Protecting You

Chapter 3

Grumbling, I open my packet of crisps and sit on the floor with my back leaning against the grey brick wall. To the left is a fighting ring and to the right are various exercise machines. Steve has just left to talk to my Uncle, probably about the drawing I supposedly ruined. Sighing, I glance at the watch on my wrist. Two hours. Training for two hours. Sweat trickles down my cheeks and neck, drenching my clothes.

"What are you eating?" Steve bellows.

"Um...no salt crisps?" I guess.

"No. You are on a specific diet and crisps is not on that."

Suddenly, I hear the alarm burst. It echoes in my ears and the red lights turn on in all the rooms. Looking at Steve, he nods and storms out of the room. Racing after him, we walk down corridors and around corners, the alarm still ringing as loud as possible. Striding up the stairs, I glance at Steve for some reassurance that everything will be okay.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"I don't know. Just stick with me." Steve orders.

"Brother stop!" A familiar deep voice shouts.

Sprinting around the corner and down the hallway, I stop in a work station room. Computers are left abandoned, chairs pushed far away from the desks. Loki is stood with his back towards the glass window, he has his arm around a female worker and his spear against her head. Her eyes fix on my Uncle, sparkling with the need to cry and begging to be released. Uncle grips his hammer tighter.

"Loki? What are you doing?" I question.

His head turns towards me, his eyes staying on me. Uncle Thor turns to me, taking a step to stand in front of me.

"I do not want to go to Asgard. I want to stay here with Harriet." Loki hisses.

"Loki, I said I'd visit you." I point out.

"You won't be allowed." Loki argues, glaring at my Uncle.

"What? Why not? You didn't say I would he allowed!" I shout, looking at my Uncle.

"Odin won't allow you to see your father."

I take a step forward, my hands balling into fists. Steve goes to grab my wrist but the second he touches my skin, a spark travels through me and I watch it run down my arm and hit Steve. He jumps back in shock and gasps, looking at my Uncle, his eyes are dilated in shock.

"I didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry Steve. I don't know what that was." I quickly say.

Steve shakes his head and takes a step backwards. My Uncle stares at Loki again.

"Loki, let the lady go." I order.

"No. Not until you can promise that I will see you as much as I do now."

"That is highly unlikely Brother." Thor points out.

"I promise I will talk to Odin about it and persuade him to allow me to see you."

"Fine."

All of a sudden, the room seems to spin around me. My hands turn clammy and I grip my Uncle's arm for support as I feel my legs go weak.

"I feel ill." I whisper.

My knees buckle beneath me and everything turns white, my eyes begin to flicker shut as my Uncle slips his arms around me and lies me on the floor. He taps my cheek gently, shouting at me and shaking my shoulders. Steve kneels beside me, his hand clutching mine as he asks me questions. Feeling my head droop to the side, my eyes close and I can't feel anything.

"What did you do to her, Loki?!"

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sorry, just a little authors note. It's going to get a little complicated. So, two stars like this ** means it's a vision, but one star like this * means Harriet is awake and everyone can see she is awake. Hopefully you'll understand. Thank you!

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**

Standing at the back of the room, I glance around. It's a medium sized room. There's a single bed in the middle with cream sheets and machines are behind it, with wires attached to the girl. Looking towards the girl in the bed, her slightly wavy hair floating on the white pillow and her face showered with freckles that stand out on her pale face. Beside the bed is a single plastic chair.

The drawing.

The girl is me.

Taking a step forward, I stand beside the girl and watch the heart monitor machine beep with each pulse of the heart.

"What's going on?" I whisper to myself.

The door is pushed open and I take a few steps back, watching as Steve and Uncle Thor stride in. They stand at the end of the bed, looking down at me.

"Her heart rate and temperature is too high." Steve points out.

"It's like she's in a coma, but it's impossible. Nothing has happened to put her in a coma." Uncle Thor explains.

"Are you sure your brother hasn't done this to her?" Steve questions.

"I am almost certain. He never touched her. But you did?" He says.

"Yes."

"That spark she sent through her body." Thor begins.

Steve lifts his hand and I glance over his shoulder. There's a dark red circle in the middle of his palm and spikes coming off it, almost like a red snowflake. I did that. I scarred his hand.

"It was like she was protecting herself." Steve continues. "But protecting herself from what?"

*

My eyes flicker open, my body is far too heavy and aches all over. The room still seems to spin, the colours mixing together and blurry in front of me. Looking to the right, Steve is sat in the plastic chair, staring at his hands nervously.

"Steve?" I ask, but I hear my voice is slurred and out of control

He jumps slightly at my voice, a smile forming on his lips. His eyes shining bright.

"Hey. How you feeling?"

"Can't awake long." I whisper.

"That's okay. It's great that you're awake now." Steve points out.

"Sorry your hand. I not mean it."

"It's okay. Can I ask you something though?" Steve questions.

I nod slowly.

Steve's leans back and pulls a piece of paper out of his back pocket.

"This wasn't there when you were drawing it in front of me." Steve says, unfolding it to reveal the drawing. He points to his Captain America shield in his hands.

"My power made wait."

"You should have told us."

"Couldn't do anything." I point out.

My eyes beg to close again, the overwhelming feeling of the need to sleep.

"Hatz, what is it you aren't telling us? Why does your body need to protect you?" Steve quizzes.

"I don't...I don't know. Sorry about your...hand." The words slip off my tongue, my breathing slowing again and my eyes fixing closed.

"Please try to stay awake, Hatz. Let us help you."