Warning: Contains slightly disturbing imagery.

Chapter Seventy-Five: Lake House

(May 30th, 2018, Wednesday Afternoon)

'How the fuck was Lucy able to run this in one night?'

That question kept popping up in Natsu's head as they made the long journey towards the outskirts of Magnolia. With no spare zombie chariot and no usable vehicles, they were left riding bicycles down the highway.

It was in the opposite direction of Hargeon, the road littered with abandoned cars. However, instead of stopping and moving them, they squeezed their way through the obstructions.

Natsu found it hard to believe Lucy made it to section six so quickly. It wasn't that he thought she was lying. He noted every time they passed a mile marker, knowing he wouldn't have managed that distance in one night.

'Then again, she might've stayed off the streets and just gone through the forest.' Her feet had been badly injured when he found her. 'Plus, I don't know when exactly she left the lake house. A few hours can make a difference.'

Lucy had also been escaping Ivan. It was possible she forgo resting in favor of putting as much distance between herself and that monster.

A monster they likely wouldn't run into today.

Lucy had escaped nearly seven months ago. The odds Ivan stuck around were slim, which was why Laxus wasn't in a rush to start the mission. Part of Natsu wondered if Laxus wanted to put it off forever, but with his growing frustration over the solar panels, he decided it was time they got it over with.

The team was small, five total on their way to the lake house. Natsu rode towards the back, his watchful eyes keeping track of Lucy and the surrounding areas. Gray was right behind Natsu while Laxus and Cobra -who no longer went by Erik, led the way.

They followed Lucy's instructions since they couldn't use GPS. Even without internet Natsu could use the app on his phone to get directions to close destinations, but only if he used the 'Choose on map' option to drop a pin. That wasn't helpful for their mission.

"We're close," Lucy said just as they rode by a walker. They didn't bother stopping. There weren't a lot of infected near the highway.

"Hey Natsu," Gray called from behind, Natsu slowing so he wouldn't have to shout and draw attention. "This look familiar to you?"

Natsu nodded, not caring to further the conversation. He had been trying to ignore the path they were taking. His memories loomed in the back of his mind, but he was able to keep them down.

That was, until they took the exit off the highway. They were around thirty-eight miles away from Fairy Tail, the trip taking roughly five hours so far including their breaks.

Natsu's stomach jerked when they took a road leading into the forest. It wasn't his motion sickness acting up. His unsettled gut came from recognizing the area all too well.

It was where Natsu had been camping with his friends when the outbreak started. As they rode down the bumpy trail, Natsu recalled the screams, the blood soaked into the gravel and grass. The rain had since washed it away, but the carnage was still around them.

Decomposed bodies laid on the ground, cars wrecked and tents torn apart. He didn't see any zombies, thankfully. They must have cleared out, searching for their next meal.

Instead of taking a turn that would lead to the campsite Natsu used last, they took a different road. It led to what Natsu and his friends referred to as 'the rich people's camping'. They never tried booking the cabins in that area, knowing they were overpriced and took away from the experience they wanted to share.

Questions piled in Natsu's head as he looked around, pausing when his gaze fell on Lucy. He wanted to ask more about her time leading up to the outbreak. Hell, he wanted to ask more about her in general. What was she thinking? What were her favorite memories growing up? Did she have any childhood friends she still had when she got older? Did she always want to be an author, or did that dream come later in life? Did she have any role models?

There was so much he wanted to know about her, but now wasn't the time. He wasn't sure there would ever be a time. While things had gotten better since their... He wasn't sure what to call it. An almost-kiss? Was that even what was happening? Or had he been reading into things? He wasn't normally an overthinker, but when Lucy was in his head, he had a hard time staying out of it.

Last night had been tense, but he partially blamed their upcoming mission. It was made worse when they spoke with Gray after dinner, though it was Lucy doing most of the talking.

She told Gray she 'ran into' Ivan before coming to Fairy Tail, but didn't realize how crucial it was to tell Makarov until a few months ago. She declined to answer any questions beyond that. Lucy knew Gray was going on the mission and wanted to get that out of the way, asking Natsu to accompany her when she told him.

