Sacrifice - Hela Odinson

#5 - 1 am

I watched my parents go to sleep at 10 pm. I pretended to do the same, and locked myself into my room. I changed into some comfortable, sporty clothing, so that I could climb or run for my life in case someone tries to mug me on the way to the Tabán.

I emptied my school bag and packed it with stuff I found important, like my favourite clothes, jewellery, and some of my favourite books. Mostly books. And my rock collection. I also stuffed my laptop and headphones in there, and my Cate Blanchett merch. Needless to say, it ended up weighting almost as much as me.

I didn't bother to pack things of actual importance, just the stuff I liked and probably couldn't live without. Why bring a toothbrush? You can buy those things anywhere in the world.

Oh, speaking of buying, I have to brung money with me. Do they accept the Hungarian Forint or the Canadian Dollar in Asgard?

Whatever. I'll bring both.

I stuffed all my savings into my wallet, and then stuffed the wallet into the already full backpack. As the zippers struggled to hold on for dear life, I put the backpack on and opened my window.

Our apartment was on the second floor. Even if I fall, I probably won't die. Besides, I imagined what it would be like to climb down from here plenty of times before, so it can't be that hard, right?

Don't ask me how I got to ground level in one piece, because I have no idea. But I did it without dying, so great.

If I think about it, this stunt was one of the least dangerous parts of my little night adventure. It's easier to survive a fall like this, than those criminals with knives who roam the city and the public transport lines at this time of the day.

I glanced back at the house one more time, my eyes automatically searching for the windows that belonged to our apartment. My heart skipped a beat when I made eye contact with my mom.

Million thoughts flashed through my brain in less than a moment. The simplification of them is: I can either go back and try to explain everything, or run. I chose the second option.

The last thing I heard from my mom was "YOU COULD'VE JUST ASKED FOR PERMISSION TO GO OUT, YOU KNOW?!"

I was too scared of her wrath to slow down, so by the time I reached the bus stop, I was exhausted. I leaned against a lamppost, trying to catch my breath.

As I stood there, panting and coughing my lungs out, I noticed an infamous figure from the corner of my eye. His name was Otto, or at least that's how he introduced himself to everyone, and basically he was the "neighborhood bad guy". The "if you don't study, you'll end up like them, kids" sort of person.

Basically he was on more drugs than every other citizen of Budapest combined, and drank amounts of alcohol that could kill a racehorse. Oh, and he was arrested multiple times with the accusation of human trafficking, but he was never proven guilty.

And I was alone with him at a bus stop. Well played.

I stared at the ground, avoiding eye contact at all costs, but I could feel his gaze on me. The words "shit shit shit" repeated over and over in my head, echoing and numbing my brain. Adrenaline flooded my veins, and my instincts were begging me to run.

I just have to make it to the Tabán in one piece. Hela will be there... Or will she?

I swallowed hard. Yes, she will be there. She has to. Otherwise I'd be damned and she wouldn't want that. I'm her fiancée. She can't just let me die.

The bus arrived and its doors opened. I glanced at the guy, Otto, to see if he boards. He didn't, he just stood there, staring back at me intently. Was he waiting to see if I got on the bus?