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Description
The light of a freshly spend day was slowing burning down as two figures made their way through a dense forest along a path. The one in front, a young woman with long pigtails, was keeping up a good and steady pace. The one behind her, a slightly older man in a red waistcoat, was doing his best to keep up with his travel companion. He was never has fast as her nor was he better build for the amount of physical activity she was capable of. After all, he was more for shutting himself in his own room and spending hours on whatever experiments or invention he has come up with, while she has had time in the wilderness as far back as when she was in the Girl Scouts, according to her that is. Regardless of their difference, the thirty year old man was struggling more so then he normally would.

“We're not gonna get back before nightfall.”, spoke the woman.

He nearly walked right into her when she said that. He had stopped paying attention to the time of day or the dimming light around them; or where he was walking.

“I'm going to start a campfire.” She set down the backpack she was carrying and from it took out an axe. Without another word she started chopping away at a nearby tree. A few moments passed before the large plant fell and gave the woman the wood needed for the fire. As she was picking up the timber, she looked up towards her travel companion. “You should just rest for the evening.”

“I'm fine; really, I am.” He was leaning his body against another tree, hands pressing down on his right outer thigh. Wrapped around his leg, made from papayas and rope, was a crudely constructed bandage.

She took one look at him; not buying it for a second.“Wilson, you can barely stand.” Her comment lacked any concern, but rather an air of injecting some common sense...

To which he didn't care for. “I've been through a lot worst, Ms. Willow.” Wilson steadied himself and took a few steps forward before staggering and falling flat on his face.

Willow continued to gather wood while the young man rolled on his back, closed his eyes and took in a defeated sigh. Before he knew it, a small but roaring campfire was set near him, with Willow close to it, adding in one more log. The light it gave off seemed to chase the growing dusk away. The sun was just about to leave the sky as well.

“You were the one that wanted to go through the swamps.”

Wilson's eyes popped open to see Willow standing over him with arms crossed over her chest. The fire to the back of her cast a long and looming shadow over the young man, into the newly formed darkness that was now night.

“It could have been worst.”, Wilson replied with a small smile. “I mean, it's far away from my heart, right?”

Willow didn't looked amused. She turned away and sat back down near the fire. After a few long, somewhat awkward moments to Wilson, she spoke up. “I just wish you would be more careful.”

Wilson sat up, wincing a little from his leg injury. “I'm sorry; I-”

His apology was met with Willow turning right around to face him before he had a moment to add anything else.

“You're always sorry, Wilson. Going into the swamps was a dumb idea; you could have been killed for good this time! You didn’t bring your amulet with you! If it wasn't for me, that nasty tentacle would have had you like a pin cushion.” She stopped for a moment to regain her composure. “If you start forgetting your amulet like this, I'm going to tie you to your stupid science machine and not allow you out of the camp.”

It took a few seconds for that last comment to sink in for Wilson. “What-? What do you think I am; a dog?”

“More like a clueless puppy, but close enough.”

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The sound of birds chirping and crows just making a ruckus pierced the afternoon air. It's been a few days since the close call at the swamps. Willow had spend most of that time picking the nearby berries, gathering carrots, and trapping rabbits to help prepare for the upcoming winter ahead. Wilson, on the other hand, has been in his tent for hours on end, only coming out to fetch something from the chests or a bite to eat. This was something that didn't strike Willow as odd; whenever Wilson was onto a new idea or whatever peaked his interest, he would virtual disappear for days within the camp. As long as he wasn't wandering around outside the camp and getting himself into trouble, Willow didn't give it much thought.

Except for today; as she came back with a arm full of berries and carrots, she spotted the scientist leaving his tent and heading to one of the nearby chests. He was still sporting a bandage around his right leg, a clean one as far as she could tell, and while his walking seemed to have gotten better, something just didn't seem right.

