Finding Freedom, Loki's Story.

Chapter 9

Loki's pov

Have you ever has the misfortune of dealing with a physical pain so long that you learned to live with it and forgot it was there completely?

That's the best way I could describe receiving what Britney called the "Holy Spirit." It's like all my life I'd been trying to fill this gaping hole in my soul but each step I took, the hole just got bigger.

But when I spoke those words, it felt as if the part of me that was missing suddenly came back, making me a whole person again. I felt a supernatural peace come over me; a peace like nothing I'd ever felt before. My thoughts were clear. I felt...happy? No, that's not the right word. I felt joyful.

After that whole life-altering, One-eighty-ing, transformational fiasco, Britney and I walked back inside. "We gotta celebrate! What do you want Loki? Anything! What sounds good?" She said walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge.

"You decide. I'm not picky." I answered. My mind was racing way too much to think about what I wanted to eat for breakfast.

"Alright, pancakes it is, but I must warn you, they're so good you'll never be able to eat other pancakes ever again." She said with a smile. She then began gathering the ingredients she needed and making the batter.

I finally understood why she was so happy and carefree all the time, while still being responsible and stern. She knows Jesus so well, loves Him so much, and that's the viewpoint she judges everything by. That's how she makes every decision. It influences the way she treats people, the way she treats me. It all makes sense now.

I finally understood why I was sent here to live with Britney. She could help me. She could handle me.

She could handle my anger.

She could handle my nature.

She could handle my faults.

She could handle me.

And I couldn't be more grateful. Because through her selflessness and patience I met my savior.

He's why Britney is so forgiving and encouraging. Britney is the first person who has ever given me a chance. All my life I was, if you will, "pre-judged." People like Odin never gave me a chance in life because they assumed I would fail from the start. Maybe that's why when Britney came along and offered me grace I didn't know what to do with myself.

And at that moment, the same person came back with two plates. "Sorry, I hope you take syrup. I forgot to ask. I'm still not used to having another person around." She handed me my plate of what she called 'pancakes' on it and sat down in her usual spot on the other couch.

"No apology necessary. I'm not picky." I responded giving her a slight smile. It felt weird smiling. I hadn't smiled in so long its like my muscles forgot how. But with what just happened that's all I wanted to do. I wanted to smile and tell everyone in the universe about Jesus and the freedom that he brings.

I took the fork and started eating my breakfast. Whatever she made was delicious. They were flat, round, cake type things with butter and a sweet liquid poured over top. I smiled at the taste. It was imensly better than the prison food; all of Britney's food is. I looked up at her and smiled again after tasting it. After swallowing that bite I said, "This is wonderful! Thank you."

She looked back at my and smiled. "Of course! Happy birthday." She went back to eating then, as if I was supposed to know what 'happy birthday' meant. But I figured I didn't have to be question-shy with Britney so I just asked.

"Happy birthday?"

"Mmm." She had a mouthful of food. "Sorry. This is your spiritual birthday. This morning you were adopted into the family of God as a new man. Oh! Which reminds me, there's something called a baptism that christians usually do after getting saved. It's not mandatory or anything. Its just a symbolic way to show people that you've turned away from your old life and started a new one in Christ. If you're interested we can talk it over later."

I thought it over for a moment. I wasn't much one for symbolism but keeping tradition is an important part of my culture and maybe hers too. If anything, I would do it for her. I wasn't bothered by the idea. "Alright. What does it require of me?" I asked.

"She chuckled and responded. "A tolerance for getting wet, and a guest list." I was so taked by surprise that I bearly spat out my next bite in a coughing fit.

"Guest list?" The thought of bringing anyone from my past here made my stomach churn with nervousness. With Britney I had a foundation of trust and I actually felt comfortable being around her. Anyone else would be a wild card.

"Yeah. I mean the more people there, the better, even if it's just a few. Do you have anybody that you'd feel comfortable with being there?"
She said it with such a calm, understanding that I felt no pressure at all to agree. But even so, I thought through all of my relations. My mother has always cared for me. My relationship with my brother was...complitated. However, I was mostly the one who made it so. Alright. I WAS the one who made it so. I suppose then, that some making right was in order.

"What about my mother and my brother?" I asked her. "Would it be possible to bring them? Is it even possible to contact them without my father knowing?"

A sly smile graced her face. "More than possible." She jumped up and set her plate on the small table in front of us. She then went back into the kitchen. I followed.

On the peice of counter that was closest to the back door sat a midgurdian machine. It was red. It had a base with a round, numbered dial on it, and a handle looking object attacked with a curley cord if you will. It was very odd looking. I wonder why I hadn't noticed it before. "It's a retro." Britney suddenly said, as if that explained everything. What is retro even supposed to mean? She picked up the handle and held it to her head, one end at her ear, and one end at her mouth. Then she started placing her fingers in the different holes in the dial and turning it.

she waited for a moment then, in complete silence. After waiting a while she rolled her eyes and said with a huff, "He never answers." Then she waited a little longer and began talking into the device. "Hey dad...It's you girl Britney here. The date is March twenty fourth, year twenty twenty. it's about nine, thirty in the morning. Just had a small favor to ask. Could you perhaps bring Loki's mother and brother here in about twenty four hours? We've got a baptism to be had. Thanks so much dad and...I miss you a lot. Bye." She put the device down on the base and sighed.

She looked gloomy all of a sudden, like a dark cloud had come over her. "What bothers you?" I asked her.

She shook her head and turned her gaze towards the horizon out the window. "Nothing, I just really miss my dad." I wish I could relate he her in some way but the fact is, well, I'm sure you already know.

I offered her a, "My condolences," and turned to go back into he living room to finish breakfast. If I learned anything in me childhood, it's knowing when someone needs thier space.

Instead of following me, she went back into what I assumed was her bedroom. Even though Britney puts on a spirit of lighthearted joyfulness but I'm learning more and more how deep of a person she really is. She could go from dright and cheery to serious and theological almost instantly. I think it's maybe because she's such a deep person that the enjoys being lighthearted to level out the seriousness. I can't be sure though.

About twenty minutes later, Britney returned. She walked without the usual pep in her step and her eyes were red-rimmed. She sat back down in her place on the couch and picked her plate up once again. "Sorry. Just had a little breakdown. I'm fine." She said when I gave her a concerned look. She stuffed the rest of her pancake into her mouth and swallowed quite audibly. She then put her plate down and said, back in her lighthearted nature, "So, what questions do you have about Baptism?"

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Hey everyone! MJ here! I thought since I'm quarantined at home I might as well write another chapter of FF. What are you doing to keep your hands and minds busy while being stuck at home?

On a different note, WE'RE ABOUT TO MEET MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST LOKI AND BRITNEY! Y'all excited? I know I am!

On another different note. I have a challenge for y'all. For every day of quarantine write down ten things you're grateful for. And then when all is over tell me how it went!

Until next time!
MJ