Doctor Strangelove

Chapter Nine

Mostly Stephen being awesome. Not a lot of Rachael. Sorry.

EDITED AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2016.

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(One Year Later)

Stephen had been training and working harder than he had since his college days. He hadn't made contact with Rachael during all that time, but he kept his eyes on her. He felt like he was stalking her, but he just assured himself that he was making sure she was safe. He would watch her shows on YouTube. She did magnificent as always. He always sent an anonymous red rose to her dressing room on her opening nights. She probably knew it was him, but he kept doing it. 

Stephen found himself looking at a magnificent red cloak. The Ancient One had told him that it was called the Cloak of Levitation and that he would one day don it as his own. He found himself dreaming of that day more and more. He also found himself missing Rachael more than anything in the world. He wanted to see her.

"You're missing her, aren't you?" Stephen turned around to see the Ancient One walking towards him.

"Yes, I am," Stephen sighed. 

"She misses you, too," the Ancient One said. "I can sense it."

"Is she alright? Is she safe?" Stephen asked.

"She is safe," the Ancient One said. "If you miss her so much, you should talk to her."

"She won't want to hear from me," Stephen sighed. "What I did was unforgivable." 

"How do you know she hasn't forgiven you if you haven't reached out to her?" the Ancient One tilted her head.

"I suppose you're right," Stephen muttered. "But it's been a year. She's probably deleted or blocked my number. She probably doesn't even remember what my voice sounds like."

The Ancient One shook her head and sighed. "Whatever you say, doctor."

Stephen watched as she left before turning back to the cloak. The Ancient One had told him that when he finally had it, his training would be complete. He planned to go back to the United States. If Rachael didn't want him back in the apartment, he would find somewhere else to go. He gave the cloak one last longing look and then walked out of the room to go train.

Later that night, Stephen entered his room. He was exhausted and sweaty, but glad that he was making such rapid progress. Due to the rain outside, the room was cooler than normal which was a welcome relief. Stephen checked his phone, surprised to see no messages from Rachael. He sighed. She hadn't contacted him for about two months. He had a feeling that she had accepted that he was never coming back. He missed her desperately, though. He looked outside at the rain and smiled. He remembered how when they were young they used to lay around on the couch under a blanket together on rainy days, only getting up for food, drink, and trips to the bathroom. For the most part, they just stayed on the couch until they passed out. Nostalgia filled Stephen. Things had been so much simpler then. No dead parents or siblings, no bills to pay, no nerve damage. It was just Stephen and Rachael, a bottle of pop, pizza, and movies. How he wished he could go back to that time. 

I can't, though, Stephen thought. This is what's happened, so I just have to accept it.

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Hours later, Stephen was tossing and turning in his sleep. He didn't like the dream he was having. He seemed to be standing in his old apartment. He watched as the door was opened and a man entered. Stephen's lip curled at the sight of the man: Kaecilius. 

Stephen had heard tales about him. He had been trained by the Ancient One, but he had been tempted by the dark realm of magic. He had lost his way and the Ancient One had banished him from the temple. She thought that he was gone, but lately he had resurfaced with allies at his side.