Wilson looked like he'd just ran a mile uphill while carrying a heavy load on his back. He seemed like he has worked up a sweat; his face was pale (or paler), and for what she felt like was the first time, he wasn't wearing his red waistcoat. As she walked over to the icebox and placed the food inside, which was right next to the chest Wilson was using, she realized the reason for the missing piece of clothing. The white shirt he wore underneath was saturated with sweat.

Willow closed and icebox and stepped closer to him. “Wilson?”

He didn't response; his head and arms buried in the chest, digging around in search of whatever he was looking for.

“Wilson!”

The scientist jerked his head up, startled and looking a bit confused. He regained his senses once he saw it was only Willow standing right next to him.

“Oh, yes; hello, Ms. Willow.” His shaky greeting was accompanied by a weak grin. His arms were still inside the chest; his body leaning on the wood, like his legs were too weak to hold himself up; and Willow noticed this.

“Are you alright?”, she asked, and this time she sounded concerned. “You don't look...right at all.”

“I'm fine! Really, I'm golden.” His statement was followed by a tiny but forced chuckle. His eyes moved from Willow to back inside the chest. He had something in his hands, which sparkled in the gentle sunlight.

Willow, growing tired of her companion's lack of concern for his own well-being, grabbed Wilson's wrist and pulled himself up. In his hands dangled the golden chain to his Life-Giving Amulet.

“I knew it.”, She sighed. “You're not in good shape, are you?”

Wilson didn't answer; he only looked down at his bandaged leg, breaking eye contact with Willow.

“You did clean the wound when we got back, didn't you?”, she asked.

Wilson looked back up at her. “Of course I did!”

“Did you use the salve we had?” She looked into the chest. “I don't see it in there.”

“Ye-e-es?”

Willow shot a stern expression at Wilson.

“...I used some for a new invention I've been working on, but I still had a little left over, so I felt it would be enough, and-”

Before he had time to finish his poor excuse for an excuse, the pigtailed woman lifted him up and over her shoulder. Stunned by her rather forward actions he shut right up as they headed into his tent. He still had the amulet in his hands as she set him down on his straw mat. Without even asking she took the magic item and placed it around his neck.

“Um, thanks?”, squeaked Wilson.

Again, without a word, Willow preceded to undo the bandage on his right leg.

“H-hey! There's no need to- Wait!”

The wrappings were already off and tossed aside before he could stop her. Willow's face went from stoic to disgust. The wound was infected, and that was putting it lightly. The skin around it was red and swollen; it was painful to look at, and surely painful to have.

“You never cleaned this.”, spoke Willow. “You just changed the bandage.” She turned to make eye contact to the scientist, but Wilson had his head turned to the side, looking the other way like he didn't hear a thing she just said. But that wasn't true; he heard her, he just couldn't face her. He looked like a kid who's hand has been caught in the cookie jar; only his hands were tightly wrapped around the red gem of his amulet.

“Why did you lie to me?” Willow's tone of voice was more...(what was the word?) ...troubled then Wilson was used to hearing coming from her. Normally when Willow was upset or taking a situation seriously she would have a hint of sarcasm sprinkled in her voice, which for Wilson made dealing with her and her 'I told you so' moments feel like a punch in the gut to his pride. Not this time; no, this time she sounded hurt. And that felt even worst then being punched in the gut.

“I-I'm...” He stopped midway to 'sorry', recalling the last time he had apologized to her. He tired to come up some something better then another sorry.

“I do worry about you, you know.”, said Willow. Wilson finally looked at her. “...I know you rely a lot on those effigies and amulets, and it must make you feel like you can overcome just about anything, but...” She stopped and looked over at his wound once more. “You're not invincible, Wilson.”

That stung more then Wilson would have cared to admit. Sure, he's not the most physically strong person (compared to Willow, that is), but that doesn't make him weak. He's gotten through quite a bit before he ran into Willow. He's survived the random hound attacks, bees, clockwork monsters; you name it! It was his mind that got him through all that! He was still alive when Willow found him that day, after a recent run in with a pack of hounds. Well...okay, he was really in need of some help, but he was still breathing, at least.

