Loki After Endgame: Cheating Death

Chap 22: Fight or Flight

"Right, because you do that so well." Kamilla snaps impatiently from the middle of the food aisle.

"At least I'm not the one who almost got myself killed." I fire back.

"Yeah, tell me something I don't know."

Suddenly the metal door behind the register swings open and several alien children come rushing out, their faces both stunned and cautious. The children are various colors, some are pink-skinned and others are blue, red, purple and a few if them have striped skin. Most of the species I recognize, but I've never seen the ones with black and silver stripes before. The eleven children are dressed in tattered, dirty rags, their bodies unnaturally thin, and their cheeks gaunt. Their frightened eyes are hollow and dull as they look down at the gruesome pile of bodies staining the floor with blood and entrails. The small blue-skinned, redheaded child I noticed earlier walks towards me; the metal chains that bind her slow her down considerably as they rattle and drag against the floor, trailing behind her.

"You saved us!" The little girl cries. She's filthy, half-starved and probably crawling with some sort of fleas. Her tiny innocent face is covered in bruises and she has large deep gashes all over her arms. When she gets closer I realize that it isn't dirt that stains her ratty clothes, but old dried blood. I balk, what kind of monster does this to a child? She can't be older than six years old! I take a calming breath and swallow the anger that boils in my veins under the pretense of adjusting my jacket. Then I slowly bend down to her level and grin kindly.

"You're quite welcome tiny infant. You're free now." I wave my hand and the long metal chains that coiled around her body, slip carefully off her and clatter to the floor. The girl smiles, her yellow eyes sparkling and leaps forward to wrap her tiny, bony arms around my lower leg.

"Thank you! You're my hero!" She squeals gratefully.

I stare at her, simultaneously enjoying the admiration while also disliking the feeling of her small body against mine. I clear my throat, and proceed to smoothly pull her off me.

"That's quite enough tiny child."

Kamilla sighs and swoops the little girl up in her arms hugging her close to her chest, making the child giggle in surprise.

"You're safe now," she coos, her voice cracking as she strokes the girls red hair, her hands trembling slightly.  Then she addresses the rest of the children. "You're all safe now."

The older children smile hesitantly, then begin hollering their thanks enthusiastically. I beam. It's nice to be appreciated for a change. I was rather impressive, if only Thor could see me now, returned to my rightful place; a savior and a hero.

"We have room for you all on our ship, if you'd like." Kamilla announces hesitantly.

I snap my head in her direction feeling alarmed, "What? We most certainly do not have room!"

Kamilla only glares at me in response, pointing eyes of death in my direction. Then the teenage, red-skinned boy, interrupts our silent battle of wills, "Thank you for the offer mam, but we already have a ship."

Kamilla regards him carefully, "You do?"

"Yes, the men who kidnapped us brought us in on a private spaceship and since you've killed them, we're gonna commandeer their ship."

I scoff. This kid's got guts, however misguided.

"And you know how to fly it?" Kamilla probes worry knitting her brow.

"Yes mam, I was training to be a pilot before I was taken."

Kamilla grins, "Well then by all means, take all the supplies you need, and get the hell out of here before anyone realizes what's happened."

The boy looks towards me questioningly, so I nod my approval and puff out my chest proudly. "And tell your family that on this day it was I, Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard, rightful King of Jutunheim, and God of Mischief who nobly fought for your freedom!"

"And feel free to build a golden statue in my honor." I add winking at the children.

The children thank me again, jabbering excitedly as they spring into action, grabbing various supplies and food from the shelves. The oldest boy takes charge, telling the smaller children what items to grab and commanding them to move swiftly.  I sneak a glance at Kamilla; she's staring at me incredulously and when I catch her eye, she rolls them dramatically. Kamilla gently sets the girl down and hands the paper bag that's stuffed full of food to the tiny girl.

"This is for you." She says kindly.

The small girl takes it with a sheepish smile. "I'm Eva. What should we call you?" She whispers shyly.

"Nothing," Kamilla replies. "Just know that I understand what you've gone through and that you're not alone. But you will recover and I promise, one day you'll be stronger for it."

Eva nods as Kamilla adds bashfully, "Oh, and I can heal your injuries if you'd like."

"How?" Eva's golden yellow eyes are wide, shimmering with hesitancy and hope.

Kamilla waggles her eyebrows conspiratorially, "With magic. I promise it won't hurt."

"Um... Alright." Eva replies hesitantly.

Kamilla puts her hands on Eva's shoulder and closes her eyes, casting the healing spell I taught her. The enchantment heals Eva's deepest wounds, smoothing her once tarnished blue skin. There are still a few shallow scrapes and minor bruises, but the bloody, gaping wounds are completely gone.

"That's about all I can do." Kamilla says regretfully.

Eva's eyes roam over her own body and she beams, smiling brightly. "Thank you, Mistress of Magic." Then she bounces away, happily joining her friends, showing off her newly healed skin.

"Alright runts, let's get to the ship. Aint no time like the present." The red-skinned boy announces slinging a large sack of supplies over his shoulder. The children follow him to the metal door as the boy punches in the password into the keypad. 

I turn my gaze back to Kamilla, my interest peaked. The more I think I understand this woman, the less she makes sense! She's kind and compassionate, yet full of barely contained rage and violence, and she seems to enjoy killing! She's nothing like the Avengers she so desperately wanted to join. I'm going to find out exactly what she's not telling me!

I stalk towards Kamilla determination setting in, "Since we are done here and we have acquired all we need, it's about time we get going."

She tilts her head, regarding me with suspicion, "Is there still a we?"

"It depends on if I like what I see" I snap, reaching for her hand. Her violet eyes are questioning, as I teleport us both back to my spaceship.

As soon as I feel my feet hit the ground of the ship, I instantly use my other hand to grasp her forehead firmly and use my magic to extract her most private and secret memory.

"Don't move."