"Well, that goes without saying," Loki pointed out, and it seemed ludicrous that seeing her roll her eyes at him would give him so much pleasure, but they were living in absurd times.

As they continued to walk, the sky began to lighten with the coming dawn. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but danger no longer seemed imminent.

Up ahead, he could see the fractured skeleton of what was once a building. A cabana, perhaps. His eyes scanned the trees, but he saw no signs of life, apart from the birds inhabiting the canopy.