Chapter 3

Astrid slowly made her way to her workshop. She didn't want to appear overly eager to Thanos. He would see right through that and that would ruin everything. She might be paranoid, but it was better to be paranoid than careless. Especially if one day she intended to break away from Thanos. Not to mention that she was still quite tired from over-exerting herself the other day to save the Asgardian she had encountered. He was near death and she had transferred her life to him, draining herself in the process. Had she held on for much longer, she could have died.

She found herself growing more and more nervous as she approached the prisoner. While she never enjoyed participating in the torture of another being, it had always been a means to an end. The end being eventually fleeing Thanos. But now, she dreaded the part she was about to play in this poor soul's life. She was to be his healer and his confidant. She was to deliver any useful information to Thanos. She was to watch him break. With this one, she didn't want any part in it. But she had no other choice.

As she approached the door, she took a deep breath and then she entered. The Asgardian was on chained to the far wall of her workshop. They weren't just any chains. Not only did they physically restrain someone, but they also interfered with any special ability they might possess. Astrid should know, she had invented them and had her own invention used against her. Again, not an enjoyable experience.

It was clear that he had endured physical beatings and likely even mental torture while Astrid had been asleep. That was Thanos' way. Beat them into submission. Another process she had once endured, although, not nearly to the extent others experienced. She had caved early, hoping to be spared more torture. Thankfully, she had been right.

The Asgardian appeared confused by her appearance. He fought against his restraints as Astrid approached him. They all fought at first, but eventually, they either stopped fighting...or they died. Astrid hoped it would be the former.

She knelt down in front of him, a safe distance away, where he couldn't touch her. She knew better than to be in reach of them until she knew their state of mind. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

"Where am I?" he asked.

Astrid's brow furrowed. "You haven't left The Sanctuary."

He glanced around the room and Astrid knew then that he meant more specifically. "This is The Sanctuary's workshop," she offered. She didn't want to reveal that the workshop belonged to her. It didn't help her gain his trust if she personalized it in that way.

"What is this place?" he asked.

Astrid pursed her lips. "I think you already know," she answered softly.

His brow furrowed. "Why aren't you…" his words trailed off. His gaze at her narrowed. "You don't look to be a prisoner," he spat. Clearly, he was angered. They all started out this way. Astrid sighed.

"I'm every bit a prisoner as you are," Astrid told him matter-of-factly. "I'm just allowed certain privileges because I complied sooner rather than later." It was a story she had probably told hundreds of others. It was that story that allowed them to start to trust her. It was that story that gave them a glimmer of hope. A story told them that if they complied, they wouldn't be shackled...and that maybe, just maybe there was a chance for escape. It was a hope Astrid understood all too well.

He didn't say anything.

"So, you're Asgardian?" she asked, hoping to find common ground with him. Appearing interested usually caused other beings to open up to her. But this time, she was genuinely interested in his story. She didn't understand why she wanted to know, but she did. She had never cared this much with any other prisoner.

He eyed her suspiciously before he responded. "I grew up on Asgard if that is what you are asking."

This time it was Astrid's brow that furrowed. "Are you not Asgardian then?"

He scoffed and shook his head. "It's complicated."

Astrid wisely said nothing more. She could press him on the matter another time. She watched him closely for a moment. His breathing seemed fine, his face was a little scratched up, but he kept licking inside his mouth. As if he were trying to wet it. She then stood and walked to a table in the corner. "Are you thirsty?" Astrid asked him as she poured water from a pitcher into a goblet.

He looked at her. She could tell that he wanted the water, but he was fighting it. Again, this reaction was predictable. He likely thought it was poisoned. So, Astrid walked closer to him once more. She took a rather large drink of water from the goblet right in front of him "Not poisoned," Astrid said. She walked closer to him. "Would you like some?"

He nodded his head. Astrid brought the goblet to his lips and gently tipped it so that his mouth filled with water. He swished it about in his mouth and swallowed hard. She looked at him and raised the goblet once more. He took another drink...and another.

"That's enough," he said.

Astrid withdrew from him with the goblet in hand. She sat cross-legged on the floor in front of him. "Might I ask your name?" she asked.

"Loki," he said. "And you are?"

She was taken aback. Normally, prisoners weren't this keen to learn about her. It was usually all about them for at least a few more sessions. But with Loki, while some things seemed to follow the pattern, she knew she was in uncharted territory. She looked at him and answered, "Astrid. My name is Astrid."

"And your heritage? Are you...Sanctuarian?"

