"ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴇꜰᴛ...
ʙᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʟᴇꜰᴛ."
<>
Chapter Twenty
Scene One
[SHURI'S LABRATORY]
[11:05pm]
Hopes were shattered as reality revealed its harsh face. But this wasn't a tale spun from fairy dust; it was a story etched in raw truths. Standing there, her eyes brimming with searing tears, she presented a picture of disarray. Blood coursed from the untreated puncture wound on her arm, tracing a crimson path down her skin and dripping onto Shuri's pristine white laboratory floor. With measured breaths, she tried to regain her composure, her lips parched as she forced her mind to focus. In that tumultuous moment, a whirlwind of thoughts stormed through her consciousness. The fight, Micah's venomous words, his unexpected assault—they all jostled for attention. Her hand moved instinctively to her abdomen, fingers curling around the now healed but still tender injury inflicted by someone who had once been a friend. "Where..." Her voice wavered, words trailing off as she swallowed the lump that had lodged itself in her throat.
"Where am I...?" Her words trailed off, her gaze shifting rapidly between the surroundings and T'Challa, seeking an answer. "Wakanda," he exhaled, cautiously closing the distance between them. Sage's breath caught in her chest at the revelation, her face a canvas of bewilderment as she tried to comprehend his words. "You're in my kingdom, Sage... in my sister's lab... She's been working tirelessly to aid you—"
"Lab...?No..No wait.." Sage's urgent plea cut through his explanation, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of information. Her heart raced, and her breath hitched once again. Wakanda? How had she ended up here? The questions raced through her mind, each trying to make sense of the bewildering reality. T'Challa could sense the turmoil unraveling within her, and a heightened concern gripped him as he noted the continued bleeding.
"Sage, please," T'Challa's voice pleaded, cutting through the whirlwind of confusion that consumed her. Her gaze snapped back to him, a mixture of anxiety and bewilderment in her eyes. "I promise, I'll explain everything to you," he assured, taking a decisive step closer, his attention shifting between her troubled expression and the bloodstained arm. "Just let me help you first," his voice softened with genuine concern, his eyes locking onto hers as his hand reached for her wounded arm.
After a fleeting moment, a sigh escaped Sage's lips, her shoulders sagging as she yielded to the overwhelming situation, placing a measure of trust in T'Challa to guide her through it. As she acquiesced, he gently took hold of her hand, a strange warmth spreading through his body at the touch of her blood. "Come," he beckoned with delicate care, offering her a comforting smile as they moved forward, attempting to ease the tension that gripped her.
In the background, Shuri and Okoye observed the unfolding scene in hushed anticipation, their emotions ranging from worry to anger. "My prince—" Okoye began, a hint of protest in her voice, but Shuri's hand on her shoulder silenced her. "Hold off, Okoye. Trust my brother, he knows what he's doing," Shuri whispered, her gaze fixed on T'Challa as he led Sage across the room to another examination table. "This is risky and inappropriate! She was about to attack you, Princess!" Okoye hissed in an undertone, meant for Shuri alone.
"No, I don't think so... She was just disoriented," Shuri defended earnestly. Though it appeared aggressive, she believed it wasn't an intentional attack. "Princess—"
"Okoye!" Shuri's voice cut through, firm and unyielding. "Do me a favor and fetch a medic. Sage removed every apparatus from her body and she's bleeding now. I need to ensure she's okay," Shuri sighed, retracting her hand from Okoye's shoulder and tending to the items Sage had inadvertently disturbed.
Reluctantly acknowledging Shuri's request, Okoye sighed in frustration. "Very well, Princess," she conceded before departing to fulfill the task assigned to her.
On the opposite side of the room, T'Challa assisted Sage onto the slightly raised examination table, quickly retrieving a few pieces of tissue. "May I?" he sought her permission, standing before her and motioning toward her injured arm. "Uhm, sure," she replied with a touch of awkwardness, lifting her arm slightly for his access. With a gentle approach, he met her halfway, mindful of not causing her further discomfort. Slowly and cautiously, he began blotting the blood tracing the path of the open wound, aiming to clear away as much as possible before applying gentle pressure with another piece of tissue.
A soft hiss escaped Sage's lips in response, her skin sensitive from the forceful extraction of the apparatus. "I'm sorry," T'Challa offered, his expression apologetic as he tended to her wound. Sage's gaze paused on him for a moment, her confusion evident as he tenderly assisted her—an unexpected gesture that tugged at her emotions. "I did this to myself... There's no need for you to apologize," she finally sighed, a pang of guilt washing over her.
T'Challa nodded understandingly, unsure how to address the complexity of the situation but committed to his task.
T'Challa simply nodded, uncertain about how best to communicate with the woman in front of him. His attention shifted to her arm, and he silently focused on attending to her wound. Sage's inquisitive voice broke the tension once more, as she sought to clarify her circumstances and bridge the gap of awkwardness. "You mentioned that this is your sister's laboratory," she continued, hoping to delve deeper into her situation while also dispelling the lingering unease. T'Challa's gaze briefly lifted to meet hers, his voice calm as he responded, "Yes, she's been working to assist with your situation."
