The same four guards came for Lucy and Natsu, not bothering to put the handcuffs back on but still covering their eyes.
They went through the same routine on the way back, both Lucy and Natsu shivering like crazy in the cold, until finally they came to a sudden stop.
Lucy heard the swish of the steel door being opened and the stumbling of feet as Natsu was pushed back in the cell. She was happy she could just go and try to think now.
However she frowned when she was yanked forward by her wrists and she heard the heavy door slam shut again muffling Natsu's loud protests.
She had to try and keep up with the guards fast pace as he led her along.
After a short while of opening and closing her mouth desperate to speak but losing all her confidence over and over, they finally got to their destination, Lucy still seeming to be mute.
A door clicked open as she was passed from one set of hands to another before being roughly pushed down into a chair. After a few seconds she reached up to her face and pulled off the sack covering her eyes to see a dark room with a desk and a few drawers and wooden cabinets behind it, the walls were a dirty cream colour and plain. It smelt of chemicals and burnt her nose slightly as she breathed in.
In a shiny black leather chair by the battered desk in front of her sat Midnight, wearing a dark grey suit and way too much eyeliner.
"Lucy Heartofilia." He began, leaning on the desk with his elbows, "Such a big name for such a little girl…"
Lucy scowled at him, "What do you want with me?" she spat.
"Oh not you…" he grinned, "More your father actually… You see, this place, is my wonderland."
Lucy shuddered.
"It's where I keep my prisoners." He smiled sadistically, staring at her.
She narrowed her eyes as he stood up and came towards her, putting his face right by her ear.
"The people that… belong to me." he whispered next to her, making her shudder slightly again.
"I belong to no one!" she hissed, "You don't own anybody here!"
"You belong to no one?" he said raising his eyebrows, "Not even your precious father?"
Lucy remained silent as he took a step back leaning slightly on the desk.
"Why did you run away?..." he said, "Because he hit you?" he said in high pitch voice mocking her.
She winced wondering how he got that information. She swallowed. "I left for many reasons."
"Well it seems your fathers going to have to buy you back."
"What!?" Lucy choked.
"You belong to me now." He replied.
"N-No I'm not. I will never be anyone's…" she hissed.
"Meh. Finders keepers, right?"
Just as Lucy was about to start yelling at him started to move around the left side of the desk and pick up a small glass of water.
"Drink?" he offered.
Lucy hesitated then saw him pull open the top drawer and take out a Ribena bottle, she loved Ribena!
Her mother and father used to have amazing miniature picnics in the gardens with her when she was younger. She'd always enjoyed to marvel at the pretty flowers and sit with her parents laid out in the sunshine. She smiled slightly at the happy memories from long ago.
Taking the blonde's smile as a yes, he poured the drink then handed it to her.
She thanked him, completely forgetting where she was and had a few gulps.
"Now, you're probably wondering why you're here?" he said calmly walking towards the wooden drawers.
She blinked.
"Y-Yes." She replied blankly, coming back into reality.
He laughed lightly, "Can you move?" he said.
Lucy frowned, "Of course I ca-…" she stood up. Then fell back into the chair straight away.
He nodded when he heard the small thud, "Good."
"What's happening to me!?" she panicked, dropping the glass.
He brought out a large needle that made Lucy's eyes go wide.
"W-What are you doing?" she gasped, looking at the silver goo inside it.
She pushed herself up slightly straining her muscles. "Why the hell can't I move!? What is that?" she panicked raising her voice.
"This." He answered calmly looking at the needle, "This, is a magic duller. You need it until I can extract your power."
"What!? N-No I don't need that! I-I'm not magic…" she whispered.
"Yes, you do and you are." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I swear I'm not a wizard! I don't know anything about magic!"
"They never told you…" he frowned.
"Told me…?"
"You have magic power… like your mother."
"My m-mother?" she mused.
"She was a celestial spirit mage!" he said, concentrating on the needle.
Lucy sat hunched over in the hard wooden chair, too shocked for words. 'Her mother had magic!'
Midnight walked towards her, "This should burn a little, but I'm sure you can bear it."
Lucy tried to shake her head but was only able to make small robotic like movements with her jaw. She tried to scream but it came out as a tiny squeak. She'd been scared of needles ever since she was small but that wasn't what scared her the most.
The little blonde could feel the cold sweat beads forming on her forehead as she breathed heavily and silent.
Midnight grabbed her right wrist firmly gripping tightly as he tugged on her soft skin. She clamped her eyes shut. This was all too much… too many memories came flooding back now.
This was always how it started...
First the pretend calm conversation, then the tricks, then it was the wrist grab, and then that's when it really started, the pain.
The hatred her father's eyes held when he looked at his daughter, his sickening smile as he spat venomous words. She remembered the crack of the sharp whip.
All of the scars… So many scars.
She finally opened her eyes to see Midnight throwing the needle away and sitting back in his chair.
"See it wasn't that bad, was it?" he said, rolling his eyes.
She didn't reply. He had no idea…
They sat in silence until a knock came at the door.