He couldn't place why he liked being there. It wasn't that he liked her feeling vulnerable, but being asked to support her during something difficult made him feel... valued? He wasn't sure what he was feeling. All he knew was he would lend a helping hand if she asked, but after that, she had grown quiet.

She barely said a word the rest of the night or the following morning, but Natsu figured it had to do with the mission. He had never experienced trauma like hers, but he imagined facing the scene of the crime was weighing on her.

And that was without the possibility of seeing her abuser. While Natsu doubted Ivan stuck around, they had been told to be on alert.

So, when they were half a mile away from the lake house, they parked their bikes and made the rest of the journey by foot. The group was quiet, shifting through the tall grass while keeping their eyes peeled.

Aside from the wildlife, they didn't see any signs of life, but they didn't lower their guard. They followed the plan Laxus laid out that morning. Lucy stuck close to Natsu, her grip tight on her machete while Cobra and Laxus had their guns out. Gray took up the rear, his ice ax ready to use.

Natsu did his best to stay alert, but his mind couldn't ignore the hard truth in front of him. Lucy had been right there. Right fucking there. A mile at most away from him when the outbreak started. He could've saved her, gotten her away before Ivan ever had a chance to get his hands on her.

But—

'I didn't know.'

How could he? She was just a stranger then, some girl having a bad day in a gas station. She was nobody to him.

It was hard picturing her like that after everything they had been through, after they had grown close. She meant so much now, more than he could describe. Friend didn't sound like enough, but anything past that put him in panic mode.

'Best friend,' he tried telling himself last night, but even that didn't feel accurate. Was there a term for a friend better than the best? Someone he wanted to keep close and share anything and everything that came to mind?

Did Lucy even want that? Was she happy with where they were in their friendship? Or did she feel some weird pull like he did? As if staying away wasn't an option.

'I sound fucking weird.' Natsu shook the thoughts from his head, focusing on the sounds of nature around them.

"We should see it any—" Lucy's voice cut out when Laxus and Cobra stopped, both tensing as they lowered into the grass.

Natsu didn't think as he put a hand on Lucy's back, fingers curled as he pulled against her shirt. She went down swiftly. If it wasn't for the sudden shallow breaths she took, Natsu would have thought she wasn't affected by the sudden stop.

"What's going on?" Gray whispered from behind.

Natsu looked over his shoulder, finding Gray's eyes wide as he looked past him towards Laxus. "Not sure yet."

"It's right past that tree," Lucy mumbled, one hand on the ground to keep her stable while the other shook around the handle of her weapon. She swallowed, jaw strained as she kept her eyes forward.

"You okay?" Natsu asked, rubbing her back when she didn't answer. He dropped his hand, concern etched on his face. "Hey, if this is too much—"

"I'm fine," she whispered, though her clipped tone betrayed her fear.

Natsu didn't know what to do. Letting it go was what she wanted, but they were about to face a potentially dangerous situation. Not saying anything could prove fatal if she wasn't ready or in the right headspace, but thankfully he didn't have to make the call.

Cobra started shifting through the grass towards them while Laxus stayed up ahead. He parted the grass, looking at Lucy. "We see it. The address matches." He turned to Natsu before his eyes found Lucy again. "No one's outside. You three good to wait here while me and Laxus take a closer look?"

Despite following the plan laid out, Natsu had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Cobra shook his head. "Not sure of anything, but it'll be easier if we go in with just two. Less noticeable if anyone's inside."

Natsu felt pressure on his arm when Cobra mentioned that, glancing over to find Lucy leaning against him. He said nothing, nodding to Cobra before he left to join Laxus.

"What'd he say?" Gray asked, coming up on Natsu's other side.

"They're going on ahead," he said, though his attention was elsewhere.

Natsu wanted to wrap an arm around Lucy, give her whatever comfort she needed to feel better, but he worried about blurring the lines of their friendship.

