Finally the store was emptied and Aaliyah could lock up after a long night shift. Then she had to clean the outside bathroom she picked up her buckets, one filled with different kinds of cleaners and one filled with sanitizer and a rag then stepped outside. It was sprinkling rain as she rolled up her pant legs and a voice called from across the street
"hey babe. How you doin'" she rolled her eyes as she put her earbuds in her ears and hit the play button and music filled her head. She was just about to mop the floor when she was grabbed from behind and slammed to the the wall and someone started biting her neck. Spots appeared behind her eyes and she could hear laughing and jeering as she felt hands roam her body. She closed her eyes. She knew what would happen next. Soon the laughing was replaced with groans and she opened her eyes. All the men were in the ground except one who stared at her intensely.
"Loki" she whispered running into his arms and burying her face in his chest. She could still feel the tension of his anger.
"Why didn't you fight back?" He growled. Aaliyah clutched his shirt as she cried tears of relief.
"Aaliyah…" his voice softened, as he wrapped his arms around her. His warmth surrounded her.
"I'm sorry" She sobbed weakly, her voice muffled by his clothing. "I just froze. I panicked and I didn't know what to do. There were so many of them"
Loki cupped her chin and tilted her head up, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Listen to me." He ordered gently "Just because you are outnumbered does not mean you can't tip the odds in your favor." Alliyah stared at him a moment before burying her face back into his chest She could feel him sigh."Shhh" Loki's soft voice could be heard over Aaliyah's hysteric tears.
"I was so scared" She choked between sobs
"I know, my dear. I know." Loki's voice soothed the girl just enough for her to relax in his arms. "It's alright. I'm here now. Nothing can hurt you now." Aaliyah took a deep breath. "Let's get you home." Loki reached into her pocket pulling out her phone and hit the call button, redialing the last person Aaliyah had called. Her friend Amanda. "Hello" His soft voice resonating through his chest. Aaliyah simply stayed quiet, clinging to Loki's shirt as he explained what happened and hung up the phone. Moments later Amanda's car pulled up and Loki helped Aaliyah into the passenger seat before sliding in after her holding her close against his chest until the movement of the vehicle lulled her to sleep
Loki lay a sleeping Aaliyah on her bed, pulled the blankets over her and sat in the chair next to the bed silently watching her. He would keep his promise. He would do anything to keep her safe. She belonged to him, rather she liked it or not, and he didn't like other people touching his things. Yes, she was his and his alone. These were his thoughts before he himself slipped silently to sleep
Aaliyah screamed as hands grabbed her and she struggled to break free when she was pinned to the ground. Her eyes flew open and she was in her bed Loki on top of her. Moonlight streamed through the window lighting his face; filled with fear and concern.
"Hush," he pleaded softly "Hush. It is only I." Tears rolled down her cheeks
"Loki" she sputtered
"it was nothing but a dream dearest. As long as I am here nothing can touch you." He comforted her. "Here." He flipped them over so her head rested on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and was lulled by his steady breathing but she could not relax enough to fall back to sleep. He must have noticed this for he stroked her hair and murmured "Do not be afraid my pet. Your nightmares cannot hurt you. If it would make you feel better I shall enter your mind as you sleep and fight away your demons for you. I said I would protect you forever. Even when your dreams threaten to hurt you I will always be here for you."
She sighed. "I wish I could trust you" she whispered sleepily as she drifted back to sleep in his arms