The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Four

Moonage Daydream by David Bowie

"Did you eat all of the granola bars?" Emerson asks her father. She's been home for almost a month now and started a freelance writing job. She writes research articles, papers, and many other things for people who don't have the time to do so. It doesn't pay much but it's just enough to cover her father's medication. She doesn't leave the house often other than to go for a stroll down to the park. Her father on the other hand has been keeping himself busy with the house chores he now needs to do.

"I sure did," he laughs as he walks into the kitchen with the wrappers in hand. Emerson groans in annoyance as she collapses the cardboard box before throwing it in the recycling.

"Okay, you'll need to go grocery shopping tonight then. I will make you a list and send you with some cash," she tells him as she wheels herself over to her purse that's sitting on a hook by the front door. During the time she's been home, they switched rooms. He had a friend help him move her belongings downstairs and his stuff up into her old room. She is no longer able to drive her truck anymore so she now lets her father do so. He's had to refrain from taking his medication in the morning so it doesn't make him drowsy and affect him during the day. She digs in her purse and hands him some left over cash from one of her old fights.

John's family had sold the gym to some younger male who now runs a nightly CrossFit group. The fight club no longer takes place and even if it did, it wouldn't be the same without John. Emerson hasn't seen any of the men who attacked her that night and she is happy that's the case. She thinks when one of the guys got caught they decided to disappear to make sure they weren't in any more trouble. Luckily for them, she can't hunt their asses down like she normally would have. At night she finds herself thinking of what would've happened if she threw the fight. John would still be alive and she'd still be able to work her side hustles to support her father. She hasn't run out of money yet but she probably only has enough left to cover the cost of the next six months. The restaurant let her go knowing she'd be of no use there, as shitty as it sounds.

She's slowly been getting better at moving around. Her arm muscles are strong enough now to push her around in her wheelchair without needing a break. She is able to lift her body off the chair and place herself on the couch or bed without any struggle. She can easily get dressed and get ready for the day with no hiccups. She does, however, have to ask her father to grab things for her that are out of her reach. She hates feeling like she can't do everything that she used to be able to do. To be quite honest, It makes her feel weak and inferior. She has always refrained from asking for help but this injury has changed that. She was so independent before and now she can't do anything on her own.

While reading a book on physical therapy, she feels her phone buzz in her back pocket. It shouldn't be her dad texting her as he's just getting into the car now. She grabs her phone and checks her notifications. After a month's wait, she finally got an email back from one of the doctors she had previously sent a message to. She truly wasn't expecting a response as it's been so long since she sent the email. She quickly opened the email application to read what the response said.

"Sgt. Moore,

I apologize for the late response. I had been hesitant on responding to your email but after much thought, I figured I'd give a suggestion. I would've felt guilty if I hadn't said anything considering the circumstances you're going through. Now, before I start, I make no promises. That being said, I have an old colleague who would know a lot more about that stuff than I do. He no longer practices but I have a feeling he'd have some helpful recommendations," the email says and Emerson begins feeling hopeful. "He used to be a neurosurgeon; someone who has plenty of knowledge in what you need. I'm not sure what he's doing nowadays, however, he could point you in the right direction in order to be treated. I would assume that he would have more contacts in the surgeon world than I. I've attached his contact information. I am not sure if his email is still active but this is the best I can do. Hopefully all works out for you... Thank you for your service. ~ Dr. Palmer"