I was looking for a writing prompt (because I have been stuck for ideas) and I found one, so I thought I'd change it up and write my own version of it. Enjoy!

One day, Lucy Heartfilia awoke to realise she had a fear of her best friend. What makes it even worse, is that everyone in her family has been murdered by the people they fear the most. And her best friend...He's the only person she fears.

It's not unusual to fear someone. Everyone has their reasons but sometimes, we can fear someone for reasons unbeknown to us. It's our instincts that tell us to be wary of them and we listn, because that's our natural reaction to situations like that. We may never know why our instincts told us to fear them, and we could have been completely wrong about them, but sometimes they're right and someone who you thought you knew could turn out to be the most terrifying person you've ever met. They could have a side to them, a secret, that no one else knows about until it's revealed in a way no one could have imagined. But when it finally comes out, it shocks the community, maybe even the world, because no one ever thought they could be capable of it.

For the members of the Heartfilia family, however, the case was completely different. This family was known as one of the richest and most powerful families in the kingdom of Fiore. They were well respected and nearly everyone knew who they were. But no one knew about the family's terrible secret. For as long as the Heartfilias have existed, they have been cursed. Every member of the family has been murdered in one way or another. Everybody knows that, but what people don't know is that the Heartfilias constantly live in fear of the people they meet. Because they have a strange 'power' that they all possess, they will only truly fear someone when they meet the person that will murer them. It make take days, it may take months. But eventually, the person they fear the most will be the person by whom they meet their demise. And the strangest part is, they will always know that this person will be the one to murder them even if they don't initially fear them at first. It builds up over time, but there's always an instinct in them that tells them to be wary when their around this person until their 'power' finally comes into play.

So when Lucy Heartfilia, the youngest (surviving) member of the Heartfilia clan, woke up one morning to her best friend banging on her door, she immediately knew why her body froze in fear and her mind became a flurry of endless panic. But she couldn't bring herself to accept the fact that she suddenly had a fear of him because he would then be the only person she feared...and that could only mean one thing. She didn't want it to be true and tried ever so hard to convince herself that maybe it was just her instincts acting up on her, but the more she heard the banging on the door and the speed her heart was going told her a different story. It took her twenty minutes to finally open the door, with her hands shaking every step of the way, to greet him. He had his signature grin on his facce and didn't look any different to the last time she had seen him, but there was still a voice in her head telling her to close the door and not let him in. It chipped away at her but she didn't relent. She didn't believe it! She couldn't! There had never been a day since meeting him when her mind had told her to be wary of him, so she wasn't going to listen now.

"Lucy! I was beginning to think you were ignoring me. I was gonna leave." He chirped, sighing in relief that she'd finally opened the door.

"W-why would I ignore you, Natsu?" Her voice was shakey and she cursed silently. But he picked up on it and raised a questioning eyeborw.

"You ok?" Natsu reached out to her but she pulled back, to his surprise, and replied quicker than she intended to.

"F-fine! I'm perfectly fine! Just had a bad dream. Nothing to worry about. Hahaha." She added a nervous laugh at the end but he didn't qquestion her anymore. Lucy knew he didn't buy it one bit because he knew her. And she knew him! There was no way he'd be capable of harming her, much less murdering her. He just wan't that kind of guy. At least, she thought he wasn't. Maybe she had been wrong? No, Lucy! Stop thinking that! He's not like that and you know it, so don't let your stupid curse tell you otherwise. You're just having a bad will pass.

Oh if only that were true...

Lucy eventually let him into her apartment, much to the dismay of her inner self who was practically screaming at her to not to. This always happened, he would always be at her door on a morning to wake her up and start the day. He was like a lost puppy at times, constantly clinging to the first person that showed it attention, but she had gotten used to it. She wasn't going to let that be changed by anything, not even the fear that grew over the day the longer she spent with him. Eventually, they found themselves at their usual haunt of Fairy Tail- the so called 'best bar' in their small town of Magnolia, and it just so happened to be owned by their mutual friend. Lucy felt her nerves slowly subside when she entered as she wasn't around Natsu as much that day. The worst part of this was, he was the only person she'd told about her curse (despite the amount of friends she'd made here) and he didn't even know about its latest development. And she was determined to keep it that way! He had been the one that had drawn her to Magnolia in the first place.

