Loki's Redemption

Chapter 6

After lunch Shelia calls the few people she knows and asks if they know of anyone needing a hand. No one does, so as a last resort she calls the bar she was at the night before and asks if they need help. Thankfully, the bar tender, feeling bad about what Roger and Corina did to her,  agrees to pay cash for washing dishes and cleaning up each night after closing.

"Well it's not much, but at least you can earn some money."

"Then I can pay you back for your kindness," Loki says gratefully.

"No need to. I am happy to help. You start tonight so you should rest up. Bar closes late on Saturday nights.”

He starts to unfold his blanket from the previous night before she stops him, "you can sleep in my bed. It's darker in there and that way I won't disturb you out here."

"Thank you. I appreciate that," Loki answers as he heads into the bedroom. Once in there he changes back into the sleep pants she let him borrow. When he lays down he catches her scent on the pillows. It's a pleasant smell. Something he thinks he could get used to. He has to admit that he finds Shelia intriguing. She is certainly attractive and has a nice body, curvy but also strong. She has spunk and a kind heart, but there is something underneath that. Like a wounded animal trying not to draw attention to itself, something he instinctively wants to protect.  He drifts off to sleep with her on his mind.

"Loki. Loki wake up," she says gently shaking him. He is startled by her touch and reflexively grabs her wrist, just like the previous night. She freezes, staring at him wide eyed as though she is waiting for him to do something. Slowly he releases her wrist and sits up.

"I'm sorry," He apologizes. "I didn't mean to do that."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have touched you,” she instantly apologizes, rubbing her wrist. “I'll drive you down to the bar and stay a little while. Joe said he will drive you home when he closes up."

Home. Loki thinks to himself as he looks around. When he was on trial he never imagined he would wake up in a strange woman's bed within 24 hours of being banished to earth. He gets up and goes into the bathroom to get ready for the night ahead. Hard work is not entirely foreign to him and he has no other plan at the moment, so he intends to make the best of it. Plus, he feels compelled to not disappoint Shelia. He puts a smile on his face and walks out into the living room.

"I should tell you, I told Joe your name is Eric. Loki is unusual and we don't want any issues," she explains as they leave of the house.

"Makes sense," he concedes, walking to the car.

At the bar she walks up to Joe and introduces Loki to him. Joe immediately puts him to work in the back. It's Saturday night and the bar is busy. Shelia takes a seat at the counter and orders a drink. "So how do you know Eric?" Joe asks.

"He's just a friend. Down on his luck right now and needs a little help," Shelia responds taking a sip of her drink.

"Well I can use the help so I guess it worked out… and I’m really sorry about what happened last night. I didn’t know you were seeing Roger until you came in with him.  He has a bit of a reputation."

Shelia only nods and continues to sip at her drink.  Looking over to the end of the bar where she had sat with Roger just the night before she muses about the drastic change in circumstances in just 24 hours.

When she finishes her drink, she heads home for the evening. While she watches TV there is a knock at the door. She opens the door without checking and instantly regrets it when she sees Roger standing there. "What do you want?" she spits out.

"Is he here?" Roger Snarls at her, eyes darting around the room.

"None of your business. What do you want?" she repeats.

"Is he here?" he says raising his voice and grabbing her arm when he doesn’t see anyone else in the house. When she doesn't answer he starts to squeeze until it hurts.

"Fuck! Ok, no. He isn't here," she gasps.

"Did you sleep with him?" he asks squeezing harder.

"No! He's just a friend!" she insists to get him to stop hurting her.

Letting go of her arm Roger takes a step into the house. "I can forgive you for having him here. But it better never happen again. No one touches what's mine."

"What? Forgive me? I didn't do anything," she says backing into the house towards the kitchen.

Roger advances on her until she bumps into the counter next to the door. At the same time, King comes stalking in the room from the bedroom. He is growling and focused on Roger. When Roger looks to King, Shelia opens the cabinet drawer behind her and grabs the gun that is hidden there. Pointing it directly at Rogers's chest she tells him, "It's time for you go Roger. I told you, it's over."

"You won't shoot me, I know your type," he says taking another step towards her. Before she can respond King begins to bark and lunges at him. He latches his jaws around Rogers arm as he stumbles back towards the door.

"King down! Heel!" Shelia commands.

The dog releases his hold as Roger opens the door behind him. He hurriedly darts out and pulls it shut. Shelia runs to the door and locks it behind him. She hears his truck start and he tears out of the driveway. She puts the gun on the TV Stand then walks to every window and the back door making sure they are all locked as she begins to tremble. When she is finished she sits down on the couch and takes a deep shaky breath and only then begins to cry. Shelia curls on up the couch while King lays on the floor in front of her.