That made Astrid giggle. She tried hard not to let it escape her lips, but she did. It was so rare she laughed. It was rare that she ever had anyone to make her laugh. Loki was watching her curiously. He didn't quite understand why she was amused. So, she told him. "There's no such thing as Sancturarian. The Sanctuary is home to Thanos and his band of misfits. All of us at the Sanctuary are from other places. No two from the same place...aside from the Chituari, of course. Although, I'm fairly certain they will meet the same fate as the rest of us."

Astrid had purposely thrown a lot at him so that he would have a lot to unpack in his mind, that hopefully, he might forget the question he had originally posed to her. After a few moments of silence, he responded, "You never answered my question."

This one was a smart one. The smart ones were always harder to break. They were the ones always coming up with plans to overthrow Thanos. Astrid hoped for Loki's sake that he was smart enough to know that subjugation was easier. She wished she could tell him everything she knew, but she needed to bide her time. Too much too soon could spell the end for Loki. She needed him to trust her. So, that meant revealing something about herself.

Astrid stood up. She walked a little closer to Loki with her arms folded across her chest. She heaved a heavy sigh and then answered him. "I was born on the planet Nalea."

Loki blinked several times as if he were expecting her to reveal more. "Is that all?" he asked.

"It's complicated," she said with a thin smile, mirroring his words from earlier.

He chuckled darkly, not prepared for someone to turn his own words against him. Beads of sweat pooled on his forehead, which could mean either he was uncomfortable with the temperature or he was in pain. She wanted to make him more comfortable, but she needed to try a way that did not involve draining her first.

Astrid walked over to the table once again and this time grabbed a cloth. She moistened it with cool water and then pressed it against Loki's face. He groaned. Astrid wasn't sure if it was in pain or pleasure, but she continued to wash his face. When she stopped, he sat there with his eyes still closed. Pain, he was in pain.

Since his hands were in shackles, she pressed her hands against his face. She leaned her forehead against his and muttered those familiar words. She couldn't heal him much, but at least enough to take the edge off the pain. After several moments, Astrid released him. His pain was now a little more than a dull headache to her, but it was clear he felt some relief.

"Why-why is it you are allowed your freedom?" he asked with his eyes closed.

Astrid shook her head. "Freedom? You think this is freedom?" She looked around the workshop and scoffed.

Loki opened his eyes and narrowed them at her. "You're allowed on your own, are you not?"

"I'm allowed certain privileges, but I'm every bit as trapped here as you are. I already told you that. I have no way to get off this place on my own. Every time I've been out of the Sanctuary it was with someone who was certain to bring me back. I dare not even think of leaving. " Astrid froze. She should not have told him that. While she hoped that she could trust him, what if she couldn't? What if he was playing her? Would he use it against her? As a bargaining chip? After years of being so careful, now she was suddenly acting recklessly. Why?

Astrid pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. She couldn't take it back. It was already out there. She just hoped that none of Thanos' other cronies had been in earshot of them. Astrid pursed her lips and looked down at Loki. He didn't look menacing. He didn't look like he would use the information against her. But then again, looks could be deceiving.

"Why are you so precious?" Loki asked.

Astrid scoffed. That was his follow-up question? Nothing about her desire to leave? Nothing about Thanos? Although, the way he worded his question made her feel like she should be slightly offended. Astrid sighed. "I think you know why." She held her hands up in front of him and wiggled her fingers.

Now it was time to seal the deal. Astrid looked over her shoulder toward the door. This was the part she always hated. Making them believe she was doing this against Thanos' will. That she was simply sneaking about to come to save them when in truth she was ordered to do so. Not that they knew that. But he knew too much already. If she followed this part of her plan and Loki did squeal on her to Thanos, Thanos would just think that it was what she always did to gain the prisoner's trust. She had to do this for her safety because she wasn't entirely sure Loki could be trusted.

"I must go now," Astrid whispered. "Thanos doesn't know I snuck out here, but I couldn't just let another poor soul continue to suffer. If he ever finds out I was here, it could spell trouble for both of us. Do you understand?"

Loki nodded his head.

"I will come back tomorrow, though. If you don't tell Thanos or his other children about my visit, I will be able to come back and help you. Nod your head if you understand."

Loki once again nodded his head.

"Good luck, Loki of Asgard," Astrid whispered. And with that, she left him. Her heart hurt a little more than it had before she had entered. But she needed to know if she could trust him. For some reason, she had a feeling that Loki might just be her ticket out of this god-forsaken place.

Author's Note: Boom! Another chapter! I hope you enjoyed Loki and Astrid's interactions. She wants to trust him. But can she? We'll have to wait and see. Haha.

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