The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Twenty

Golden Years by David Bowie

"Yeah, isn't that great? He'll be tagging along with me so you better set up an extra plate," Emerson tells her dad referring to the doctor. She forgot to call her dad last night which happens to be a common occurrence when she drinks. Every night he expects a call from his daughter so when she doesn't talk to him he gets anxious. Ever since her mom died, the man gets nervous when he doesn't hear from Emerson. Fear of something bad happening to her plagues him at night, keeping him from sleeping. He lost the love of his life and would be devastated if he lost his child as well.

"Of course, of course. We're both excited to meet the doctor. Thank you for calling to tell me. Say, how's your rehabilitation been going?" The sergeant's father asks making Emerson tense up. It feels like every conversation they have together ends up with Emerson lying to her parent. She wishes more than anything to tell him the truth— that she is a sorcerer's apprentice and she won't be able to walk unassisted ever again.

"Oh yeah, it's going great! When I see you next month I'll show you how much I've improved. Dad, he's so helpful and smart, you'll be impressed," Emerson says through the phone as she sits outside of the Kamar-Taj plaza. The cool breeze whips her hair across her face but she doesn't mind. The other students train with the Ancient One, studying her movements and copying. Emerson would love to be able to participate with them and hone her abilities but the news from Strange has put her studies on pause. Instead of practicing, Emerson will be researching to find anything that will help her walk again.

"You sound a little too enthusiastic," her dad jokes. "You better not be smitten with your doctor!" He teases making a blush creep onto the sergeant's cheeks. 'Welp, you should've warned me sooner,' Emerson thinks to herself but doesn't say aloud.

"Gross, god no. Just because he massages my legs and stuff doesn't mean I want him to-" she lies once more.

"Alright, that's enough of that," her father responds and she can hear him chuckle through the phone. "I miss you, kid, and I can't wait to see you."

"I miss you more. Talk to you soon," Emerson responds before hanging up the phone, ending her daily call with her father. The students spar with one another and their fluid movements look like an ancient dance rather than a fight. The Ancient One dismisses the class and Emerson takes that as her cue to leave. Using her hands to propel her chair, she makes her way to the library. Using magic to whip the doors open, the sergeant speeds into the library spotting Wong at his desk.

"Wong, I need every book on healing. I don't care if it's mythical, herbal, western medicine; I need it all," Emerson spews out, startling Wong with her unannounced entrance.

"Hm, let me take a look. I know Master Strange has many of the texts checked out. Even today he checked out a few— he seemed rather obsessive," Wong answers me. Strange really is dedicating the time to help find a solution.

"I'll take any books he has yet to check out and any other books you recommend," she tells the librarian. He looks around the sacred room, taking in titles of many books while his chin rests on his hand. After a moment of shuffling around, Wong peaks around the corner.

"There is one book that Strange decided against. It had something to do with Norse mythology and Asgardian magic. I'll let you take a look however it cannot leave the library as it contains information not everyone needs to know," he whispers the last sentence. Silence fills the air as he goes searching for the book. He unchains it from the wall and hands it to me. "Oh, and keep your fingers clean when touching it. It's very delicate."

"Got it, no Cheeto fingers," Emerson remarks, smirking at her own comment. She takes her new stack of books over to the nearest table. Wong sits back at his desk doing whatever he was previously doing before the sergeant interrupted him. Emerson begins flipping through the book realizing there are added notes on the margins of the pages. "Who added these notes?"