He had a lot of time to think last night, his thoughts keeping him awake far past his bedtime. He replayed memories in his head, wondering if he had missed signs that would have made the almost-kiss make sense.

While Natsu thought Lucy had been a little more friendly lately, bordering on flirty, he hadn't thought it was intentional. Maybe it was all in his head and he misunderstood the 'moment' he thought they had yesterday.

'That has to be it.'

There couldn't be any moments, any feelings beyond platonic. That was a surefire way to disaster. The risk was too great to explore it further.

'Snap out of it!'

Natsu narrowed his eyes, focusing on the task at hand. The plan was to wait until Laxus and Cobra came back, but as the minutes ticked by, worry set in. It was worse for Lucy and Gray, Natsu watching them trying to hold it together.

Lucy's eyes were distant, her body curled inward to make herself smaller. The pressure on his arm had increased. She would stumble if he moved away, but he wasn't budging.

He glanced at Gray, watching him fidget with his ax while his eyes flitted around them. He looked far from comfortable, not to say Natsu was relaxing. He was anxious too, but he either had a better grip on the situation or was good at hiding his fear.

"They've been gone a long time," Gray whispered through clenched teeth. "Do you think—" His voice faltered, Natsu's heart dropping when he noticed the pain on Gray's face. He hadn't seen his friend that scared in months. The last time had been when they were trying to convince him Hargeon was safe.

'Does he think Laxus and Cobra ran into trouble? What if Ivan's still there? What if he got them?'

He didn't know Ivan, but surely he wouldn't harm his own son?

Natsu looked at Lucy. Her arms were covered in a light jacket, but he could imagine the scars she wore. If Ivan could hurt innocent women for the sick fun of it, there was no telling what else he might do.

"I'm gonna go ahead," Natsu said, his words causing Lucy to grab his arm. Their eyes met, a silent conversation held. She wanted him to stay, but Gray was right. They had been gone for a while. He needed to find out if they were safe, but leaving Lucy in her current state wasn't a good idea.

He was just about to cave, finding it hard to say no when she looked at him like that, like he was her safety. Like he was allowed to protect her.

Gray stepped in at the right moment, hand on Natsu's shoulder before looking at Lucy. "We'll stay right here."

Natsu studied Gray's face, wondering if he was able to hold it together. He hesitated, weighing the pros and cons before asking, "You two won't move unless one of us comes back?"

Gray nodded before Natsu's eyes fell to Lucy. He waited, watching the emotions flashing through her eyes. While he didn't like her panicked state, he preferred that over the void she wore sometimes.

'I wonder what she prefers? Feeling fear or going numb?'

There were questions he wanted to ask, so much more he needed to know about Lucy, which was why he felt his words in his heart. They rang true, Natsu cupping Lucy's cheek, voice steady despite the rapid beat of his heart.

"I'll be right back. Five, ten minutes tops. Gray'll keep you safe until I get back."

Her eyes rounded, her lips parting. He wasn't sure if she was going to protest, so he added, "Not that you need protecting." Natsu managed a smile, even if it didn't reach his eyes. "You're a badass runner, remember?"

Lucy swallowed, her eyes watery as she nodded. "R-right."

Pressure settled against Natsu's chest when he dropped his hand, pulling out a knife to keep ready. "I'll be right back." He took a deep breath, worried about parting with them. Still, he needed to find out if Laxus and Cobra were in danger, so he reluctantly pulled away.

The tall grass tickled the small parts of his skin that showed between his long-sleeves and gloves. Getting bit by ticks wasn't on his mind, eyes sharp as he approached the area he last saw Laxus and Cobra.

It would be easier to move along the dirt path a few feet away from him, but the cover of grass was a better option. He moved slowly, relying on his ears to pick up any odd noises. The further he went, the louder a sound became. It was hard to place at first, but when he rounded a large tree he realized what he was hearing.

Small waves rippled over the water, the wind pushing it towards shore. For a brief moment Natsu admired the lake. It was a welcomed distraction, but soon something else caught his eye.

