Chapter 2


Her predicament tears her apart inside. She wonders how her unseen nemesis could have hit upon the only and surest path to her slow, morbid destruction. For not many things in the world can affect Lucy Heartfilia as bitingly as isolation and loneliness. Having spent the better part of her childhood locked away in a mansion of richly seclusion, her teenage self has learnt to abhor loneliness. Now she has been pushed back, cruelly relegated back to the life that had drawn the very colour from her cheeks and the very fire from her soul. She now realises she doesn't only abhor isolation, she fears it.

The morning dawns as grey and turbulent as the storms raging within her. A part of her hates her utter helplessness, her inability to call out to her friends or break out of the conundrum swathing her. For truly, she understands the situation very little herself. She knows she battles an unknown nemesis, one who threatens the destruction of the very guild. She knows the force of evil that has brought her to the state she is in will soon turn its gaze upon the remaining members of the guild as well. A desire to warn them grows intensely within her, until her emotions bubble up in a hysterical scream. She can live with whatever black magic has surrounded her, but to have her friends in danger kills her deep within.

Her days seem endless, her companions dull and mechanical. She wonders how she has managed to spend the better part of her life cooped up in this abysmal excuse for a house. She frowns sadly as she sinks into the hot bath readied for her by her maid. The sweet scent of the bath oil overpowers her and she dreams of a simple shower, frayed towels and uninvited but secretly loved bath intruders.

A maid waits outside with her head bowed, curtseying prettily as she offers to help Lucy get dressed. But Lucy stares at the stifling clothes laid out on her bed and shakes her head firmly. "I can manage myself," Lucy nods at her maid and waves her out, "Thank you."

She pushes aside the ridiculous costume with its billowing skirts and rattling jewels with a certain malicious satisfaction. She cracks a slight smile as she hears the soft thud of the heavy material meet the floor. Dropping to her knees, she extends one arm beneath her bed and retrieves her simple blue skirt, white bodice and shrug. They are memories of a life she once lived. She quickly changes into them, marvelling at the presence they impart to her, marvelling at just how much safer she feels in clothes that mould themselves according to her character. She runs long fingers through her blonde hair, parting it into thick glistening bundles. She looks into the mirror and smiles for she sees Lucy Heartfilia of the Fairytail Guild smiling back at her.

Her nervous maid stands outside and claps her hand to her mouth the moment she sets eyes upon her mistress. "Oh madam!" She exclaims, "Mr. Heartfilia would not like it if you were to be seen in such clothes. Please let me help you change!"

Lucy catches a note of hysteria in her tone and realises just how much terror her father has instilled in his servants. A cold fist clutches her heart as her dislike towards him deepens. But she feels sorry for the poor girl stuttering before her, yet she knows she cannot dress in clothes that only serve to take her identity away from her. "Don't bother, Mischel," Lucy smiles kindly, "I shall deal with Father myself. I promise I won't let him find fault with you."

Lucy sidles away as Mischel utters faint protestations behind her back. Once outside she heaves a sigh of relief, having evaded the swarm of her Father's servants. She knows none of them mean her any ill-will. They but follow orders of the man who dictates their service. She knows they sympathize with her, yet the looming terror of Mr. Heartfilia clogs their love and help.

She walks along the sprawling estate oftentimes bemoaning the very girth of their family power. She wishes she belonged to a family smaller, safer, sweeter; a family concerned more with love than power and joy than money. She settles on the banks of a small pond at the very edge of the estate. Her long walk has done her good. She steadies her breathing and watches the soft ripples of the pond where a solitary leaf softly descends.

She clears her throat and suddenly mutters, "Erza, do you know how much I miss you?" Yet as the words cascade down her lips, she is struck with a sudden feeling of emptiness. It is as though with every word she utters, the reality of her loneliness settles with a frightening permanence. She rolls around Natsu's name in her mouth, almost as though she were tasting its familiarity. Yet she feels an overwhelming sense of nothingness. It is as though even words spoken out loud refuse to give her comfort.

"Loke!" She exclaims suddenly. And the name rests softly in her mouth. Something about addressing him seems more real and comforting. She leans back and shields her eyes from the glare of the sun and in a moment of fancy, begins speaking to the Loke that exists only her dreams.

"Hello, Loke." Her voice is barely a whisper, "How are you doing? I'm not so good myself. It's getting terribly boring without you." Her voice gains volume and confidence as she continues, "I don't know what's happening, Loke. I really don't. I hope the Guild is safe, I hope you are safe. And if you are, I hope you come to save me soon. Aren't you supposed to be my knight in shining armour?" Her voice cracks a little and she stifles back tears, "I suppose I shouldn't be complaining. After all, the guild could be in much worse shape. At least I'm alive. But do you know something, Loke? It's no fun being alive when you're all alone. I'd much rather be risking my life with you than live a sheltered life of oblivion. I think about you, Loke. I miss you, I miss the guild. And for some insane reason, I almost believe you're listening to me talk and possibly laughing that smirk of yours. I can almost hear you say one of your cheesy lines. Yeah, I miss them too. That's how far gone I am. Come to me, Loke. Or show me how to come to you. I need to fight." She chokes back a sob and screams out, "I need to fight for my family!" Her thin frame shudders with the force of her sobs and she mutters, the roughness of her unshed tears creeping into her tone, "Loke, you useless idiot, get me out. I'm counting on you."

A sudden breeze rushes through the milieu and with the swaying of the trees and the swishing of the leaves, Lucy swears she hears a mischievous voice call out, "Your wish is my command, key holder of my heart." She can almost feel the brush of his wink against her cheek.

Lucy looks around wildly in hopes that the voice might accompany someone she so dearly longs to see. Yet her surroundings are bare. Perhaps he solely nestles deep within her.


This chapter's all thanks to the amazing lucyglitter11 who made sure I didn't give up on this story. She basically fed me ideas and everything! I LOVE HER XD. Also the awesome Loke pick up lines are all hers. Hopefully the next chapters won't take quite so much time. Thanks for being patient!