Author's Note
okay, so im sure some of you connected the dots like leoslady4ever, and realized how much the prologue reminds you of Carrie Underwood's song Blown Away. ding ding, it inspired the beginning of this song, as i thought it'd be a unique way to describe Lucy's orphanage-ing lol new word right there... anyways, here's chapter 1! i feel bad cause i posted this before my other updates, but oh well! im really enjoying how this story is going so far, so hopefully it picks up and people can enjoy reading it too. in this chapter you'll see some of how Lucy's power works in this AU. any lyrics used are strictly my own and not plagiarized. but as always i own none of hiro's characters or fairytail. wellp enjoy! love cherry
She's Gone
Chapter Two: Going West?
Lucy didn't look back when she passed the wreckage she once called home. She didn't even stop to search for her dad's body amongst the ruin. He can lay in the bed he made. She knew she should've felt sorrow, remorse and guilt even, at the loss of her father, but all she felt was sorrow for the life she could've had. For the man and father he could've been. But all he contributed to the world in the end was malice, pain, and a small boost in local alcohol sales. She had no regrets. What's done is done.
Instead, with her chin held high and canvas bag hanging off her shoulder she walked down the road, going wherever her feet led her. The clouds still rumbled above, no longer with angry threats, but with cleansing encouragement spurring her forward towards a new start. Lucy didn't give any more thought to the life she left behind, and as she approached her neighbor's driveway, couldn't help the feeling of hope that bubbled within. Beth had always been the grandmother she'd never had. Lucy and her mother would always visit the widow, staying for dinner and homemade pie when things got too tough at home. Lucy knew Beth was sincere in her offer to have Lucy come stay with her, as the woman had always been a sanctuary when Lucy needed to escape her father. So she walked onward down the dusty and debris littered road, as a small nagging began to surface.
Suddenly she felt restless, her mother severely whispering in her ear Hurry hurry! Making Lucy's stomach plummet wickedly. Her pace quickened as she began to run down the path. Lucy ignored the rubble on the driveway, ignored what her mind was telling her she'd see once she got over the hill. But Lucy ran faster, eager to prove her worried mother wrong. As she crested the hill she careened to a breathless stop. Spread out below her was one more victim of the tornado's destructive path. Lucy dropped her duffle bag and rushed down the dirt driveway to her family friend's destroyed home, her heart hammering against it's cage.
"Beth!" she shrieked, panic's icy fingers gripping her fast, as she approached the wreckage. Only the teetering flag pole stood, stubbornly fastened to the ground by cement. Lucy called out once more before clambering through the pile of broken siding, furnature, and glass. She caught sight of a pale hand jutting out from underneath part of the kitchen wall, a cordless phone still in Beth's grip. Lucy sucked in shallow gasps, praying and trying not to sob. Not caring about the glass slicing into her hands, Lucy pushed at the siding, adrenaline coursing through her veins. After much pushing, the thin wall finally came away, and Lucy dropped to her knees amidst the ruin. Her prayers would go unanswered once again.
"Oh Beth." Lucy wept as she cradled her friend's head in her lap. She tried to ignore the angry red gash that marred the older woman's elegant neck, and brushed the long silvery hair from Beth's face. Was this karma? Did God see fit to punish her for carrying through revenge that wasn't hers? Lucy just couldn't understand it- why did Beth have to die? As a born medium, she knew death was just another open door in the grand scheme of things, but she failed to grasp how it picked and chose who stayed and who went. She felt someone pet her hair, and almost thought she had seen a flash of blue from Beth's intact sundress. Should she bind Beth? Ask her to stay for just a while longer? Lucy knew it was selfish to ask the woman's shade to stay. She had earned her right to pass on and rest, but Lucy didn't want to be alone. She couldn't stand the thought of moving on without someone left to talk to.
