Final part of the introduction. Next week, the survival starts in earnest.

Disclaimer: I don't own Don't Starve or any of the characters.

Wendy was the first one to wake up the following morning. It was odd to open her eyes and see other people nearby. She'd grown so accustomed to the solitude that being around others besides Abigail felt off somehow. She was tempted to go around forcing them into wakefulness so that they could get underway, but instead chose to observe them in silence.

Wolfgang had just about passed out on the edge of their camp. His head rested on his folded arms, and he would periodically let out a massive snore. Small trickles of drool leaked out the side of his mouth as he snuffled in his dreaming state. A graceful sleeper he was not.

Willow had elected to fall asleep as close to the fire as was humanly possible without actually standing inside it. Her rucksack, fashioned from excess cloth and containing useful things like cooking materials, served as a pillow for the young woman. She at least had the self-control to keep her mouth shut while she slept.

Out of all of them, Wilson seemed to be the most interesting. While she was more than a little annoyed that he had invaded her personal space the other day, she couldn't help but be fascinated with the way he had taken charge so quickly.

When it became clear that they weren't going anywhere during the night he had divided up the necessary chores between them with ease, even carefully measuring out their food supplies (that were generously provided by Willow and Wolfgang) so that everyone got their fair share when they sat down to eat.

Right now, the scientist was huddled in a sitting position against a tree. His head was down on his knees with both arms wrapped around them, giving him the look of someone in mourning. The only indication he gave of being asleep was his slow and steady breaths. There was something strange about him that Wendy couldn't quite put her finger on.

Shaking her head to dispel the scrutiny of her companions, she turned her attention to the flower that rested lightly in the palm of her hands. She could feel a tingling sensation when she held it. The girl couldn't help but smile. Abigail was getting closer, and soon the two sisters would be reunited again. It was only a matter of time now.

She sat silently for the better part of an hour. It wasn't the most interesting experience, but it gave her time to think about the path they would be taking. Wendy's understanding of the terrain ended at the edge of the forest. Once they were out in the plains, it would be a whole new experience. That thought was equal parts exciting and deterring to her.

Soon, an assortment of grumbles and half-conscious mumbling signaled that the others were waking up. Mentally fortifying herself for the day ahead, the bereaved child got ready to make her parting preparations.

"I hope you get here soon Abigail." She muttered, gently placing the flower in her pocket while putting on her backpack. "I'm sure the others would love to meet you."

"FREEDOM!"

The ecstatic cry shook the edge of the forest, sending birds into a panic induced flight and terrorizing the local bunny population.

Willow let out a joy filled laugh of relief as she dashed out of the tree line and collapsed on her back. She knew that the others would probably think she was crazy, but right now that didn't matter.

"I never thought I'd love the color blue so much." She said, gazing up at the uninhibited view of the sky. It was a lovely thing to not have her view blocked by trees for once. She vowed to never doubt the little blonde girl's directions again.

"Was it really that bad in the woods?" Wilson asked, giving her an amused glance. She had to actively prevent herself from flinching at that.

It wasn't the forest that was the problem. It was the trees. So much flammable wood just sitting around doing nothing… It was enough to drive a girl insane. But how could she possibly explain her infatuation with flames to them?

The short answer was; she couldn't.

More than one doctor had diagnosed her love affair with fire as a 'condition'. Something that had to be controlled lest she harm someone. Sometimes she had to agree. If she'd burned the forest to the ground, then all three of her new friends likely would have died without ever meeting her. At the same time, she couldn't help but be drawn to the pyrotechnics. Always wanting to see a fire so large that it blotted out all other sights…

"I guess I just got a bit sick of them after a couple weeks." She offered lamely. It wasn't a very strong excuse, but thankfully he didn't seem bothered enough to continue the subject.

"I like this place already." Willow said, getting back up and dusting herself off. "What say we stick around for a little while just to savor it?"

"We can't." Wilson stated. "This is near where I was camped out originally. There's hardly any food left here. I was just about digging up the dregs of it when the hounds chased me into the forest."

"Where we go then?" Wolfgang asked, stepping forward to look out over the grassy fields. "I see no food place. Do you know one?"

The scientist took a moment to think.

"Well… If I recall correctly, the hounds that attacked me came from somewhere towards the east with their backs to the rising sun." He turned in the mentioned direction, holding up his hands in a mental picture frame as he remembered the incident. "Since I don't really want to find out where they call home, I suggest we head north-west instead."

