Out of Oblivion

Chapter 38

“You’re…alive,” I gasped.

            Grace chuckled, putting my hands in hers to steady me. “Yes! And you’re safe now.”

            A glint caught my eye from Grace’s left hand. I brought her hand closer to my face to find a shimmering diamond on her finger. My mouth gaped open.

            I looked up at Grace, who was obviously holding in a laugh. “Are you…”

            Before I could get my words out, Steve Rogers, dressed in his Captain America uniform, slipped his arm around Grace and smirked. “Why yes, she is.”

            My mouth was still gaping. Happiness for my sister swelled in my heart. I wanted to leap and exclaim my excitement for her, but I could barely move.

            “Um, I’m glad we’ve all had a happy reunion, but we really need to get going.” It was Coulson. He was scarred from the battle, but he seemed stronger and more confident. “We don’t know how long Loki will stay his surrender.”

            At the mention of Loki I pulled away from Grace and stood on my own. “Wait. There’s something I have to do.” Without waiting for permission, I turned and stepped out of the spaceship, flinching with every step.

            I didn’t hear the footsteps behind me until I entered the black gate. The footsteps caught up with me, which didn’t take much effort, as I was moving slowly.

            It was James. We exchanged smiles and kept moving. Mazing through the palace, I reached a door that was cracked open, light streaming out. Inside I could hear Dani’s broken voice.

            “Loki, you know that I forgive you. It wasn’t your fault…please,” she broke into tears.

            I peeked in the crack of the door and saw her standing beside a bed. Loki was in it, his face sunken and distressed. “Oh, Danielle…” he groaned, taking her hand.

            Although it pained me very much, I thought it best to leave. I turned to leave, James following beside me. We had only gone a few paces when I was stopped in my tracks by her voice.

            “El?”

            I whipped around to find Dani standing in the hallway, tears streaking down her face. I started towards her, but she ran up to me, wrapping me in a hug.

            Although it hurt, I knew she needed it. As she pulled away from me, she whispered, “They poisoned him.”

            “I’m so sorry, Dani. I just came to say goodbye…and thank you.”

             She glanced at James, a glimmer flashing in her eyes. “Good bye, El. I’ll see you again.” We hugged once more before parting our separate ways.