Wilson was still facing Willow even after the initial sting has worn off. He hadn't noticed until now, but his fever had really taken a lot out of him. Laying on his back, not working or moving around for once in the past few days, he felt weak. And yes, his wound did give him a fair amount of pain; he's just has build up a rather impressive threshold to it. He's had a lot of practice in the past, thanks to other near fatal (and fatal) encounters.

Willow's hand was suddenly resting on Wilson forehead. It felt much cooler then he would have expected, which in Willow's case was quite surprising to him.

“You keep on wearing the amulet.”, she said; for some reason her voice sounded far away. “I think you'll need it.”

Wilson's vision was beginning to grow hazy; whether it was from fever or from exhaustion he couldn't tell. His injured leg was throbbing now, and that was starting to get to him. He winched from it; a small gasp escaping from his chest.

“Wilson?”

He tried his best to focus his vision to get a better look at the woman who was how leaning over him, both hands now resting over his own, which were still wrapped around the red gem of his amulet. He could feel her hands gently squeezing his own.

A feeling then rushed the young man; one that hasn't visited him in a long while. He felt his heart start to race, and his breathing was growing shallow. Of course; he was succumbing to his wound. But that wasn't the feeling he was having. He's lost count of how many times he's gone through this; the many times it's come both swift and slow, both of which were the same to him. But this time around, something else was here.

His hands, as weak as they were, found themselves on top of Willow's. They were trembling.

It was fear; that's what it was. The amulet was around neck, and yet he was overcome by a intense feeling of dread, as if he wasn't wearing the amulet at all.

“Wilson? Wilson, can you hear me?”

Willow's voice was like a distant chime to his dimming senses. Wilson opened his mouth but he wasn't sure if anything came out. Something must have, as Willow got closer to his him; her face now close enough for him to hear her clearly.

“It's alright.”, she said. Her voice was low and calming. “I won't go anywhere. I'll be right here.”

As his eyes slid shut the gem around his neck began to faintly glow.

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Awaking after the effects of a Life-Giving Amulet was just something Wilson has grown accustom to. It was like waking up from a brief but daze inducing nap; the kind that felt like you've been asleep for more then eight to ten hours. Any and all injuries disappear and you're left feeling only a little hungry and tired. Depending on the reasons for the use of the amulet, one's memory might be a little spotty as well. Again, this was something Wilson was just used to.

He awoke, still in his tent (as he would expect), and still laying on his straw mat. He opened his eyes, blinking a few times to regain his vision. The first thing he noticed was his leg no longer was giving him the growing pain he remembered feeling before. He slowing and slightly bend his knee, confirming this. The wound was gone; all that was left was the bandage Willow had discarded near by.

'Willow?'

She was still right next to him; soundly asleep, thanks to the effects of the amulet's magic. She was on her side, facing him with her left arm cradling her head. As for the other arm...

It just accrued to the scientist that the warm sensation in his grasp was Willow's hand; still there and now restring on where the red gem of the amulet had been.

It wasn't unusual for the two to be resting side by side, both on their own mat or within their own personal tents; and never close enough to be feeling each others body heat (unless it was necessary). Wilson could feel a brush of red on his face, only because he's never awoken so close to Willow (or any other woman) before.

He carefully removed his hands from her's and began to sit up.

“...Wilson?”

He had forgotten that she was a rather light sleeper. The moment he moved, Willow shifted and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times before sitting up. “Welcome back.”, she said; which was her normal greeting whenever Wilson would come back to life. She had removed her hand from his chest and was looking over at what was once his fatal wound. She wasn't saying anything, which was causing Wilson to feel a little awkward. Normally whenever he came back she would be ready with some witty, sarcastic-peppered comment along with her usual greeting, as she was used to this just as much as he was by now; at least that's what Wilson thought.

“Next time, please just do what I tell you. Alright?”

