Hey, faithful readers! I'm sorry for the delay. I had some problem with inspiration that I couldn't write until I found it. For those who are still reading and reviewing, thank you so much. So here it is, my longest chapter so far, chapter 7!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my OC, Mandy. Loki and any other Marvel characters I add later on belong to Marvel or wherever they truly belong to.
Loki P.O.V.
"I could have done it, father! For you! For all of us!"
"No, Loki."
And that was it. There was no hope for me. I would never be worthy, no matter what I do. Odin's eyes are full of disappointment, a look I could not bear to see again. Nothing matters anymore, not even me. The staff was the only thing linking me to Asgard and my old life. If I let go, maybe the pain will leave me as well. I can rid the nine realms of a monster, with just one move.
…
The first thing I heard upon waking was a sizzling sound. I tried to open my eyes, but the bright sunlight forced them shut until they adjusted themselves. Once I was fully awake, I searched for the source of the strange noise.
I found Mandy inside the area we dined in last night. She appeared to be cooking. How she managed to do it without eyes still impressed me. The smell of the food filled the room, if not the whole house. I had to admit, it made my mouth water a little. Still, I decided to stay by the doorpost until she had finished. While I waited, a small plot formed in my mind. A grin I have not made in a while, crept upon my face as I went to grab the opportunity.
I made very light and quiet steps toward Mandy, placing myself behind her as she put the food on a counter. I patiently waited for the right moment to strike. When it came, I brought my face to her ear and said in my deepest voice, "Boo!"
Startled, Mandy squealed and fell backward onto me. I had to balance the two of us since she was leaning on me. We were both frozen in that position for a minute or so. It was in that moment that I smelled a mild flower-like aroma on her. I also felt her wet hair against my bare chest. She must have bathed not long ago. I had never been that close to a woman before, and with the current situation, I had no idea how to react. I could feel my face heating up and my mind disconnecting from my body.
Rising from our awkward placement, Mandy asked me, "Was it your plan to surprise me like that?" It took a few seconds before I could reply. "It was, but I didn't expect such a reaction." She continued working hastily, not facing me once. "Well, you got me." She said but not sounding amused. It made me feel a little guilty. "I meant it only as a joke. If I offended you, I'm sorry." I told her honestly. Mandy suddenly stopped and said, "What? No, I'm not mad at you. I'm just, upset at myself. I would have caught you if I could still see."
I understood why she felt that way. She did not like it when her blindness was taken advantage of. She probably missed being able to see. "Know what? Let's just forget that happened. Are you hungry?" Mandy asked, trying to change the mood. I sat myself down on the same place I was seated on in our last meal. Once again there was unfamiliar food on the table, but I did not mind anymore. She was going to eat the same thing, so I knew it was not awful. Mandy washed her hands and sat with me. "I hope you like omelets." She said, offering a plate of yellow food.
We ate silently for a while until she said, "I'll need to go out and do some errands in town. Can you handle things here while I'm gone? I won't take long." She would never see the confused look on my face when she said that. "You are leaving me alone, without your supervision?"I asked. She cleaned her plate of the last bits of food before replying, "Well, yeah. Is there a problem with that? I would take you with me, but I'm not sure you're well enough to walk that far." She did not get the point I was driving at. Did she not even consider that I might rob her house and escape while she was away? "I think you trust me too much." I said to her. She seemed unfazed by my statement and told me, "If you were a bad person, you would be doing all you can to make me think otherwise. What you're doing right now is the opposite. It's not me, who trusts you too much; it's you who doesn't trust yourself."
At that, I began to wonder, just how true she was with that analysis. Yes, there was a level of hatred I had for myself. I was a monster and a failure. More than that, I was a failure as monster. I could hate Odin for taking me, but I would have grown up as an embarrassment to my birth father, Laufey. Whichever realm I came from, I was always different, strange. I was a traitor to both worlds. They would never trust me, so why should I trust myself?
