'For when the world is engulfed in darkness, light shall brighten it again.'
She's gonna be just fine, shrimp. Don't worry too much.
Levy gripped her phone tighter. She bit her lower lip with hesitation. Her palms started sweating and she was back to doing the opposite of what the message had said. She was worrying again.
She hasn't answered all my messages and calls.
Levy had typed. Her mind wondering too far and her worry expanding every moment.
You said that already. Try asking Cana then. I'm not much help.
Levy pursed her lips. Was he annoyed?
Are you annoyed?
Was she being that annoying? She was just worrying about her friend! Scratch that, best friend!
No. I'm gonna sleep. You get some too.
Levy smiled at the message. Relieved and touched by the message, she didn't bother texting back again. It was late at night. Gajeel has work tomorrow.
Levy sat up from her chair and went to her bed. It was dark and she loved it dark. Her works are all done and there's a pile of books on her table. She plopped onto her bed and let out a contented sigh.
She turned back to her phone and dialed Cana.
The phone rang for a couple of times before it was answered.
"LEVY! HAVE YOU HEARD?!"
Her ears rang in pain because of the really loud voice.
"DON'T SCREAM CANA! MY EARS HURT!" Levy couldn't handle the sudden irritation that grew inside of her.
"YOU'RE ALSO SCREAMING, MORON!"
"YOU'RE CALLING ME A MORON?!"
"DID YOU HEAR ABOUT NATSU?!"
"DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT AND STOP IT MY MOM'S GONNA HEAR!"
"Levy!" A voice echoed. Levy sweated. Uh oh.
"Hey Levy!"
She shushed Cana and placed the front of her phone to her shoulder.
She got up from her bed and opened the door to be greeted by the sight of her mom, pissed. Her hair was a mess, her clothes were rustled and messy, indicating that she was before sleeping peacefully. Her bedroom with Levy's dad was right beside hers, a really NOT strategic location.
"Levy, darling, if you don't want to get to bed early go ahead, but don't bring your family into this. TURN. YOUR. VOICE. DOWN!"
She could actually feel her mother's wrath even before opening the door.
Levy sweat dropped and laughed tensely. "Sorry, mom. I'll talk to my friend quietly."
Her mother's eyes glowed red. "You better."
She walked away and Levy closed her door shut slowly, not wanting to make any more noises. She sighed and walked back to her safe haven –her bed- and brought her phone back to her ear.
She let out another tired sigh.
"I heard." She said.
The line went silent for a moment.
"What do you think Lucy is feeling right now?"
Cana's voice was curious but it held more of sympathy and sadness in them. What had Lucy done to deserve feeling such a thing? To experience such a tragedy for the person she loves? They were worried. Lucy had always been there for them, and they wanted to be there for her no matter what.
"Sad? Guilty? Painful? Heart ripped out of her heart?"
"I forgot that you're a writer. Don't make it sound like she can't take it."
Levy gripped her phone harder. It wasn't that. She was just trying to list down all the feelings Lucy could feel so that she can feel it herself. So that she'll know how and what she's feeling, so that she can be there. For Lucy.
"It's not that. I know she can take it. She's-"
"She's our Lucy after all."
Levy smiled a small smile. Yes, she was their Lucy.
"Yes."
"We'll be there for her tomorrow. At school."
"And if she's not there, we'll ditch school for her." Levy said, determined.
Levy could feel a grin on Cana's lips. Even over the phone, she knew Cana was smiling.
"Exactly."
The night was spent in a silent conversation in the dark. As the moon shone brightly, the friendship of three girls grew stronger with each passing second. Not wavering. Not even once.
It was horrifying.
The bandages with blood stained on them. The heart monitor beeping every second. The white walls, the white sheets, the white floor. The sight of someone unconscious with his life on stake just before was a terrifying scene for Wendy.
The sight of her beloved older brother not moving was scary.
This room was horrifying.
This very scene in front of her was by all means really horrifying.
Wendy gripped her father's arm.
"Natsu-nii?" She called out feebly.
Grandine rushed to the side of the bed quickly, eyes widened in pain and tears. She took the unmoving patient's hand into hers and gripped them softly. She could feel blood on the bandage of his hand and the tears flowed.
"Stupid son."
Wendy could see the shaking form of her mother.
"You stupid, son!" She said a little more loudly this time.
Igneel followed from behind with Wendy beside him. Natsu was covered wholly with bandages, some blood seeped through and her brother's face was peaceful but grim. Wendy gagged worriedly. Terrifying indeed.
How could such a thing happen?
Natsu-nii was her older brother. The happy, go-lucky person anyone would know. But him, unmoving, hurt and broken in a hospital bed was never expected in Wendy's mind.
Grandine let out a choked sob and Wendy could feel hot tears on her own eyes.
"Thank goodness." Grandine sobbed.
Grandine held Natsu's hand tighter, as if her life depended on it.
"Thank goodness you're alive."
Her voice was so weak and vulnerable. Wendy has never seen her mother like this that sadness took her over and the tears ran down her cheeks again. She hugged her father from the side and buried her face onto his shirt.
At that moment, Wendy was sure. The current state of Natsu, the sobbing form of her mother and the silence of her father in that very room, would never leave her memory.
"Lucy!"
Layla dashed out of the living room as quickly as she possibly could after she heard the click of an open door. She knew it was her daughter in an instant. She ran and gave Lucy a big tight hug, to openly express her concern and love.
"Mom."
Layla let go of her daughter but placed her hands firmly on Lucy's forearms. "We were so worried! Where have you been?!" Her eyes were filled with worry and it gave Lucy a twinge of guilt.
Jude made himself visible as he walked to both of them.
"It's nearly one in the morning."
Lucy looked up to meet his black eyes. Hollow met warm and Jude's sadness grew. What had become of his daughter? Lucy broke their eye contact and covered her face with her bangs.
"You… waited?" Lucy asked faintly.
Layla's face was firm and she held her daughter's gaze. "What are you talking about Lucy?"
Jude gave his daughter a kiss on her forehead.
"Always."
Lucy broke down once again. The feelings she held all day long was coming back, re-surfacing. The tears flowed again, it had ran down her cheeks so many times she lost count. What had she done to deserve this? It hurt so much. Her heart ache, her chest felt heavy. She didn't ask for this. She had never wanted this to happen to her.
Lucy let out an agonizing cry and she sobbed.
"I don't deserve anybody! I don't deserve your love! It hurts so much! It hurts! I'm sorry! Natsu, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry… Please don't leave me. Please…" Lucy let her feelings roam free. She would let it out. She would let it all out.
Layla smiled softly. "You deserve the world, Lucy. What are you sorry for?"
Jude hugged them both. "Everything's going to be fine. I know so."
Lucy buried her face in the bodies of Layla and Jude, hot tears streaming down. For the first time that day, Lucy screamed and cried in agony in the arms of her parents.
I finally made chapter 25! I'm actually proud I made it this far. How long has it been since I updated? (Too long I know). I can finally make this chapter because it's HOLIDAY! My Mid Semester Exam ended last week. Don't ask why I updated it this late. I spent my holiday watching ALL Hunter X Hunter episodes and movies and I'm HAPPY!
Sooo, how was this chapter? I actually wanted to make it escalate a little faster but I just can't do it haha.
Leave a Fave if you like it and don't forget to review!
Thanks for reading! :D