Out of Oblivion

Chapter 28

I woke the next morning groggy and heavy with sleep. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, blinding me. I sat up and scratched my head. My dress was twisted and uncomfortable, but at least I had been able to sleep.

            James was still sleeping, his arm hanging over the side of the couch. I examined his arm, careful not wake him. The bleeding had stopped, but I kept the gauze wrapped around it.

            I knew that we needed to get back to SHIELD HQ, but I didn’t know how. I had left my phone at my apartment and I didn’t know if James even had a phone. The solution I came to was asking the hotel clerk to use his phone.

            I started for the front desk, but before I could go any farther, I heard rustling behind me. I turned and found James standing up, stretching.

            “Well, good morning, James,” I greeted him.

            “Morning, Eleanor,” he replied, running his hands through his hair.

            His tie was loose and his hair ruffled and sleep glazed his eyes. I blushed when I discovered myself finding his waking up state adorably humorous.

            “Hey, I was just going to call up Rogers to see if he could pick us up,” I told him.

            James shook his head. “No need. I can take us back.”

            My eyes widened in surprise. “James, you are…wounded for Pete’s sake! There is no way I’m letting you drive.”

            He approached me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Something I had never seen before in his eyes. “I drove you all the way back from that Frost Giant invested dump on drugs. I think I can make it this time.”

            He bit his lip, waiting for a reply. I sighed in spite of myself. “Fine. But if your wound opens or you…I don’t know…just…it’ll be your fault.”

            A laugh escaped him. We stopped by the front desk to thank the hotel clerk.  

            “No problem, youngins! Be safe now!” the clerk told us.

            “What is your name, sir?” I asked.

            “Mr. Lee, miss.”

            “Have a great day, Mr. Lee,” I replied with a smile.

            As we walked out into the snowy wonderland, I hugged my arms around my ribcage, preparing for the bitter cold. Although I didn’t want to see Black Eyes, I searched for his body when we walked by the place where James shot him.

            However, I saw no body. I glanced at James, who looked just as puzzled as I was. I was sure we were both thinking the same haunting thought, because we both kept walking in silence.

            After our moment of silence, I began thinking out loud. “What did that man want from me anyway?”

            James hesitated before answering. “I don’t think that was a man.”

            I dropped my arms, puzzled. “What do you mean?” The question slipped out just as the realization hit me. “Oh…a Frost Giant.”

            “Yeah…it looks like war is upon us after all.”

            I shuddered at the thought. The cold fingers that had strangled me before haunted me. I couldn’t imagine a war against those foul creatures. “Oh death…I’m scared…” I admitted.

            I felt his fingers brush against mine until they were intertwined together. “Don’t be afraid, Eleanor. Everything is going to be alright.”

            I didn’t pull away. I didn’t even blush. Instead, I squeezed his hand and held tight to the hope he had just given me, because deep inside I believed every word.

            We remained hand in hand until we reached Claude’s, where his snow covered motorcycle was parked. I loosened my grip, but his touch lingered as he let go. Our eyes met for a mere second before he wiped the snow off the seat and started the engine.

            I had never ridden a motorcycle, but the idea had always thrilled me. James mounted the bike and waited for me. I slid into the seat behind him and hesitantly wrapped my arms around his stomach. As the bike began to move, James called back to me, “Hold on tight.”

            I obeyed, making sure not to hold on too tight. The ride was swift and smooth, but not enjoyable.

            As we got closer to the SHIELD HQ and the other buildings revealed the sight before us, a bile coated my throat and my chest tightened in horror. What I saw was proof of what James had said. War was upon us.