till the end of the line

58 The Abyss

My hands were shaking and my breath hitched.

I lifted my finger over the button as I pressed it and I fought the tears that threatened to fall.

Letting out a cry, I watched as Loki's body changed and reverted to that of Lina's.

I turned to see none other than Loki himself in the barrier on his knees with tears in his eyes before I brought down the barrier.

I turned back to Lina, pulling her into my arms as Thor met my eyes before letting out a heavy sigh. I shook my head and bit my lip as I stayed quiet, holding her close, feeling no beat in her chest.

Everything fell into a haze, as my eyes became clouded with tears and my throat dried from crying. I was numb. I lost everyone.

It was a blur. Fire pooled in my chest and throat as the loudest most heartbreaking cry escaped my lips. Before I knew it, Thor and Loki were running my way only to be fighting against a current of energy to even get to me.

Once through, Thor wrapped his arms around me and engulfed me in a huge hug while Loki couldn't bare to meet my eyes. I went limp and lost all my strength, crying over the daughter I once had.

I lost Angelina.

Dusting off and giving Thor a small whimper, I stood up and picked up her body as tears fell from my cheeks and onto her chest as I held her tightly against me.

I walked over to the window and placed her down as I cried silently, looking over her.

Taking her necklace, I placed my hand on her own before I stood up and whistled a short note, receiving no reply as the tears continued to fall.

Standing up tall, I held her necklace in one hand and balled my other into a fist as I stared out the window. Feeling a familiar hand slip around my own, I looked up with tears in my eyes as I turned to Loki.

In a sudden movement, I wrapped my arms around his torso as he held me close, before speaking in a low whisper, "There are no words. I never wanted this to happen."'

"I- I know. She cared for you, that- that's for sure."

Closing my eyes, I leaned into Loki's chest as Thor sighed and held onto one of my hands behind Loki. I sighed and choked back more tears as we soon all kneeled down and held soft smiles, as Thor spoke, "Angelina Eriksen, I bid you take your place in the halls of..."

I lowered my gaze and then Loki joined in, "Valhalla where the brave shall live forever..."

Before long, I let the tears fall again as I followed suit.

"Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died a glorious death."

After the verses, I conjured a single white sheet as I placed it over her, saying nothing more.

Standing up, we then turned to all the littered bodies before seeing a bright light. Before we knew it, the ship imploded as I held onto Loki's hand out of an instinct of the need for safety.

Grabbing hold of Angelina's body before I used my power to make her disappear within my grasp.

I couldn't breathe, but I also couldn't die.

So we floated through the black abyss.

I didn't know if this was the end.

All I knew is that where I was, I had lost.