Chapter One

I didn't think I would survive…

Why can't I see anything…where am I? What is that noise…? Why can't I move? I can barely even fucking think straight, what the hell happened? There's a buzzing noise in one ear and something beeping in the other. How annoying. Damn, what's on my eyes!?

Wait…no, nothing's on my eyes…am I asleep? They're so heavy…I feel so weary, so fucking weak, I feel like I have to throw up…what's wrong with me? Fuck it. I'm opening my eyes.

The bright light above me…hurts. There's a radiator to my left and life-support shit to my right. I'm tucked under two thick blankets and I'm still freezing. There's a small window behind the radiator. It's pouring outside…I'm not at home, am I? I'm not at the guild either, fuck I'm in a hospital. I can't afford a fucking hospital…! There's a desk to my right. On it, a vase. At least I think there's a vase; I can't even see it with all the damn roses. What happened to me anyway? Why am I in a hospital, and why can't I move my own body? I can't stay awake any longer; I have to close my eyes.

But why can't I sleep…?

He couldn't remember much of what happened two weeks ago. His guild was under attack. It was demolished once more and needed repairs. Outside the window, one could see the rubble of the guild hall. The area was so quiet…Natsu probably did something…there was a battle, I bet he finished it. I can't stop thinking about it though. I heard someone call my name, but who?

The door opened. "Mr. Redfox?" a woman called, "Are you awake?" It was a nurse. But the sound of her voice wasn't the same as the sound he just heard. "Mr. Redfox?"

He opened his eyes, silent.

"…do you remember anything?"

"No." His voice cracked. The nurse almost couldn't make out what he said. "How much do you remember?"

He remained silent. She waited quietly for an answer. It was hard to think straight like this. He could barely see, move, and he couldn't feel anything. It was a whole minute before he'd finally spoke.

"I remember fighting."

"Do you remember what you were fighting?" She said as she took his numb arm. She took off the dirty bandage, revealing re-opened scars from so long ago; when he met his dragon father. He felt his heart stop, but still… "No."

"Mm." She re-wrapped his arm, hiding the wounds. "Well…you were very brave."

She left, leaving behind a warm rag on his head. I was…?

There were loud noises surrounding him. He heard the noises of wood and concrete becoming rubble all around him. He was in a building…but where? The guild. He was in the guild during the fight, he had to be. But he couldn't see. He couldn't see, but he could feel light touches of people bumping into him. He could hear loud screams of his comera—of his associates. Then he heard the loudest scream. The loudest scream was the one he'd heard before, but he still couldn't make out who it was.

"GAJEEL!"

His eyelids shot up, and if it weren't for the broken neck, he'd been out of the bed. This bed was no hospital bed, though, it was far too cozy. The room was lit dimly, only lightened by the sunrise shining through the window to his left, giving the room an orange tint. The scent was metallic, mixed with some sort of lavender. He was home

Why am I home? Who bought me home? Why does it smell so sweet? There are fresh clothes beside me…that's not it. No, there's a melted candle to my right. That's the smell. I like it.

Someone walked in. Damn, I can't see who. That must be Lily…It is. He has bandages. I'm getting changed again.

"The wounds are starting to heal, but I think they're gonna leave bigger scars…" He said.

"I think so too."

The next few minutes were silent. Pantherlily finished cleaning the wounds and began wrapping his arm, before moving on to his chest, which Gajeel couldn't' even see. "Lily."

"Ne?" he responded.

"…why can't I remember anything?"

He didn't respond. Why won't he respond? Dammit, what is going on!? "Lily?"

"Gajeel," he paused, "You were very brave." He stepped out of the room. Gajeel wanted to scream but he couldn't. Moving his head alone would send him right back to the hospital. "How long was I out?" he muttered to himself. It felt like it'd been a day.

Gajeel closed his eyes in attempt to rest, but he couldn't go back to sleep. He wanted to know what happened. He wanted to know why he was injured, why his scars were opened, and why no one would tell him the answers. These questions made him feel uneasy. He couldn't relax. I just have to breathe. He'll answer someday; he has to tell me eventually…he HAS to.

But he couldn't.