AURORA

Cold And Distant

The safe house was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous days. Wanda sat beside Aurora, watching over her with a mix of worry and exhaustion. Kate and Yelena lingered nearby, exchanging concerned glances. They knew the journey to recovery would be long, and the threat of Marcus still loomed over them.

Hours passed, and Aurora finally began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and filled with fear. She suddenly sat up, yelling, "No, Natasha, don't!"

Wanda was immediately at her side, her hand gently on Aurora's shoulder. "Aurora, it's okay. You're safe. We're here."

Aurora's breathing was rapid, her eyes darting around the room. "Wanda? Where am I? What happened?"

Wanda spoke soothingly, "You're in the safe house. Marcus cursed you, but we broke the spell. You need to rest."

Aurora's gaze hardened, a coldness settling in her eyes. "Rest? While he's out there? You should have stopped him!"

Wanda flinched at the harshness in Aurora's voice but remained calm. "We're doing everything we can, Aurora. We won't let him hurt you again."

Kate and Yelena exchanged a glance, knowing they needed to take action. Kate stepped forward, her voice firm. "Aurora, we're going to find Doctor Strange and tell him what happened. We need his help to stop Marcus."

Aurora's response was icy. "Do whatever you want. Just leave me alone."

Yelena approached, her expression softening. "We'll be back soon. Hang in there, okay?"

Aurora turned away, her silence a clear dismissal. Kate and Yelena gathered their things, their resolve steeling as they prepared to leave. They knew finding Doctor Strange was crucial, and they couldn't waste any more time.

As they left the house, Wanda remained with Aurora, her heart heavy with the weight of their fractured relationship. She watched as Kate and Yelena disappeared down the road, then turned back to Aurora, who had curled up on the bed, staring blankly at the wall.

Wanda took a deep breath, her hands glowing with red magic. She moved through the house, repairing the damage from the battle. The big hole in the kitchen mended itself, walls and furniture restored to their original state. As she worked, she thought about the memories Aurora had of Natasha, the pain and fear that still haunted her.

When the house was finally repaired, Wanda returned to Aurora's side. She sat down gently on the edge of the bed. "Aurora, I know you're angry. I know you're hurting. But we're going to get through this. Together."

Aurora's eyes remained fixed on the wall, her voice cold and distant. "Just leave me alone, Wanda."

Wanda sighed, feeling the sting of Aurora's rejection but understanding her pain. "I'll give you space, but I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

With that, Wanda quietly left the room, giving Aurora the solitude she craved. She knew that healing would take time, and that the road ahead was uncertain. But she was determined to protect Aurora, no matter what it took.

Meanwhile, Kate and Yelena made their way through Paris, their destination clear. They had to find Doctor Strange and make sure he understood the gravity of the situation. As they navigated the bustling city streets, their minds were focused on the mission ahead.

They reached a secluded spot where they could use the portal Doctor Strange had given them for emergencies. Kate activated it, the swirling energy creating a doorway to Kamar-Taj. They stepped through, arriving at the ancient sanctum with a renewed sense of purpose.

Doctor Strange was waiting for them, his expression grave. "Bishop ,Belova, what happened?"

Kate quickly explained the situation, detailing Marcus' attack and Aurora's condition. Strange listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information.

"This is worse than I thought," Strange said finally. "Marcus has grown more powerful than I anticipated. We need to act quickly to stop him."

Yelena nodded. "What do we do?"

Strange turned, leading them deeper into Kamar-Taj. "We prepare. Marcus is a formidable foe, but together, we can defeat him. And we will protect Aurora."

Back at the safe house, Wanda kept a silent vigil, her heart aching for Aurora, she wanted to protect her. Aurora remained distant, but Wanda was determined to be there for her, no matter how long it took for the wounds to heal.