Willow's never sounded so somber before to the scientist. He didn't know how to respond to it. It just wasn't like her. Sure, she's been serious and down right livid at times thanks to his actions, but this just didn't feel right to Wilson.

'I do worry about you, you know.'

The effects of the amulet really did cloud his memory. He's only just recalled Willow saying that, and now that he was back to both physical and mental stability, it finally clicked for him. He's so used to dealing with danger and possible to certain death everyday, and he was on his own for a while before Willow entered into this life of survival. He never really stopped to consider who would be left behind, if he happened to not come back.

Willow was (as much as Wilson doesn't like to admit) better at survival then he was. She's rarely ever had to use magic to come back to life, and knew a few useful tricks when it came to her love for fire. She even showed him how to control a forest fire without burning anything but the trees, in order to gain charcoal. She had the practical knowledge of surviving in a wilderness, at least more so then he did.

A tug could be felt at the pit of Wilson's stomach. It wasn't because he was hungry, but rather meeting with a troubling realization.

He was jealous.

That was it; he was jealous of Willow's advantage and experience in this hellhole of a island. She's tough, and he's not so tough. Wilson didn't know what to feel worst about; the fact that he's let this get the better of him, or the fact that he's failed to see how this effected the only other person he's met in this place.

Willow rose up and turned to exit the tent, without saying anything else. Wilson snapped out of his thoughts and jumped to his feet.

“Wait!”

Willow stopped but didn't turn around.

“I'm-” Wilson caught himself before 'sorry'. “No! No, that's not right.”

She turned to face him with a slight confused look.

“Thank you.”

Willow was puzzled. “For what?”

“For...well...” Wilson paused. He remembered how he felt before he shut his eyes and allowed the amulet to do it's work. “You're right, Willow.”, he continued, “...I'm not invincible.”

Willow took a moment to let his confession sink in. She wasn’t expecting him to be honest about this whole thing. He was even calling her just by her name, which may be a first.

“I thought I was doing fine.”, Wilson added. “I mean, I've survived this long only because I rely so much on the magic stuff here. Before we met, I was barely getting by each day, running from whatever was out to end me or have me as a meal. I used whatever knowledge I had with whatever tools and materials I had to work with to stay alive, but I had more then enough close calls.”

Willow was now standing at full attention to Wilson. He continued to go on about how he first discovered the power of the Life-Giving Amulet and how he could craft more of them, as well as Meat Effigies to keep death at bay. He told her how he first found a Touchstone and the one instance where he thought for sure he was going to die for good, at the claws of a flock of Tallbirds. He never felt so afraid before, believing that he was a goner for sure this time. If it wasn't for the strange stone, he would have been.

“And then I met you...” Wilson stopped, noticing that Willow has sat down on the tent's floor, still listening to him. He also sat down to meet her eye level.

He resumed, “When you found me I was in...poor shape, to say the least.”

“You were hardly breathing and starving to death.” Willow added in a strong tone.

Wilson cringed, but took it, knowing she was absolutely right. “What I'm trying to say, Willow...is...” He lowered his head. “I didn't see...how it was making you feel; for my carelessness. In fact I would even say I'm-” He cringed again.

“What?”, said Willow.

Wilson could feel the heat in his face. He was more bothered by this then he had thought. “...You're better at...not dying then me.”

She smiled. “Oh, I know that.”

Wilson shot his head up. “I'm serious!”

Willow couldn't help but chuckle at his now beet red face. “Heh, I'm sorry.” She waited for Wilson's face to return to it's normal pale color. “You're right; I have more experience when it comes to being in the woods and stuff. I had a rough start myself when I first got here.” She paused for a moment. “I was so relieved to find another human being out here.”

“I didn't realize that.”, said Wilson, “That's why I wanted to thank you; for helping me. And, well...for all the other times I've got in trouble.” He smiled, now feeling less embarrassed. “And also...”

Willow's attention perked.

“For staying with me. Thank you for that.”

She returned the smile. “Anytime, Wilson.”

