Encroaching Night

Maxwell sat quietly at his camp fire, seated upon a log as the sun slowly began to vanish behind the horizon of the world. He was leaning forward, elbows on hisknees, and fingers woven together, resting his chin on them.

He was free now, after so long. The scientist he had tricked, Wilson, somehow made it through his trials, all five of them. Then he foolishly released him, only to replace him. But Maxwell didn't care about Wilson. No. He was more concerned with someone else. Heaving a heavy sigh he sat back, eyes turning to the fading sun.

The flaming star finally retreated, leaving a soft red glow that quickly became engulfed in the inky blackness of night. He watched it silently, contemplating how his assistant was waking.

How long had he been free now? A few weeks? He had a decent set up. A fire pit, a crock pot, chests full of supplies, and even a tent so he wouldn't have to ruin his dapper suit sleeping in the mud. He even managed to cobble together some bee boxes, so he could cook with something a bit more dignified than lowly berries. But what was the point of all this? Was he just going to keep up this mundane and pathetic routine of foraging what he could and scraping by in this natural hell?

The man was brought out of his thoughts as he felt the cool night air tickle the back of his neck. The fire was waning. The air was still. There were no sounds other than the soft crackling of his fire pit.

He looked out and saw Charlie staring back at him. Her white eyes blinking through the dark, watching him like a feral dog ready to strike. He had tried many a time to speak to her, to try and bring her back. He tried everything he could think of. He tried words, gifts, even magic tricks, anything that might draw her memory, but nothing had worked. He spoke to her every night though, and still performed a trick or two, just to show her he wasn't too rusty. He would never admit it, but he always had a bit of hope it would awaken her still.

"I missed you during the day Charlie" Maxwell spoke softly, only to receive silence. He looked back at the flames a moment, the darkness slowly creeping closer as the fire greedily lapped at the charred logs within.

As the night encroached Charlie slowly walked closer, waiting just outside of the flames glow. Heaving a heavy sigh he looked back up at her, only a few feet away now. He desperately wanted to get up and embrace the woman, whom he loved with all his heart, and beg her forgiveness. He wanted to tear away the curse he had lain on her, and bring back that glowing smile. The same smile that'd greet him whenever they captivated audiences, whenever they were together, whenever she said 'I love you' and when he would repeat it back.

He stood up and dusted himself off, straightening out his suit meticulously before stepping around the dying fire pit to face Charlie. His fingers itched to reach out and touch her.

The two stood on either side of the line of light, staring at one another. As he drew in a deep breath, the fire finally withered and died, plunging them into darkness. Quick as lighting his arms shot out, grabbing the woman and pulling her close.

"I'm so sorry Charlie." And she was upon him.