Because as much as she hated to admit it, she'd noticed her mother's growing absence of late. Where once Layla was constantly watching over her daughter, taking up mostly silent guard, her visits were fewer and farther and in between. Her mother had only one foot in this world, the rest of her body wandering beyond for rest. Yes Lucy knew her mother's other spirit Ocirprain, who was bound by duty to their specific bloodline was always watching, but he was always so stoic and silent as was common with the Nordic demigods. Her mother said he angered the All Mother by being born a bastard of Odin, and was cursed to always wander the earth a spirit out of jealousy. So when he died, his spirit was forever tied to Maewin, Lucy's ancestor, the medium that bore his spirit onward. As such, he was a very grumpy man with goat horns, dagger like claws, and a mean looking face. Beth would be more lively, speaking softly in Lucy's ear, a constant companion because of her more recent passing. Lucy looked up at the shade before her and knew she'd have to act fast before Beth found her joy in the afterlife. Already she was fading.
"I'll only bind you for a little Beth..." Lucy promised as she hesitantly stood to leave the woman's cold body. Wiping her cheeks, she searched through the wreckage for anything to make into a binding charm, and came up empty. Sighing in annoyance she realized she'd have to pilfer the opal pendant from around the woman's bloodied neck. It was considered rude and almost sacrilage between mediums to take from the body during departure, but Lucy had little choice. She bent down, careful with her handling of the fragile chain, and tried not to gag when her hand came away more bloody than before. Not all of it her own, and in irritation she remembered her cut hands. That could wait. Lucy wiped the gemstone pendant off on her shirt before giving it a gentle kiss. Only for a little bit, she reasoned, and began the ritual of binding. A blood sacrifice, ground of the death's embrace, and the chant- more for tradition than anything. In reality the chant is to repeat the deceased's name, making them curious enough to stick around in order to hear what is being said about them, slowing their departure to the afterlife in order to fully complete the ritual. Lucy wrapped her untainted slashed hand around the gem and winced at the slight burn. It was working. She quickly stood and walked to the nearest bare spot of dirt, eager to finish the macabre rite, before scuffing up an area and dropping the pendant in the gouged earth. Lightly dusting dirt over the opal, she began muttering the song, mimicking it exactly as her mother had taught her. As she sang, she saw her mother began to twist and spin before her, each step carefully planted firmly with glee. Her daughter would grow to be a strong mage someday. If only she had lived long enough to tell her. To guide her. Now she'd have to work hard with Beth, tiring herself, hastening her ascent to the afterlife- all worth it to get Lucy to her ultimate destination.
To death we go,
Tired and estranged,
With bated breath and slow,
Heart finally uncaged.
Come thou quick,
Fly back once more,
Through veil thick,
Mine voice no longer ignore.
Silent whisps and dark shadow,
Bright star and brilliant Sun,
Once more return Callow,
Your journey here is left undone.
Beth once more return,
The earth your resting plane,
In life help me learn,
Be death's mine eternal bane.
Come thou quick,
Fly back once more,
Through veil thick,
Mine voice no longer ignore.
Friend in life,
Friend in death,
Be mine protector,
Until mine end.
Still humming the tune, she watched in bittersweet joy at the way her mother danced around her, never missing a beat to the mutually common ballad. Death's song, her mother had called it. She said death couldn't help but smile in favor at the woman who winkled it out of another tenant with such a clever tune. Thus, it allowed a bind to occur. Of course the lyrics itself were only a couple hundred years old, but the tune her mother said, was timeless and archaic. Passed down for generations from the first Shade Monger. A charmer, a vixen, foxes we are. Thieves of death. Whatever we wished to be called was our own choice, but the modern label for Lucy was medium, and that's all she needed. The binding was over when the tune ended after she unearthed the pendant, and she looked up, Beth's ethereal form dimming. Lucy almost panicked when her mother's words of wisdom came back to her.
You'll think they left, but turn your eye, and you'll see them there in the corner. There I'll always be, until you call on me to fight. Her mother had said while still living. Layla had also asked Lucy to bind her, but when she passed, Lucy loved her mother too much to take away the freedom of such a choice. So instead she took her mother's bracelet- to keep her near, but never in her command. Even now she could see her mother grasp Beth's hand in a warm welcome. Both smiled down at the blossoming woman on her knees, before sliding from view. But Lucy turned her eyes, and there they were still. There they'd always be.
As she stood, ready to leave it all behind, she could hear happy murmurs carry away from her on the wind. Lucy left Beth's body to be found by the authorities, and sadly realized no one would be at the station to claim the body. They were all each other had. With a new sense of purpose, Lucy strode away from the mess, feeling gentle pushing on her back. She knew family was guiding her. She'd be alright. She'd make it somehow. The storm above was beginning to quiet.