As I contemplated on her words, Mandy began to clear the table, picking up the other plates except my own. After setting them down on the sink, she returned to me and asked, "Beyond trust reasons, is there any problem with me leaving you here for a while?" Somehow convinced by her earlier statement, I complied to let her go. "I suppose not. But if anything does happen, do not say you were not warned." I told her. Oddly enough, she did not seem threatened at all and instead, laughed. "Yes, sir. Just remember though, I'm letting you stay home so you can rest. I suggest you do it, for your sake."
Mandy P.O.V.
After our conversation on the table, I got my bag and picked up some money from my cashbox. The bills and coins were segregated accordingly so I never go wrong. At least, I do not think I have. I did not tell Loki, but I was going out to buy additional food and necessities. Normally, I don't shop for more than I need, so there definitely was going to be a shortage of stuff soon with the two of us living here.
"I'll be back in a few hours. Don't push yourself too much, ok?" I told Loki before I left. "I'm not one to worsen the pain I am currently in." He said. With that, I took off.
As I always do, I followed the rock path to town. It takes thirty minutes to get there, but I do not mind. I get exercise and some exposure to nature. My visits keep me updated with the outside world. Plus, I get to interact with people there. It gets lonely sometimes so it is good to have someone to talk to, even if they are kind of old. My friends there are mostly shop owners and those who are frequent customers. They all understood my condition and always helped out.
As I trekked on, I kept thinking about my guest. It was a bit funny that he was doubtful about me leaving him at home alone. I cannot blame him though. When I was first taken in, I could not understand why that woman trusted me instantly. I thought that she was testing me or something. Whatever her reason, It made me feel like I had to be good so that I could be worthy of that trust. Maybe Loki would do the same. It was a risky thing to do, but if the desired outcome came, it would be totally worth it. If not, at least I tried. I barely had a thing to lose.
Loki P.O.V.
With Mandy gone, I had a chance to explore the house better. I had to find some answers about this unusual girl. I could not understand her. She was secretive about many things, but quite trusting to strangers. What could she possibly gain from housing me? She had to have some real motive.
I first entered her chambers. Unlike the other parts of the house, it was very neat. There was a vanity, a closet, and a few shelves. Whatever was on them was organized precisely. As I scanned through the various items, I made sure that everything was returned in its proper place. She could be very meticulous that she would know if I touched her things. It was odd though. Beyond what appeared to be women's pampering materials, clothes, and strange electronic devices, there were no clues as to who she was. Her name was not written on anything. There were no pictures of her either and I knew such things were common in most human households. It was almost as if this was not her house. I tried to remember what she had told me the night before.
She avoided any discussion that had to do with her family, but she had no trouble saying that she lived with a woman in the past. Perhaps the one who shared the house with her was the real owner. I deduced mentally. But then I recalled her mentioning that the woman had died. Was the house passed down to her after that person's death or did she eliminate her to gain it? I shook my head at the thought. Mandy did not seem like the kind to commit murder, unless that was what she wanted me to think. Her actions did not seem like one a usual person would do. Could it be possible that she was mad enough to do what I think she would?
Mandy P.O.V.
After a while, I had reached my destination. I could feel the pavement and hear people. It was my hint to know that I made it. Carefully, I walked toward the small supermarket, making sure I do not get hit by a car or something. As I went along, I could hear familiar voices greeting me. I nodded in the direction I felt they came from. If I was wrong, they would understand.
I went into the store and headed straight to the counter. "Oh, hello, Mandy. Back so soon?" A voice said. I knew right away that it was Brian, the owner. "I had to get some extra supplies." I told him. "For something special?" he asked in a jovial tone. "You can say that. I have a guest who came on short notice."I replied. I trusted the older man with that information since he could definitely help out. "And left you to do the groceries alone? That's not fair." He said. I assured him saying, "It's fine. He's jet lagged so I let him rest." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Alright then. What do you need?" I gave him the details of the stuff I was going to buy. I asked for ingredients for food and things like toothbrushes and whatever male necessities required for a "guest who came absolutely unprepared," as Brian understood. We walked together through the store, picking up what I requested, and even helped me choose stuff that I can afford. He had always done this whenever I came. Brian, like most of the shop owners in the small town, treated me like a daughter or a niece. My old caretaker was loved by these people, so when she passed away, they felt obligated to care for me too. It was good to know that they wanted to help me, not out of pity, but out of gratitude.