Curiosity burning within her, Sage pressed further, her desire for clarity evident. "So, what exactly is my situation, T'Challa?" she asked, her intent to uncover the truth apparent. T'Challa's expression showed a trace of discomfort as he fixed his gaze on her, grappling with the words he needed to convey. "Well... Do you recall anything from the altercation?" he approached cautiously, hoping to trigger any recollections. Sage's response came with a grunted acknowledgment, her hand grazing her abdomen where the injury remained vivid. "I remember being stabbed, if that's what you're referring to... The sensation is still there," She admitted, the memory of the wound not far from her mind.
"Do you have any memory of the events leading up to it? Or how it unfolded?" T'Challa prodded gently, his aim to unlock any fragments of her memory. Taking a deep breath, Sage began to recount, exhaling a sigh. "Micah and I were fighting.." she started, her recollections vague but tangible. "However, the specifics are hazy... I can't quite piece together how or when it occurred. I can only recall the feeling of the blade lodged into me," she concluded uncertainly.
"My memory is fragmented... Like there are gaps in the sequence."
T'Challa nodded with a touch of melancholy in response to her confusion, a reflection of the weight of the situation. Sage's brows furrowed further as she sensed that there was something significant she was missing. An air of seriousness surrounded him as he addressed her again, exhaling a sigh as he met her gaze. "Sage, during the time we spent together, it was clear that you were discontent with your circumstances... But it was even more painfully evident that you were not in good health either."
His words struck a chord within her, memories of her unease and turmoil racing through her mind, from the panic attacks to the sudden lapses in consciousness. Reflexively, she sought to explain, "I was just a little stressed, T'Challa. You know how it is... The doctor said—"
"No, Sage," he interjected, his expression revealing his dissatisfaction, causing her breath to catch. "You and I both understand that's not accurate... You were not well." His tone took on a solemn quality, his thumb brushing unconsciously against her skin as he tended to her wound. "You experienced a seizure out there, Sage. I barely managed to reach you in time before you collapsed," he continued, his voice gentler now, tinged with vulnerability.
For a moment, time seemed suspended as her mind grappled with his words, attempting to absorb the gravity of the revelation. "A seizure...?" she echoed, her voice a blend of confusion and uncertainty. Her searching gaze locked onto his face, seeking any sign of deception, but there was none to be found. T'Challa's sincerity was undeniable; he had no reason to lie.
"But... how?" she asked, endeavoring to piece together a puzzle that appeared disjointed and chaotic. T'Challa's sigh carried a weight of understanding as he responded, "The unrelenting stress, the anxiety, and the panic you faced consistently were gradually taking a toll on you. And that confrontation..." He trailed off with a heavy exhale. "It was the final straw that pushed you to your limit. Your mind and body could no longer bear it, and they simply gave in."
"Stark conducted a battery of tests, assembling the finest medical experts to decipher the root cause of your sudden affliction. The hope was to uncover the source of the issue, only to reveal that it stemmed from multiple factors: Stark himself, those around you, and the environment you navigated during that period," he elucidated, his tone both serious and compassionately gentle. Sage absorbed his words in a hushed demeanor, her heart and thoughts entwined in a whirlwind of emotions.
"No matter the range of tests employed, the outcome remained consistent. Your brain was ensnared in a state of disquiet, strained to the point of overexertion by the ceaseless onslaught of fear, panic, and all the burdens that eroded your well-being. Your body, fatigued and pained, gradually weakened over time. It had deteriorated to such an extent that Stark made the difficult choice to induce a coma-like state. It was a measure taken to grant you the reprieve you desperately needed," he disclosed, his voice carrying the weight of the revelation.
"Although it did not work very well," Shuri's voice couldn't help but intervene from the otherside of the room, as she adjusted her equipment. "What?" Sage gasped, sudden fear gripping her mind, as she glanced over to Shuri's moving frame."
"That Stark man, he underestimated the way your body works and caused another unnecessary problem-"
"Shuri," T'Challa's stern voice cut in, not pleased with his sister's sudden intrusion into his conversation. "Of course I was able to fix it, so no worries," She quickly interjected, raising her hands in defense."
"I don't understand what's happening..." Sage began to murmur, her head shaking lightly, just as footsteps started filling the room once more. In walked Okoye, accompanied by two physicians and another familiar face. "Ayo?" Sage called out with a relieved breath in her tone as the woman entered. However, Ayo's stern demeanor and apparent disregard for her deepened the frown on her face. While she and Ayo had a history of conflicting dynamics, this reception still struck a chord.
"Don't take it personally. General Okoye maintains a certain level of discipline within the Dora," T'Challa attempted to assure Sage as he finally removed the napkin from her skin, the bleeding having stopped. "I understand," Sage trailed off, observing his actions as he discarded the napkin into a nearby bin. Seconds later, two women came to stand beside her, offering greetings to T'Challa before anything else. "My prince," they both acknowledged, offering a slight bow of respect. Only after he responded to their greetings did they fully focus on Sage, greeting her pleasantly before anything else.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries among the three, Sage's discomfort increasing as she shifted on the table, the physicians requested a private examination, to which everyone agreed.