The small group observed the offered path in silence for several moments. There were no obvious landmarks or points of interest, but nobody else had any other real suggestions. Besides, if they went back into the forest, Willow was sure she'd burn the whole island down by sunset.

"Sounds good to me." She said. "Any objections?"

Wolfgang shook his head, hoisting up her pack on his back. He had generously offered to carry it while they traveled, though she had the sneaking suspicion that he might be looking to sneak a few snacks when nobody was looking. That man could eat like an elephant.

Wendy simply shrugged her shoulders. Apparently her sense of direction ended when they left the confines of the trees.

"North-west it is." Willow said, "Lead on Mister Wilson."

"Uh… right." He said, scratching the back of his neck. "Just call me Wilson. Mister makes me feel old."

"Right then. Wilson, if you would be so kind…" She gestured for him to take the lead. He had done all right so far, and she was happy to let him keep it up so long as he didn't lead them off a cliff or something equally as inconvenient.

Falling in line behind the scientist, they all began the long journey towards what would hopefully be a warm and welcoming existence.

Sometimes, Wilson thought that the world was just out to get him. No more than five minutes after they had started walking, the sky decided that now would be an excellent time to rid itself of excess water weight.

The downpour had the irritating effect of forcing them to take cover beneath a rocky outcrop on the side of a hill. It wasn't very large, but it was the only space around that would give them any shelter from the falling rain.

"And to think the day had started out so promising." Wilson muttered to himself. His hair was drenched and ragged, but what was worse was the state of his notes. The miniature dialogues he had written to keep track of his trials were all but ruined. Between the fall into the lake, and the unrelenting precipitation, the writings had become almost unreadable. It was somewhat humbling.

"Come on…" Willow had taken it upon herself to find some relatively dry kindling and attempt to light a fire in their tiny refuge.

"Come on!" She hissed in frustration, scowling as her lighter failed once more to ignite the soggy bundle of sticks and moss.

Both she and Wolfgang were very unhappy with the rain. Still, while the large man seemed to be very uncomfortable in the cold and wet, she looked almost frantic. It was as though the touch of water had put her into a miniature panic mode.

Wendy sat apart from the group, or at least as far apart as the confines of their space would allow. That was one thing Wilson had noticed about her. She never got closer than arm's length with anyone in the group. The quirk was likely the same thing that caused her outburst when he had picked her up.

She was the least visibly bothered by the weather, and was content to stare off into space while they struggled to get warm. The scientist however, had other plans. She had remained mostly silent during their whole trip thus far and he knew that such things weren't healthy for a child.

"Wendy?" He ventured, speaking low so as not to distract Willow from her task of lighting the fire. Apparently he spoke too low as the girl didn't react at all.

"Wendy?" He questioned again, slightly more forcefully. This time it caught her attention.

"What is it?" She asked, a slight flicker of annoyance blinking through her features. That was another thing he noticed. She rarely displayed outward emotion for more than a second.

"I just wanted to check to be sure you were all right." He said. "You've been looking a bit out of sorts for a little while now."

"I'm fine." She assured, trying to end the conversation before it began. Something was bothering her, he could tell that much.

"I'm glad to hear that." He said, attempting a verbal peace offering. "Listen, I know this is a bit soon, but would you mind telling me how you ended up here?"

It wasn't exactly the most cheerful of topics, but Wilson was at a loss when thinking about what else he could ask. It wasn't as if he could bring up things like her favorite color or pastime. She seemed far too mature to be baited in like that.

"He brought me here."

Wilson was quiet for a moment. He had no doubt who she was referring to. There was only one man with the power and the will to draw people into this world.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He said. She was unmoved by the sympathy. "If you don't mind me asking, how exactly have you been holding out for so long on your own?"

She remained silent. For a long time, the only noise that could be heard was that of Willow attempting to light the fire which still stubbornly refused to cooperate. Just as he began to think that Wendy had decided to refuse him any further answers, she drew a small flower out from her pocket.

"Abigail has been protecting me." She said softly. The flower rested in her palm, held as gently as though it were a new born child. Despite this, Wilson was struck by the floral creation's presence. Just being near it sent a chilling shiver through him as though there was a spectral finger running up and down his spine.

"Is that… hers…?" He ventured, unable to pull his gaze away from it. The girl nodded, curling her fingers around the flower protectively.