"Is this gonna be it?" The gas clerk asked sourly from behind the counter. His customer only nodded in response, before paying and swiftly taking his leave. Raven-haired and mean, the young man quietly sauntered towards his black Harley. He sat down roughly on the seat, before popping the top on his tall boy of amber ale. Damn heat. This place would be perfect for flame-head. Fucking fag. He was more than ready to be home in California. Where it was dry and kept to itself. Here, in the south, it was muggy, humid, and intimate. Everyone wanted to know the why, what, who, where and how of each and individual passing through. Here women were just as quick with their wit as their drawl was slow and sweet. And that could be dangerous to a man like him with a weakness for soft women. Taking a swig of his beer, he felt the cold hoppy liquid rush down his parched throat, not caring who saw him drink before riding. Let them stare. Although one stare in particular caught him off guard, and tried not to let the way they bored into his back bother him. He casually glanced around the small gas station parking lot and glared back at an unnerving curious set of chocolate brown eyes. The chick would be hot if she didn't look like a touch of crazy. The wrong crazy. The kind that talked to imaginary friends and drew circles in her head.
Crumpling the now empty can he thought on how long it'd been since he'd been laid. With a firm shake of his head he cleared away the thoughts the blonde across the way at the bench made him think. She was out of his league anyway. Probably some runaway heiress, trying to make a break for it because daddy took away her BMW for a week. She was probably pampered, innocent and naive, spoiled and stubborn. Not at all the kind of trouble a traveling stranger needed. But once more he shot her a quick glance, and couldn't help but admire the delicious curves leading up to a beautiful heartshaped face. And once more, those strangely addicting eyes were watching him, almost memorizing not just him but the space he took up. It unsettled him, almost even made him self-conscious. But a man like him didn't get self-conscious. So he stood to throw away the empty can and shrugged off her glance, hoping she'd get the memo and stop staring. As he leaned over the trash he debated drinking the other still waiting in his bag, and tried to clear his mind. Somehow the girl with the beautiful long blonde hair had wiggled into his head, throwing him off his usually solemn and sturdy attitude, and he wasn't used to any feelings of vulnerability. It almost made him sick. She had looked at him like she knew him. Inside and out, every dirty and hidden deed, but she didn't shirk away. Didn't look away in disgust. Just looked at him unapologetically like she knew and accepted him for it, like he couldn't be anything else but what she saw he was. What he really was. And that made his stomach turn. Who did this girl think she was? Don't worry bub, she's just some chick you'll be leaving behind at this podunk gas station. But those damn eyes- her knowing little smile- he wracked his brain trying to figure out their alluring effect and why he wanted to sit himself down next to her, if only to be near her.
Muttering to himself he turned back to his bike, to be greeted with those damn eyes once again, except they belonged to a body not 3 feet away. He had to force his hands to not fidget as she inched closer. How'd she manage to sneak up on him? He normally had an amazing conscious awareness about what went on around him.
"You're going west?" The blonde asked with a sweet drawl, before giving him a tentative smile. Fuck me.
"Him." Beth murmured in Lucy's ear, and she felt her chin being turned towards the heated parking lot. Beth had to be kidding. A biker? With long black hair and piercings? No thank you.
"I don't think so." Lucy mumbled before plopping down on the warm bench along the station wall. The couple hour walk from her hometown to that point had been tiring albeit uneventful. And the growing weight from her duffel bag only added to her fatigue. Already she was travel weary and it hadn't even been a whole day. But Beth urged her on, saying someone ahead would greatly help Lucy. But as Lucy glanced back at the somber-looking man gulping down a cold beer, she thought Beth must be crazy in the afterlife as well.
"That's him." And Lucy could barely see the woman cross her arms in annoyance.
