-milk
-bread
-double A batteries
-toothpaste
-shampoo
-bring mom a candle
-refill prescription

I check over my list, seemingly millions of times before I leave the house. 'Am I forgetting anything? I got my bag. Do I have my house keys? Where's my phone?! Wait! Back pocket.' My anxious brain races faster than light as I attempt to keep focused. The store is just a 30-second walk from my house. Not that bad, right? Just keep your feet forwards. With my memory, however, I'd lose my mind if not for constant lists and reminders. Such an idiot, but that's just me I guess. Shit! Forgot! I open the door a crack, speaking loudly. "Bye, mom! I'll be back in a minute!" I shut the door again, my feet clumsily sloshing against puddles and damp asphalt. My body seems to sway, my steps indicating a fragile structure. Faded crimson and vermilion hues dangle from tree limbs as they sway gently in the Autumn breeze, while the pale blue sky above becomes dulled down with the threat of approaching storms.

As I reach the shelter of the grocery plaza, the clouds fulfill their threat, with spells of roaring thunder accompanying the calming trickle of thin rain sheets. I smile gently to myself. I've always found a refuge in the loud pitter-patter and rumble that rage outside. It's given me comfort. Though, my mom hates it with a passion.

Some nights when she was asleep and it was particularly "bad" outside, I thought to sneak out and play. I'd dance to the beat my brain played for me. I was free. But I didn't get caught until I got sick. My door remained locked at night ever since. The audible patter against pavement calms my nerves and I step inside.

Certainly busier than usual. But I guess that's just the kind of day it is. Plus, it's not like it's not normal in a city like this to have days where customers overflow the aisles and checkout. But what really got to me was the fact that people seemed as uneasy as I am, if not more so. They know it's just a storm...right? I find myself taking a deep breath, making my way to the toiletries aisle. I go to pull the list out of my pocket...and my eyes go wide in panic.

Where is it?!?! My heart goes wild, almost matching my now rapid breath. I swear I had it when I left! It was right here! I check all over, but it ends fruitlessly. Shit!

I try calming myself, the storm outside finding its way to my ears. 'Alright...it can't be that bad. There are only a few items...' I take a deep breath, scanning the familiar items as I walk. Toothpaste! I snatch it hastily off the shelf, placing it in my bag. Next stop: soaps. My feet walk towards the next aisle when a loud crash shakes the ground beneath me, and the sound of rain is no longer muffled.

Hairs stand against my neck as the cold air rushes against my skin. I look in the direction of the disturbance to see a man dressed in green and gold. Rain pours in from above while rubble litters the floor around him. The sound doesn't calm me as it is unable to be heard through the sounds of screams and fear. More of the roof starts collapsing and I do the one thing I can think of as his elegant chaos makes his way in my direction. Without thinking, I run towards him and tackle him to the ground. I don't even know if he's the culprit...but my instincts tell me to fight. He lands back first before me, regaining his composure relatively quickly. All I remember next is I find myself holding him in a headlock, soaking wet and surrounded by shocked onlookers. His lip was a tad bruised and he was barely conscious...

The chaos had stopped. What the hell did I do?! Shock grips me and I can't think. Can't move. Everything seems to freeze. The rain, the people, my heart, everything. I don't recall anything from just moments before.

Everything remains frozen until a man who seems just a few years older than me puts what seems to be a...muzzle? Yeah, they put a metal muzzle over his chin. "Alright, Loki...Thor's gonna have a word or two with you when you-" The man stops, looking at me shocked. "...You're not Natasha. Uhm, alright then. Uh..." I stay frozen as I finally recognize the man in red white and blue. "...You're Captain America."

As the words leave my lips, more people show up...The Avengers are here. And they all seem shocked. Uneasy. As though I had just...like I told them that a llama was tap-dancing on their heads. Suddenly, I felt as though i was suffocating in the silence. I stand to my feet and grab my bag, quickly heading towards the next aisle. It felt stupid, but I still had shopping. Just grab it and go. Just like any other day. Only today was mind-numbingly silent.

I scan the aisle again for my regular shampoo when another man rushes towards me. I tense up...but he stops before reaching me. Almost as though there was a barrier between us. I finally find my soap, placing it in my bag and continue for the next item. "M'lady, I deeply apologize for my brother who hath caused you much trouble. May I ask the name of the Midgardian female who hath foiled his rampage?" The world seems dizzy around me. I'm obviously dreaming. There is absolutely no possible way any of this is real. I stop walking for a moment and bite my hand as hard as I can, only to be met with stabbing pain and an immediate indent where my teeth landed. "M'lady?!" A bruise starts forming, and blood beads up from behind a flap of skin. Definitely not dreaming...and now I need a bandage.

