Topsy-Turvy (sequel to Hidden Beauty)

Bon Adieu

Rose woke up with a start, heart racing and mind fuzzed. Taking in her surrounding, she found herself in her bedroom with Loki beside her, tucked in the same blanket.

It was still night, eerily silent environment. So silent that except for her own breathing, she could hear nothing.

Not even Loki's breaths who was laying unusually silent and still.

That's when she thought that something was wrong.

She patted his arm. "Hey Loki? Loki?" But got no response. She shook his shoulders hard, patted his cheeks and even slapped once but he remained unresponsive.

Absolutely panicked and freaked out, she felt his nose for his warm breath but got none.

He wasn't breathing.

"Loki! Loki!" She cried, clutching his cold arm trying to wake him up. Shouting to give up this mean joke but in vain. "WAKE UP LOKI! WAKE UP!"

Staggering out of the room, she screamed for help. "GUYS! MR. STARK! NATASHA! THOR! STEVE!" she rushed down the stairs still screaming out. "CLINT! BRUCE! PLEASE HELP!"

Her screams echoed throughout the halls but no one came to her aid. The rooms were becoming darker and creepier, the walls seemed to shrink as she struggled to breathe.

"PLEASE GUYS! COME OUT! H-HELP!" She cried out loudly, tears streaming down her pale face. Not even Oreo barked to respond to her cries. The Tower remained plunged in unnerving silence.

Suddenly, she felt someone stir behind her. Taking in a shuddering breath, she looked around but found no one. She tried to extend her claws but to her horror, they won't come out. And again something shuffled in the corner.

"Wh-who's there? Come out!" She snarled, more afraid than angry. Her heart picked up speed when she noticed a figure lurking in the dark. A shadowy figure, tall and broad with no features visible. "COME OUT! SHOW YOURSELF!"

Rose took a step back, completely defenseless and vulnerable.

She expected someone of her team to jump in front of her with a whoop and a victorious cry and laugh at her silly face but the one who stepped out of the dark was someone far from being called as her teammate.

"Hi darling pet!" The looming figure of Winston towered over her as she staggered back, eyes wild with shock.

"N-no no! You can't be a-a-alive!" Rose choked out, shuttering. "Shoo! S-shoo!"

"Come back pet. Come back to me." Winston extended his hand towards her, a cold smile on his face. "I'm here to take you back."

"NO!" She yelled, tripping over her own legs and toppling on the floor. "I WON'T GO! LOKI! LOKI! THOR!" She screamed again, crying for help but no one responded to her calls for help.

"They are ssleeping. Ssleeping peacefully." He whispered, words echoing with a hiss like a snake. "They won't wake up. Be a good girl and let them ssleep..."

"LOKI! STEVE! LOKI!" Rose howled, kicking her legs to keep him off her. "HELP! HELP!"

"Now don't you cry like that." Winston leaned over her, smiling evilly. "Come to me. Come back home." He stretched out his clawy hands. Her vision blackened and she snapped her eyes open.

Rose bolted up sitting upright, sweat beads dripping down her temples and cheeks as she struggled to breathe steadily. "I won't go! I won't go!" She shrieked, shaking her head wildly. Glancing at her side, she found the spot empty and dread refilled her heart.

"Loki?" The name came out as a harsh whisper but gradually the volume increased. "Loki! LOKI!" Panicking, cried out in a pathetic moan. "LOKI!"

The bathroom door opened with a bang and Loki dashed out, shirtless and toothbrush in his hand. "Rose?" Throwing away the toothbrush, he reached her side and hugged her shaking frame.