An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

6 - Suspicion

When Tessa had been drawn out of her slumber, woe washed over her as she remembered the Ancient One was no longer present and yet she felt a strange solace too, but even that was slowly being taken over by melancholy – she understood now that it wasn't her own.

I cannot leave.

She did not respond, simply looked around. Looking up, she saw Stephen and to the side she saw her Uncle and Elijah. Master Kent was by her side in a matter of seconds, his calloused hand brushing her coppery hair back.

"Tessa? Tessa, are you alright?"

He hides things. He is a liar.

Again, she didn't respond to either voice, simply stared up in a calmed daze.

"Eli, Master Kent, I want a word with you both outside. Give Tessa a chance to come around."

And then she found herself alone with the presence in her head. She swallowed.

"Get out...of my head." She spoke softly, weakly.

I tried. I cannot.

She sniffled, bringing her hands over her eyes to wipe away the tears that were beginning to gather. Was she losing it? Was she crazy? Just how sick was she? The thought of the memory crossed her mind again – it was only partly hers.

"What – what are you? Why are you in my head?"

An Entity. I wished to console you.

"Why?"

You were scared. You cried. I could not bear it, so I stopped you crying.

"Why was I crying? Why can't I remember?"

Your Uncle is not your Uncle.

"I know that. He's my Godparent, my guardian."

He lies to you.

"About what?"

About the past.

"What about the past? Tell me."

To tell you would mean I never consoled you.

"Tell me, please."

Hush. Another presence joins us.

Just then the door opened to reveal a hesitant looking Doctor Strange. He shuffled in his spot for a moment before closing the door softly.

He is afraid of us.

Tessa wondered why? Why would he be afraid? Then she remembered the training room, the power, the destruction, the mild attack on Stephen, Marcus, Elijah and all of the other sorcerers present.

I meant no harm. I was trying to leave.

She watched him carefully for a moment, the Entity's distrust influencing Tessa's own feelings and yet the sense of security she felt with another person around did nothing to influence the Entity. Rolling her lips between her teeth for a moment, she waited for him to speak first.

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly, mindful in case she still had a headache but then he noticed her fresh tears, "Is everything alright?"

Say yes.

"No."

Stephen nodded, "Do you want to talk to me about it?"

Do not tell him more. He knows enough.

"Did I...hurt anyone?"

The protector looked at her sympathetically and shook his head, "No. Bumps and scratches...maybe the odd concussion when you threw us all back," He tried to joke lightly but saw it wasn't being taken well, "But I highly doubt it was anything serious. I'm fine, so is your Uncle and Elijah."