They were friends in high school many years ago, until he suddenly moved in senior year. All Natsu ever told Lucy was that it was due to a new development in the search for his father, who had been missing since he was seven and Natsu's family had been searching for him ever since. So he left and eventually they lost contact with each other. Lucy was upset at first, he was the first real friend she had made, but she eventually began to get over it and move on with her life. Then one day, whilst onn her way back from a disappointing job interview (she didn't get it), she randomly bumped into him again anf their previous friendship was rekindled. He told her to move to Magnolia, where he was, and he assured her there would be plenty of opportunity for her. Sure enough, she moved there not long after and almost immediately got a job waitressing at a local diner. It wasn't ideal, but it provided her with a living and she could still work on her writing career. Eventually he introduced her to Fairy Tail, where she made several new friendships and even met another woman who shared her love of books. Her life had becme better since their fateful meeting on the street. Now she had found another job as a journalist, had a whole new group of people she could turn to in any situation, and she felt happy. It was the first time in a while she'd finally had things go well for her.

She was so determined not to let her curse get in the way of that.

The following weeks went off without a hitch, however her fear only grew as time went on and this really worried her. There was no telling when (or if) this would subside, as her 'power' only told her he was the one that was supposed to make her meet her fate. It never told her when though, and that was the worst part. Her family only ever knew who they were going to die by but not when, so they lived their lives in fear from the moment they knew who it was. She supposed that was the real curse, never knowing when. Lucy remembers how her mother had died eventhough she had only been five. It was at a time when she was happy to live in that giant mansion she once called 'home', and they were all spending the day together in the garden as a family. The a scream from a servant scream suddenly ripped through the happy atmosphere of the garden and everyone turned to see Mrs Heartfilia sprawled out on the ground, her glass still in her hand but her drink spilling out onto the grass. after further investigation, it seemed she had been poisoned by one of the other maids that worked for the family but she had disappeared long after they realised this. Her father had always told her that Layla (her mother) had died from a heart attack, but she eventually found out the truth when she was thirteen and it was believed she was old enough to know about her curse. It's not something you should tell a child, that one day they'll be murdered, but she didn't pay a lot of attention to it until recently. She remembers the conversation with her father:

"Now Lucy, I know I'm not the best father in the world but I want you to listen to me. It's for your own safety." Jude Heartfilia had unexpectedly called his only daughter into his office the day after her thirteenth birthday. He had something 'important' to tell her, but Lucy expected it to be something about his business, or asking about her school grades etc. They had't had a real conversation in God knows how long.

"You understand that your mother is dead, don't you? How do you think she died?"

"I was always told it was a heart attack-"

"Lucy, the truth is, that was a lie. Your mother was poisined by a maid when you were five. She was murdered." He spoke rather emotionlessly, but inside he was upset. Lucy, on the other hand, was struggling to believe him. "W-why would you tell me this?" She asked in disbelief.

Jude sighed, "Because one day I will meet the same fate,as will you. Not necassarily poisoned, but murdered none the less. It is a curse put upon this family many centuries ago, and we will always know who I murderer will be as they will suddenly become the person we will fear most. You will never know when they will strike and you will never know how, but they will-"

"Why?! Why tell me this now? I'm not scared of anyone, so how will I know who it is?!"

"Trust me, Lucy, you will." His tone was slightly softer than originally as he looked at his daughter with real concern, the most emotion he'd shown her in a long time, "I urge you to be careful. No one else outside of the family knows about this, so please don't tell anyone. But always, ALWAYS, listen to your instincts. Because your fear may save you, but I warn you that it will only be for a short while. Every one with the Heartfilia name always meets the same fate, I want you to challenge that and live your life until the very end. I...I love you, Lucy. You're my daughter and I don't want anything to happen to you."