Description
The light of a freshly spend day was slowing burning down as two figures made their way through a dense forest along a path. The one in front, a young woman with long pigtails, was keeping up a good and steady pace. The one behind her, a slightly older man in a red waistcoat, was doing his best to keep up with his travel companion. He was never has fast as her nor was he better build for the amount of physical activity she was capable of. After all, he was more for shutting himself in his own room and spending hours on whatever experiments or invention he has come up with, while she has had time in the wilderness as far back as when she was in the Girl Scouts, according to her that is. Regardless of their difference, the thirty year old man was struggling more so then he normally would.

“We're not gonna get back before nightfall.”, spoke the woman.

He nearly walked right into her when she said that. He had stopped paying attention to the time of day or the dimming light around them; or where he was walking.

“I'm going to start a campfire.” She set down the backpack she was carrying and from it took out an axe. Without another word she started chopping away at a nearby tree. A few moments passed before the large plant fell and gave the woman the wood needed for the fire. As she was picking up the timber, she looked up towards her travel companion. “You should just rest for the evening.”

“I'm fine; really, I am.” He was leaning his body against another tree, hands pressing down on his right outer thigh. Wrapped around his leg, made from papayas and rope, was a crudely constructed bandage.

She took one look at him; not buying it for a second.“Wilson, you can barely stand.” Her comment lacked any concern, but rather an air of injecting some common sense...

To which he didn't care for. “I've been through a lot worst, Ms. Willow.” Wilson steadied himself and took a few steps forward before staggering and falling flat on his face.

Willow continued to gather wood while the young man rolled on his back, closed his eyes and took in a defeated sigh. Before he knew it, a small but roaring campfire was set near him, with Willow close to it, adding in one more log. The light it gave off seemed to chase the growing dusk away. The sun was just about to leave the sky as well.

“You were the one that wanted to go through the swamps.”

Wilson's eyes popped open to see Willow standing over him with arms crossed over her chest. The fire to the back of her cast a long and looming shadow over the young man, into the newly formed darkness that was now night.

“It could have been worst.”, Wilson replied with a small smile. “I mean, it's far away from my heart, right?”

Willow didn't looked amused. She turned away and sat back down near the fire. After a few long, somewhat awkward moments to Wilson, she spoke up. “I just wish you would be more careful.”

Wilson sat up, wincing a little from his leg injury. “I'm sorry; I-”

His apology was met with Willow turning right around to face him before he had a moment to add anything else.

“You're always sorry, Wilson. Going into the swamps was a dumb idea; you could have been killed for good this time! You didn’t bring your amulet with you! If it wasn't for me, that nasty tentacle would have had you like a pin cushion.” She stopped for a moment to regain her composure. “If you start forgetting your amulet like this, I'm going to tie you to your stupid science machine and not allow you out of the camp.”

It took a few seconds for that last comment to sink in for Wilson. “What-? What do you think I am; a dog?”

“More like a clueless puppy, but close enough.”

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The sound of birds chirping and crows just making a ruckus pierced the afternoon air. It's been a few days since the close call at the swamps. Willow had spend most of that time picking the nearby berries, gathering carrots, and trapping rabbits to help prepare for the upcoming winter ahead. Wilson, on the other hand, has been in his tent for hours on end, only coming out to fetch something from the chests or a bite to eat. This was something that didn't strike Willow as odd; whenever Wilson was onto a new idea or whatever peaked his interest, he would virtual disappear for days within the camp. As long as he wasn't wandering around outside the camp and getting himself into trouble, Willow didn't give it much thought.

Except for today; as she came back with a arm full of berries and carrots, she spotted the scientist leaving his tent and heading to one of the nearby chests. He was still sporting a bandage around his right leg, a clean one as far as she could tell, and while his walking seemed to have gotten better, something just didn't seem right.

