As the truck sped out the driveway, Gajeel had to slam on the breaks, narrowly missing Carla and Greyson as they turned the curve into their drive way. Quickly rolling down their windows, Greyson leaned out and took one look at his son, immediate understanding dawning. Unclasping his seat belt, he quickly rushed out and went to the back, holding his arms out as Levy passed over a still very confused and slightly worried Wendy and her bag.
"Go, son. Your mom will handle Wendy, I'll follow in the truck – we're right behind you, go!"
Nodding, Gajeel slammed on the gas pedal, tires screaming and burning as he wildly over shot the tight turn out of the drive way. Clinging to Levy in the backseat, Lucy could feel herself shivering like a leaf, her whole body so very cold. No matter how tight she held on to her friend, or her friend held her, she still shivered. Deep inside, the whole of her felt as if it was ice, her heart pounding in her ears. Murmuring an apology for holding so tightly to her friend, Lucy slightly relaxed when Levy began to smooth her fingers through her friends hair, discreetly kicking Gajeel's seat when he ran a red light.
"Sorry, Shrimp, but Natsu is more important then a fricken speeding ticket!"
The gruff man muttered a curse when he looked in the review mirror and Lucy's hollow brown eyes met his worried red ones. They knew where Natsu was – it was just getting there that was the problem...
"Damn Natsu...GPS for Christmas...Levy?"
"Yes?"
"How do we get to Bunny Girl's house?"
A little seed of warmth grew in her belly at Gajeel's attempt at calming her down...happy for something to do, Lucy sat up and carefully looked around to see where they were. It wasn't far from their destination! Before Levy could get a word out, Lucy was squeezing his shoulder and pointing, almost shouting in his ear.
"Turn left up here! Drive straight until Elm and Shepard, then take a right! Left! Left!"
With a curse, Gajeel swung the truck around, ignoring the honking of the other drivers, waving apologies to the pedestrians he'd almost hit. Just as he turned left, the iron dragon slayer slammed on the breaks with both feet, ramming his arm- turned – iron – rod out the window to turn the truck and stop. A construction worker stood there, wide eyed and pale faced, the Stop sign he held falling uselessly to the hood of the truck. Growling softly, Gajeel hurriedly waved the man over, leaning out the window when he reacted to slowly.
"Look, we're in a real big hurry. My brother's life is possibly in danger here – so what the hell is going on!"
Levy reached over and squeezed Gajeel's shoulder before twisting between the seats, smiling apologetically to the still stunned construction worker.
"My boyfriend is right, sir – we really need to get through this street...is there an easier way around?"
Silently, the construction worker shook his head, a scared look over his face as he eyed Gajeel. Thinking a moment, he motioned for them to wait and ran over to a different man in a blue hard hat...this must be the foreman, Levy noticed the difference in vest and hard hat colour. A few agonizing seconds later, the two men ran back and the blue hard hat man spoke, caution in his voice.
"You said your brother's life is in danger? What's goin' on, kid?"
"My brother, Natsu -"
As soon as Natsu's name was passed Gajeel's lips, recognition lit the workers faces. Immediately the foreman radioed total shut down. Concern on his face, he surveyed the area lost in thought a moment.
"This whole area is shut down...there was a bulletin in the news this morning, papers to...maybe – Jeff!"
Another man came running over, followed by four more. The foreman looked around, surveying what materials were on site before his eyes fell on a huge flat transport bed attached to a small sized semi truck. Turning to the men, he pointed to three of them, thumbing over to the semi and flatbed.
"You, you and you – unhook it, now! Lay it across the hole! Greyson's son's in trouble!"
At the mention of Greyson and his son being in trouble, the whole site flew into action. The selected men went to the truck and with the help of another worker and a huge crane lifted the truck bed, placing it across the hole. Quickly, the foreman jumped into the truck, forcing Gajeel over.
"Hold it steady boys! We've only got one shot at this!"
As soon as the men guiding the crane ran off to the side, the foreman jammed his foot on the pedal as hard as he could, Gajeel, Levy and Lucy all tossed back into their seats. As the truck roared over the flatbed, a sickening crack could be heard, the back end of the truck lifted a few inches off the ground as the boards finally gave and fell, split through the middle into the gaping hole. Slamming on the brakes, the foreman got out and shut the door, slapping the side.
"Go! Go! Don't worry about the truck bed, we'll get it out! Go!"
As Gajeel slammed down the pedal once more, shouts of orders could be heard from the foreman, telling his men to get the busted bed out of the hole, some one call Greyson, some one else go check on Carla and Wendy! As the construction sight rapidly faded, Lucy felt a surge of warmth and the kindness of the foreman and his men...a few even waved, shouting good luck and asking them to let them know what happened in the end. Finally able to get where they needed to, Gajeel swung in on to Shepard, once again slamming on the brakes. This time for a totally different reason.
The sight before them had Lucy screaming and charging out of the truck towards her home, Levy trying to grab her and Gajeel chasing after. As Lucy ran towards the house, calling Natsu's name, her mind already screamed it was to late. To late...already she could picture Natsu's cold and lifeless form lying on the white carpet of her father's study...his face so pale, dark eyes wide open but lifeless, no longer shining with such fire and zest for life...
In her minds eye, Natsu lay dead, her father standing over him, covered in flecks of Natsu's blood, a sadistic and dark grin on his face. As she punched her thumb against the key pad, Gajeel finally ripped the gate open, tearing and curling like it was the lid of a can of sardines. The sight before them was enough to send Gajeel ahead roaring and cursing, Lucy falling to her knees and clinging to Levy screaming in horror...