{VIOLENT CHAPTER} -In my opinion.

All I ever wanted was a good life but people don't seem to want me to have that, but I was never one to give up on my dying dreams.

Cicadas chirped loudly like the sun was about to set and because of them Gildarts knew an early summer was arriving soon. ''I wish I was at home with Cana and Cornelia.'' he began chatting with the front desk lady whilst leaning his back against the counter and peering out at the tauntingly beautiful day.

''I started to teach her how to play the guitar.'' he smiled at Kinana the receptionist. ''Oh so you'll let her be a musician?!'' she asked cheerfully for Cana finally persuading her parents. ''The promise is if she brings her grades up and finally graduates.'' he huffed standing up straight and turning around to face the little lady.

''But I have faith that's very soon, she doesn't laze around anymore but spends her nights studying hard.'' ''Bring the report card and show us when it comes in and show us her college diploma.'' Kinana smiled excitedly thoughts of Cana's dream that would shortly come true filling her mind and cheering her up a bit.

''Well, what's up with you and Erik...Cobra was it?'' it was now Kinana's turn to huff and puff. ''I'm going to smack him in the back of his head when I see him, I'll really do it!'' ''Why?'' ''He's just so rude for literally no reason at all, 24/7.'' ''Do you know what he said to me just because I stepped on his balboa blue rim flowers?''

''Aren't those the purple and white flowers you were looking at online?'' ''Yeah because I want to replace his precious flowers, man I didn't even see the flowers but he doesn't believe me.'' ''He's so rude to me and look I still want to help him.''

''Why would he be rude to his girlfriend?'' Gildarts was puzzled and baffled honestly. ''No, No! we aren't dating, we're only neighbors in the same apartment complex!'' she almost screeched almost pouring her latte macchiato.

''What!? everyone was betting that was the truth a few months ago.'' ''What betting like gambling?'' now the poor girl was flustered by her friend's assumptions.

''So Evergreen does in fact owe me ten dollars!'' ''Even Evergreen?! but isn't she a cop?'' Gildarts turned back around facing the door. ''I just saw her go outside too, be a witness so she can pay me back.''

Kinana began fanning herself it was awfully hot when she was put in the spotlight like this. ''Why I outta-'' Gildarts forgot what he was going to say because suddenly a call came in for him.

''Hello? this Gildarts with whom am I speaking?'' he asked for the owner of the breathy voice, it was Jude who just got into his car and was on his way.

''Gil, where is Lucy?! is she there already?''

''Yeah she arrived a few minutes ago and is with Crawford right now,'' he said lazily leaning against the hardwood counter spying Evergreen approaching through the large glass door. ''I need you to get her away from there quickly!''

''Huh, why?!'' Gildarts choked on air, the bitter anger and blooming worry mixed into Jude's voice frightened him, ''Just get my daughter away from Crawford and protect her until I arrive.'' Jude hissed into the phone filled with rage and hatred for his old 'friend.'

Swear to me that you'll never leave me alone to myself left with nothing but a cold-glazed over soul, swear that you'll warm me up when I need you.

Natsu ignored a headache pounding in his ears and focused on the lifting of a small house that had collapsed ten minutes before he was called to the scene.

''I got you sweetie.'' he sighed in relief grabbing hold of the little owner of the former house. ''It's alright.'' he hushed her kissing her small forehead to stop her wailing and assure her of her safety. ''shh, I've got you child.'' he held her in his slimming but still strong arms and rushed her and her smaller dog to the hospital to receive the treatments they definitely needed.

''She was living in her parent's house,'' Natsu filled Laxus in on the story with stinging tears in his sharp onyx eyes. ''They abandoned her,'' the thoughts of her life after her parents ditched her broke his heart. ''It's the 20th case today,'' Laxus informed him writing down the name of the little girl who was called Storm.

Laxus dragged his attention hesitantly from his little patient to the doctor who brought her in.

''Natsu you look a little pale?'' he wondered because Natsu who was formerly pale and now a slight bronze, always covered in sweat and working hard. ''Just a little bit tired.''

Natsu brushed off Laxus's concern and returned to the eagerly waiting hot sun outside. ''Hey, drink some water okay?!'' Laxus called from the hospital window.

''I will,'' Natsu called back and then started off to go find the village water source, it was very close by so he didn't have to walk that far but when he got there he saw three street children fighting over the well bucket.

