“I don’t feel so good,” Kanesha said.

“I know. I’m going to have to challenge this thing. I don’t have a choice.”

I reminded myself even I could die. It could kill me. And then what happened? But maybe, just maybe it would be worth it. Maybe, just maybe, I could at least stop the thing. “Kanesha. Try to evacuate. Once you’re clear of the area of effect, call Bruce and Clara.”

She nodded and started to push her way through the darkness. I could almost see her, a little spark of blue.

Everyone else was just…there in the darkness. People I had no connection to.

Quietly, knowing shouting wouldn’t make things more audible to whatever this was. “Show yourself. These people are under my protection.”

“Indeed?” came a voice from everywhere. “Oh, how cute. A baby.”

Something echoed behind it. “How cute. A servant.” Of something that if it actually turned its gaze on me?

I couldn’t take it. But I might be able to take this guy. “How about we take this outside?”

“How about I take this one first?” Fortunately, it wasn’t grabbing Kanesha…perhaps she was more protected. But I saw a person’s form rimmed in fire.

“Under my protection. Do I have to call my father?” I actually rather thought my mother was the greater threat, but really, a lot more people were scared of Loki.

I heard a hiss in response, the sense of snake coils wrapped around the man. “Fight me and he dies.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s quit the saber rattling and get to it. We both know what’s going to happen. You should pay more attention.”

“Blame the one who called me to this place.”

“I do,” I said grimly. I wished for my sword. Actually, I was sort of wishing for something like a Jedi lightsaber, except he’d only eat the light and power from it. “So, let’s stop the preliminaries.”

It lunged at me. The shadows felt dark, and I couldn’t breathe. I focused my thoughts on my parents, hoping that I could indeed get their attention.

I had no idea how to strike back in this sort of non-physical fight. Light. I needed light.
I hadn’t expected fire. It formed around me, sending the serpent backwards. I hoped against hope that nobody could actually see what was going on, that it was all beyond their perception.

Fire. Was that my father’s answer? He was associated with fire.

“She has fangs after all.”

“Like I said. We’re taking this outside.” I strode towards the door, stepping around people. I could see them clearly now, in my own light.

This had to be my father’s answer.
The serpent struck at me, and I whirled and struck back. I was still, apparently, wishing for a sword, because that was the form it took. “Go back where you came from.”

I heard the door between the cars opening. A Metro employee, I hoped.

Or better yet, backup.