"Beth you can't be serious!" Lucy strictly whispered. The man was drinking a beer for goodness sake- what, was water not good enough for him on a muggy day? Was he too hard for simple liquid? And he had to be driving a Harley of all things- but as Lucy ticked off her mental list she couldn't help but think he pulled off the bad boy look all too well. She gave up trying to look coy as she stared- she just couldn't help herself. Her eyes were tugged to him of their own accord, something within wakening at the thought of traveling with the man. Anxiety, fear, exhilaration, and something else she couldn't put her finger on. Reading his aura, she almost gasped from the size and complexity. This man had a lot of weight and past sins on his shoulders, not all of it by his choice. No wonder he was so grumpy and closed-off. He had every right- just like she did. Her eyes then swept down his toned torso, to the firm leather clad legs that straddled the beastly bike. Lucy could almost hear Beth snicker at Lucy's wandering eyes, but found that she didn't care.
Her eyes then drifted up to his face, and in embarrassment realized he had caught her staring. But the returning look of silent appraisal shocked her. He had lazily checked her out before his eyes narrowed in silent warning. Back off they said, before he finished off his beer. Heat rushed through Lucy's body at the thought of the dangerous man checking her out- none of it negative. Turning back to the water she held in her bandaged hands with humiliation at being caught, Lucy debated walking further down the road to hitchhike. And as if an answer she felt a firm nudge on her shoulder.
"Go! He'll be leaving!" Beth voicelessly urged impatiently, making Lucy sigh. I must be insane to be listening to a spirit. But Lucy's mom had always told Lucy to trust her spirit's instincts- they rarely steered their keeper's wrong. Lucy peeked over her shoulder, getting a quick glance at Beth's stern face, and realized her mother had disappeared again. As usual Ocirprain was gone, but Lucy had seen more of him in the past 5 hours than she had all her life. He must be worried about her, and it made her smile.
"Fine." Lucy grumbled as she stood and hefted her bag over her shoulder. She would have to make it clear later that this was by her choice, not under the shade's influence. Lucy, based off her own unique and strange draw to the man had chosen him as a traveling partner. The atmosphere around her calmed as Beth gave her silent approval, and Lucy searched for the studded man. Finding him at pump 4's garbage she slowly began to approach him, his oppressive presence almost acting as a shield. This guy needs counseling Lucy scoffed to herself, before remembering her place. He didn't know she knew, but, she knew.
"He's going west too." Beth breathed, and Lucy had to refrain from shushing her. It's not like the man could hear the shade. Lucy heard the man mutter as he turned, and she sucked in a quick breath as her stomach did flip-flops. If only her friends could see her now, she never talked to random strangers. And always got stage fright.
"You're going west?" She hopefully asked, and she watched him spew a surprised breath before getting his bearings. Up close Lucy could see how darkly handsome he was, and surprisingly felt herself calm slightly in his company. Exactly the opposite of what she was expecting. His studded brow knit together in a fierce glare, and Lucy observed him debate whether to answer her or shove her aside. He was very obviously at war with himself and some deeper desire.
"Your parents ever tell you to not talk to strangers?" He brusquely asked before brushing her aside rudely, trying to scare her off. Lucy huffed in frustration as he waltzed away, and she stubbornly followed him much to Beth's glee. Things were going as planned.
"Look I know you're going west," his eyebrows furrowed more, "And I need a ride. I'll pay you to take me as far as you can." Lucy almost pleaded. She wasn't above begging if she had to. The young biker fixed her with a scowl before tugging on his helmet. It was disconcerting to him that she knew his direction of travel.
"That's what buses are for," he chided in his deep voice, "don't go round asking people for rides." Lucy was about to retort before the blare of a revved engine cut her off. She watched as the grumpy biker pulled out of the busy gas station parking lot, and glared at his receding form headed towards the highway exit. Without looking down the road she knew he'd take the interstate.
"That went well." Lucy grumbled in annoyance, chastising Beth. But shades don't have to live with the consequences of their actions, so Beth only smiled back knowingly. Lucy would see in time. But instead she ignored the inquisitive glances of the various patrons going about pumping gas and stomped back to her seat at the bench.
"Just wait." the wind whisked Beth's words away as Lucy hunched over her recently opened bag of jerky. Today just wasn't getting better.
