Episode 1 of *Wayward* kicks off in 2003 at Tall Pines Academy, where a young boy is desperately trying to break free. He leaps over a fence, plunging into the dense woods, and seeks refuge underwater. Yet, even there, a woman's voice haunts him, piercing through the silence. Frantically, he clamps his hands over his ears, screaming beneath the water's surface in a futile attempt to silence the disorienting voice that's invading his mind. In a surreal twist, a door materializes before his eyes.
Shifting scenes to Toronto, Abby and her friend Leila are perched on the school's rooftop, indulging in a cloud of marijuana smoke as they chat about their future plans post-Vancouver relocation. The school bell's shrill ring jolts them back to reality, and they scramble to make it to class. But the fire escape is jammed, leaving them stranded. From the roof's edge, they spot Claire, Abby's sister, who informs Leila that Mr. Turner is on the hunt for her. With a shove, Claire positions a dumpster at the roof's brink, urging them to take the leap.
Leila finds herself summoned to Mr. Turner's office as Abby dashes off to class. Turner confronts Leila about her academic struggles, noting her 12 missed classes. He acknowledges the tough times she's endured in recent years, asserting his support. But Leila counters, emphasizing her bond with Abby. Turner, however, points out that Leila's actions are casting a shadow over Abby's success.
Turner then unveils his plan: Tall Pines Academy has accepted Leila, and her mother has consented to the transfer. Despite Leila's protests, the wheels are already in motion.
Meanwhile, in Vermont, Alex and Laura arrive at their new abode, arranged by Evelyne Wade. Alex stands in awe, while Laura bubbles with enthusiasm, envisioning how they'll transform the house into their own. Alex remains skeptical, but Laura reassures him that they've earned a fresh start.
Back in Toronto, Leila keeps Abby in the dark about Tall Pines. As they pedal home, a white van shadows them closely, though the girls remain oblivious. Upon reaching Abby's place, they delve into boy talk until Brian and Carla, Abby's parents, burst in. Brian's face darkens at the sight of Leila, and he orders her out, accusing her of being a criminal and blaming her for her sister's demise. Abby springs to Leila's defense, unaware that Leila is eavesdropping from the foyer. Heartbroken, Leila mounts her bike and pedals away, the white van tailing her. At home, Leila incinerates the Tall Pines pamphlet and lights up another joint, lost in thought.
The following morning, Alex proudly unveiled his brand-new police uniform to Laura, though his pride was tinged with a hint of frustration as he complained that it hung a bit too loosely on his frame. After that, he affixed a picture of their baby's sonogram onto the fridge, a silent yet powerful declaration of their impending parenthood. With a quick farewell, Alex rushed off to work, only to collide with Dwayne Andrews, his newly assigned partner, who had arrived at their doorstep to pick him up. Dwayne's eyes lit up with recognition as he spotted Laura, expressing genuine delight at her return.
As they embarked on their journey to the station, Dwayne casually brought up the events that had transpired in Detroit. Alex attempted to explain his side of the story, but Dwayne quickly cut him off, insisting there was no need for explanations. He reassured Alex that their town was a tranquil haven, where the most excitement they encountered was the occasional domestic dispute. With a wry smile, Dwayne added that he hoped Alex wouldn't find the lack of action too dull.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when a young boy burst out of the woods, nearly causing them to swerve off the road. Dwayne and Alex leaped out of the car, the boy's frantic demeanor immediately grabbing their attention. He pleaded for a phone, claiming he couldn't go back and had been running all night. When Dwayne informed him that he was in Tall Pines, the boy's eyes widened in shock before he punched Dwayne and darted back into the woods. Dwayne and Alex gave chase, but Alex stumbled, losing sight of the boy amidst the trees.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, Eli regaled Abby and Leila with the tale of his encounter with the exam papers. This revelation sparked an idea in Leila's mind. She proposed that they steal the papers that very night, ensuring Abby's success in the exams. Abby, however, was adamant that they should both excel without resorting to such measures. Leila then confided in her about Turner's ominous mention of Tall Pines, explaining that her transfer there was already in motion. Persuaded by Leila's desperation, Abby reluctantly agreed to steal the papers, ensuring both their academic success and preventing Leila's impending departure.
Back in Tall Pines, Alex reported the incident with the boy to Police Chief Walter Bartell at the station. Walter identified the boy as Riley Warren, a student at Tall Pines Academy. He informed Alex that he had already spoken with Riley's parents and Evelyn, who would be coming to the station the following day to provide more background information on Riley while the search for him continued. Walter then took the opportunity to introduce Alex to the rest of the team, marking the beginning of Alex's integration into the close-knit community.
Later that night, a wave of anxiety washes over Alex as he worries about Riley's whereabouts, consumed by guilt for having lost track of him. He starts bombarding Laura with questions about the academy, his voice laced with concern as he mentions how terrified Riley had seemed and wonders what horrors he might have endured. Alex turns to Laura, seeking solace in her experiences at the academy. Laura, with a somber yet resolute expression, admits that the beginning was arduous, but credits the school for saving her life. She sings praises of Evelyn's brilliance and assures Alex that she will ensure they locate Riley.
Yet, Alex remains ensnared by his worries, so much so that he accidentally drops the pot of cooking food. He calls out for their loyal dog, Toast, hoping for some assistance in the cleanup, but receives no response. Following the sound of whimpering, Alex discovers Toast cowering by the basement door. As he approaches to comfort the dog, his eyes catch sight of another door, oddly painted on the wall, sparking a sense of curiosity and unease within him.
The following day, Evelyn arrives at the station, her presence commanding attention. Seizing the opportunity, she invites herself to Alex's house for dinner the next evening when he goes to express his gratitude for the home. During their conversation, Evelyn informs the police that Riley is a troubled youth who fled the academy after a scuffle with another student. Alex's confusion turns to frustration as he questions why they didn't alert the authorities when Riley vanished on Wednesday night. Evelyn responds nonchalantly, revealing that Riley had run away before, only to be discovered hiding in a broom closet.
Meanwhile, Abby returns home to find her parents hosting guests. Brian, with a stern look, instructs her to shower and dress in a manner that reflects their daughterly expectations. An argument ensues, resulting in Abby being grounded. Defiantly, she jumps out of the window, her parents' eyes widening as they spot her sneaking away from the house. Across town, the community rallies together in search of Riley, but Alex returns home empty-handed, his heart heavy with worry.
In a daring act, Abby, Leila, and Eli hatch a plan to steal the exam papers. After the deed is done, Leila, eager to meet Kyle waiting outside, bids them farewell. Abby sneaks back into the house, only to be confronted by Claire, who envelops her in a tight hug, professing her undying love. However, later that night, Abby's world turns upside down as she is forcibly taken from her bed and shoved into a white van, her screams muffled by the darkness.
Back in Tall Pines, Riley manages to break into Alex's home under the cover of night. Alex, desperate to understand, tries to engage Riley in conversation, but Riley's words spill out in a frantic rush, revealing that Tall Pines Academy is not the sanctuary it appears to be. He pleads with Alex to promise that he won't take him back. Just then, Laura appears, her presence triggering a primal fear in Riley. He grabs a knife, lunging at her in a desperate attempt to defend himself. Alex, acting on instinct, intervenes, but in the chaos, Riley is accidentally stabbed. As Riley lies dying, he manages to whisper that he has documented everything and reveals that Laura is one of them.
The episode concludes with a chilling scene as Evelyn welcomes Abby to Tall Pines Academy, her words echoing ominously in the silence.