Natsu knelt down on one knee and removed his knapsack, digging through the bag that had dimming possessions he grabbed a bunch of energy snacks and children's chew-able supplements. ''Hey little ones?'' he called but the three children ignored him and continued fighting.

''I had it first!'' a small boy screamed. ''I need it more than you!'' a taller girl countered aggressively pushing him against the well side and almost knocking him into the water he desperately needed.

the boy coughed choking on dust and gravel, none of them knew how to be a child or that maybe other children had much better lives than theirs the thought was something they never fathomed.

At this point, Natsu's headache grew worse and his breath became shallow. ''Children!'' he yelled despite his dry throat catching their attention and scaring them while he was at it.

''Here children I have food!'' he handed the suddenly excited children the snacks and water bottles.

He would give them the supplements later when he could supervise their intake because small hungry children would certainly eat everything inevitably overdosing, with that in mind he tucked the medicine away in his bag.

''I've got to go now but If you want more food, come here a little later and bring your friends a little bit later.'' the children nodded eagerly drinking the water and stuffing down snacks like the kind stranger would change his mind and take it back like many people had done to them before.

He smiled always happy to help watching the children hide food for their friends to eat instead of eating it all in one go by themselves because the poor heart was the most generous though it was sometimes affected.

Natsu limped back to the cool hospital and got inside before his vision started to blur because he was sweating immensely.

''Laxus I'm going to faint!'' he called down the hall spotting his friend on his lunch break. ''Why?'' Laxus ran over to examine him. ''Too much sun,'' he chuckled sitting down and accepting the water he was offered. ''Idiot I told you to drink some water didn't I.'' Laxus began to scold and nag as per usual. ''There is a group of children by the well, they're street children,'' Natsu said with in a raspy breath-taken voice.

''Always worrying about someone else...take care of yourself sometimes too.'' Laxus picked up his phone to call the retrieving crew who were on ready to pick all the children up and go find the rest who were undoubtedly hiding. ''Times are getting hard but I pray it will get better,'' Natsu whispered deciding to take a little nap on a bench when he saw groups of children walking around staring in amazement at the inside of a hospital.

He would dream again and again of the girl who brought a shining hope to his life and never failed to brighten his darkest days, The girl he swore to never let go even in his solitary moments.

A dream never really disappears it only hides away and you choose to abandon it, A dream eventually creates another dream just for another person beside you.

Erza settled her beautiful baby Camellia Rose into her peach car seat, Jellal grabbed the baby bag and placed all the gifts into bigger bags. ''I wish our friends could help us carry all of their gifts.'' Erza giggled sweetly kissing the napping baby's soft cheeks. ''True but asking them would be a little too much don't you think?''Jellal smiled at her going over to kiss her again and congratulate her for her hard work.

''I have to make two trips, you stay with Camellia and I'll take the gifts to the car.'' ''Fear not civilians, I am here to help.'' Evergreen stepped into the room and announced herself. ''I was waiting to help.'' she smiled patting Camellia gently and fastening her belts carefully.

''I just didn't come in here because the atmosphere was a bit too mushy for the likes of me,'' she added grabbing the bags, leaving Jellal to help Erza into her wheelchair. ''She is a real sweetheart and a true friend, you know?'' Erza teared up still very hormonal much to Jellal's demise only because he got emotional when ever she did.

Quickly, I beg you save me before I am swallowed by the icy darkness I have undoubtedly created within myself, I've always needed you I swear.

''I highly dislike killing the same person twice you know?'' Dr. Seam sighed and stood up when Lucy fell into her peaceful sleep thanks to her Ketamine spiked tea.

''How is it, that you look so much like Layla?'' he asked the sleeping girl before slapping her hard across the face but she continued sleeping through the pain just as he imagined she would.

''Huh? you should really answer me if you want to live.'' he stood up and walked across the room to get his bag full of various liquid medicines taking his sweet time with everything.

''But dead people never promise not to haunt you, I guess that's why.'' ''The only mix of Jude in there must be your darker eyes...yeah because Layla had hazel eyes.'' he chuckled at the memories of his dearly departed 'friend' that wouldn't stop rushing back every time he saw Lucy. ''You know you were really stressful to look out, at first I thought Layla came back from the dead or back like a spirit or something.''

''I'll cook up the same cocktail for you in your honor but this time promise not to come back okay?'' he took a little bit of a medicine he called 'Soothing syrup' into his syringe and quickly placed it back into his bag and then retrieved another bottle.

