Alex stopped at the doorway and looked back at Thor. "You're free to rest here now. I won't chain you, but I'll keep an eye on you from a step back. That's all."
Thor lowered his head, his voice heavy. "Do what you want. Watch me or leave me. It doesn't matter. I am worthless now anyway."
He let the words drop into the silence. For a moment, Alex just watched him. Then, without speaking, he gave a small nod—almost like respect—and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Alex stepped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him. He lingered only a moment, eyes on the handle, then turned and walked quietly down the narrow hall of the old motel. The storm rattled against the windows, wind whistling through cracks in the frame. Without another word, Alex slipped into the room next door and shut it behind him.
At the far end of the lot, Jane, Darcy, and Erik had been waiting near the car. Their eyes stayed fixed on the battered building where Thor had been taken. The neon sign flickered overhead, humming faintly.
Darcy hugged her coat tighter, glancing nervously at the glowing motel sign. "So… what, we just stand out here while the government guys stash thunder-boy in some dingy room?"
Jane's jaw tightened, her worry clear. "We can't just leave him in there. He doesn't belong locked up like some criminal."
Erik shook his head, his tone sharp with caution. "Jane, think. You saw what fell out of the sky, you saw the crater. That man isn't ordinary—he's something far bigger than us. If the government has locked him away, there's probably a reason."
Jane turned to him, her voice low but urgent. "That's exactly why we can't turn our backs. If he's who I think he is, then he doesn't deserve to be treated like a prisoner."
Erik adjusted his glasses, frowning deeply. "And if you're wrong? If he's dangerous? Walking in there could get us all arrested—or worse."
Darcy shifted uncomfortably, muttering, "Yeah, not really looking to add 'aiding and abetting space Viking' to my permanent record."
But Jane didn't move from where she stood, her eyes fixed on the rain-streaked window of the room. The flash of lightning lit her face, determined and pale. "Dangerous or not… he's still human in there. And no one deserves to be abandoned."
Erik pushed his glasses higher, exhaling slowly. "We may not get a choice, Jane. If this really is bigger than us, then meddling will only make it worse."
Before Jane could reply, a voice came from behind them.
"Hey."
They spun around, startled. A man stood at the edge of the lot, rain dripping off his shoulders, his tone calm as if he'd been listening the whole time.
"You folks looking for Thor?" the stranger asked. "You can see him. He's not tied up by the feds anymore. Free to walk out, if he wants."
Jane blinked, her heart jumping. "Wait—what? Who are you?"
The man gave a small shrug. "Doesn't matter who I am. What matters is he's not their prisoner anymore. If you care about him, go ahead—take him out."
Darcy leaned toward Jane, whispering loudly, "Uh, creepy much? Who just walks up in the rain and says that?"
Erik narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "How do we know this isn't a trap? Government agents, black vans, all of that—this could be one big setup."
The man didn't argue. He just tilted his head slightly toward the motel. "Believe me or don't. Either way, he's in there. It's your choice." And with that, he walked away into the storm, leaving them in uneasy silence.
Jane's hand trembled slightly as she reached for the car door. "If he's free… then I can't just leave him there. Not like this."
Erik grabbed her arm. "Jane, wait. This could be dangerous. What if that man wasn't lying but leaving him loose is worse?"
Jane shook her head stubbornly. "I don't care. Thor needs someone. I'm not leaving him alone."
Darcy bit her lip, glancing nervously between them. "Yeah, well, I'm not letting you walk into Viking-drama central by yourself."
Jane pulled her arm free and started toward the motel. Darcy hesitated, then followed after her.
Erik groaned, muttering under his breath, "This is insane," before finally moving to catch up with them.
The door creaked open under Jane's hand. She stepped inside with Darcy and Erik close behind her.
Thor sat in a worn motel chair, his shoulders slumped, his head lowered. The chains were gone, but he still looked weighed down.
"Thor?" Jane asked quietly.
He lifted his head. His eyes were tired, but calm. "Yes," he said in a low, steady voice. "I am here."
Jane let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Darcy tried to lighten the moment. "So, uh… not dead. That's good."
Thor glanced at them, a little surprised. "You came back. Why?"
Jane stepped forward. "Because you don't have to sit here by yourself."
Thor looked at her for a while before giving a small nod.
Behind her, Erik leaned closer to Darcy and muttered, "He's not like anyone else… he's not just some man."
Thor caught the words but didn't react strongly. He only said, "I was told the same."
Jane frowned. "Told by who?"
Thor didn't answer. He looked away, as if the question carried too much to explain.
Outside, two figures lingered in the shadows near the lot.
Phil Coulson stood with his hands in his coat pockets, watching the room. Next to him, Alex leaned against the wall, calm and still.
"You sure about this?" Phil asked without looking at him. "Letting him sit there with them? Could turn into a problem."
Alex kept his gaze on the window. "It's better this way. He needs time to feel human before he remembers what else he is."
Phil frowned slightly. "So that's the plan? Just let him sit in exile until something changes?"
Alex shrugged lightly. "He's not a prisoner. He's got to work it out himself. Keeping him here, with people who treat him like one of their own, is the only way he'll get there."
Phil finally turned his head toward him. "And you think he can break through? On his own?"
Alex gave a small half-smile. "Every seal breaks. Thor just has to decide who he wants to be when it happens."
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