When we had finished, and I was about to leave, I asked Brian. "Do you know where I can get some clothes for him too? I swear, he brought absolutely nothing when he came here." He came over and told me. "I think Mrs. Hillston is having a garage sale today. Her son is leaving for college and wanted to get rid of his old stuff. You might find something that works." I thanked Brian and set off to Mrs. Hillston's house. It was a good thing that it was nearby. I did not want to walk too far and risk getting lost.
"Mandy, dear, it's good to see you." greeted Mrs. Hillston, as I approached her house. "Good Morning. I heard you're selling Tom's old things." I told her. She lead me toward a table and said, "Yes, dear. I am. Tom insisted that he did not want anything to do with his past, so here I am." I laughed in agreement. I knew her son. He was tall and "geeky," as he described himself. Tom claimed to love theater and drama, much to the chagrin of his schoolmates. He probably wanted to change himself for college.
"Mrs. Hillston, I actually wanted to buy clothes. A friend of mine needs some." I told her honestly. "If you think he can fit Tom's stuff, then by all means." She said before helping me look through various pieces of clothing. We settled on stretchy sweaters and one-size-fits-all pants. It was a good thing that Tom was in to plays and such. He had many costumes that could pass for normal clothes. Mrs. Hillston charged them cheaply since she did not really need the money, and just wanted to rid the house of her son's junk. Once that was done, it was time to head home.
Loki P.O.V.
I spent a while searching for more clues, but I could not find anything. With my magic currently inaccessible, since it is healing my injuries, I had no way to open locked drawers and such. I was giving up when I saw Mandy. She was still far from the house but I could see her following the rock path to the house. I immediately returned to the living room, but not before checking the areas I had been exploring. I had to make sure everything was back in place.
The door swung open and I had just lain down on the makeshift bed. "You're back." I said, acting as if I had not been expecting her. "Hi, Loki. Rest well?" she asked while bringing the bags to the kitchen. I followed her silently. Mandy was taking out objects from the bags and placed them in specific shelves when I made it to where she was. I stood next to her when she seemed to be finished. Suddenly, Mandy turned and bumped into me. "Loki! Sorry, I didn't know you were right there. This is the third time, isn't it?" She said while visibly embarrassed. "Apparently, your clumsiness knows no bounds." I told her, but unlike the last time I commented on that, I was not angry. "Yes, well, I can't help it, now can I? Anyway, I um, noticed you're still shirtless, so I got you some clothes." She told me as she handed out a bag. As I took it, she said. "They aren't new, but I think they'll work. Hopefully they'll fit you."
I examined the contents and found Midgardian wear, along with other strange objects. "What are the rest?" I asked. Mandy reached in the bag and explained each item. She called one, a toothbrush and another was a shave. She seemed to understand that I was very unfamiliar with things like that and patiently taught me what they were for and how they were used.
"All of these are for me?" I asked. Though I knew that she was giving them to me, it felt surreal that she would go out of her way to provide me with such things. Housing me was more than enough.
She smiled and replied, "Of course. You'll need some necessities, you know. If you're gonna live here, I have to make sure you're comfortable." I took a moment before I told her, "Thank you." The words felt odd as it left my lips, but it was the right thing to say. Her generosity was too much. I must be right to think that she was crazy, but is there such a thing as a good kind of madness?
End of Chapter 7
Wooohooo! Longest chapter! This is about 2 regular chapters long! I hope it made up for the late update. I don't want to disappoint you guys. Tell me what you think ok? I really want to know how to make you happy.
Did anyone notice the Tom Hiddleston reference by the way? Let me know in the reviews what you thought of it. I swear, I was giggling while writing it.