The conversation ended with Lucy running out of the office in tears. She never payed her father's warning much heed until she moved out a few years later and she got a call saying he had been found dead outside of his home. He had been stabbed but they never found who was the culprit. Lucy had a feeling she knew who it was, an old business partner of his going by the name A who her father had told her he was afraid of. That was all she knew and she had told the police, but it wasn't enough to build a case. So it was dropped. Her father died in cold blood and that meant it was her turn next.

"Yo Luce, wake up!" It was roughly six months later when she awoke once more to a similar situation, her best friend was hammering away at her door and a heavy cloud of fear had formed around her the moment she heard his voice. Nothing had happened to her in the past few months since she developed her fear and most would take that as a good sign, but it only put her on edge. "Always listen to you instincts." She had been replaying that conversation over and over in her head everyday for a while now and her father's words were finally starting to make sense to her. Still, she argued they weren't true. They couldn't be! "Lucy? You in there?"

"Y-yeah! I'm coming! Wait there!" Despite everything, she still rushed to open her door and greet him. He strolled into her apartment, like he always does, and waited at the side whilst she closed the door. "What do you want?"

"Get dressed."

"Excuse me?"

"Cana's throwing her beach party today. You've been reminding me for the past week. Don't tell me you forgot!"

Realisation dawned on her and she felt a little idiotic, "Sorry. I did. I'll go get dressed, just give me a couple of minutes. Wait there." Why did she say that? Nevermind, everything was ok. Nothing would change things between them. Nothing had changed in the past six month and she was pretty sure it wouldn't eother. Natsu would never hurt her, would he? Stop asking that!

It only took her about fifteen minutes to get ready, but it took her a further ten before she finally worked up enough confidence to leave her room. She had to reassure heself that this was her best friend who would never even dream of murdering her. Ever. And that was the mindset she was determined to keep all the way to the beach.

It dissolved the moment she got in the car.

"Buckle up!" Natsu grinned.

"W-what?" Lucy questioned, suddenly thinking he was going to drive them into a wall.

He laughed, "I'm down to my last motion sickness patch and it's due to wear off. Going to get some more Wendy when we get there, but for now, you better buckle up! Gonna have to get there fast." Lucy was slightly more relieved at this, until she realised what he meant. She has never gripped the seat of a car so much in her life. Ever. But at least she didn't die during the car ride. Stupid curse making her think other wise! She was being totally irrational and overthinkinng this whole thing. How could she have actually thought he would purposely crash the car that they were in? Honestly! Still though... Should she completely ignore her instincts?

"We're here!" The car came to a stop and Lucy felt her muscles relax. She was free! During their trip, she was sure he had broken more than one speeding rule. She was just thankful they had stopped. "Don't you EVER drive me anywhere again! You're worse than Erza!" Lucy shouted as she dived out of the car, grateful that her feet were back on the ground again. He just laughed and she glared back. For the first time in six months, she felt safe around him. But it only lasted a few more seconds before her cloud of fear came thundering back with all the intensity it had before. It struck her with surprise and she froze in the middle of the street. For some reason, it felt much worse than before.

"Hey Luce, you ok?" Natsu called over his shoulder. She didn't reply and he reached out to her, but Lucy stepped back before he could touch her.

"I-I'm fine. I think." He looked almost hurt, but he didn't question her odd behaviour any further. "If you say so." And with that, they headed off to the sand.

Lucy had never been so on edge in her life. Every time Natsu came near her at the party, a weird feeling washed over that made the hairs in the back of her neck stick up and shiver ran down her spine. Even the slightest movement he made towards her was enough to send her going in the opposite direction. For every step he took forward, she took three steps back. But she wasn't doing it on purpose, it was her mind doing it! Why? He wouldn't hurt her! He wouldn't! Natsu was her best friend, he wouldn't do that to her of all people.