As the curtains were drawn around them, T'Challa stood within the still open gap, gazing at the woman before him with concern. "Will you be okay?" he asked, worry evident. Offering a light nod, Sage gave him a small reassuring smile. "I'll manage."
"Ayo and I will be stationed outside the curtains. We'll inform you when it's finished," Okoye assured T'Challa, looking to Ayo for confirmation, which she provided. "Thank you," T'Challa expressed gratitude to both, then turned to Shuri, leading them both outside for a moment.
"I can't believe I have to vacate my own lab," Shuri grumbled, arms crossed over her chest as they walked, "It's just for a few minutes; you'll survive," T'Challa retorted, a touch of amusement in his tone. Sighing, Shuri glanced up at her brother's face, studying it for a moment. "I'm sure she'll be alright. No need to worry," she tried to provide reassurance for his concerns. Nodding, T'Challa glanced down at his sister. "Sage is strong. I know she'll eventually be fine. I just can't help but feel concerned too..." he sighed, his thoughts revolving around the woman.
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Scene Two
The examination had concluded, revealing that everything was indeed fine, even after Sage had abruptly removed the devices attached to various parts of her body. Her condition had stabilized once more, and she found herself under the care of both the princess and the prince. Shuri made a final check on Sage, ensuring that her injured side wasn't causing any further issues. Although the princess harbored numerous inquiries about Sage's unique activities and their impact on her body, she recognized the lateness of the hour and the inappropriateness of a thorough interrogation at that moment.
Understanding that this was not the opportune time for an in-depth conversation, Shuri chose to retire to her room for the night, leaving her brother and Sage to their own devices.
"Are you okay?" T'Challa's voice carries concern as he gazes at her somber expression, his own features softened with empathy. After a moment of silence, Sage's voice emerges, a murmur of uncertainty, "I'm not sure." Frustration taints her words as she continues, her eyes fixed on the floor beneath her, "It's all so perplexing."
T'Challa acknowledges her feelings, attempting to offer comfort, "I understand this is quite overwhelming." Sage's response, however, carries a touch of involuntary skepticism. "Overwhelming? That's an understatement," she scoffs, her tone infused with disbelief. "I had a fight with one of my closest friends, he stabbed me... Apparently, there was a seizure involved? And now I'm here?" She enumerates the sequence of unfortunate events, her confusion palpable. "Oh, and let's not forget that I was put to sleep," She shakes her head in disbelief. "What the hell is my life," she mutters with an air of exasperation, her frustration practically tangible. T'Challa lets out a sigh, acknowledging the weight of her statement. He finds himself at a loss for words – it's undeniable that her recent experiences have been incredibly overwhelming.
"I can hardly imagine the level of stress you're under," T'Challa responds with empathy, acknowledging the gravity of her situation. "Processing all of this can't be easy. Just remember that I'm here to support you," he adds, his voice soft and reassuring, as he aims to provide some solace. Meeting her gaze, he conveys genuine concern through his empathetic expression, assuring her of his sincere care.
"Thank you, T'Challa," she murmurs, her voice still carrying a somber undertone, her mood refusing to lift. "But... would it be alright if I had some time alone?" she requests, feeling a tinge of guilt for asking him to leave, given everything. "I just need to gather my thoughts... I won't disturb anything here, I promise," she reassures him earnestly.
"Of course, Sage," he responds with a gentle exhalation, offering her an understanding smile. "I respect your space and your wishes. You're safe here. I'll give you some privacy tonight, you can stay here in the lab, and I'll check in on you in the morning," he assures her, his words filled with a sense of trust.
"Alright," she acknowledges simply, adjusting herself in her seat. As T'Challa lingers a moment longer, his gaze meeting hers, he eventually concedes, his smile carrying a soothing warmth. "Rest well, Sage," he offers tenderly. "Goodnight, T'Challa," she replies softly, nodding lightly and returning his smile. She watches as he walks away, leaving her in the dimly lit laboratory with her thoughts.
As the laboratory door closed, Sage's composed exterior crumbled instantly. Her body slumped forward, and she buried her face in her hands as gentle sobs escaped from deep within. A profound sense of loss washed over her, a feeling she had struggled with long before arriving in Wakanda. What was her next move? How could she manage to deal with this sudden wave of emotions in this unfamiliar place, far from her home, her family, and most importantly, far from Tony?
"You stupid asshole," she muttered through her tears, her body quivering with each sob. "How could you..."
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ᴛᴏᴏᴛʜᴀᴄʜᴇꜱ ʜᴜʀᴛ ᴍᴀɴ... ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ʀᴜꜱʜᴇᴅ ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴏᴡ ɪ ꜰᴇʟᴛ.ꜱᴏʀʀʏ :(