1 October 2014

For the past fortnight, I have laboured until dawn in the laboratory preparing a new potion. His recent activity has reinvigorated my research. I discovered last night, quite by accident really, that the smallest infusion of prussic acid and strychnine brings about a curious reaction. At least it seems to work well on the rats.

Too much of either ingredient could prove quite lethal, of course.


15 October 2014

Approaching Loki's room, I heard the muffled sounds of laughter. A pair of orderlies were cursing at him and threatening him with leather straps. It's easy to see that this pair was weaned from the same teat.

Loki didn't respond to their tomfoolery; and the orderlies were not impressed by my reprimand. Good help is so hard to find...


18 October 2014

The Allfather paid a visit. The smell of his perfumed handshake is still in my nostrils. He doesn't visit often, but when he does, he arrives unannounced and remains overlong. Typically, he flounces through the healing chambers pretending to be interested in this case or that. This time he demanded to see Loki and asked for the leeches. When he refused to stir, the Allfather gave me a look of infinite boredom. When I displayed some of his recent artwork, the King's attention was caught again as if someone jabbed his palm with a hot poker.

He was in a very agitated state when he departed.


24 October 2014

Healer Deirdre has been listening from outside the door. Loki, it seems, has been muttering inarticulately. Though no one can understand him, it's likely he's addressing the one eyed dragon.


26 October 2014

His case is not overly remarkable... at least not when compared to the countless other patients who live within these walls. I am not minimizing his tragedy - the undeniable strain is enough to set anyone's mind askew. Imagine the horror of hearing the piteous cries of your spouse and child - trapped in cells, being tortured and killed by chitauri - and not being able to help. Loki certanily heard such screams. I imagine he's been hearing them since he fell into the void.


28 October 2014

I wedged a spoon into his clenched teeth while a healer, serving as my reluctant assistant, poured the newest potion down his throat. When the convulsions commenced, I double checked the harness, turned down the flame, and left the room. It's a matter of waiting now.

He'll have a fitful sleep tonight.


3 November 2014

I hear the clock ticking onward past midnight, and then I'm suddenly aware of other sounds. In the barren pit of the night, the most disturbed minds are alive throughout the asylum. Loki isn't stirring, so I listen to the blood curdling shrieks, the haunting clank of shackles, the insane groaning, insufferable babble, and lunatic mutterings.

After the initial convulsions, Loki's body again appears lifeless. If it weren't for the sporadic utterances in his sleep, I'd hold the mirror to his mouth. It's impossible to comprehend what he says. It sounds like "too glum" or "through him" or "boo jum". Nonsense really. Is it a person's name? A place? Or simply some conjuring of this raving delirium? I yell at the utterance into his ear.