A tattered sign was nailed to a tree, the words 'Come n, we hav food' written on what looked to be a pillowcase. He stared at it, a chill running down his spine when he turned his head, following the arrow drawn on the bottom of the sign.

The lake house was beautiful, stealing Natsu's breath away. It was bigger than the house he used to live in, sitting comfortably with the forest surrounding it. Aside from a broken window covered in cardboard, nothing looked out of the ordinary.

'Is this really the place where she was tortured?'

Natsu swallowed, crouching lower as he approached the house. There wasn't much cover, the entrance open to give anyone on the porch a grand view of the lake.

Considering he didn't hear any gunshots or screaming, he figured the danger was low. He stayed alert regardless as he neared the house, closing in on a large window at the front just before the porch started. Natsu was about to press against the ground to stand, but before he could do anything the front door burst open.

He jolted, falling on his ass while avoiding the sharp end of his blade. If it wasn't for Laxus' voice he would have continued panicking, a relieved sigh slipping from his lips when he heard, "It's all clear. No one's alive inside."

'Good.'

Natsu moved towards the steps leading to the porch just as Laxus grunted. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you."

He said nothing else, walking off towards where Lucy and Gray remained. Natsu paused, debating if he wanted to heed Laxus' warning. It was probably best for him to stay outside, but the curiosity threatened to burn him alive.

His gaze fell to the door, stomach giving a slight jerk when he took his first step forward. The stairs creaked as he climbed, Natsu noting the outside looked normal. He opened the door, eyes squinting at the faint smell of death lingering in the house.

Being a clearer, Natsu had his fair share of encounters with the dead, including the homes where the bodies decomposed. The lake house was the same, Natsu counting five corpses laying in what he assumed was the living room. The furniture was ripped or broken, brown-red stains on everything from the floor to the walls.

He pulled his shirt over his nose as he opened the windows, letting the stale smell out. Natsu turned towards the bodies again, brows furrowed when he noticed some were missing limbs or chucks from their torso. All moisture in the bodies were lost, parts of their skeleton showing.

Natsu wasn't an expert, but he knew enough from experience. They had been dead a long, long time. He had to close his eyes several times to get some sense of relief. Despite killing countless zombies, seeing dead bodies never got easier.

Part of him welcomed that. He didn't know what would happen if he got numb to it all.

"Pretty sick, huh?" Cobra asked, entering the living room with a bag in his hand.

Natsu didn't bother asking what was in it, figuring they would raid the place for supplies like they did every other house.

Though, knowing it belonged to Lucy's family had him feeling strange in many ways. Not only did it feel like a violation, it raised more questions. What did her parents do to afford a place like that? Was it a rental? Or did they own it?

'Doesn't really matter anymore,' he thought, leaving the living room to venture further into the house. He made it one step into the kitchen when he heard Cobra again, his voice echoing as he said, "Take a good look at the lunatic."

"What?"

"Insane Ivan. I can't tell, but Laxus says it's him. He's on the floor behind the island."

Natsu's eyes widened, stepping over the trash and stray bones to walk around the kitchen island. He saw boots first, the jeans sunken around what remained of the corpse. A small hole was in his forehead, making it hard for Natsu to know if the man was killed as a human or zombie. Headshots were the best way to dispose of them, but that would take a human out too.

It was difficult for Natsu to tell who he was looking at. He tried picturing Ivan's mugshot in his head, but the memory was fuzzy.

Laxus would know better than him, but then again, maybe he wanted it to be Ivan. It would be anticlimactic, but he couldn't blame Laxus for wanting to close that chapter in his life.

Natsu wondered if bringing Lucy in was a good idea. 'She might have a better idea. She saw him last.' He didn't know if that was a good idea. They never discussed her going inside, merely guiding them to the lake house in case they couldn't find it. He didn't worry about it long.

She was safe with Gray. If she wanted to stay out there, that was fine. If she wanted to come inside, well, he would be ready to offer his support.

