Man Clad in Green

Chapter Three

She didn't think his physical form could feel any different, but she was wrong. She felt his presence even from her safe distance away. It was a wave of all kinds of emotions. It sent chills down her spine.

"If you could just be so kind as to release me, that would be tremendous."

His voice held much more power than his "hologram". She felt frozen to the spot. She hated to look so vulnerable. She wished she could build up the courage that she had before. Though she doubted she could fuel that much anger for long. It was so tiring.

"We don't have long, I'm afraid. These Midgardians fools will return to gather information from me. I need you to press that button over there." His finger was pointing at a panel to the right of her.

Her feet finally unglued from their spot and began walking toward the panel. The panel looked far too advanced for Cordelia to work. She stared at the millions of buttons, toggles, switches and blinking lights. Which one opened the cage? Why couldn't they have one button? Like one big red button?Cordelia liked big, red buttons. They were easier to operate.

"You will see a keypad. Type in 7734 and then press the button right beside the keypad."

She wanted to thank him but then she remembered that he was the one that put her in this situation. He should be helping her out! She was being forced to do this!

She punched the code into the keypad and pushed the button. She waited a few second and then she heard a pop. Like when you open the lid to a jar of jam.

The glass cage has opened. Loki stood still for a moment and the walked gracefully through the door. He smirked at Cordelia, drawing more and more closer.

He stood before her then. His tall stature made her feel like a dwarf. She shrunk away from his piercing gaze, which seemed even more intimidating in person.

"Was that so hard, my dear?" He cooed.

She didn't say anything. She had no words to say. In fact, she didn't have anything to feel. There was too much going on. Her mind was muddled and she wanted to switch it off. It was giving her a headache.

"Now, let us make our great escape."

Arms clutched into her and she was held to him. She wanted to squirm but all life left her. She felt numb all over. She felt like a noodle in his arms.

The same green fog engulfed the both of them. Their feet to their heads. And then it was darkness again. She felt like she was falling once more, but this time had arms holding her up. She limped against him, not wanting to even support herself.

One thing was for sure: Cordelia hated green fog traveling. It was mind bending and stomach twisting nonsense. It wasn't pleasant at any time. Not even when your feet finally hit the ground once more. No no. This is when your stomach lurches, just on the verge of vomiting. But no vomit comes. You're left to just the sickening feeling of nausea.

They had traveled back to her cottage. Her home was dark, having left the house. She wondered why he had decided to return here. Why did he not return to the hospital?

The hospital... Mandy..

Cordelia frantically tapped the jeans of her pockets, feeling for her phone. No phone. She cursed under her breath. That meant it was still at the hospital.

"I took care of your human friend." A voice startled Cordelia from her panic.

She whirled back to see Loki lounging on her couch. His feet crossed and hands delicately folded across his lap. His eyes were closed, however.

"What did you do to her?" Cordelia began to panic again. Did her kill her? Did he zap her? Send her away?

"Don't be so dramatic. I played as one of your Midgardian medical helpers. I told her that you'd be fine and just needed rest. That you would be sent home when you woke up."

She stared at him in disbelief, "She just went with it? She left me there?"

"Of course she wouldn't have believed me, if I hadn't persuaded her in another way."

"And what way is that?"

"Magic." His voice spoke mockingly. She was already tired of his sarcastic self. She wanted to smack him repeatedly. Or choke him. Yeah, choking sounded like a better option.

"I'd like to see you try, love."

"Are you reading my thoughts?" She asked. She had been wondering ever since the first time he spoke in her mind.

"Only when you think such entertaining things." He said, his still closed.

"Why are we here? Why did you take us to my cottage?" She asked.

"I need a place to hide out. 'To lay low' as you all say."

"You cannot seriously stay here. You cannot expect me to house a criminal and the man who has been haunting me all of my life."

His eyes popped open then, "I don't expect anything. I demand that you do. As for the haunting, you will have to get used to me. The man from your nightmares has finally come."