''I really should break this habit but what can I say? I was always a quite the little bully.'' Crawford went back over to Lucy and slapped her across the face two more times satisfied only when her pale skin turned bright red in one spot.

''I didn't get to see that with Layla cause I was in a hurry so thanks for that.'' he giggled excited by the color of her face, he ran a hand through her blonde locks quickly messing up her curls that also reminded him of Layla's hair. ''Why do you have such strong teeth?'' he wondered as to why her mouth was bleeding but her teeth were not flying and he was done slapping her around and quickly boring of the one-sided questions and answers.

Crawford opened a fold in the wall and deposited Lucy's still recording phone, the silverware with hot tea and cookies, and the bag of liquid drugs into the wall before returning to his earlier position beside her.

Strips of blue can be seen in the smallest and most bitter of all tears, I bend low and clench my sides dying a little inside you've let me breathe a killing air.

Evergreen walked back into the cool hospital in time to see Gildarts run off towards the elevator. ''Whoa, what's the hurry?!'' she ran after him on instinct and caught him in the elevator.''Why are you running? what's the hurry?'' she asked her friend's father who was the head of security.

''Lucy might be in danger!'' Evergreen's eyes widened demanding more from him wordlessly. ''I was on the phone with Jude and all he told me was to go get her and to keep Crawford away from her.'' The elevator dinged and let the two of them off and they began to dash down a flight of stairs. ''D-do you think he might be-'' ''I don't know!''

Gildarts looked horrified to think about the possibility but it didn't slip his mind. ''I don't see how Crawford would've done it, (Lured Jude away and killed Layla).

''But I don't know what Jude'll do if he is.'' Gildarts and Evergreen rounded three corners nearing the basement where Lucy was sleeping, hearts racing in their chests hoping that the murderer they both knew of was not the one with the sweet girl, they hoped with all their hearts but Alas! not everything can be as we desire it.

Gildarts opened the door to the dimly lit white room revealing Lucy sitting in a chair next to a little table. ''Excuse me but you can't go in there.'' a nurse who recognized Gildarts held back Evergreen because she was a stranger to her.

''Let me go!'' she brushed the small lady's arm away, she couldn't take her eyes away from Lucy sitting in the chair with her head to the side, messy blonde locks hanging over her face almost masking the red mark on her cheek where she had been slapped several times.

Drops of crimson blood blended in with her dress collar coming from her lips but were not completely masked by the red, then Evergreen's eyes went to Crawford who held a needle in his gloved hands. ''You!'' Gildarts rushed forward pushing Crawford who was off his guard down onto the floor. ''Get Lucy quick!'' he shouted to Evergreen who still stood shocked by the door.

The nurse screamed confused as to what was taking place in the previously calm room, she didn't know of anything and only knew Crawford as a good doctor.

''Call the police!'' Evergreen shouted to her before grabbing Lucy's shoulders trying to shake her awake. ''Lucy, Lucy!'' ''What did you do to her!'' Gildarts had the older man in a choke-hold but it didn't last long because Crawford jabbed him hard in his ribs with his elbow and wiggled himself free while Gildarts tried to catch his breath.

Evergreen successfully carried Lucy out of the room and onto a gurney in the upper level of the hospital rushing back quickly to the lower level after telling the nurses to tell the doctors to check her for poisoning and any other type of physical or eternal trauma.

She had missed most of the fight between the two men downstairs and she saw the cops arriving near the main entrance but she kept running going to assist Gildarts, when she arrived she saw Gildarts on the floor with the needle in his arm and Jude fighting with Crawford instead.

Jude landed strong punches to Crawford's face breaking his nose and flooring him before climbing on top of him to land more.

Evergreen ran over to Gildarts and extracted the needle sticking through his suit and in his forearm. ''Did he inject anything?'' she asked helping him up to his feet. ''I don't think so and if he did the dose would be much too small to kill me.''

He clutched his numb ribs where he was kicked a few times. ''Careful don't touch your ribs.'' she carefully transferred him to the frantic nurse praying for the cops to arrive soon. ''Stop Jude.'' Gildarts wheezed.''He is going to kill the man, he said so already!.'' Evergreen couldn't say she didn't want that to happen but she couldn't say the opposite either so she turned around and began trying to pry Jude off of Crawford who was slowly being strangled.

''Jude you'll be charged for murder!'' she yelled trying to pull the suddenly heavy man off of the serial killer beneath him. ''Why should I care about that now!?'' he pushed her away and continued squeezing at Crawford's throat.

