The Reluctant Hero

Trains and Bombs - 13

     I had lifted a few new phones from the diner and knew approximately where the closest bus station was. I didn't rush, but I didn't stall. I needed to get rid of him. I keep chanting that in my head. It was the logical thing. He was a liability. He didn't say anything either. We walked several blocks before seeing the bus depot. He walked slightly behind me but close. I could feel his presence. The place was bustling with people as expected. This was it. I sighed and turned to face him.

     "So where do you want to go? Do you have a plan? I can help you get a ticket and give you some money," I said in a rush. He grinned watching me. 

     "Are you sure this is what you want pet?"

     No, I thought. "Why wouldn't I?" I felt proud of myself for saying it so evenly. Then my breath caught and I gasped.

     He grinned and said, "Realize you enjoy..." I cut him off by grabbing his wrist and pulling him around a corner.

     "Damn," I said looking over his shoulder. He quickly recognized the change in my demeanor and tensed beside me, his voice lowered. "Who? Avengers?"

     "Hydra."

     I could have sworn he relaxed at the news. What he really that scared of the Avengers? Granted they had thwarted his previous planetary take-over attempt but at least they weren't murderers like my handlers. 

     People continued to mill about except for the few I was trained to notice. Eyes that were looking everyone over instead of destinations and cellphones. Military-grade tech watches and gear tucked away in civilian clothing. Standing still in the middle of crowds scanning faces while everyone else avoided eye contact. I counted a dozen that I could see. That meant there were at least double that. The rest were hidden. I noted three exits when we came in but that wasn't going to be enough options. The trains weren't an option. That just meant being trapped in a tin can waiting to die. 

      I thought about having Loki disguise us again but quickly dismissed it. With cameras everywhere, they were likely already scanning the camera's and a disguise would be recorded. Old school it was then. "Come on," I said pulling on his wrist again, all business. 

     I took about 10 steps when I made eye contact with an agent who immediately spoke into his watch and started making his way towards us, pushing people out of his way. I walked faster. 

     "Get ready to run."

     "Why run pet? I like these odds," his voice purred next to my ear. 

     "I can fight well enough, but I was not trained for this many. Subtly is my expertise. I'm not sure if they are under orders to capture or kill," I said quietly pulling out a cell phone and dialing 911. "I'd like to report a bomb threat..." I told the voice on the phone while quickly giving a location and then threw the phone in the garbage I passed.

     I looked back at the agent who was nearly to us when the announcement for orderly evacuation boomed over the intercom. I grinned at the response time. Security and staff began ushering people towards the exits and I pulled us closer to one of the security guards. The agent realizing what I was doing, doubled his efforts to get to us but it was harder now with people panicking to get out. As soon as I knew I could be heard, I let go of Loki and shouted in a panicked voice, "Help! Help! There's a guy following me with a gun and a weird watch he keeps talking to!" 

     Suddenly there was a swarm of security and staff pushing past me towards the agent. Now for the next part of my plan.

     "Look! There's another one with the same watch! They must have bombs!"

     I felt a little guilty about the sheer terror my sentence caused the other people in the station as they screamed and shoved their way out the doors. Meanwhile, staff and security were paying more attention to people not running out of the building which gave Loki and I time to try to slip out. I knew they were no match for the agents but I was hoping they would ignore me to keep a low profile. 

     We were almost out when Loki suddenly pulled me hard to the side as a bullet whizzed past my face embedding itself in the pillar I stood next to. I looked back at the agent who had fired only to see him land on the floor with a knife in his throat. I looked back up at Loki who just grinned and shrugged. Loki had saved my life.

     I could hear sirens, a lot, nearly there, and hoped we were almost free. We made it past the doors just in time to see a large shadow go past overhead and my hope dwindled. Falcon was here to assess the bomb threat. I figured Loki was concerned too when he pulled me under an awning. This could get messy quick if Falcon recognized the Hydra agents or they him. We needed to get out of here fast. 

     Before I could figure out what to do, a voice said next to us, "I think it's time you come in now. She's clearly not interested in working with Hydra. We also need to discuss your methods and how risky that was."

     I looked over and realized it was the red-headed woman and she was talking to Loki.

     Instead of putting up a fight or trying to run away, he was casually leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a calm expression. I felt the cold pour through me all the way to my toes. He had betrayed me. I immediately schooled my expression to give nothing away and took a step back. I debated running but likely they were prepared for that. I needed space and time. He looked over at me, saw my change and a frown crossed his brow. 

     "Imp, before you think all kinds of nasty things, it's not what you're thinking," he said taking a step towards me with a hand out as if to reassure me. I ignored him. I looked at the redheaded woman and said, "I surrender." I held my hands out to her so she could cuff me and she hesitated. 

     "I don't think we need that do we?" she asked. I didn't respond. I just waited. She motioned for me to follow. I walked behind her without another glance at Loki. When we were almost to her vehicle, I took the chance and ran. It was seconds before the familiar pain of electricity hit my back. I felt myself fall, and as darkness slipped in, I saw Loki running towards me, his expression almost like concern. How good an actor he was I thought to myself before succumbing.