The New York Sanctum

Wanda sat in silence, observing Strange pouring her a cup of coffee. Something about him felt off. Maybe it was just her thoughts running wild again, maybe she really was becoming a paranoid "schizophrenic" case, but everyone's reaction to her mentioning him had to mean something. Strange sat opposite of her, taking a sip of coffee, examining her uncomfortable face. She gave a brief smile and kept quiet. The lights in the room weren't lit up either, making the situation even more uncomfortable. There were so many questions on her mind, but for some reason, she was too afraid to speak.

Doctor Strange: So.

She jumped slightly as he spoke. She had no idea why she felt so unsettled. Perhaps more uncertainty than anything else. But she could feel that same type of fear in her. That kind of fear she knows very well by now.

Doctor Strange: You're probably wondering why I wasn't there tonight.

Wanda: Y-Yes...

But he wasn't the only one not present at the wedding. Logan (Wolverine) wasn't there either. She kept that to herself for the time being, wanting to hear what Strange had to say.

Doctor Strange: I'm sorry I couldn't make it. Something very urgent came to my attention and I couldn't let it wait. You know how it is.

She responded back hesitantly. Lying to ease the tension.

Wanda: No worries, I understand.

Doctor Strange: Oh and by the way, you look stunning.

She felt self aware by the compliment about her wedding dress, and it definitely did not do anything to ease the tension.

Wanda: Thanks. Pietro got it made for me.

There was another long silence, both of them looking at each other, Strange taking another sip.

Doctor Strange: Is there something I can help you with?

Wanda became very cautious immediately after that question. That wasn't something she thought he would say to her. Especially not now that they're good friends. Not after Strange relived her life and inherited a part of her very essence. Not after what they've been through together. (*Read "Avengers Incursion War" for context)

Wanda: Oh it's... Nothing I was just... I was worried about you that's all.

...

Wanda: Why are the lights off?

Doctor Strange: Oh, I'm not used to having the lights on in the middle of the night.

He waved his fingers and lit up all the candles in the sanctum.

Doctor Strange: Why were you worried about me?

Wanda: It's just that you weren't there and nobody wanted to tell me why.

Doctor Strange: I see.

Wanda: Do you know why that is?

Doctor Strange: I can sense your unease, you know. Why are you so afraid?

Wanda: It's been a long day...

Doctor Strange: Come on, Wanda. I thought we're friends. You don't have to feel afraid to speak to me.

She gulped and tried to suppress her unease.

Wanda: Okay... I'm just confused... I feel like I'm being left in the dark about something horrible, something from nightmares... and everyone else seems too afraid to tell me.

Doctor Strange: The dark forest theory.

Wanda: What... did you say?

Doctor Strange: Oh it was just a thought. Seems like you're experiencing a very similar feeling of paranoia that one would get when they dive into that concept. I see a similarity.

Strange stood up, which made the tension rise even more.

Doctor Strange: The dark forest theory... was actually a very dark theory that tried to explain why Earth had no contact with alien life. But in your case, the theory can be altered to a more... grounded approach.

He slowly walked towards her sitting opposite of him. His footsteps creaking on the wooden floor.

Doctor Strange: Imagine you are lost in a dark forest. Scared and alone, you cry out into the pitch-black abyss, hoping someone will hear you. Hoping someone will answer. But no matter how much you scream, nobody answers.

The floor creaks as he takes one more step.

Wanda: Strange... W-what are you doing?

Doctor Strange: Here comes the scary part- Nobody answers because they are too afraid to make a peep.

Wanda: Why? What would they be afraid of?

...

Doctor Strange: It.

He moved closer. The "it" made her think of just one thing, and she was frightened now.

Wanda: S-stop... I don't wanna hear any further.

Doctor Strange: They are too afraid... Lest they be found by whatever terrifying monster is lurking in the dark woods, hunting for fresh blood.

He took another step forward. Wanda moved back in her seat, fighting the urge to stand up and get away from here.

Doctor Strange: You see... Nobody wants to talk about what happened because they are too afraid to even mention it. It's an involuntarily instinct, linked to our evolutionary changes to survive.

Wanda: I don't... I don't understand.

Doctor Strange: You don't remember what happened, do you? I assumed as much. Just had to make sure.

Wanda: Strange... You're scaring me now.

Doctor Strange: Suppressed memory... It's a very ugly thing.

Wanda: W-what are you talking about?

Doctor Strange: Although I must say, in this case... It came in quite handy for you. Because no sane person would come out of that the way they were before... Unless, of course, they somehow forgot what happened.

As he walked ever closer, she jumped up from her seat and walked backwards.

Wanda: I... Have to go. Sorry for bothering you so late.

She rushed down the stairway and opened the large door to exit the sanctum, but Strange was suddenly waiting for her outside. She stumbled backwards and fell to the ground inside the sanctum.

Doctor Strange: Why in such a hurry? Stay here. We haven't seen each other in so long.

Wanda: What's going on!

...

Wanda: Look, Stephen... I don't know what's gotten into you... But I'd... Rather go home now. M-maybe we could talk some other time.

Doctor Strange: You think you can move on from all the pain you've endured. You think you can suppress your true self. Act like nothing is wrong.

Wanda: Stephen, please tell me what's going on.

