Episode 8 of *Wayward* kicks off with Evelyn making an unwelcome appearance at Laura's house. The entire community has gathered, busily helping Laura get ready for the impending birth. Undeterred by the bustling atmosphere, Evelyn pushes her way inside, demanding to speak with Laura. She inquires about Alex's whereabouts, and Laura calmly informs her that he will be joining her soon.
Meanwhile, at Tall Pines Academy, Rory, Abbie, and Leila are hatching a daring escape plan. Abbie and Leila share a clandestine conversation, exchanging heartfelt apologies. Leila is consumed by guilt, convinced that she was responsible for Jess's death. Abbie, however, gently reminds her of the reassuring words they shared in the aftermath of the accident. Despite Leila's lingering fears, their friendship endures as Abbie insists that she remains her best friend, no matter what. Abbie then reveals that a plan is in motion, and they will soon be breaking free from the academy's clutches.
Rory and Abbie devise a clever ruse to lure Mule, the strict academy supervisor, out of the building. They send her a counterfeit letter from her fiancé, suggesting a lunchtime rendezvous. The entire student body is complicit in the scheme. Duck, another supervisor, keeps a watchful eye on Rory and Abbie, but they cleverly use their fellow students as decoys, allowing them to slip into Mule's car unnoticed.
As Mule pulls over in town, awaiting her fiancé's arrival, the trio seizes the opportunity to flee. However, their escape is not as seamless as they hoped. Evelyn has already caught wind of their plan, and the police are hot on their trail. They seek refuge in an abandoned house after a family vacates, scavenging for supplies. Abbie discovers some clothes, while Rory stocks up on food.
Leila, however, is overcome with a sense of longing and despair. She gazes at the family photos adorning the walls and decides to stay. Having no home to return to, she yearns to escape the pain that plagues her. Leila believes that the academy might offer her the solace she seeks. After bidding Leila a tearful farewell and promising to return for her, Rory and Abbie continue their perilous journey, seeking shelter in a secluded cabin.
But their haven is short-lived. The police and academy staff, alerted to their whereabouts, quickly surround the cabin. In a moment of selfless bravery, Rory chooses to stay behind, giving Abbie a chance to escape. With a tender kiss, he urges her to run, promising to create a diversion. As Rory distracts the staff outside, Abbie slips away undetected, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and hope.
What becomes of Alex? Evelyn is convinced that Alex must undergo the "leaping" ritual to shield Laura’s baby from his violent tendencies and obsessive nature. Dwayne blindfolds Alex and leads him to the leaping chamber. Once there, Evelyn confronts Alex about his pent-up emotions, insisting that he won't be fit for the baby unless he lets go of his obsessions. She reveals to him that Laura is incapable of loving the baby but will tend to it as one would a delicate flower or a mere object. After the leap, Alex is destined to follow the same path.
Alex attempts to reason with Evelyn, but her resolve is unwavering, and she is determined to proceed with the leap. Just as Evelyn is about to administer the drug to Alex, Rabbit unexpectedly intervenes, injecting Evelyn first. The sudden turn of events causes Alex to stumble into a nearby pond, but he quickly frees himself. In a moment of retaliation, he pricks Evelyn multiple times with the same drug and rescues Rabbit, who Evelyn had been choking. Evelyn then discloses to Alex that Laura was responsible for her parents' deaths, which is why she felt compelled to leap her.
Despite this revelation, Alex rushes back to the house, only to be confronted by Dwayne, who attacks him. A fierce struggle ensues, but Alex manages to gain the upper hand and incapacitates Dwayne by smashing him with a rock. Alex then dashes into the house to be with Laura, who is in the midst of giving birth surrounded by the supportive community.
What transpires with Laura and Alex? After delivering the baby, Laura encourages the entire community to engage in skin-to-skin contact with the newborn. Alex is taken aback, but Laura explains that it's what the baby needs and the only way to break the cycle of violence and obsession. Alex watches in stunned silence as their baby is gently passed from one person to another around the room.
There is a deceptive sequence that misleads the audience into believing that Alex takes the baby and flees with Abbie. However, in a heartfelt display of commitment, Alex chooses to remain by Laura's side to protect her and their child.
What befalls Evelyn? Rabbit comes to Evelyn's aid, assisting her as she leaps while she's hopelessly lost in the perplexing world of doors. In the leaping room, Evelyn loses consciousness in Rabbit's comforting yet helpless embrace, and it's strongly implied that she succumbs to a fatal drug overdose.
How does the first season of Wayward conclude? Abbie stumbles upon the car that Alex had thoughtfully left for her, and there, Toast patiently awaits her arrival. With a determined look, Abbie drives past a road sign that unmistakably declares her departure from Tall Pines, leaving behind a trail of unresolved mysteries and new beginnings.
