The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Thirty-Eight

Hasta Manana by ABBA

"Stephen, no!" I scream with bloodied palms and tears streaming down my face. He's bleeding out in front of me, his chest heaving as he struggles to take a breath. I can hardly see through the tears that have pooled in my eyes. Everything is blurry and crimson red. His hair is matted and slicked to his head by blood and sweat. He's on the precipice of death and I am at a loss of what to do. "Please, please don't go. Fuck, I can't stop the bleeding. S-Stay with me, Stephen," I tell him, trying to wrap the location on his abdomen where he's bleeding from.

"Why weren't you here?" he mutters as blood pools in his mouth, seeping from the corner of his lips. I let out a sob as I rip my shirt, using it to try and stop the hemorrhaging.

"I'm here. I'm right here, Stephen. I was trying to save you, I was just a little late, that's all. You'll be okay, alright? Please don't you fucking die on me," I cry into his shoulder while listening to his heart slow. He chokes on his blood as it spills out of his mouth-- the gurgling sounds are something I never want to hear again. "Stephen, I can't lose you. I lo-"

"Don't," he says as he closes his eyes. "You weren't here when I needed you the most."

"Don't close your eyes. Somebody help! Please help me," I cry out but there is no one. It's only me. I feel his heart stop beating beneath my palm. He's gone.

The sergeant jolts up in bed, beads of sweat dripping down her temples, coating her face. Her chest heaves as fear clouds her mind. "Stephen," she whispers longingly. Ever since he passed, she spends a few evenings sleeping in his bed. The sergeant worries that if she spends too many nights in his bed, it'll no longer smell like him. The sheets would start to smell more and more like her. It's probably a dumb thing to worry about but she's always been sentimental like that. It's been months and months now since Strange was killed and she still thinks about him every day. Nightmares come to her almost every night, tormenting her-- reminding her that she wasn't there for him. She's not sure when the dreams will leave... Maybe once she has forgiven herself she'll no longer suffer. It is a horrible thing-- feeling guilty for one's death. In reality, Stephen most likely wouldn't hold a grudge about it. He would be more disappointed if she had shown up, risking her life for the man.

The New York Sanctum had been left in her hands, all of the responsibility falling on her. Wong has been a tremendous help by mentoring her and showing her the ropes. He has done everything that Strange wasn't here to do. Emerson has been overly appreciative, making sure to assist Wong with anything he needs help with. Since he became the Sorcerer Supreme, he has had many duties fall on his shoulders meaning Emerson would be more than happy to support him. It's hard enough for her to guard the New York Sanctum so she could never imagine being the Sorcerer Supreme. Every Tuesday Wong swings by the sanctum to have lunch with the sergeant, catching up on work-related topics and anything else that is new. There have been a few minor threats to the people of Earth, but nothing too extreme. With half of the population dead, there aren't as many people to defend. However, the amount of crime has increased significantly. There are rogue groups committing murderers and robberies of the homes and businesses that manage to still stand. The sergeant would have assumed that the people left would have teamed together to make the world a somewhat better place.

The God of Mischief has made an appearance at the sanctum more times than Emerson would like to admit. He's a bit self-absorbed and ignorant, but it is nice to have some company. He has gotten softer towards the sergeant, not daring to be too harsh. He sees the pain that she's going through and hopes to make her feel less depressed. The god is pretty good at distracting but then again, he is the god of mischief meaning he specializes in distracting albeit for the wrong reasons. There have been many occasions that he's taken her mind off the sorcerer. The god will oftentimes bring dinner and sit through a movie he finds awful if it manages to please Emerson. Loki has grown fond of the snarky human which he finds unfortunate as it only makes her a weakness. He won't admit that to her though. He'd rather push her away in hopes that it'll make him care for her less.