The Reluctant Hero

Out - Chapter 8

     "Imp!"

     I groaned at the noise. I wanted to be left alone. My head hurt.

     "You've lain long enough. Be a good pet and wake up."

     I remembered that voice. Then I remembered what happened. It was odd to wake up with memories. I blinked a few times and slowly sat up. There was ringing in my ears and another headache but otherwise, I seemed fine. 

     Loki leaned against the wall in front of my cot, arms crossed watching me. 

     "Quite the clever little Imp aren't you?" he said holding out the collar and dangling it in front of me. 

     I was thrilled but I was afraid to show him that, so I put my hand out like I was mildly curious to see if he would give it to me. It took all of my self-control to not react when he crushed it in his hand.

     "How dare they collar me like some domesticated pet and throw me in a cage. Alas, I still require your assistance so I'm afraid I'm going to need you to play along poppet. Do forgive me."

     Before I could react, Loki snapped his fingers and everything changed. I was against the wall behind the cot, gagged and pinned by Loki who simply grinned. On the floor in front of me lay an exact replica of me on the floor, my head twisted in an uncomfortable angle and a replica of Loki beating on the door.

     "What shall I do? It seems my roommate has fallen...well dead!" the replica yelled smugly. The real Loki, so close I could feel his breath on my cheek, held me firmly against the wall and I had little choice but to watch the scene unfold before me. 

     Moments later the door burst open and several S.H.I.E.L.D. guards burst in, guns drawn at replica Loki who mockingly had his hands up in surrender. One of the guards kneeled down to check on replica me but shook his head. In that same moment, another replica Loki sauntered around the corner of the door and chided, "That never gets old." The first replica vanished in a flourish, while the second replica slammed the door and ran. 

     One of the guards spoke into an earpiece and urgently ordered the door open while alerting whoever was listening of Loki's escape and the death of the unknown Hydra agent. The door opened and the guards hurriedly left the cell to pursue replica two.

     Once they were gone, invisible Loki took a step away, looked at me, waved his hand and the gag was gone. Then a snap of his fingers and we were both S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in full gear. He grinned and motioned for me to follow him. I could see my reflection in the toilet and almost gasped. I looked like someone else entirely. I hesitated a moment before I carefully followed him past my fake corpse.

     We'd only made it a few feet before the red-haired woman showed up. I was sure we were discovered, but she only gave us orders before heading down the hallway we'd just come from talking to her own earpiece, asking for Loki's last known location.

     Loki kept moving forward, seeming to have an idea where to go. He had been awake when they brought him in. It also wasn't his first time being their prisoner. Still, I was trying to look for possible exits as we went through hallways. 

     Finally, we walked into what seemed to be a hanger with several stored vehicles that's when he turned to me. "I believe this is where you come in my dear. Do you know how to use any of these that we may leave this wretched place?"

    I looked around at the vehicle choices and felt myself smile when I saw it. I headed for it, not caring if he followed. A few modified Ducati Superleggera's sat lined up on the far side of the hanger. I ran my hand over the sleek body in awe.

     "I hate to interrupt, but we don't have the luxury for you to get to know it so intimately. Are you sure it wouldn't be wiser to take something larger?" Loki complained.

     "This will be fast and maneuverable and easier to hide. Come on."

     I climbed on the sleek black machine and grinned when it roared to life beneath me. Loki climbed on precariously and pointed to an opening in the hanger. I knew this ride would be short-lived since it surely had a tracker on it, but I was going to enjoy every second. I was surprised when I exited the hanger that we were in New York of all places. I wasn't sure where yet but it was easy to slip into normal traffic. Our disguises however weren't so subtle. I went a few blocks before pulling into an alley and turning my head to Loki.

     "People are going to stare at is in this get up. Look around at people and use that so we blend in."

     With all of the people milling about the streets, he had plenty to chose from. His first choices were a suit for him, and a skin-tight dress and heels for me. I shook my head. Not on a motorcycle. He sighed and snapped his fingers again. This time he gave me jeans and a t-shirt and similar for him. He seemed uncomfortable but we needed to go. I took off again zigging and zagging the streets and alleys of New York until I spotted a parking garage. I parked a couple of blocks away from it, in front of a hydrant to ensure it was quickly towed to keep it on the move, and started walking to the parking garage. He kept picking fancy cars, but I was looking for just the right beater. "Low profile," I reminded him. 

     I finally saw something suitable. It was at least 15 years old but in decent shape. It was easy to get into and just as easy to hotwire. As we pulled out of the garage, I could see in the rearview mirror the bike was already drawing attention. It was bugging me that this seemed so easy, yet nothing seemed amiss. Loki also seemed to be at ease letting me make the decisions for a pompous god. For now, I would just have to play this out but stay on guard. He's not my friend, I remind myself. I have bigger things to worry about. We weren't free yet.