Across All Time

Chapter 15- Breaking the Rules (Loki)

I slept for a while, but not anymore than a few hours. Even then it was slow coming.
For a while after Sylvie left me, I resorted to cursing the world for everything. Then I grew tired and simply watched the night out the widow.
I slept in a booth. The odd plastic-ish fabric was cool and uncomfortable. I woke up to the dawn rising.
Behind me, I could hear a time door opening. I refused to look at her. She stood still. I couldn't hear the door close.
"Ok," she said.
I couldn't help but look at her. My eyes widened. Her face was clear of emotion, but she was looking out the window instead of at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm going to take you back to the TVA,"
I was shocked, but thrilled.
"What about He Who Remains?"
An expression flashed across her face that I couldn't quite read.
"We'll deal with that if we have to,"
I got up carefully, as if not to scare away Sylvie or the time door. I inspected them both, before starting to walk towards the orange portal.
"Wait," Sylvie said, "You have to clean up first, and I have to grab something,"
She closed the door and headed to the back area of the restaurant. I huffed, annoyed. I should've just ran through the door when it was wide open.
I quickly cast a spell to clear my face and change my filthy clothes. I anxiously tried to use the reflection in the window to check my hair.
Sylvie returned, tucking something into her jacket. Then she pulled out her temp pad and made a door.
"There we go," she said glancing at the door.
"Thank you," I told her.
"Don't thank me yet, this could end up bad for all of us,"
I nodded, but I wasn't fully listening.
This was the final time door I would have to cross. Finally I would see Mobius again.
"Did he change much?" I asked. Sylvie was silent before responding thoughtfully.
"Yes, but that's because he lost someone important to him. I know that you two will still recognize each other,"
I took a breath, one last smell of the greasy fast food aroma, one last footstep on the sticky floor.
I stepped through the door.

It felt like home. The sound of my footsteps echoed around the mostly empty room. The large screen still showed the branches, but this time, the branches resembled those from a tree.
I turned back to Sylvie who was tapping at her temp pad and chewing on her lip. The sound of running faded into earshot.
"Sylvie?" It was Bea.  Sylvie looked up and slipped her temp pad away. Bea appeared in the entrance to the hall, and froze. She stared at me wide eyed and open mouthed.
"Loki?" She whispered. She whipped her attention to Sylvie. "You... you knew... this is what you were talking about last night, this is..." she turned back to me. "This is real?"
I smiled, and nodded. I couldn't trust my voice.
Bea rushed towards me and pulled me into a tight hug. She started to cry, and I could barely make out what she was saying. It was something about me, and thinking I was gone for good. I began to tear up as well.
She then let go, and was wiping her eyes. I looked back at where she came from, then to Sylvie.
"Where's everyone else?" I asked.
"They should be here soon, I sent a message," she said. She looked tense and clear of emotion. Like she was waiting for something. I felt distrust worm into my mind, but at the same time I heard more running from down the hall.
And then I heard his voice calling my name.
For once I was certain. Ever since I started searching for him- what feels like so long ago and also like a mere hour ago- I have seen him many times, but it was wrong.
This time though...
Numerous unnameable feelings rushed through my body and soul.
"Loki?!"

It was a long day, or the feeling of one.
The files seemed never ending, which I suppose in a way, they were.
I placed a new one to the side and closed my eyes for a moment. People wandered past and around the library and I just couldn't pay attention anymore. I decided to call it a day early.
I started to finish one last file and think about dinner. I would probably reheat the pasta I cooked a few dinners ago.
I piled up the papers, getting ready to put them back, when my temp pad received a message. It was from Sylvie.

Come to your cubicle
He's alive, and he's back

It was simple, only a few words and it could've meant anyone, but upon reading it I froze.
Then, forgetting about everything else, I ran.

"Mobius," I breathed. I also started to run towards the hallway, and caught a glimpse of Sylvie's face as a sparking sound erupted from behind me. Her expression went stone cold and she pulled something from out of her coat.
I ignored it all as a feeling of dread took over. I ran faster.
"Mobius!" I shouted.
I could hear him just around the corner. I could almost feel him.
But when I turned the corner, there was no one there, just a large, empty hallway.
There was a cry of anger from behind me, and the sound of something like a weapon hitting the floor. Once again, dread filled my body.
He was back, and He was no longer in the mood for games.