Natsu explored the rest of the house, needing his headlamp to guide the way. His stomach jerked every time he saw another blood stain or collection of bones. He nearly gagged when he found a severed head tapped to a wall in the hall. He couldn't imagine. Even his darkest nightmares couldn't compare to what Lucy went through, and that was before he found her room.

He lost his breath when he saw the chain on her headboard, the one that Ivan kept wrapped around her stomach so she couldn't escape. Natsu's eyes flitted around the room, taking in the horrors she must have endured.

The windows were blacked out so she couldn't tell if it was day or night. The floor was stained with dried blood and dirt. The sheets were soiled, the floorboard scratched next to the dangling chain. He swallowed, wondering if she tried clawing away from her prison.

He thought of her scars, especially the angry one running down her stomach. How did she survive? He would have cracked.

Natsu considered himself a strong person, but even he broke. Tears stained his cheeks long after he finished throwing up, his head dizzy and senses wobbly.

How was Lucy still standing after all that? How had she not fallen apart?

Lucy's recovery while at Fairy Tail cycled through his head. She had done the impossible. Lucy had been through hell and survived. Not only that, she was thriving, actually enjoying her life.

She smiled.

She laughed.

Sure, she still cried occasionally and had her downs, but Lucy had proven herself stronger than he ever thought imaginable.

The knots in his stomach didn't loosen, but his chest warmed at the thought of her progress. She was overcoming something horrific, and he couldn't be prouder.

That didn't mean he wanted to stick around, Natsu feeling himself getting sick again when he saw a plate with what looked like a human hand in the furthest corner of her room.

Questions rose but he didn't want to ask. It didn't matter. Whether she did or didn't, it wasn't his call to judge. Lucy had proven herself to be a survivor, and whatever happened in the past could stay buried there.

Next to the plate was a mess of what looked to be red hair, but it was matted. Maybe he was looked at more dried blood. The chucks of hair were long, scattered among the filth. He didn't bother questioning it, needing a breath of fresh air.

Natsu headed for the front door, stopping shy of the threshold when something caught his eye. He looked up at the high ceiling, stunned to see a weapon mounted to the wall. His jaw dropped, arms hanging by his sides as he stared at the large bow.

It definitely wasn't meant for a kid.

The gears in Natsu's head started turning, wondering how he could get it down. 'It might not be worth it. It could just be a prop.'

Natsu's nose twitched, the stench of decay assaulting his senses as he moved to the end of the couch. Flies swarmed the air, maggots and other bugs littering the torn up floors. He had never seen so much chaos and filth in one house.

Especially a house that looked so nice on the outside.

Shaking his head, Natsu focused on his goal. His plan was to push the couch to the wall to see if he could reach the bow, but as he put his gloved-hands on the armrest, he noticed something on the floor next to a broken coffee table.

Unlike the rest of the trash on the ground, the folded piece of paper was bright white in some places.

With a raised brow, Natsu picked it up. He shook off a roach, looking at the dingy edges as he opened the paper. Something slipped out, Natsu catching it before it could hit the ground.

His lips parted, stunned as he took in the photograph in his hand. Slowly, a small smile found its way on his face, the tension in his body loosening when he saw the pure joy in her brown eyes.

Lucy stood next to a cow in a blue and white sundress, her golden hair down except for a portion pulled into a side ponytail. She wore a huge grin, a doll tucked under her arm. She was young, probably six or seven if her missing front teeth was any indicator.

Natsu carefully slid the picture into his pocket for later. He didn't know if Lucy was up for seeing it yet, so he would show her when they got back to Fairy Tail.

He turned his attention back to the paper, brows furrowing when he saw someone wrote a note. He blinked, reading over the sentence three times before his heart dropped.

Everything froze in that moment, a chilly realization striking him. Natsu wasn't able to breathe for a good twenty seconds before his lungs demanded air, his gasp deafened by the buzzing in his mind.

'No, no this isn't—'

Natsu narrowed his eyes at the page, following every letter written. He shook his head, refusing to believe what was right in front of him.

