Ever since Loki's outburst, Nebula has been keeping a closer eye on us. We haven't had a chance to talk about our escape plan or how to hide from Thanos. I know that Loki only wants to use me for his own gain, but I cannot help but like him. Maybe once we have escaped from Thanos, I can talk Loki into letting me go. However, from what Loki has told me, Thanos is clearly very intelligent and will not allow the power I possess to slip from his grasp. All I want to do is go home, back to the farm, back to Wanda and Pietro – and I will do that with or without Loki.

The hard punching bag bruises my knuckles as I repeatedly slam my fists into it. Loki has been adamant that I keep training to keep my strength up. Frankly, I see the training as a way to get my anger out, and it gives me valuable time to think about an escape plan. I have also been working on controlling my powers and strengthening them. As long as I keep my cool, my powers seem to cooperate.

The door to the training room swings open, and I pause my training.
"Loki." I grin, pretending to punch his chest as he steps closer to me. "What's cookin', good lookin'?"
Loki pauses, his face showing confusion.
"Nothing is cooking."
I roll my eyes. "It doesn't matter. Anyway, what's up?"
"Mellona, we must leave tonight. We shall escape under the cover of darkness."
I step back, shocked and excited by what Loki is implying.
"We need to think this through. Nebula or her guards will be watching our every move. She is already suspicious of us."
His iconic grin splits his face as he pulls me close. His warm breath fans my face as his hands grip my upper arms.
"I sorted the guards out. It shall be Nebula whom we will have to worry about. It vexes me knowing that we may never escape and take over the realms."
"Loki, when we get out of here, I have to go see my family." I pause, looking up at him sadly. "Why don't you come with me? Thor is there; he'll be happy to see you."
Loki's grip on my wrists tightens as anger floods his pale features.
"No! Mellona, you must know that we cannot return. The Avengers will take me prisoner, and I will have to serve time for my crimes." He lets go of my arms. "And you are naïve to think that The Avengers will not take you captive."
"What?" I laugh. "The Avengers are my family. They would never hurt me."
Loki smirks. "And I thought you were clever. S.H.I.E.L.D will lock you up. They will experiment on you. They will harness the power inside of you, and if that does not kill you, then they will."
Tears well in my eyes as I take into account what Loki is saying. I know how evil S.H.I.E.L.D can be. I know what they do to things they don't understand.
"I have to see my family." I whisper.
His face softens at my pain, and he gently wipes the tears from my cheeks. This gentle side of Loki is rare, but I seem to be seeing it more and more recently.
"Mellona, you amaze me." He smiles, his green eyes staring into mine.
We are stood inches from each other, and it's just the two of us in this moment. His cold hands move to cup my face, and he leans in slowly, pressing his lips to mine. My body freezes for a moment before relaxing into the kiss.

I break the kiss, stepping back from Loki. My lips are buzzing, and I know my cheeks are flushed red.
"Um, well. Wow. That was unexpected, and amazing, and wow." I am speechless; my brain can't quite comprehend what has just happened.
Ah – this has complicated matters.

"Meet me here tonight. Ten in the evening. We are going to get out of here."
He turns to go, but I quickly stop him. The first step of my plan is in motion.
"Loki, I just want to say thank you." I grin as he looks utterly confused. "For showing me what I can achieve. You have unlocked my great power, and I thank you for that. Unfortunately, for your own protection, that is why I have to do this."

Before he can react, I hold out my hands and let the shadows surround Loki. They encapsulate him like tentacles, surrounding him entirely in a black cloud. Tears fill my eyes – I have to do this for his own good. I allow the mist to dissipate, and I jog over to his passed out form. I move his hair from his eyes, praying that Loki will be able to forgive me if we ever meet again if I survive.
"Goodbye, Loki."
Now, it's time to put my plan into place.