here we are

3

"Where are you going?"

Wilson nearly shouted in fright when you suddenly spoke, but merely let out a brisk "oh!" and gave a jolt instead. In his freshly awoken haze, he had forgotten that he was no longer alone, and didn't even realize you were sleeping in the second sleeping bag he'd fashioned for you. You sat up in the sleeping bag, rubbing your eye with a tired yawn. Wilson relaxed when he remembered the events of the previous night, rubbing his neck sheepishly, embarrassed that he'd forgotten so easily.

"I'm... I'm going to forage today, and hunt for some game." He explained, jabbing his thumb in the direction of his pack, which was filled with emergency supplies, should he get caught in the wilderness after nightfall.

"Do you need any help?" You asked, now becoming a little more alert when you realized he was going out there. The chilly morning air prompted you to pull on your jacket, which Wilson had draped over you last night when you fell asleep whilst he kept watch. He had found your sleeping face so peaceful, so comforting. He didn't realize how much a human being needed socialization until he was beginning to appreciate the simplest things about you, like the sound of your slow breathing as you slept, things he didn't hear on those lonely nights by himself.

Wilson didn't have a spare ax handy, he'd have to craft you one, but he couldn't think of any sort of thing you could help him with... He frowned as he pondered over his options. "What sort of skills could you offer me?"

"I can climb trees, as I'm sure you observed last night." You chuckled, counting off on your fingers. "I can... Fish - hell, with my bare hands too, cook, tell a poison fruit from a safe one, and... Navigate using the sun or stars - "

"Navigation won't do you any good at night... These stars are like none either of us have ever seen. They aren't of our world." Wilson spoke grimly, looking up at the pastel orange and pink sky, the remnants of night sitting in a pale dark glow on the horizon. "I suppose I could have you fish for us... There's a stream not too far from here."

"Okay!" You chirped, wiggling out of the sleeping bag and hurriedly pulling on your shoes and socks. You stood up and followed Wilson as he began to walk east, combing your fingers through the knots in your hair.

Wilson glanced at you out of the corner of his eye and smiled, amused by your spunk and willingness to help. Thoughts of all the potential progress the two of you could make together filled his mind, and with your combined skills, your survival would increase tenfold! Hope filled Wilson to the brim, and he prayed in the name of science that you would survive in such a harsh environment. But he could tell you were headstrong, and a hard worker, your eagerness to help him really gave it away.

He lead you to the stream, where large bull frogs were hopping around, grabbing flies out of the air with their elastic tongues and croaking loudly. The stream bubbled and trickled around rocks, some trout and crawdads swimming around in the crystal clear water.

"Here we are. It isn't very far, do you think you can find your way back?" He asked, gazing at you sincerely, concerned for your safety.

"Yeah, it's literally a straight path that way - " You pointed back in the direction you came, then looked at him for affirmation. "Right?"

"That's right." He nodded. "Now, if the sun starts to go down, go straight back to the camp. And do not come looking for me, under any circumstances. Understand?"

You hesitated to speak, not really liking the sound of that last part. "But... What if you're in trouble?"

The sincerity in your voice made his chest tighten, and he gave you a reassuring smile. "I promise I'll return as soon as the sun begins to set. Alright?"