I'm so sorry I didn't help you sooner. -I

Natsu's throat constricted as he reread those words again and again. 'There's no way... This... This can't be real.'

However, despite his best effort to deny the truth, Natsu was staring at the handwriting he knew all too well. He had seen it most of his life. Making to-do lists, jotting down what they needed at the grocery store. Permission slips, forms for the doctors. That handwriting was ingrained in his head, and now he was seeing it again.

He didn't know why or how, but those words belonged to his dad. He was sure of it.

There was no mistake. The swish of the 'y', the exaggerated curve of his 'r'.

What were the chances someone else had the same handwriting? Who also had a name starting with 'I'? The odds seemed impossible, especially with how few people were left in the world.

'But... but why?'

Why was his dad there? Why would he be apologizing? Was it to Lucy? If it was, what did he mean he didn't help her sooner?

Natsu's eyes widened when he recalled the time he found Lucy in that basement, learning the harsh truth that she had stabbed someone. Was the blood on her knife from Igneel? Or someone else?

His face drained of color when he remembered that red hair found in a room. 'Was that Igneel's?'

His head swirled with questions, struggling to breathe for a moment. 'Was he part of Ivan's group?' He shook his head, refusing to believe something like that. There was no way his dad would be okay with that. There had to be another explanation, but... what?

'Maybe he didn't know what Ivan was doing? But, how could he not? One step into this house and he would have seen the carnage. Maybe he met Igneel away from the lake house? Maybe they traded stuff? Maybe... I don't know, maybe... maybe he—'

The lack of answers frustrated Natsu, his teeth clenched as his thoughts raged a battle in his head.

'Lucy knows my dad's name, but she never reacted badly when I said it. That has to mean she doesn't know him. Or, maybe he went by an alias? Maybe it's not even Igneel's note, but what are the odds? It looks exactly like his handwriting.'

Natsu frowned as his heart sank. 'Unless I'm seeing things? Maybe I just want this to look like his handwriting. Maybe it's like with Laxus and Ivan? He just wants that to be his dad so it'll be over? Maybe I want this to be Igneel's handwriting so I don't give up hope?'

With his chest constricted, he pushed the note into his pocket. The less people who knew about it, the better. He couldn't have people interfering.

Natsu didn't know who Lucy hurt that day, what the circumstances of her escape were, or how his father was involved, but he was going to get answers.

One way or another.

Natsu marched outside ready to let his questions spill, but he faltered on the porch when he saw Lucy next to the lake, Gray crouched beside her as they swayed. His forehead wrinkled, his confusion increasing as he approached them.

He found no words when he made it to them, realizing they weren't swaying. They were digging.

"What's going on?" he asked after a moment, causing Gray to look over his shoulder.

He glanced at Lucy before standing, nodding behind him. Natsu reluctantly walked away, Gray waiting until they were far enough away before saying, "She wants to bury her dad. He's— Well, what's left of him is by the side of the house."

Natsu's stomach dropped, his eyes seeking out Lucy before his heart gave a sharp jab. He nodded, throat thick as he took a shaky breath.

"O-Okay."

The weather took the hint, gray clouds rolling in to hide the sun. It was as if the world was in mourning, Natsu shoving down his need for answers as he walked back to Lucy. He wanted to press, to put to rest the confusion in his head, but now wasn't the right time.

"How can I help?" Natsu asked, watching as Lucy's hands stilled in the dirt, her motions paused before looking up at him. Tears clung to her eyes, her lower lip trembling as she swallowed.

Natsu couldn't stop himself, heart pinching as he moved closer. Lucy didn't shy away, turning towards him as he held out his arms. She was in his embrace before he knew it, Natsu nearly tumbling backwards before bracing himself on the balls of his feet.

The 'what if' questions poured into his head as he rubbed her back, Lucy's frame shaking as her tears seeped into his shirt. 'What if we went to the lake house when the outbreak started?'

