Just An Echo

10: Ah A Paradox

I hate to say it but I actually wanted to help those people. The planet was burned and broken looking like an awful burnt cake... that was blown out of a canon. I close my eyes not wanting to look at the destruction my stone helped with and when I open them I'm laying on the bed. I hold my head getting up and Bucky is glaring at me letting me know everything is normal, for now.

"Was that- why did you-"

"Do you know what it is now?"

"A- a powerful stone that can kill people and destroy our universe that a powerful, psychopath alien is hunting for so he can kill everyone."

I answer not believing the words coming out of my own mouth.

"Thor mentioned something like that, there was one in Loki's scepter." Steve says talking to Strange who is studying me closely,

"It needs to be hidden again so Thanos can never complete the set, that or destroyed." My stone tingles in panic and I put a reassuring hand over it.

"So where are you keeping it, hopefully somewhere safe?" Strange looks at me probably expecting me to pull it out in a little box. I run my fingers along the edge of my sleeve and can feel the guilt setting in.

"I can't give it to you." I croak trying stop myself from crying. Sam notices and stands up looking at me concerned.

"Echo it's to much power for you to be walking around with I-"

"You don't get it, I've tried everything."

I lift up my sleeve showing them the bright stone. They all lean in to get a better look and the stone flickers showing off.

"Interesting it's like the cells bonded with the stones genetic makeup."

I just nod and Strange reaches out his hand but I pull it back clutching my wrist.

"Did you forget the part where it's dangerous?" I say looking at him like he's insane which, if he was thinking about touching the gem, he probably is. Steve steps back and walks into the bathroom coming back with a fresh new bandage. He hands it to me and I take it rolling up my sleeve again to rewrap it.

"Play with fire?" Strange asks raising an eyebrow.

"No"

"How about outlets?"

"No"

"Knifes?"

"No, again"

He nods slowly watching me wrap my wrist but stops me about halfway through. He leans closely again and watches the stone.

"You're right no knifes more like a chisel no, no a screwdriver..."

I stop wrapping when we he's says the word looking up at him while he's giving me a smug look.

"How did you know-"

"I'm a Doctor I've seen enough to know. Also care to explain the burns and electric splits." He points to the big marks surrounding the gem. I quickly wrap it up and give him a nasty glare.

"I told you I tried everything." I whisper before turning my back to them to dig through my bag. I see Bucky watching me from the side as he sits up in the bed.

"Thanos will come for you, it's essential he doesn't get to you. I'll let you stay here for the night and I'll be back in the morning."

I give Sam and Steve confused looks as he slips on his gold ring thing and hold his hand out in front of him. With his other hand he makes a circular motion and a ring of sparks appear in the middle of the room. Steve and I jump back but Sam is to lazy to move from the bed.