"She got hurt a while ago. I've been waiting for her since then, but she has yet to find me again." Her words were spoken in a neutral tone, but there was a small touch of loneliness to them. "That was about five days ago."

Despite how strongly he knew it wasn't possible, Wilson couldn't help but believe her. Being so close to the flower felt so disturbingly moving that he could almost imagine that it was somehow connected to a girl from beyond the grave.

"How long will it take for her to come back?" He ventured, trying to understand whether this was actually a case of her sister rising from the dead, or simply the imagination of a grief-stricken child.

She just shrugged.

"Well… I'm sure she won't be too long. From what you've told me, she sounds very nice." He hadn't intended to say that, but the words worked their way out of his mouth regardless. He wanted Wendy to feel at ease, even if he didn't exactly know why she was so distant to begin with.

She cast a hesitant gaze his way, unsure of whether he was being serious or not. Eventually, she seemed to satisfy her doubts.

"Thank you." She said. The words were simple, but there was a hint of genuine gratitude mixed in.

Their conversation was rather abruptly interrupted when Willow cut her finger on one of the sharper sticks, letting out a string of very unladylike curses. Very few of which Wilson had actually heard used before.

A very awkward silence followed.

"Um. Maybe I should go help her with the fire…"

Wendy nodded at his offer, seemingly unbothered by the foul language.

Making his way over to the young woman's side, the scientist reflected on what had just happened. While he might not have succeeded in bringing the girl closer into their group, he had gotten her to open up somewhat. For now, that would need to be enough.

Now all he had to do was figure out how to light damp kindling…

Several hours later, the rain eventually decided to show mercy to its four victims. Wolfgang poked his head cautiously outside their shelter.

"Rainy clouds are gone!" He announced heartily, his mood improving drastically at the good news.

"Ugh finally." Willow grumbled. It had quickly become clear that the pile of twigs they had gathered was too moist to burn, and that had taken its toll on her.

The group crawled out from beneath the outcropping, stretching their bodies which had become stiff from the confined space.

Wilson pushed on his back, allowing himself a breath of relief as the tension worked its way out of his system. There was still daylight left, and that meant that they would be able to hopefully salvage something from the miserable start of their journey.

"Everyone have everything they need?" He checked, getting an assortment of nods and 'yes's' "We don't want to leave anything behind."

"It's not like we have all that much to carry in the first place." Willow pointed out.

"I know. I know. I just want to be sure." Turning to face the direction they had chosen to travel in, he was suddenly struck by the atmosphere.

Something had changed. He couldn't put a direct label to it, but the air had gone still in what he could only think to describe as silent anticipation. It was as though he was standing in front of a massive audience about to unveil his greatest invention. From the reactions of his companions, he wasn't the only one who felt it either.

The world held its collective breath, watching them with an almost feverish gaze. Each one of them could feel that they were standing on the precipice of something incredible, but none knew exactly what that entailed.

Wilson felt a wall of doubt take shape in his heart. What was he doing? He wasn't a survivalist. He wasn't a leader. He was a scientist who had foolishly allowed himself to be tricked by his own desire for knowledge. No matter how much he claimed to despise Maxwell, he knew that it was his own fault in the end.

He couldn't do this. Every sense was warning him that this was the point of no return. He might not be aware of the stakes, but he knew that if he continued on the path they were following he would be putting all their lives at risk.

And yet…

If he turned back, what good would that do? Would they cling to life, living day by day in this freakish world of nightmares? Would they forever be stuck here with no chance of ever going home? Yes they would. To turn back now would be to admit defeat before the fight had even started. No matter how much he feared the unknown that lay ahead of him, Wilson knew he couldn't give up.

Not now.

Not ever.

Turning back to look at his followers, he made eye contact with each of them. Willow. Wolfgang. Wendy. They had all been thrown here by a force alien to their understanding. Now, they would show that they were not about to surrender to it.

One by one, the held his gaze. He took heart from their resolve, and they did the same with his. Despite their separate pasts, they held a common future.

"Let's go." He stated. There was nothing else that needed to be said. Nothing else that could be said.

As one, they all set off along the open grasslands. Though none of them could know it, they were embarking on a journey that would take them to the ends of their new world. A path that would push them to their limits. Joy and heartbreak. Anguish and comfort. They would experience trials they couldn't even begin to comprehend.

The promise of hardships and conflict clung to their bodies, but they strode forward regardless. The four of them had just taken the first steps on a mission that they couldn't afford to fail.

They were going to find Maxwell.