They wouldn't have Ultear or Gildarts, but Lucy would have been spared so much pain. If only Erza and Jellal had gone after the others then met them back at the lake house. They could've been there when Ivan showed up. What if they had stopped him? What if they stayed until Igneel showed up? What if—

Natsu had to stop himself, the pain in his chest deepening the more he wished things had gone differently. He couldn't change the past. There were more what ifs, so many things that could have happened to spare them the suffering and loss they endured, but it was no use.

"L-Laxus," Lucy started, sniffling before pulling back. Her eyes were puffy and red, pleading with him. "He said... it's over?"

Natsu nodded despite his uncertainty. "Someone killed him. Shot him in the head."

Lucy buried her face in his chest again, letting out a choked sob as she held him close. The dirt from her fingers soiled his shirt, but he couldn't think of anything but protecting her. Natsu tucked her head under his chin, eyes unfocused as he stared at the lake.

Was that really Ivan? If so, who shot him? Was it Igneel? Or someone from his group?

There were more questions than answers. He thought by now he would be used to it, but instead of accepting it, the unknown weighed him down.

He needed to find out what happened to his dad, but he felt it in his heart.

Lucy needed him now. He would find his dad one day, figure out where his journey led him after the outbreak, but in that moment, Lucy was his priority.

He wouldn't let her down.

.

.

.

Natsu still cares deeply for Igneel and isn't giving up. He's just realizing his immediate priorities. If it had been Igneel at the lake house, it would have been a long time ago. There's next to no chance Lucy would know where Igneel was, and that was if he was even the one who wrote that note. Basically I don't want anyone to think Natsu gave up on finding his dad. He's still determined to do so, he just sees Lucy needs him more right now. Comforting her is something he can accomplish in the present.

So I based the distance from Fairy Tail to the lake house off my town to another. If someone rode a bike on the highway it would be 41 miles (3 hours and 40 minutes without breaks), but it would take a person walking a little over 30 miles since they can cut through areas unlike a bike or car. If a person walks 20 minutes per mile, that would make the trip about 10 hours without breaks. Lucy was running but I imagine she stopped a few times to catch her breath because come on, that's a fucking crazy amount of distance to cover. My longest walk was 10 miles, took me a few hours and afterwards I laid down and ended up throwing up (I didn't properly cool down before resting), so I think it's possible Lucy traveled the 30ish miles between 5pm one day and 11am the next morning. That's roughly 18 hours. Totally possible, just not good for her body. I imagine she was limping towards the end. Anyways, that's the 'research' for this chapter.

Thank you so much for reading and for your patience! I hope y'all liked this latest chapter and see how it tied in with the previous chapter. Who knew they were so close the whole time? Let me know what you thought! Any theories on what comes next?

Shout out to those amazing people who left me feedback last time: sakshishetty3003, dareaderreads, Wadeparker, Duchixx, heng bang shi, Doginshoe, Bookwork129, SistershoOk, ElementalMiko12, Skibblez, shootingstarssel, Evah33, lovelyleveret, valerioux, FyreFalcon, Copperreign12, Guest, BloodySabbath44, guest, samurai of sunflowers, Patpat, Dezez, stranger1999, Flor de cerezoNFTLC, AJ, Lodemai04, anneryoko, guest, SwordBlaze221, Sam, Nastu Dragoneel, Ryu of Konoha, MissYukkina, BeachBumBabe, CrazyZaika, and enchantressXofsouls!

Up next, Chapter Seventy-Six: Cabin in the woods

I started watching My Hero Academia again! I got to season 2 last time but wasn't interested in it, but I'm so glad I tried again because I'm loving this show. Anyone else watching? I'm in season 4 and I've seen the first movie so far. My favorite characters are Bakugo, Todoroki, and Tokoyami. Also, I'm liking Deku more every episode, but I always have a soft spot for rude/moody boys who play with fire/darkness, haha. Maybe the same thing will happen with Demon Slayer. I dropped it after a while because I wasn't interested, but maybe in a few years I'll love it? What show(s) are you currently watching? I'm alternating between MHA and Schitt's Creek.

Thank you again for reading! :D