An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

7 - Too Many Questions

When Tessa woke, she felt...lonely. Lonely and without hope. The heavy feeling almost weighed her down in her bed and she even struggled to push herself up. Groaning, she reached over to look at her digital alarm clock, only to read that it was six o'clock in the morning - she had set her alarm for seven seeing as her Uncle had told her to rest. She wouldn't train today but she certainly couldn't sleep any longer with these emotions weighing her down.

"Entity?" She whispered to herself, "Are you there?"

Part of her was worried about attempting to explain that there was a voice in her head that she could converse with, worried about looking absolutely mad. But the Entity had said not to tell anyone anyway...perhaps it was right not to. She didn't think anybody would kill them for it though as it had so drastically suggested the day before.

What is wrong, child?

"Actually, I was going to ask you that." She sat up against the wall her bed was pushed up to.

Why?

"I think...I can feel what you feel, Entity. And honestly, it's kind of debilitating...so what's wrong?"

I cannot leave. I wished to leave you as a child but the Ancient One forbade it for your own safety. I understood...after a while. I meant you no harm yesterday or the days and weeks and months before that but...

"But what?"

I am trapped. I have stayed with you too long. Our bond is absolute and...cramped.

"Cramped?"

Imagine trying to fit your tunic in a music box.

"Oh..." She nodded, "Cramped. Right."

It has been a joy watching you grow but I have been so lonely. Entities are separate existences, often born out of negative thoughts and actions, seeking only death and destruction, so we are used to being alone for eons but I...I grew tired of it. I sought more, I sought for better, I sought for something more meaningful than chaos and so I sought out the Ancient One.

"Entity," She spoke with a slight tremor in her voice at feeling this ache, "How and why did you bond with me?"

To tell you will mean I never consoled you.

"I have a right to know my own past."

Ignorance is bliss, knowledge will be a burden. Start your day, child. I will sleep.

"Entity? Please, speak to me." Tessa pleaded but all in her mind was at peace.

There was no pain, no voice, even the heaviness of its emotions appeared to have been lifted off of her. Now, Tessa felt alone.

* * * * *

Stephen awoke around five-thirty in the morning in order to start his day. Having left his astral projection to read the books Wong had given him through the night, it was time to make notes on the potential creatures and beings that could have possessed Tessa and honestly? The list was terrifying: demons and cacodemons; spirits of succubi and banshees; literal wicked witches such as Carman and Hecate; mischievous fae-folk like the fairy-muse, Leanan Sidhe, or the Yaksha which were characterised by having a dual-personality. Stephen was surprised he didn't wake up out of terror of what he read.

He sat in bed for a moment, looking at the now closed pile of books at the end of his bed and rubbed his hands over his eyes, then rubbed the back of his neck as his stomach churned. Nothing seemed good about any of this. He shook his and head got ready for the day.