Chapter 3
“Why do you want me?”
The Maw paused as he opened the cell door. He thought for a moment and then shut the door. As he slowly unlocked Loki’s shackles, he spoke,
“On Midgard, humans would shepherd domesticated animals, often animals that cannot fend for themselves, cannot even stand, without a shepherd. The infant animal will run off, and the shepherd will seek it out.”
Loki was completely unshackled. The Maw began to lead him to the torture chamber. Loki’s footsteps dragged. The Maw continued to speak,
“Often times when the shepherd finds the lost animal, he will break its legs.” He paused, “Then he will drape the infant animal around his neck and carry it home.” He turned around to face Loki.
“Dear Prince, this is salvation. This is Thanos, the good shepherd, breaking your legs. If you will but accept salvation, he will drape you around his neck and carry you home. But you have to let him.”
Loki looked at the Maw.
Why had he let go of the staff?
The Maw continued on and put Loki back into the chamber. Loki didn’t struggle. He allowed the Maw to shove him back into the oven. He was in blackness again. As the metal he was lying on began to heat up again, he closed his eyes. He breathed a silent prayer to the dark,
“I’m sorry… so sorry.”
Teardrops hissed on the now hot metal. He knew that somewhere, Frigga was mourning him. He knew that Thor was missing him. He missed them, too. There was no escape for him. He no longer had the strength in him to escape. Maybe he should just agree to become a child of Thanos.
But then he would be pitted against Thor and against Asgard. He knew Thanos’ goals, and he would not be a part of them. He did not have the strength to escape, but he did still have strength left to resist.