Out of Oblivion

Chapter 32

I laid on the bed for a long time, unable to sleep. I felt so alone, so isolated, literally, from the world. Soft footprints tapped outside the room. I sat up and smoothed my battered, fifthly black dress from Grace’s birthday dinner.

            “I’m so sorry, El. I couldn’t get away to get you some food,” Dani came rushing in, carrying a tray of juicy ripe foods. She placed the tray in my lap and sat at the end of the bed. A bowl of colorful, steamy assortments filled my nose. I hardly recognized any of the foods, but my empty stomach was in my throat trying to reach the nutrients.

            I spooned out a steamy purple slice of something and gulped it down. It had a bland taste. The juice was hot and dribbled out of my mouth. I wiped it away quickly with my thumb before Dani could notice.

            She sat in silence as I ate, looking down at her hands. When I was satisfied, I handed the tray back to her.

            She smiled and took it, laying it on the floor. “How are you? I mean, obviously you’re not so well but…” She asked, glancing down at the mess I had made.

            “I’m…sorry about that,” I responded.

            “It’s takes a while getting used to this kind of flying. But don’t worry, everything is going to be ok,” she said, smiling.  

            I smiled weakly. Those were the same words James had told me. “How can you be sure? I’m under the capture of Loki…what are you doing here anyway?”

            “Loki’s not that bad…He’s really quite nice once you get to know him and realize the pan he’s been through,” there was a spark in her brown eyes as she spoke of him.

            “Dani…”

            “What? He’s really quite sweet.” She smiled, as if remembering past times.

            “Dani, you love him, don’t you?” I ventured.

            “I…yes, I do love him, El. I love him quite a bit,” she sniffed and glanced away from me.

            I hesitated before answering. “If you don’t mind…how?”

            She looked back at me. “How? He crashed to earth in the ally I used to get home and for some reason he wouldn’t leave my mind. El, he’s been hurt. The pain and sadness he’s been carrying by himself for so long…I just reached out to help and it kind of took off from there.”

            “So he’s not…bad?”

            “No, not anymore, but then we all some badness in us. Loki saved my life quite a few times. He’s changed.”