The fog disappeared and Loki was still alone. Shaken, Loki looked around for the next spirit. He soon saw something out the corner of his eye. It was Red Skull in a black, hooded cloak. He said nothing, he just stared at Loki.  

"Am I in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?" Red Skull nodded in reply, "Spirit. I fear you more than any specter I have yet met."

"Oh, this is too scary. I don't think I want to see anymore," Ellie said as we watched from the church

"When you're right, you're right," I said before looking at you reading, "You're on your own, folks. We'll meet you at the finale."

Ellie and I left. Good luck, everyone.

"I am prepared to follow and to learn, with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?" Red Skull pointed to the distance, "Oh, yes, yes, the night is waning fast. Lead on, Spirit."

Red Skull led Loki away from the graveyard and into one of the many streets in London. It was pouring rain and some businessmen Loki knew were chatting in the distance. They were talking about a man who died the night before. One of them didn't know or care why the man was gone, he just wanted to know what the man had done with his money. They also mentioned that the funeral was probably very cheap and they couldn't see anyone going to it. Although, one of the men wouldn't mind going.

But only if there was Lunch provided there. Loki asked Red Skull who the men were talking about. Red Skull only pointed to a little place beside them. Loki looked in to see what was going on. It was four people also talking about the man who died and wished he had died sooner. They had gone into the house to steal things from the dead man. One of the people there was asking for goods from the dead man to sell. One gave him some collar buttons, another gave him some bed curtains, and the last one gave him a blanket.

Loki recognized most of the belonging as his. Then again, it could be anyones. Some could afford it too. Loki walked out to Red Skull saying he understood that the unhappy man might be him but he'd like to see something happier if there was any in this time. He only asked for something better because he didn't want to have to remember that conversation for the rest of his life. So, Red Skull took Loki to Tony's house. Loki was happy to see such a familiar sight. But it was so quiet. Too quiet for his liking.

Why was it so quiet? That's what Loki asked but Red Skull only pointed to the house. Loki didn't want to look. What if something heartbreaking had happened? What if he couldn't bear to see this happy family in a sad place? But Loki needed answers. He looked in the window to see everyone but Tony and Peter there. Pepper was trying by the fireplace. The twins saw that Pepper was crying again. Pepper blamed the fire but she was lying. Loki saw that as clear as day. He knew what happened.

Peter had died. Loki didn't want this to be true! Pepper wiped her tears away not wanting to be in that state when Tony came home. Their oldest son mentioned that Tony had been walking slower these past few evenings because he was late home again. But Tony had come home without Peter by his side. It was true. Peter had died of his illness. 

"How was the churchyard?" Pepper asked

"Oh, it'll be lovely, Pepper. It would have done you good to see how green the place is. I... I picked a spot for Peter where he can see... It-It's a spot on the hill... and you can see the ducks on the river. Peter..." Tony couldn't finish

"Peter always loved... watching the ducks on the river," Pepper finished for him

"Oh, Spirit, must there be a Christmas that brings this awful scene?" Loki asked but no answer from Red Skull, "How can they endure it?"

"It's all right, Children," Tony spoke up, "Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it. I am sure we shall never forget Peter... or this first parting that there was among us."

Just like Heimdall had said, there was a vacant seat by the chimney-corner and a crutch without an owner. Loki hated to see that scene with his own eyes but he knew he could change this moment. Loki and Red Skull returned to the graveyard from before. 

"Must we return to this place?"

No answer. 

"There's something else that I must know, is that not true?"

Nothing

"Spirit, I know what I must ask. I fear to, but I must. Who was the wretched man whose death brought so much glee and happiness to others?"

Still no verbal answer. He just pointed to a gravestone. It was covered in snow so Loki couldn't see the name written on it. Loki walked over to it but turned back to Red Skull.

"Answer me one more question. Are these the shadows of things that will be or are they the shadows of things that may be only?"

Back to pointing at the gravestone. Loki knew his answers would be on that wretched stone. Loki walked towards it

"These events can be changed."

Loki pointed to a different stone to ask if that was it but Red Skull pointed to one further along.

"A life can be made right."

Loki kneeled in front of the one Red Skull was pointing at. Loki wiped the snow away to reveal a name he didn't want to see.

"'Loki Laufeyson'," Loki read in tears, "Oh, please, Spirit, no. Hear me, I'm not the man I was. Why would you show me this if I was past all hope? I... I will honor Christmas and try to keep it all the year. I will live my life in the past, the present, and the future. I will not shut out the lessons the spirits have taught me. Tell me that I may sponge out the writing on this stone. Oh, Spirit, please speak to me."

Red Skull said nothing. Loki fell to his knees and tried into the cloak only for it to fall. He couldn't hear the wind blowing anymore. Only a ticking clock. The cloak had turned into bedsheets. He wasn't at the graveyard anymore. He was back home!