This chapter was so hard to write. My eyes were literally swimming with tears. I didn't want to do this to her, but...unfortunately bad things do happen to wonderful people. Please don't hate me...
Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing of Fairy Tail. All belongs to Hiro Mashima
CHAPTER 3: BROKEN
The sun had just went down, bathing the man in darkness. It was no matter to him, day or night. He felt quite at home in the pitch blackness of night. He walked through the buildings, his steps making no sound. He had considered going around this particular area, seeing how its stench could rival a pig sty. However, he had wanted to shave a bit of time off his trip. Now that he was deep into the fetid smell, he was certainly wishing he had forgone the shortcut.
He rounded the corner of a dilapidated building and caught the faint sound of a struggle of some sort. His red eyes narrowed and his keen senses began combing the area for the location. There it was again. What is that? He cocked his head. Suddenly he could smell it...that sharp scent of blood. And if he wasn't mistaken, it was quite a lot of it. He soundlessly made his way toward the smell and as he got closer, he could hear a woman's cries. "NOOOOOOOOO! Please, please stop! Oh God no more please!" she gasped, followed by the smack of a fist on flesh. I was getting close; I hadn't even realized that I'd begun running, my black hair whipping around my face.
I flew into the alley and I gagged at the sight before me. A woman was hung from a wall, her naked body painted red. An enormous man stood in front of her, slamming his fist over and over again into her face, each time crunching her head into the brick wall. "Did I not tell you to shut your mouth?" He taunted her. I was so revolted; I wanted to kill him right now, but I had to be careful or I'd hit the woman. I gathered the shadows around me and crept towards the bastard. Right as I was about to attack, the man whipped around and clapped his hands, yelling "Wolf!" Suddenly an enormous wolf stood before me. I quickly drew my katana and slashed at the wolf. The beast drifted out of focus, becoming a strange black smoke. I watched as the wisp flew back toward the giant man's hand. So, his powers return to him. Then I need to take him out - not those creatures. I rushed at him and yelled Shadow Dragon's Slash, crashing my shadow clad fist into his face. He stumbled away from the girl, and before he could react, I blasted him with a furious Shadow Dragon's Roar.
I watched in satisfaction as his body crunched into the side of brick building. I had never been so glad to cause another pain. I began walking toward him, fully intent on finishing his miserable existence, when a faint sound reached my ears. I jerked my head around and saw the woman choking out blood. Shit. I looked between the two and realized - I had to abandon my retribution if I had any hope of saving her. I ran towards the blonde, at least I think she was blonde. There was so much blood everywhere I couldn't be sure. When I reached her, I could see all the wounds. I wanted to vomit. He'd even carved letters into her leg. I had to make myself look away from all the damage; I still needed to get her down first. I cut the ropes holding her wrists and she flopped down onto me, crying out. I laid her gently on the ground, trying to find the source of the blood dripping from her mouth. I knew there had to be a horrible wound somewhere and I couldn't move her until I'd staunched the blood flow.
She whimpered as I checked her back and chest to find they were clear, but when I came to her stomach I found a place bleeding like a river. I ripped my cape off, tearing two large strips off. I folded the first up and placed it over the gash and pressed down. She jerked, and I tried to calm her "I'm here. You're safe." I lifted her up enough to pass the other strip of cloth around her body and tied it tight. I hoped that would be enough to stop the blood. I had to get her to a hospital and fast. I carefully wrapped my torn cape around her naked body and leaned over to pick her up. "We're going to get you some help." Her eyes fluttered open. She seemed to stare at my face for a moment, then whispered "Rogue."
I blinked rapidly. How did she know me? I looked closer and it hit me. I knew her. Well I knew of her. I looked down at her hand and confirmed it. This was Lucy of Fairy Tail. Damn. "I'm sorry Lucy." The words flew from my mouth before I could even think about what I was saying. But it was the truth. I ran, clutching her to me. I knew it had to hurt her, but that wound wasn't going to stay closed for long. I ran faster than I ever had, thoughts flying through my mind just as rapidly. I didn't want to see her like this. It somehow made all of it worse because I knew her. Lucy will be fine - we'll get there in time. I wanted so badly to believe that; I wasn't even sure why.
I glanced down at her; she was starting to breathe shallow. I knew I didn't have much time. "Hold on Lucy. Just hold on. We're almost there."
A/N: I'll try to update quickly - I feel this story eating away at me. It must be told. This chapter's title comes from the song "Broken" by Seether & Amy Lee.