Walking With Shadows [#Wattys2015] [Being Edited]

Cheese and Crackers

When Tassel finally woke up, the room was pitch black, except for a few small candles that were lit up around the room. People paced up and down the room; some just sat either asleep or nearly asleep. Before her vision could even return to her, the sound of Thor's snores rattled her eardrums. Tassel blinked her eyes copiously. Slowly, her eyes made out the figures of Anson and Loki, along with Sif, Frigga, and Thor.

Loki was madly pacing the floor; back and forth, his feet were wired to the same thin line. His fingers were twitching nervously at his sides, and he couldn't hide his anxiety, no matter how hard he tried.

Anson was seated in the darkest corner of the room. Even through the shadows, Tassel could make out his cold, unblinking gaze upon her. His back was slouched forward as he leaned on the palm of his hand.

Thor was the easiest one to spot. He was leaned back in his chair next to the door, snoring loudly. In his hand, the hammer, Mjolnir, was plainly seen. Thor's fingers were gripped tightly around the handle to the point where his knuckles had turned white.

Sif was leaned up against the doorway. Her eyes were fixed upon Anson, watching his every move, while Frigga was slaving over her table over medicinal supplies. The queen immediately sat up and rushed over with a wet towel.

"Oh my dear, you're finally awake!" she cooed happily.

Loki's pacing stopped, and Anson sat up straighter. He lumbered over and sat down on the side of the bed. His fingers intertwined with Tassel's, and she grimaced in the dark, hoping he couldn't see her. There was significant discoloring around his left eye, suggesting he had taken a really bad hit. Tassel could see Loki snarl slightly at their hands. She knew Anson was only doing it to get on the dark prince's nerves.

She winced as Anson placed the wet towel on her forehead.

"Maybe you shouldn't be here." Loki addressed Anson, who turned around sharply.

"No, it's fine. Really, but I do think I'll take that." Tassel said, taking the towel from Anson.

She had begun to feel nauseated again. Even in the dark, the sweat on her body was clearly visible to everyone in the room. Frigga ended up shooing everyone out and left her and Tassel alone.

"Could you please drink this?" she asked, handing Tassel a small glass filled with something like an herbal tea.

Tassel tentatively took it and sipped, almost gagging. The taste was strong and somewhat acidic. It stung the back of her throat. Frigga sat patiently while Tassel finished off the small glass. It wasn't long before a sleeping sensation came over her, and Tassel was pulled back into the shadows of her nightmares once again.

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This nightmare was nothing like the ones she had been having. Kurse didn't visit her like he usually did, nor did she fall into the inescapable abyss. This time Tassel was running. Something was trying to catch her, but that was all she knew.

It was dark, and she was in a forest. Trees were scraping her left and right. Someone was being pulled along behind her, grasping her hand tightly and struggling to keep up. A luminous shadow fell on them, someone screamed, and a jolt of pain sent shock waves through Tassel's body.

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"Tassel. Tassel!"

A voice called out for her from the darkness. It was familiar. As Tassel opened her eyes, she registered Loki's figure standing over her. She was writhing around. The sheets had been thrown off of her, and they lay scattered on the floor. Her body was drenched in a cold sweat, reflecting off of the candles.