Hey, so I was told that there was a glitch when I updated earlier. Hopefully it updates correctly this time. Hope you enjoy the new chapter and always feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks again for your support.

Chapter 7

Lucy sat in the corner of the closet. There were a couple places on her body that hurt from where the snakes bit her. She jumped when she felt a mouse run across her feet and prayed that the snakes wouldn't mistake that part of her body as pray again. Hugging her legs tighter against her chest she bit her lip trying not to concentrate on the dark that surrounded her. Her ears picked up the sound of the door opening and held her breath. The light that peeked through burned her eyes. Squeezing her eyes shut her heart began to race in panic at the thought of not knowing what was coming for her. She screamed in pain when she felt someone grab her hair and start to drag her out of the closet.

"Time to come out," her father growled before letting her go.

Before she could recover she felt his foot connect with her ribs. Opening her eyes she saw that he had a bag packed and was relieved when she saw that he had his bags packed. When she felt him kick her head she saw black for a moment. Grunting she moved her good arm to her head. Feeling something slick flow into the crease of her elbow Lucy held her breath.

"I'm going to be gone for a month, so make sure the house is spotless when I come back," her father sneered as he walked out of the room.

Lucy stayed on the floor until she heard the front door close. With shaky legs Lucy got up from the ground. Looking up she saw that Sting was standing in the doorway. She could see the guilt written on his face. Shaking her head she stumbled over to him. When he wrapped his arms around her she slightly winced but hugged him back. Lucy felt his body begin to shake. Leaning back she looked into his eyes.

"Sting this wasn't your fault," she whispered wiping a tear away.

"I promised myself that I would never let you get locked in that closet again, but I failed you," Sting replied. "You were in there for four days."

"What about school?"

"I told them you were home sick with the flu."

"How did Natsu take that?"

"He didn't believe me, but dropped it when Lisanna stepped in."

Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes. "Can you go get Plue?"

"Of course," Sting replied "but are you sure you are going to be okay by yourself?"

"As long as the lights are on yes," Lucy replied.

Slowly she made her way up to her room. Ignoring the pain her body screamed Lucy was determined to make it her bathroom. Looking into the mirror she took a good look at herself. Her eyes were rimmed with red and swollen from tears. On her right side her blonde hair was starting to begin to turn red with blood. She looked at the few snakebites she got and was glad to see that they weren't infected. Slowly she started to take off her clothes and looked at the bruises that coated her body. Just by seeing the new red marks on her body Lucy knew that they were going to turn into new bruises. Carefully she covered her cast so that she could take a shower. She groaned when she felt the warm water hit her shoulders. Leaning her head back she felt the cut on her head sting when the water ran over it. Deep down she wished that she could tell someone and end her nightmare, but the thought of going back into that closet made her shiver. A knock on the door drew her attention away from the pain.

"Come in," she said gently rubbing the shampoo into her scalp.

"Hey, Sting told me you were probably ready to have visitors," Lisanna said walking in.

"Oh, thanks for coming."

"Luce, what did he do to you?"

"Uh, do you have your camera?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Please help me dress…" Lucy said biting her lip thinking things over "and then maybe you can take some photos."

Lucy heard her suck in a breath and ask, "How bad is it?"

She didn't say anything as she finished her shower. Lucy could feel Lisanna's curiosity rise through her silence. Stepping out of the shower she heard Lisanna gasp before she wrapped her body in a towel. Carefully she dried her body off and tried not to let out a painful cry. Lisanna motioned for her to sit down on the edge of the tub. Lisanna held up a pair of shorts and helped Lucy into them. Lucy then folded the towel until it was just big enough to cover her breasts while showing her stomach. Quickly Lisanna took pictures of Lucy's body zooming in on the snake bites and the wound on her head. After Lisanna helped Lucy into a baggy black shirt they walked over to her bed.

"Are you wanting me to do anything with the photos?"

"I want you to make a file with evidence of my dad's abuse," Lucy whispered. "We have to keep it a secret from everyone. Especially Sting and Natsu."

"Why are we keeping it a secret? With the pictures I took right now it should be enough for you two to press charges," she replied carefully wrapping an arm around Lucy's shoulder.

"I...I'm afraid to do anything right now," Lucy answered her lip trembling. "His abuse is getting worse...and I was just released from the closet again."

"He locked you in a closet?" Lisanna practically yelled.

"Shhh, Sting doesn't know you know and yes," Lucy said jumping from her outburst. "This time he had snakes and rats in there."

"Is that why you are afraid of the dark?"

"Yeah, he locked me in there for two weeks one time when I tried to go to the police for help. It was my punishment while I also had to hear him beat Sting everyday. It's why Sting and I made a pact to report his abuse the day we turn eighteen, but I...I feel like Sting might be the only one to make it to that day, and if I'm right I want you to give the file to the police to save Sting from my dad's abuse," Lucy said a tear slipping down her cheek. "I know we have a safe word but between my dad and Cobra I feel like something horrible is going to happen."

"Hey, Laxus' grandfather is the chief of police. You could go directly to him."

"Give him the file if something happens to me," Lucy cried. "Can you do something else for me too?"

"Of course," Lisanna said giving her a light squeeze.

"I'm going to write a letter to Natsu telling him everything. Whether something happens to me or if I say the safe word will you give it to him?"

"Wouldn't you want to tell him in person?"

"I'm too ashamed to tell him."

"Okay, I promise to tell him," Lisanna said standing up. "But first you should get some rest before you write that letter. From what I can tell you are going to be emotionally drained by the end of that letter."

"Thank you for everything?" Lucy gave her a small smile.

"You know our group of friends. We'd go to the end of the world for each other," Lisanna laughed trying to brighten the mood.

"Of course," Lucy smiled. "So, how are you and Bickslow?"

"Now that is a story for another day."

"Mira tease and beg it out of you?"

"You know she did," Lisanna said shaking her head.

"Well, don't tell her or anyone but Natsu and I kissed when we were last together," Lucy told her blushing.

"Oh my god, I so want to hear the details but I can totally tell that you need sleep," Lisanna whined.

"I'll tell you the day I give you the letter to give to Natsu."

"Deal."