Wilson looked like he'd just ran a mile uphill while carrying a heavy load on his back. He seemed like he has worked up a sweat; his face was pale (or paler), and for what she felt like was the first time, he wasn't wearing his red waistcoat. As she walked over to the icebox and placed the food inside, which was right next to the chest Wilson was using, she realized the reason for the missing piece of clothing. The white shirt he wore underneath was saturated with sweat.

Willow closed and icebox and stepped closer to him. “Wilson?”

He didn't response; his head and arms buried in the chest, digging around in search of whatever he was looking for.

“Wilson!”

The scientist jerked his head up, startled and looking a bit confused. He regained his senses once he saw it was only Willow standing right next to him.

“Oh, yes; hello, Ms. Willow.” His shaky greeting was accompanied by a weak grin. His arms were still inside the chest; his body leaning on the wood, like his legs were too weak to hold himself up; and Willow noticed this.

“Are you alright?”, she asked, and this time she sounded concerned. “You don't look...right at all.”

“I'm fine! Really, I'm golden.” His statement was followed by a tiny but forced chuckle. His eyes moved from Willow to back inside the chest. He had something in his hands, which sparkled in the gentle sunlight.

Willow, growing tired of her companion's lack of concern for his own well-being, grabbed Wilson's wrist and pulled himself up. In his hands dangled the golden chain to his Life-Giving Amulet.

“I knew it.”, She sighed. “You're not in good shape, are you?”

Wilson didn't answer; he only looked down at his bandaged leg, breaking eye contact with Willow.

“You did clean the wound when we got back, didn't you?”, she asked.

Wilson looked back up at her. “Of course I did!”

“Did you use the salve we had?” She looked into the chest. “I don't see it in there.”

“Ye-e-es?”

Willow shot a stern expression at Wilson.

“...I used some for a new invention I've been working on, but I still had a little left over, so I felt it would be enough, and-”

Before he had time to finish his poor excuse for an excuse, the pigtailed woman lifted him up and over her shoulder. Stunned by her rather forward actions he shut right up as they headed into his tent. He still had the amulet in his hands as she set him down on his straw mat. Without even asking she took the magic item and placed it around his neck.

“Um, thanks?”, squeaked Wilson.

Again, without a word, Willow preceded to undo the bandage on his right leg.

“H-hey! There's no need to- Wait!”

The wrappings were already off and tossed aside before he could stop her. Willow's face went from stoic to disgust. The wound was infected, and that was putting it lightly. The skin around it was red and swollen; it was painful to look at, and surely painful to have.

“You never cleaned this.”, spoke Willow. “You just changed the bandage.” She turned to make eye contact to the scientist, but Wilson had his head turned to the side, looking the other way like he didn't hear a thing she just said. But that wasn't true; he heard her, he just couldn't face her. He looked like a kid who's hand has been caught in the cookie jar; only his hands were tightly wrapped around the red gem of his amulet.

“Why did you lie to me?” Willow's tone of voice was more...(what was the word?) ...troubled then Wilson was used to hearing coming from her. Normally when Willow was upset or taking a situation seriously she would have a hint of sarcasm sprinkled in her voice, which for Wilson made dealing with her and her 'I told you so' moments feel like a punch in the gut to his pride. Not this time; no, this time she sounded hurt. And that felt even worst then being punched in the gut.

“I-I'm...” He stopped midway to 'sorry', recalling the last time he had apologized to her. He tired to come up some something better then another sorry.

“I do worry about you, you know.”, said Willow. Wilson finally looked at her. “...I know you rely a lot on those effigies and amulets, and it must make you feel like you can overcome just about anything, but...” She stopped and looked over at his wound once more. “You're not invincible, Wilson.”

That stung more then Wilson would have cared to admit. Sure, he's not the most physically strong person (compared to Willow, that is), but that doesn't make him weak. He's gotten through quite a bit before he ran into Willow. He's survived the random hound attacks, bees, clockwork monsters; you name it! It was his mind that got him through all that! He was still alive when Willow found him that day, after a recent run in with a pack of hounds. Well...okay, he was really in need of some help, but he was still breathing, at least.