"Ow!" I wrap my mouth around the tender area. "Huh...guess it is real." I continue walking, grabbing a loaf of whole wheat bread. My mother never liked any others. "Miss? Are you alright?" A strong hand softly grips my shoulder and my muscles tense, slipping from under him. "Gahh! Please don't do that!" My skin seems to crawl where he touched, a small hole in the fabric where spark reached my skin. Small bits of hair stood on end. "I apologize. I did not mean to cause further damage. But I still wish to ask your name."

Whole milk...whole milk...there we go. The cold metallic handle soothes my bite as I swing the door open, grabbing a gallon of the white liquid. "I'm Donnie. Donnie Charm. And yourself?" I turn to face the tall man, realizing I hadn't really seen any of his features. His shoulder-length hair shines gold, forming soft waves. A blood-red cape barely reaches the floor, attached to a silver chest plate. He stands just inches taller than me, but it's enough to make me nervous. And in his hand, he holds...a mallet? No, it's smaller. More square. Like a double-sided hammer. The handle wrapped in some sort of leather, and a loop on the bottom to keep it in hand. His empty hand reaches in-between us, hoping to shake mine. As I inspect his hand, he finally speaks. "Thor. God of thunder." I set down my bag and cautiously take his hand in mine, shaking it. His lips curl into a pleased, kind smile. I return the smile, calm...until my brain clicks and I panic again.

"So, let me get this straight...you're God of thunder...and the man I just defeated is your brother. Good so far?" His head nodded at me. "Correct. Adopted, but still family." My voice starts to waver a bit. "So that makes...Lukey, is it?" Thor shakes his head a bit. "No, Loki. He's the god of mischief...though, I believe-" "I TOOK DOWN A FUCKING GOD?!" I covered my mouth immediately. Calm down. You just found out that you are going absolutely insane. No big deal. His eyes scanned me in curiosity and his hand retracted. "...i assume you've never been in a position such as this." "I've never even fought before! How the hell was I strong enough to take down a frickin' god of tricks!" My voice cracks a bit in utter astonishment. The corners of his lips curl into a large grin, chuckling in amusement. "Mischief. Although, he does like pulling pranks more often than not." He carefully grips my shoulder again, this time no spark. "How would you like to keep my brother from inflicting more damage, Miss Donnie Charm?"

Almost as soon as he mentions the damage, i look over the store. Rubble being moved to help people out... Some were injured. Some dead. But it was only towards the front of the store. The majority was saved...but even then I felt guilty. Then my eyes wander towards the front of the store. The man named Loki was being restrained. I couldn't have hurt him badly...right? I mean, he's a god...but why does he look hurt? Why do I feel so guilty when he hurt people? As they carry him away, i can feel his eyes bore beneath my skin, burning hatred seeping into my very bones and I shudder. Almost unconscious as they lead him out of the door. I grip my bag tightly in my hands and freeze yet again. "...What do I have to do?" I turn my head to face the god before me.

His smile grows again and I calm. "It is not entirely necessary for you, but it is greatly appreciated and helpful. You are free to decline at any time if you so desire." I shake my head. "I'm not one to say no if my help is needed." He pauses for a minute. Just a minute. But it feels more drawn out. Like he's considering all the possible responses to his question. Is he worried? Happy? Disappointed? "We have containment for him. A 'cell' as Midgardians tend to call it..." He starts walking towards the front of the store. Towards the people cheering. Towards the checkout. I only need one more thing, and then i can leave. "We have restrictions to hold him in place. But as we come into more and more contact with danger, we cannot watch him closely enough. I wish to know if you would keep close to him. You will receive payment, and shelter if you accept. If you deny, then you go about your daily schedule as usual."

As exciting as it sounds...i have my mother. And i have my anxiety, and my pills, and my sanity...am i ready for something like this? "I do not wish for you to be trapped," he continues, "But i also do not wish for him to cause any more damage. So, will you assist?" My gaze once again meets his. A sparkle in his eye gives me hope. It gives me courage. "...i accept." I hold out my hand, and he takes it in his once again. "But first, i must pay for my items and grab some necessities from home." His face brightens. "Then I shall be your escort!" His voice booms enthusiastically, the cheering bystanders crowding us.

I can't hear anything over the sound of cheers. We finally make it past the group, and I pick up batteries. A cashier rushes from the mass, helping me. "This is everything." He nods excitedly as the items he holds seem to fly across the scanner. Thor just looks around, bored and a tad bit restless. Once the young boy finishes, i pay and leave, only to be dragged out by Thor. "Hey!"