Out of Oblivion

Chapter 34

Jotunhiem. I had read the name before. It was buried deep in my files of memories. I tried to pull it out and remember what I knew about the ice world. My brain was a fuzzy cloud and wracked with pain. I tried to focus instead on keeping my footing steady, leaning on Dani. She was leading me towards the ominous black wall. The other Frost Giants were heading that way too.

            The icy ground began to shake violently. I stopped in my tracks, pulling Dani back. I looked down, expecting the ground to crack and open up. Instead it was the black wall which did this.

            “Come on, El. It’s the gates opening,” Dani explained.

            I nodded and took her arm again. The freezing air was crawling up every opening in my dress. My legs were like rocks and my chest heaved. My throat, which had been raw before, was cracked and dry. Every swallow felt like needles cutting through my skin.

            We walked through the black gate. I felt like I had shrunk from its size and my helplessness. Inside the wind stopped completely. My hair was frozen in a windblown sweep. The air was still cold inside, but at least there was no wind. It was deathly dark, except for a single light, flickering in the distance.

            I suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over me. I stopped walking and put all my weight on Dani.

            “We are almost there. You can do it,” Dani insisted, pushing me off of her gently.

            As she pushed me off and set me on my own feet, I fell to my knees and sank to my side. My violent shivering had turned into a frozen state of numbness. The darkness was swimming with images before my eyes. I coughed once and my throat screamed.

            “Oh dear, what now?” I heard the voice of Loki nearby. I strained my neck to look up at him. His green eyes were glowing vividly in the dark. He was standing beside Dani, casting rude glances at me.

            “I think she’s sick, Loki. We need to get her medicine soon, and a bed. She’s completely worn out,” Dani explained, bending down to me.

            Her image danced before me. It made me dizzy so I closed my eyes and let the darkness swallow me.

            “Get her inside then,” Loki said dryly.

            “Loki, I don’t think she can walk. I’m not even sure if she’s conscious right now. Please carry her, will you?”

            “Me? I…no I will not carry that—“

            “Loki…”

            Loki sighed. “Guards! Get this creature and put her in a cell.”

            “Loki! What are you—“

            “Hush, Danielle. Your little friend is our prisoner now.”

            I felt the sturdy arms of a Frost Giant picking me up, but after that I fell asleep and dreamed I was in the arms of James, being carried to safety.