Charlie's Reprise

Chapter 1: The Curtain Opens

The sun had just begun to appear on the horizon of The Constant. The Florid Postern had a small circle of ground around it, that was being illuminated by it's two shadowed flames. For quite a long while, the morning was peaceful, the air was still.

After the sun had fully risen, the Florid Postern took the chance to fulfil its purpose. The arch's passageway slowly manifested a bright swirl of black and white. Clouds above suddenly moved in over the portal, thundering and casted a dark shadow. A large strike of lightning hit the center of the Florid Postern, causing the swirl to disappear, along with the clouds that swarmed above.

Everything seemed to have gone back to which they previously were. A soft, peaceful, sunny environment. All had gone back to their original state, except for one thing. A short figure layed unconscious on the grass under the Florid Postern.

~•~

After about an hour, it was almost noon, and the figure had finally made a movement. They slowly lifted their head, stumbling up and turning their head to look around them. The figure turned out to be a man, a man with an interestingly unique hairstyle. He rubbed his temple, quietly mumbling, "Oh, Wilson... What did you get yourself into..." Wilson, seemed to be his name. He appeared to be a self proclaimed scientist, curious in the studies of chemicals, engineering, and other forms of experimental technology.

If you got to know him, you'd find out Wilson is quite a special man. He had actually been here in The Constant before. Wilson doesn't like to repeat the story, so we'll spare him from the mental pain and wait until he tells it himself, from his own perspective. When he's ready.

Now to return back to Wilson. Being the experienced man he is, he knew just what to do in this situation. Except, Wilson noticed something different. He slowly turned around, not having fully regained his balance. Upon seeing the beautiful Florid Postern, Wilson took a few steps back to gaze at it, studying it's properties from a distance. He also noticed that he apparently woke up differently than he had previously. Wilson awoke on his own, rather than being awaken by a sudden noise.

Wilson decided to begin his scavenge for resources. Before he could even step away and snag a scrap of flint he spotted in the distance, Wilson was startled by a sudden shift in the weather. Not only that, but the arch had lit up with a manifested swirl, just as it did previously. Panicking, Wilson sprinted behind a lone berry bush, ducking down to hide.

A sudden strike of lighting, another shift of the weather, and everything was back to normal. Except, just as before, a new figure was under the arch. It appeared to me a bit smaller than Wilson, at least a decade younger as well. Wilson slowly creeped his head up, to peek over the bush and watch in shock and awe.

The new figure painfully groaned, grumbling under her breath as she slowly sat up. You could tell my her voice that she was a young woman. She rubbed his aching neck and slowly stood up, examining herself for injuries. The lady gasped and checked her pockets, happily pulling out a small lighter and a teddy bear.

Wilson sighed, happy that at least, the young women didn't appear to be a threat. He slowly stood up and approached her, just in case she was hostile or easily startled. The young women looked up at Wilson and stuffed her teddy and lighter into her pockets. Wilson stopped a few feet in front of her, staring at her face in shock. It had been so many years since he had seen a human face other than the same two he'd always seen before.

Wilson cleared his throat, slowly waving his hand hello. She responded by simply waving back. He was relieved that she appeared to be real. Not another figment of his imagination. Wilson stepped a bit closer to introduce himself, "Hello...? My name is Higgsbury. Wilson, Higgsbury."

The lady was a bit alarmed for a second, but stepped forward to acquaint him herself. "Greetings, Mister Higgsbury. I am Willow." She smiled a bit, even if it looked a bit unsettling. Willow, was her name. She had black pigtails, and a burning passion for doing what she loves.

Wilson smiled as well, a kind, charming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Willow." Wilson gave a soft bow, cautiously reaching for her hand. Willow hesitantly held out her hand, to which Wilson turned over and kissed the top of, holding it with his own. "M'lady"

Willow waited for him to look away to wipe her hand on her skirt, a bit disgusted. "Might I ask, where am I?" Willow was sure to use her manners and speak polite, just in case. She didn't entirely trust Wilson. He sighed, rubbing his neck, "Well, simplified, it's a whole new world. You've never been here, no?" Willow shook her head and looked around a bit, holding her hands together in front of her, resting on her black skirt.

Wilson sighed, "My apologies. I, myself, have been here before. At least, I think so..." He scratched his chin. "From what I know, I believe that this place is filled with threats and dangers." Willow frowned a bit, slowly walking past him to examine the beauty of this new land.

Wilson jogged for a few seconds to catch up, walking at her side. "You see, Willow... While it may seem far-fetched, it's actually dangerous in the dark. I'm not sure why this phenomenon happens, but it's as if a strange creature comes out at night to hunt those in the dark." Wilson continued to give her a small lecture on what he's seen in The Constant, to which Willow barely payed attention to. She was too busy taking in the sights of the landscape.

After a short while, Willow furrowed and stopped walking, "This place doesn't seem so bad" She tilted her head a bit and looked over to Wilson, who was still by her side. To which he responded, "Trust me, it is." Willow shrugged in a carefree way.

~•~

The pair continued to walk along in a field of wild flowers. They walked for quite awhile, though most of it was filled with Wilson continuing to inform Willow about The Constant. The sun slowly began to set, and Wilson had come to the realization that he spent the whole day walking, rather than preparing for night.

"Excuse me, Miss Willow, but I believe I should gather some resources. I don't want to make you, but feel free to help me." Wilson nodded to Willow and walked off in a separate direction, cautiously gathering twigs, grass, and a bit of flint. Willow didn't provide much help, just kicking stones and staying behind him. Wilson sat down on a small boulder to try his hand at making an axe, to scavenge firewood for the two of them.

~•~

Wilson and Willow returned to the Florid Postern, their hands full of resources they were about to collect before sunset. Of course, Wilson did most of the work, but it was a gentlemanly thing of him to do. They both sat down in front of the arch. Willow had set of a small tipi with the logs Wilson collected, with a bit of grass under it. She pulled her lighter out of her pocket and lit the fire. Wilson was impressed, he didn't think it was possible to bring things from the outside world into there.

Wilson offered to stay awake, just in case something came upon them in the night. Willow eventually fell asleep, holding her knees to her chest with her head resting on her knees. She seemed pretty peaceful like that, sitting in front of the small fire. Wilson smiled to himself. Even if he was back in this nightmare, he had someone to face it with him, and that felt nice, like he wasn't quite literally alone in this world.