Shelby Pov.

  My best friend is Lady Thor. It has been a day, and I still can't believe it. I can't believe I never saw the similarities between Jess, and Lady Thor. Now she hates me. I said her children deserved to die! I know I was wrong now, but it's too late. "Y-You holding up?" Alesa asks. 

   "I feel like shit." I admit. 

    "I'll go get the ice cream, and crappy zombie movies." She walks towards the kitchen, leaving me for a moment. My best friend is Lady Thor, missing, and hates me. I let the tears slip out, and they don't stop. When I finally open my eyes, the room is covered in vines. Shit. I use my powers to retract them, and the room is spotless again. I see Alesa come back in, ice cream in hand. I don't deserve friends like these. 

    Jess Pov.

    I wake up to sunlight streaming through the treetops, and blink tiredly. My eyes adjust, and I sit up. I'm covered in leaves, so I brush them off. I lean against a large oak tree, and try to gather my thoughts. Where will I go? Asgard isn't an option, for sure. I try to stand, but something stops me. Do I have to leave? I know the answer is an absolute yes, but again, something stops me. This time, it's someone. A face appears in my mind, one that makes me want to stay. Sly. Why would I think of him at a time like this? Deep down, part of me knows why. I'm head over heels for him. "Get it together girl." I grit my teeth. Love is a con! A beautiful, amazing con! Autumn leaves swirl in front of me, and when they clear, a man is standing there! Loki! "You've been caught, dearest daughter. There's no hiding from this, running is all you've got." I don't even get up. He can't hurt me. 

   Luckily I'm a very fast runner." I hiss. "Why're you here?" I ask tiredly.

   "Was I really here?" He chuckles, and the leaves swirl around him again. "Or was this your imagination?" The leaves blow away, and he's gone. Damn him. Was I really seeing things? I finally haul myself up, and sprint away. What am I running from?

     Sly Pov. 

    Jess has been gone for a week! I feel like half of me is missing. Does she really have that hold on me? It feels like I can't live without her. I just need to know she's safe. I've got to keep looking.

    Jess Pov.

    I only stop running when I need to. It has been a full month, and I've left the forest behind. I'm in a small town, and the people give me strange looks as I sprint through the streets. My scar hurts when I stop. I know something is after me, someone. I don't know who, but it feels familiar. I don't stop for more than half a day at one time. While running, I come across a bar. Fuck it, I'm going in. I change my appearance with an illusion. I hate using Loki's tricks. I can easily pass for twenty one now, though technically it wasn't a lie before. I also get rid of my torn clothes. I can keep this illusion awhile.

     The bar is a large room, with about fifteen patrons. I take a seat at a bar stool, and the bartender shuffles over. He's about thirty, but has one of those ageless faces. "I need something strong." I mumble.

    "How strong are we talking?" He asks. 

   "Your strongest." I respond. 

    "Lass, are you sure you can handle that? I wouldn't want you to pass out at my bar. I've had some of the men here take advantage, if y'know what I mean" Eww. 

   "I'll be sure to keep sober enough to know when men twice my age are looking up my nonexistent skirt, thank you very much." I answer.

    "Sorry lass, just had to be sure." He reaches under the counter, and brings out a shot glass. 

    "What's your name?" I ask, curious. 

    "Friends call me Alex." He turns towards a glass case behind him, and opens it. He brings out a few different bottles. "Whiskey? Wine? Beer?" He holds the bottles up.

    "I really don't care. Whatever you decide." I cross my legs, and lean back a little. 

    "Okay, so uh, this may be a little experimental." He mixes three bottles that I don't bother to check. "This is what I call the Arctic Pearl." The shot glass is a foggy blue, with a deep blue bottom. 

    "Thanks Alex." I sip it slowly.

    "Lass, if you're going to drink, drink it right." I glare at him, but follow his advice. I down it in one gulp. It's cold, and burns at the same time. It has a blueberry taste, with a touch of vanilla, and lemon. An odd mix, but I love it. 

   "That's great! Thanks!" Before he can respond, a man nearby whistles. He has dark brown hair, and is about a year, or two older than my current form.

    "You wanna hang with me, and the boys tonight? We got a nice condo, with a bed that's screaming your name." I frown. 

    "That's the shittiest thing I've heard today. You are a grade A asshole." I state. 

    "I don't take no for an answer, little girl." I snort. 

    "Then get used to disappointment." I turn towards Alex. "Can I try another 'experiment'?" I ask. Suddenly, a pair of hands are snaking up my shirt from behind! I turn, and slap the man! "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I demand. Thunder booms outside, threatening to blast this mortal to hell! 

    "I don't take no for an answer bitch!" He rubs at his red cheek. 

    "And I don't appreciate you molesting me!" He cups my ass in one of his hands!

    "I'm sure you do, some part of you at least." I kick wildly, hitting his groin. 

    "Man whore!" I accuse. A few men stare at me, startled. 

    "Ooooh! This one's feisty! I like her!" One calls out. They move towards me in a threatening manner. 

    "Leave the lass alone." Alex orders. 

    "What are you going to do about it, old man?" The man responds. I raise my hands, preparing to shock them all. 

    "This." Alex whips out a pistol from behind the counter! "This is considered molesting, and possibly if you were to get your way, rape. Back off." The men seem a lot more cowardly, but one of them stands his ground.

     "Y-You wouldn't a-actually shoot us!" He exclaims. Alex's finger tenses on the trigger, and I decide to intervene. 

    "Alex, don't." I step off the bar stool, and his jaw drops. He must think I'm going to them! I kick the bar stool at the men, and two of the four fall over. I rush towards them, fists clenched. Suddenly the bar has five very unconscious perverts. I pick up the barstool, and set it down. I sit back down, like nothing happened. Everyone stares at me.

     "L-Lass?" He stutters.

     "Just give me the alcohol." I reply tiredly. He tentatively hands me the yellow, and green shot. It's main color is yellow, but the green drips in. He stares at it for a moment. 

    "Wait, it's not complete." He takes a smaller bottle, and tentatively tips a tiny bit in. The liquid is purple, and seems to battle the green.

   "What do you call this one?" I ask. 

    "The Lady Thor." My eyes widen. "I was never for the whole 'she's a witch' thing. As soon as I heard she was hiding in a highschool, I started working on this." He whispers. I stare at the shot for a long moment. I take it in one hand, and decide to make it last. I sip it slowly, and this time he doesn't object. I savor the taste. It's a lemon-lime with a fruity taste I don't recognize.

    "This is great! What's the umm, purple stuff?" I ask. 

     "It's a lavender vanilla. It may sound weird, but it's a fan favorite." I slump my shoulders, quickly finishing it. 

     "Y'know, I have to go." I pause. "Thank you so much Alex. You may not realize, but you helped me with something." I kneel by the man that I kicked in the groin. I find his wallet pretty easily. I toss it towards Alex, who fumbles for it. "Feel free to put it on his tab." I give a lazy wave, and step out the door. Then I run. Always running.