At least...She thought that until they ended up standing near each other on the pier, preparing to watch the fireworks go off. It had been completely accidental, but he ended up behind her and there was no way Lucy could escape him. No, not escape. Don't say that! Stop saying that! Lucy had to take a deep breath to calm her nerves.

This was normal, there was nothing wrong. Everything was fine. Stop worrying. "Yo Luce, you been avoiding me all day or something?"

"W-w-what?! No. N-not at all, Natsu!" She hurried her sentence.

"You sure?"

"P-positive!" Lucy added in a nod for extra reassurance.

"Hmm. Ok them." He said, not completely convinced, "You ready for the fireworks?"

"Definetly!" Lucy couldn't stop her nerves. They were clear as day to anyone who heard them, but no one would have known why. She still hadn't told anyone (however there was a letter in her room that she'd written that explained everything). Somehow, she had worked herself into a state today where she was convinced he was on a murderous rampage and she was his next victim. What else could happen tonight where she would die? And she knew it would more than likely be tonight because she had never felt this on edge before. Ever! But if she could just make it to the end of the night then-

"Hey everyone! Fire work time!" Cana yelled from the end of the pier just as a rocket whistled up into the air and exploded in a dazzle of red and blue. It was amazing to watch and her mind was momentarily distracted from everything else. Well, that was until she suddenly felt someone push into her back and she fell forward...Into Natsu. He had somehow ended up in front of her and he didn't seem happy about someone pushing him like that. Immediately, he whirled round on his heels and threw a punch in her direction, not realising it was her. She stumbled backwards, towards the railing she was dangerously close to. Her back hit the bar but she was able to stop herself falling, until he ran forward to check on her and tripped over someone's foot. Natsu had placed his hands out in front of him to break his fall, but instead he ended up pushing her over the railing. Screaming.

Lucy somehow managed to grab it with her hand whilst she fell and was left dangling over the edge, above the rushing water and rocks below. Her heart was running a mile a minute and tears where running down her face. "Lucy!" A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist just as her grip began to grow weaker.

"Natsu!" Her relief came out in a sort of high scream, "You saved me! Please, please pull me up!" She begged and, for a moment, he began to pull her up. But then she saw something change in his eyes, the once vivid green turned dark red and she remembered something he had told her in high school.

"My family are scared of me 'cause I apparently lashed out once and put a knife to my brother's throat. I don't remember it though, but that's why we moved here. I'm a psychopath, have to take pills and everything otherwise E.N.D will be unleashed."

"Who's E.N.D?"

"That's the side of me that goes on a murderous rampage if I stop taking my medicine. My brother gave me the nickname. He says it's like Jekyll and Hyde, but I don't know who they are. But don't worry Lucy, I would never hurt you!"

Was this E.N.D? Lucy knew he hadn't taken his pills in a few weeks, he'd ran out and was waiting for some new ones. Oh God! She was going to die! Natsu wouldn't kill her, but this side of him would. "N-Natsu." Her voice was a whisper. The pinkette didn't pay her any attention at all, grinning menacingly. Then, he let out a very low menacing laugh and his eyes flashed again.

For a moment, she thought she saw her Natsu but then his demon returned and she felt his grip loosening. "No! Please! Natsu! Listen to me!" Lucy pleaded desperately, trying to grip his arm, but he pried her hand off and let her dangle for a moment.

"Goodbye, Lucy." E.N.D laughed just as he let go. A look of horror crossed Lucy's face as she fell. Time seemed to slow and she saw Natsu on the pier above her finally turn back to normal and realise what he had done. But it was too late. He cried out her name just as she hit the water and gasped. Slowly, she sunk deeper and deeper. She tried to swim back up but it was no use and she was pulled under the current.

Her last breath floated up to the top in the form of bubbles as a silent scream escaped her under the water before her eyes closed.

The last Heartfilia had finally fallen victim to the curse.