Spaces Between

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•Chapter Twenty-three•
I Take a Lesson From Percy Jackson
(EARTH)

No one slept the rest of the night despite that we weren't going to leave until dawn.  I didn't think sleep for me, at least, was even possible after all I had learned.  Finally, I had thought.  Finally everything was back to normal—only to have everything come crashing down around me in less than an hour.

The adults had decided to move us to the compound.  It wouldn't be the first time I had been there, just the first time I had actually stayed up there.  It was vastly different than Stark Tower.  A sprawling multi-complex surrounded by the forests of Up State New York.  Quiet, and hopefully safe.

Alrekr, Tove, and I had all been sent back to our rooms to pack.  We broke apart from our hug, drifting different ways off to our rooms—none of us grateful for the silence that followed.

I hadn't so much as pushed my door open before I spotted Käro and Lady Koa trailing behind me.  I gripped the handle of the door, half turning to glare at them—half trying to keep down the frustration bubbling in my chest.  "I don't need body guards."

Lady Koa paused her pursuit, eyeing Käro carefully as he continued forwards in order to stop at my feet.

"No," he said softly, pawing the ground.  "But you need company."

And that was that.

I forced myself not to roll my eyes and pushed my door open.  My lamp was still lighting the spots of my room that the smallest crescent of sunlight peaking over the horizon didn't.  Käro followed in after me; I didn't bother to close the door behind us, but I heard Koa lean against the wall right outside.

Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.

I had thirty minutes at most before Nat would come to round us up again.  Thirty minutes to pack, to keep my hands from shaking—to try to think about was happening to my brother.

So I decided to make the most of it.

***

The sun was two finger's width from the horizon, (a trick Loki once taught me on Asgard for telling time without my 'utterly useless watch'), when Natasha's fire red hair appeared in my door way.  I had my messenger bag packed—within was three graphic tees, two pairs of skinny jeans, undergarments, my camera, and my phone.  I slipped on my jacket and combat boots.

I paused in the doorway, Käro at my side.  Loki's letter felt like a lead weight in my hand.

No matter how I said it in my head—it felt like running.  Running and hiding.

"I know that look," Natasha said softly.  She reached out, laying her hand on my shoulder.  "This is what your brother wants; he wants you, and Alrekr, and Tove safe.  Running off to Asgard blind is a suicide mission."

I tried not to glare at her, I really did.  This wasn't her fault...yes, she took part in the decision—but she wasn't the reason for the decision in the first place. 

None of my friends or family were.

That fault laid solely on Lord Alder.