"Alright, are you ready?" I asked Laurence.
Laurence nodded, nervous and frightened. Everyone else was on the sides, watching what would happen, and following Laurence, just in case he did something wrong.
I gave a deep breath. Loki, how far apart to we have to walk?
It will not take long. As soon as you get far enough, you will feel it.
Don't you think you should at least give us an estimate-
No.
"Okay, Laurence, just start to back up," I said.
Laurence started walking backwards, and so did I.
Okay, so far, so good.
We got to the point to where Laurence was by Fury's office, and I was by the window. I couldn't move anymore.
Laurence, you have to keep moving farther.
No, I can't.
Yes you can.
No, I mean I can't. They're blocking my way into whatever's behind this big door.
So what now?
Switch sides?
….Okay.
"We're switching sides!" I cried out.
I walked to Fury's office, and Laurence walked my way. As we passed each other, though, Laurence didn't look right. He looked bigger, taller, but maybe that was just my imagination.
No, your thoughts are correct. He did get bigger.
What? But how?
He is growing stronger; his brain is starting to mold itself. Whatever he is thinking, it isn't good.
Wait, can't you hear his thoughts?
Not for the past hour.
I gulped. Okay, maybe this wasn't a good idea.
We need to stop this, before he decides to- Silence.
I stopped. Loki? Loki!
Nothing.
"STOP!"
Everyone jolted to a halt.
"Geez, Child," Hawkeye said. "What's gotten into-?"
"Where's Laurence?"
Everyone looked around. He was nowhere to be seen.
The intercom burst into life. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, but I have an announcement concerning all staff and personnel on the carrier."
Laurence.
Laurence, what are you doing?
"Ah, yes, Child. Shouldn't you be at the office?"
Fury's office.
"There you are."
"Laurence, stop…"
"Stop? Oh, no! How can I stop when the fun's just begun?" He smiled. That evil smile. Loki's smile.
"What did you do to Loki?"
"Loki, Loki, Loki, that's all you ever talk about. Why can't you see that I am not Loki? Oh, that's right, because he's your lover. Forever and ever."
I ignored the last comment. "Stop playing games. Where is he?"
"Whatever did I do to him? Let me think…" He leaned on Fury's desk, knocking a few papers over and tapped his chin. "Oh yes, I killed him! That's what I did!"
I froze. You did…what?
"Ah, speechless, aren't we?" He gave me a pat on the head. I swiped at him, and missed. "It's simple. When you and I were the farthest apart, Loki was at his weakest, and so I overtook his brain and left no trace. Nothing, nada, zero Loki. You're long lost lover finally sent to the ground." His voice turned menacing. "How tragic."
"He is not my lover," I groaned.
"Oh? So that means I'd have you all to myself then?" He placed a hand on my shoulder. "What fun."
"No, it means I'll soon be joining him."
"Now, whatever do you mean by that?"
"You should have read Loki's mind when you had the chance. Loki and I were under a spell. If he dies…I go with him." I sat down. I'm going to die soon…well that's just perfect.
"Oh, I get it. You'd rather die than be with me. Oh, how my heart breaks piece by piece."
"Even if I did, which would be likely, I wouldn't have a choice. I die when he dies. It's the way the spell goes."
Laurence squinted. I felt a tingle in my brain and suddenly became light headed. So he found out how to scan someone's mind. I bet he learned it from me. I swallowed a smile. Not the right time to be thinking that.
Laurence staggered back. "No, you're lying. You're trying to trick me!"
I shook my head. "No trick."
Someone started banging on the door. A muffled voice said, "Fury! Child!"
"Steve!"
Laurence threw something at the door. It went straight through the metal. The noise stopped with a loud BANG!
"Steve! What did you do to him?"
Laurence shrugged. "Oh, nothing, my dear. Just a little stun to stop the noise."
I ran toward the door.
"Stop."
I stopped. God damn it.
"Aha, it seems the spell didn't wear off at all, now, did it?"
I groaned. It still controls my physical actions.
That's right. So, He took my hand and led me to the nearest chair. You're not going anywhere. Well, other than your living quarters, but we can't let them see you, now, can we? You will not die on me, whether you like it or not. He waved his hand. "I will see you after the carrier is destroyed."
And suddenly, I was back in my room. I jumped up and headed for the door.
Ah, ah, ah, sit back down.
I sat on the floor.
Good.
I sighed and slumped over. Okay, I'm being controlled by an evil science experiment, I can't cry out for help, the carrier is about to be destroyed, and Loki's dead. This has been an interesting day…
I can vouch for your sarcasm, but it's not going to help anyone.
I sat up. "Loki?"
Loki's hologram appeared out of nowhere and covered my mouth. Shhhhh! No one can hear us. Do you want that monster to know that I'm here?
I was on the verge of crying. Yes, you heard that right. Crying.
Oh, god Loki, I thought you were dead. I mean, Laurence said that he left no trace of you in his brain and that you were nothing and I thought-
Be quiet.
I stopped. Loki didn't care what I thought, but I felt a sort of gladness coming from him.
Do you know how to get out of here?
Loki nodded. Through those.He pointed to the vents.They're big enough so that you can get through to the outside, and be able to escape from the rear.
But what about the carrier?
I am not responsible for anyone else's life but yours.
You're not responsible for mine either, you know.
The hologram 'grabbed' my arms. Realize what you are saying! If you die, I die. I am responsible for your life, as you are of mine. If you don't get out of this, then neither am I.
I'm saving the carrier first.
You didn't hear what I said-
Yes, I did. And that's why I'm not dying today. I looked him straight in the eye. I'll make sure of it.
He let me go, and I pulled off the vent screen.
By the way, if you're not in Laurence's mind, how can I still hear you, or see you, or…you know what I mean…
When the monster pushed me out of his mind, my consciousness went to the next available body that would accept me. Loki smiled. You can hear me because I am now in your mind, Amara.