Doctor Strange: You'll figure it all out eventually. Where's the fun in spoiling the surprises?

Wanda: What? W-What are you saying?

He kept closing in on her while she walked backwards until she was stopped by a wall behind her. She was frightened and confused.

Wanda: Stephen... Stop. P-Please... stop. W-what are you doing? What's going on?

Doctor Strange: You think after all you've been through, your marbles are still intact? I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're on the verge of insanity.

Wanda: W-what?

Doctor Strange: And as you fall deeper into madness, reality will fall along with you... Until there's nothing left.

Wanda: I d-don't... understand.

Doctor Strange: You will eventually. But then it will be too late to stop what's coming.

Wanda: What's... coming?

Doctor Strange: Remember the prophecy. The destruction of all things, and you're the one who causes it.

Wanda: No! It was a lie concocted by whoever wrote the darkhold!

He moved his head closer to hers, she could feel his breath on her face now.

Doctor Strange: You mean Chthon.

That name sounded frighteningly familiar, but she couldn't remember why. She felt a massive surge of fear shock through her body and she gasped.

Wanda: Don't... s-say that n-name.

Doctor Strange: Chthon?

Wanda: No stop!

She closed her eyes and ears, confused and frightened.

Doctor Strange: The prophecy is already being fulfilled.

Wanda: Stop!

Doctor Strange: You'll see the truth. But you need to be in the right... what's the word... the right mindset... before we can truly begin.

Wanda: STOP!!

Her eyes were still shut tight, as he spoke into her ear.

Doctor Strange: All it takes...

Is one... Small... Push.

Wanda: STOOOOP!!!!

She was out of breath because of the complete fear she felt at this moment. Her legs felt like giving out from under her. After the scream, there was a dead silence. Her eyes were still shut tight, with a tear sitting in the corner. It was quiet. Too quiet. She slowly opened her eyes again, but when she did, Strange wasn't there. As if he disappeared without a trace.

As if he was never there in the first place.

The panic in her voice was audible, panting heavily.

It was as if everything that just happened, was all in her mind.

Wanda: What the hell is going on!!!?

...

Wanda: Strange...?

She was startled when a sudden static noise appeared in another part of the building.

Wanda: (gasps) H-hello?

She entered the room and saw an old television screen, showing nothing but white flickering dots. Then the words appeared on the screen.

"One... Small... Push."

She felt a hand touch her shoulder from behind and she jumped in fear. A loud but brief scream came out of her lungs.

Vision: Wanda! Hey! It's just me. It's just me.

Wanda: Vision? Vision!

She grabbed him.

Wanda: You have to get me out of here!

...

Wait...

She pushed him away from her.

Wanda: Is this... real? Are you real? Am I... seeing things?

Vision: You make no sense. Why wouldn't I be real? I knew you'd come here, so I followed you.

Wanda: Where is he!?

Vision: Where's who? Wanda, you look terribly frightened. What happened?

Wanda: Strange! Where's Strange!

Vision: Wanda--

Wanda: I... I don't know what's happening. I was just... Talking to Strange... but... Then he... then he...

...

Wanda: Then he was gone.

Vision: Okay, calm down, and tell me what really happened.

Wanda: He acted all weird, not like himself... And then he... then he--

Vision: Wanda...

Wanda: He said something happened.
Something terrible. And then he said... Something about a dark forest...

Vision: Are you talking about the dark forest theory? Wanda, look at me. Pull yourself together.

He grabbed her shoulders.

Vision: Listen to me very carefully... I don't know what you saw, but it couldn't have been Strange.

Wanda: Why?

Vision: Because Strange is dead!

The world around her came to a standstill upon hearing those words. She felt like fainting, everything began spinning in her head. As if she just drank an entire bottle of alcohol.

Wanda: W-what!?

Vision tried to speak to her but his voice faded away. It sounded like gibberish.

Vision: Wanda? Are you still with me?

Her eyes widened and she stopped breathing for a moment.

She couldn't make sense of what she just heard. Her brain was too over stimulated with extremely worrisome information and frightening occurances. She tried to speak but it was as if she forgot everything in this moment. It was all a blank.

Vision: He died, Wanda. More than a year ago. You know this. At least we think he died. Just like many others.

This could not be true. She just saw him. He just spoke to her. She caught up with him a month ago. She was at a loss for words and stumbled over her feet as she tried to walk. Her heart pounded frantically.

Vision: Let's go home. You need some rest. I'll cancel the honeymoon. Maybe we can reschedule for next week.

She looked back at the tv but there was suddenly nothing there.

Vision: What is it? What are you looking at?

Wanda: No, no no no no.

She stormed out of the building and looked around in confusion. Her mind was blank, she stumbled in the middle of the road outside when she saw a bright light approaching her at great speed. She looked to her left and noticed it was a car. It stopped dead just before it ran her over. The man who drove the vehicle opened up his door.

Man: Hey lady! What's the matter with you!? I almost hit you!

...

Man: Hello!?

...

Man: What are you doin out here in the middle of the night in a wedding dress anyway?

...

Man: Hey I'm talkin to you!

She couldn't hear a word the man said. Everything was a blur, the only thing she could hear was her heart pounding in her chest, and then... complete darkness. Unable to process what she just experienced, Wanda fell to the ground while hearing whispers of haunting foreboding.

"One. Small. Push."