I don't want to let go of your hands anytime soon, hold me a little longer till I can gather my plans on where I want you to take me for good.

''Freeze police!'' undercover cops rushed in surrounding the violent scene pulling Jude off of Crawford who coughed in response to sudden air flow. ''No, he needs to die!'' he screamed profanities and frantically waved his arms trying to get free. 'How can they take my only chance away?' ''He is the villain here!'' Evergreen started pointing at Crawford. ''he was the one trying to kill people.''

Crawford removed his gloves and stuffed them into his back pocket before all eyes were shortly on him, he had to rid himself of the evidence like he did with Lucy's phone and the silverware as well as the bag of drugs he had hidden away in the padding of the walls before commencing his deed but the gloves he would have to carry on him for now. ''He attacked me first and broke my nose!'' Crawford tried to plead with the police to take his side.

''We'll have to investigate but until then, both of you are coming with us.'' handcuffs were snapped into place on both of the men's wrists before they were told their rights and dragged off.

''Wait I'm coming along,'' Evergreen said quickly showing her ID. ''I'll arrive at the station a little later because I have to assure the safety of the victims.''

''He tried to kill me!'' Crawford yelled and Evergreen didn't correct him because the police wouldn't believe her until they ran their own investigations so she just hurried of disgusted and bitter at the fact that he was still looked upon as a human being.

Jude looked up at the broken security camera that he knew Crawford would claim something in his favor but Jude wouldn't be able to prove it was a lie. ''Let's go.'' the young officer urged him along and he willingly followed because what choice did he really have?

Darkness softly settles itself in the room in my young heart, I can't blame it from fleeing the outside world but I can blame only myself for letting it inside.

I woke up feeling mighty sore with a pounding headache and aching face. ''She's up.'' lowered voices murmured when I cracked my eyes letting the light in. ''Lucy?'' Grandine called her voice soft and hurt to the core. ''Yes!'' I tried to sit up but a cold hand stopped me. ''Gray?'' I was confused by the crowding in my room and puzzled as to why I was here.

''Do you feel any pain?'' Igneel asked beckoning me to widen my eyes so he could check them with his light. ''not really except my face really hurts.'' Grandine dropped into a chair and began bawling her eyes out and I just couldn't understand why. ''Lucy your father is at the station.'' I felt a sudden surge in my heart from fear. ''Why, what's happening?!'' Mira-Jane sat beside Erza both with dark looks on their faces, 'What did my father do?'

''He was protecting you from Crawford but the police are not finding the old bat guilty.'' ''Guilty of what?!'' I was feeling hot and sweaty like when I was sick and fear made its way into me.

''Mr. Seam, he tried to kill you like he did Layla.'' I didn't know how to react to both revelations so I had to slow down my raging mind, the others seemed to understand so they remained quiet and let me process the new facts. ''He is the Cocktail killer.'' Makarov whispered

Crawford was the one I read about, The Cocktail Killer who claimed my mother's life seven years ago..That's doctor Seam?

The same one I only recently found out about after years of believing it was an accident caused by my own father's hand, the one who tried to protect me from the same person who called himself human after doing that to my mother?

I couldn't hold it back and in that moment, I wasn't embarrassed by my stinging tears cause I wasn't the only one crying loudly. My friends...family...shield wrapped their arms around me in a barricade blocking out the sounds of people singing innocent in their knowledge of my suffering.

My mind was numb with bitter grief and words just spilled from my cut lips beyond my control. ''It burns!'' I yelled hitting my chest with my balled fist.

''What burns?!'' Juvia asked one of the alarmed people with me. ''In my heart, it burns so badly!'' I wailed adding more broken sobs to the frequency in the previously spacious room it was as if I was suffocating but I could still breathe properly.

I pray a way will open up for all of us, that we will live prosperously and happily for the rest of all everlasting eternity.

Random piece of trivia: Natsu always calls his patients by endearing nicknames because he picked up the habit from his dearest sweetheart. :)

Chapter End-

Thank you for waiting for me for so long as always.

{I now have to wear glasses, they're orange but I look ten times scarier with them on.} -Random new fact I got them yesterday.

I am sorry for the non consistent plot but I don't have time to reread all of my chapters, I hope you will understand and still enjoy the remainder of this story.

I'm feeling very pressured lately with family and personal matters but I still hope to deliver on this story.

Again thank you for your patience so far.

-Peace