."

Willow perked up. "Well then… Great!"

"And he's got a ghost friend like Abi too!"

Willow hid the surprised look she got as she looked to Woodie. "Well... That's interesting… Now..." She looked to Wilson. "Since we're all up… Breakfast?"

"Of course." Wilson hurried into the kitchen. "I'll get some waffles made right away."

"Oh…" Woodie's stomach growled. "That sounds delicious."

"Oh, he hasn't made those in awhile." Wendy giggled. "They're really good!"

"If you say so." Woodie took a seat near the fire pit, setting Lucy down beside him, the others joining him as well.

"So…" Willow started. "Wilson said you know someone who knows a lot about this place. Mind, telling us who this person is?"

"Oh not at all." Woodie grinned. "I already told Wilson this, but she's known as Wickerbottom. She's a witch that lives here. Not all knowing, but very wise."

"Who in their right mind would want to live here their whole life?" Wendy shuddered. "This place isn't exactly cozy."

"I don't know, Wickerbottom doesn't seem to mind it all that much." Woodie shrugged. "Either way, she knows more than anyone I've ever met. Hopefully she can help provide some answers for y'all."

"That would be ideal."

Wilson soon came in with a stack of waffles on a leaf, dividing it up between them all.

"Thank you." Woodie took a bite, grinning widely. "Wow, this is delicious!"

Wilson smiled, nodding.

"You're welcome, least I could do."

"You're very kind." Woodie took another bite. "I can cook but not this good."

"He once burnt water before I showed him a thing or two." Lucy added.

"Ah shucks, Lucy!" Woodie blushed. "You didn't need to tell 'em that!"

"Oh, Willow was just like that." Wilson said in between bites of his own share. Willow was bright red before she elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Oof!"

"Wildork…"

Woodie chuckled.

"Burnt water aside, I'm excited to take you to see Wickerbottom. Wilson seems very knowledgeable and with what Wickerbottom knows, I bet ya you two could crack something. Maybe even finding a way out of this forsaken place."

"That's the hope." Wilson smiled. "And of course…" He looked at Abigail. "Possibly ways to revive the deceased… There's more I want to do then just leave this place."

"Well… knowing her, she might have something that can help."

"Then let us waste no more time."

Woodie chuckled, finishing his meal before getting up then.

"I like your attitude." He dusted himself off before swinging Lucy over his shoulders. "Well, shall we my dear?"

"Oh yes, my love."

Wilson quickly grabbed his backpack, the others doing the same.

"Let's go! Chester, watch the fort!"

"Rarf!" Chester took a seat at the front door as they parted.

Woodie lead them out, heading for a very heavy forested area. The twins kept close to each other, flinching a bit at the sound of hissing noises.

"Uh… Mister Woodie?" Wendy gulped. "Are… Are there spiders here?"

"Few rogue ones, but the most you'll see here are actually tamed spiders." Woodie said as he looked around carefully. "That is, if we're in the right spot."

Abigail huddled closer to her sister, looking around. Willow had her spear out, as did Wilson.

There was the distinct scuttling noise the spiders made as they walked… As well as the sound of… a child laughing.

"Come on! One more ride!"

Confusion overcame Wilson and Willow while Woodie just seemed amused.

"And he's at it again." Woodie went to the source of the sounds, grinning wider as he saw a spider queen nuzzling what appeared to be a child…. with a spider for a head. "Young Webber."

"Hee! That tickles, Natty!" Webber laughed, petting the spider queen's head.

It churred quietly, nuzzling the boy more, taking a bit of a protective stance as she noticed the newcomers.

"That… kid has a…" Willow started.

"Spider Queen… For a pet…" Wilson finished. "... And he's…" A HYBRID!? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!

Woodie walked on over to the child and spider.

"Oi! Webber! It's me!"

Webber looked over and grinned, showing some fangs as his eyes lit up. "Mister Woodie! Hiya! No tree guards after you today?"

"Nope, just going about my day. And I brought some guests to see your grandmother." Woodie gestured to the group. "It's alright folks, Natty and Webber don't bite."

Wilson took a deep breath and walked over first as the others came over as well. "Hello there young man… I'm Wilson Percival Higgsbury... It's nice to meet you."

"That's a long name. Nice to meet you too!"

Woodie chuckled, ruffling the boy's hairy head.

"They're nice ones. Is your grandmother busy at all today? They could use some help."

"She's making pierogies but she said she was freezing those hours ago. So, I think she's free." Webber chuckled, trying to smooth down the now ruffled up hair. "And that tickles!"

"Hehe, I know." Woodie looked to the spider queen. "Think Natty is willing to lead or give us all a ride?"

Wendy hid behind Wilson.

"I-I… I don't think I wanna ride a spider queen."

Wilson frowned, patting her head. "Wendy isn't very fond of spiders… She's quite frightened by them…"

Webber frowned a bit but gave a nod. "We understand… Other survivors don't like spiders either… We're used to it."

Wendy frowned before cautiously going over to Webber, looking him over.

"You don't seem so bad though. You didn't hiss at us."

"Cause it's me in control. Not the spider." Webber patted Natty's side fondly. "Spiders like us… They wanna protect us. Well, most of 'em. Some spider warriors aren't so nice… But Natty just gobbles them up if they try to hurt anyone I like."

"I see…" Wendy held out a hand. "I'm Wendy by the way."

Webber shook her hand. "Webber! I like your flower. It's cute."

Wendy giggled a little.

"Thank you, my father picked it for me. It's never died once."

Webber smiled. "Magic I bet. Like Grandmother's! Oh! We better get going… If we time it right she won't be busy doing much besides organizing her library - That takes her HOURS!"

"Let's hurry then." Wilson smiled gently. "Lead the way."

Webber saluted, getting onto Natty's back.

"Let's show them, Natty."

The spider queen nodded as they lead the way… Wendy eventually climbing up to be next to Webber.

Maybe not all spiders are bad.