The unfamiliar road stretched in front of him, carrying it's travelers like a busy vein. He tried to focus on the asphalt in front of him, but his mind kept drifting back to the blonde at the gas station. Why, of all the nicer and mediocre people that were there did she have to walk up and ask him for a ride? What was she doing hitchhiking anyways? He was wrong about one thing- the girl wasn't some spoiled heiress. He could clearly read that in her eyes, the way she held herself. She was like him- alone and broken. Shaking his head he told himself he didn't care- just some girl he'd never see again. But that wasn't true either. She wasn't just some girl. And as the wind whipped by he realized what that strange pull that he had towards her was- she really was like him.
Never leave our kind behind. We take care of our own, his master had instilled in all his guildmates' heads. He could go back, offer her the ride she initially wanted, but what if she wasn't there? He'd be wasting his precious time and gas, while slowing down the trip that safety required he make quickly. As he rode, the girl's strange eyes and kind smile tugged on his heartstrings, or what was left of them. Some primal urge, a deeper need to go back and protect the girl made him squirm in his seat. It'd only been 5 minutes and already the feeling was becoming uncomfortable. He gave up the fight and growled, looking for the nearest exit. Now on his way back, the same unbearable tug he had been feeling for the past 10 minutes began to loosen the closer he got to the gas station. With displeasure he decided then and there he hated the draw mages felt towards one another. He had no idea why it was so strong this time, with this very girl, as he'd been able to bypass other nearby mages without so much as a blink. Whatever it was, he was sure the girl had felt it too. Why else had she gone out her of comfort zone to approach him?
"Beth I'm just going to go find a hotel. It's getting late." Lucy muttered under her breath, and was rewarded with a drop in the surrounding temperature. Beth was not happy.
"He's not coming back, so let's-" Lucy was interrupted by the roar of a jet black Harley careening quickly around the corner. In shock she watched it stop in front of where she sat, and ignored Beth's smug smirk from the corner of her eye. He was back? With grace the stern rider removed his helmet before snorting in derision.
"How far west do you need to go?" He grumbled begrudgingly, as if it wasn't his decision to come back for her at all. Lucy was beyond confused, and thought about a response. Beth had been right, but Lucy wondered what motive made the man change his mind. He didn't seem like the type to do it often. But something inside her kept screaming for her to do it, just go crazy and accept and ride off into the sunset with the mystery man.
"Why'd you come back?" Lucy questioned, trying not to admire the fierce burning in his eyes. His strangely reddish eyes. He clenched his jaw in frustration, before responding. He wasn't used to answering for himself.
"I could always leave again." He grumbled, gesturing back to the open road. Lucy shot him one more curious look through narrowed eyes. She really shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and she could hear Beth whining for her to hurry and say yes before the guy up and left. But the very fact that he had come back made her suspicious. Still...
Lucy stood, and pulled the long strap of her pack over her chest. She took his now offered helmet from his extended hand and looked at the spot where she'd be sitting. She wasn't used to being so close to men, let alone strange handsome ones, and knew the beginning of the trip would be uneasy. And one glance at the man before her confirmed her suspicion that the feeling was mutual. He even managed a small grimace. My god I'm not that bad...
Little did Lucy know he was berating himself for giving into his weakness- sweet women in distress. As well as the stupid draw both were succumbing to at the moment. He watched her put on his helmet, and couldn't help enjoying the little fantasy that played out in his mind. She'd look so damn hot wearing that helmet, straddling my bike in ONLY that helmet... Then maybe she can straddle... Suddenly his fantasy was cut short when he felt awkward hands grip his shoulders for support. At contact, both felt shivers of attracted electricity bolt down their spines, neither wanting to admit to themselves how much they took pleasure in it. But only to himself did he think of how nice her body settled and pressed behind him felt. Her delicious smell overpowered his sensitive nose, and he breathed in the distinctly feminine perfume. It was heaven. Nothing like engine oil, chapped leather, cologne, and sweat. All woman. He turned to ask her name, but stopped at the sight of her mumbling to something over his shoulder. Great- I picked up a genuine loony mage. Feeling eyes on her, Lucy turned to sheepishly smile at the dark man in front of her.
"Umm what's your name?" She asked, embarrassed that he had caught her talking to Beth. Of course he can't see what I see unless Beth let's him. He just shook his head, determined to keep his nose out of whatever kind of crazy she was, before smoothing his long black hair and putting on his aviators.
"Gajeel." he grumbled, and the iron horses roared to life.