Wilson was still facing Willow even after the initial sting has worn off. He hadn't noticed until now, but his fever had really taken a lot out of him. Laying on his back, not working or moving around for once in the past few days, he felt weak. And yes, his wound did give him a fair amount of pain; he's just has build up a rather impressive threshold to it. He's had a lot of practice in the past, thanks to other near fatal (and fatal) encounters.

Willow's hand was suddenly resting on Wilson forehead. It felt much cooler then he would have expected, which in Willow's case was quite surprising to him.

“You keep on wearing the amulet.”, she said; for some reason her voice sounded far away. “I think you'll need it.”

Wilson's vision was beginning to grow hazy; whether it was from fever or from exhaustion he couldn't tell. His injured leg was throbbing now, and that was starting to get to him. He winched from it; a small gasp escaping from his chest.

“Wilson?”

He tried his best to focus his vision to get a better look at the woman who was how leaning over him, both hands now resting over his own, which were still wrapped around the red gem of his amulet. He could feel her hands gently squeezing his own.

A feeling then rushed the young man; one that hasn't visited him in a long while. He felt his heart start to race, and his breathing was growing shallow. Of course; he was succumbing to his wound. But that wasn't the feeling he was having. He's lost count of how many times he's gone through this; the many times it's come both swift and slow, both of which were the same to him. But this time around, something else was here.

His hands, as weak as they were, found themselves on top of Willow's. They were trembling.

It was fear; that's what it was. The amulet was around neck, and yet he was overcome by a intense feeling of dread, as if he wasn't wearing the amulet at all.

“Wilson? Wilson, can you hear me?”

Willow's voice was like a distant chime to his dimming senses. Wilson opened his mouth but he wasn't sure if anything came out. Something must have, as Willow got closer to his him; her face now close enough for him to hear her clearly.

“It's alright.”, she said. Her voice was low and calming. “I won't go anywhere. I'll be right here.”

As his eyes slid shut the gem around his neck began to faintly glow.

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Awaking after the effects of a Life-Giving Amulet was just something Wilson has grown accustom to. It was like waking up from a brief but daze inducing nap; the kind that felt like you've been asleep for more then eight to ten hours. Any and all injuries disappear and you're left feeling only a little hungry and tired. Depending on the reasons for the use of the amulet, one's memory might be a little spotty as well. Again, this was something Wilson was just used to.

He awoke, still in his tent (as he would expect), and still laying on his straw mat. He opened his eyes, blinking a few times to regain his vision. The first thing he noticed was his leg no longer was giving him the growing pain he remembered feeling before. He slowing and slightly bend his knee, confirming this. The wound was gone; all that was left was the bandage Willow had discarded near by.

'Willow?'

She was still right next to him; soundly asleep, thanks to the effects of the amulet's magic. She was on her side, facing him with her left arm cradling her head. As for the other arm...

It just accrued to the scientist that the warm sensation in his grasp was Willow's hand; still there and now restring on where the red gem of the amulet had been.

It wasn't unusual for the two to be resting side by side, both on their own mat or within their own personal tents; and never close enough to be feeling each others body heat (unless it was necessary). Wilson could feel a brush of red on his face, only because he's never awoken so close to Willow (or any other woman) before.

He carefully removed his hands from her's and began to sit up.

“...Wilson?”

He had forgotten that she was a rather light sleeper. The moment he moved, Willow shifted and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times before sitting up. “Welcome back.”, she said; which was her normal greeting whenever Wilson would come back to life. She had removed her hand from his chest and was looking over at what was once his fatal wound. She wasn't saying anything, which was causing Wilson to feel a little awkward. Normally whenever he came back she would be ready with some witty, sarcastic-peppered comment along with her usual greeting, as she was used to this just as much as he was by now; at least that's what Wilson thought.

“Next time, please just do what I tell you. Alright?”

