The Reluctant Hero

Imp - Chapter 7

     Having gotten frustrated with the pieces that seemed like they would be useless, I'd laid down and taken a nap. When I woke, it was to Loki holding a tray of food in my face.

     "A peace offering for my foul behavior earlier. I gave you the better-looking one," he says looking at me over the side of my cot. I hadn't realized he was quite so tall. I simply shook my head at the food, and looked back to the pieces, determined to think of something.

     "Come. Leave it for a bit pet. You won't figure anything out weak with hunger and I needn't you mewling about hunger pangs."

     I ignore him. He sighs. 

     "Look what I've been reduced to," he whined cutting a bit, glaring at it, and shoving it in his mouth.

     His expression was so petulant I almost grinned. He laid the fork down and looked at me expectantly. I just watched him. 

     "I've not died from the consumption of this unpalatable slop and you shan't either. Eat pet."

     "We have different anatomies," I say quietly.

     "So not mute after all. Good. I'm bored senseless. I can assure you, besides not fit for consumption, this food is harmless. I've no need to lie and you're more useful fed. Besides, if I wanted you dead, my hands are much faster and believe me, I've considered it. Your dead body would serve to get them to open the door so rest assured the slop is fine."

     His candor was actually comforting. I hesitated one more minute, looking him squarely in the eye before picking up the food and sampling it. He nodded pleased and leaned against the wall watching me.

     "So do you have a name now that I know you have a voice?"

     I just keep nibbling.

     "Fine then. What atrocity did you do to become a guest of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Something delectable I hope. I could do with a tale," he said sounding bored and crossing his arms.

     I just kept nibbling.

     "You're as entertaining as a thrashing. How did you know how to disable my cuffs then? Make a habit of removing cuffs perhaps?" he said with a snicker.

     "Training," I said before taking another bite.

     "I dare say they don't teach you to use that," he said looking at the broken toilet. 

     "I improvised."

     "I shall dub thee Imp then until you regale me with your true name. Tell me Imp, have you found anything useful in those pieces that you've been studying? Anything that may get us out of this forsaken place?"

     I considered for a moment. Was telling him what was I thinking worth the risk? It wasn't like he'd want me to mess with the collar unless he thought I could remove it and free him to use magic again. Even if he didn't help me escape with him, the collar itself might be useful for my own escape.

     "I need to see your collar."

     His eyebrows raised in surprise. "You think you can remove it?"

    I didn't want to make promises I couldn't keep or incur his wrath if I failed. I shrugged.

    He stepped forward and tilted his head up so I could see better. I pushed the tray aside and leaned forward. Once again, I took my time feeling every nook and cranny of the device. I wanted to try something so I paused and whispered, "Brace yourself." I held one piece of the broken cuff and touched something on his collar. The world went white, then black.

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     Loki yelled in surprise and was thrown back against the wall as the shock ripped through them both. Being used to his brother's pranks and temper tantrums growing up helped him to recover quickly. He picked himself up and rushed over to checked on the woman. He was actually relieved to see she was fine, just knocked out. Her breathing was normal, and she didn't seem to have any burns on her hands where she'd touched his collar. 

     He looked up to where he knew a camera was hidden and said, "She's fine so don't send in the cavalry and make this all for naught." Tony had been all for using the blasted collar to make it seem more believable. 

     It was then, putting a hand up to the collar, he realized it had opened and was hanging loosely around his neck, giving off the occasional crackle of escaping electricity. He looked back to the female laying before him. She was a deft little imp.