Willow's never sounded so somber before to the scientist. He didn't know how to respond to it. It just wasn't like her. Sure, she's been serious and down right livid at times thanks to his actions, but this just didn't feel right to Wilson.

'I do worry about you, you know.'

The effects of the amulet really did cloud his memory. He's only just recalled Willow saying that, and now that he was back to both physical and mental stability, it finally clicked for him. He's so used to dealing with danger and possible to certain death everyday, and he was on his own for a while before Willow entered into this life of survival. He never really stopped to consider who would be left behind, if he happened to not come back.

Willow was (as much as Wilson doesn't like to admit) better at survival then he was. She's rarely ever had to use magic to come back to life, and knew a few useful tricks when it came to her love for fire. She even showed him how to control a forest fire without burning anything but the trees, in order to gain charcoal. She had the practical knowledge of surviving in a wilderness, at least more so then he did.

A tug could be felt at the pit of Wilson's stomach. It wasn't because he was hungry, but rather meeting with a troubling realization.

He was jealous.

That was it; he was jealous of Willow's advantage and experience in this hellhole of a island. She's tough, and he's not so tough. Wilson didn't know what to feel worst about; the fact that he's let this get the better of him, or the fact that he's failed to see how this effected the only other person he's met in this place.

Willow rose up and turned to exit the tent, without saying anything else. Wilson snapped out of his thoughts and jumped to his feet.

“Wait!”

Willow stopped but didn't turn around.

“I'm-” Wilson caught himself before 'sorry'. “No! No, that's not right.”

She turned to face him with a slight confused look.

“Thank you.”

Willow was puzzled. “For what?”

“For...well...” Wilson paused. He remembered how he felt before he shut his eyes and allowed the amulet to do it's work. “You're right, Willow.”, he continued, “...I'm not invincible.”

Willow took a moment to let his confession sink in. She wasn’t expecting him to be honest about this whole thing. He was even calling her just by her name, which may be a first.

“I thought I was doing fine.”, Wilson added. “I mean, I've survived this long only because I rely so much on the magic stuff here. Before we met, I was barely getting by each day, running from whatever was out to end me or have me as a meal. I used whatever knowledge I had with whatever tools and materials I had to work with to stay alive, but I had more then enough close calls.”

Willow was now standing at full attention to Wilson. He continued to go on about how he first discovered the power of the Life-Giving Amulet and how he could craft more of them, as well as Meat Effigies to keep death at bay. He told her how he first found a Touchstone and the one instance where he thought for sure he was going to die for good, at the claws of a flock of Tallbirds. He never felt so afraid before, believing that he was a goner for sure this time. If it wasn't for the strange stone, he would have been.

“And then I met you...” Wilson stopped, noticing that Willow has sat down on the tent's floor, still listening to him. He also sat down to meet her eye level.

He resumed, “When you found me I was in...poor shape, to say the least.”

“You were hardly breathing and starving to death.” Willow added in a strong tone.

Wilson cringed, but took it, knowing she was absolutely right. “What I'm trying to say, Willow...is...” He lowered his head. “I didn't see...how it was making you feel; for my carelessness. In fact I would even say I'm-” He cringed again.

“What?”, said Willow.

Wilson could feel the heat in his face. He was more bothered by this then he had thought. “...You're better at...not dying then me.”

She smiled. “Oh, I know that.”

Wilson shot his head up. “I'm serious!”

Willow couldn't help but chuckle at his now beet red face. “Heh, I'm sorry.” She waited for Wilson's face to return to it's normal pale color. “You're right; I have more experience when it comes to being in the woods and stuff. I had a rough start myself when I first got here.” She paused for a moment. “I was so relieved to find another human being out here.”

“I didn't realize that.”, said Wilson, “That's why I wanted to thank you; for helping me. And, well...for all the other times I've got in trouble.” He smiled, now feeling less embarrassed. “And also...”

Willow's attention perked.

“For staying with me. Thank you for that.”

She returned the smile. “Anytime, Wilson.”