So, against my better judgement, I uploaded another chapter.
honestly, it's probably shit.
Thanks to all those who followed and favourited and whatever else.
Made me motivated to write this one.
Leave a review, I'm desperate.
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Lucy watched the black car speed away; she kicked at the grass she stood on, looking around. The yard was fenced off weakly, a sun-aged slide and a rusted swing-set on the far side, across from them was a sandpit littered with children's toys.
The dingy screen door swung open, slamming against the bricks of the house. "What are you doing here, kiddo?" the woman was in pink pyjamas, her greying hair knotted and coarse, she puffed on her cigarette leisurely.
"Makarov sent me." The woman sighed, rolling her eyes. She took another puff of her cigarette. She blew out the smoke slowly, her head tilted slightly.
"Come on in then, brat." Lucy padded up the three paint-peeled stairs, the wood creaking under her weight. The woman held open the door for her, she moved inside, waiting as the woman dropped her cigarette, stepping on it with her slippers. The woman moved along the dirty tiles. "What's your name?"
"Lucy," she looked around the house, a living room to her right, kitchen ahead, stairs to her left; all basking in stale smoke air. "Yours?" The house was nothing in comparison to the house she had lived in before; what her father would have called a 'commoner's slum'. The woman ignored her.
"Erza! Simon! Jellal!" she yelled, "Down stairs! NOW!" Her voice was angrier. She looked at her before winking and smirking, "They'll come down faster if they think they're in trouble." Lucy nodded apprehensively, unsure of a reply.
Three sets of feet stomped harshly on the stairs; they croaked in pain. "Coming, Gran!"
Lucy could tell the voice was a girls, it was sweet and a high pitch; still soft though. The group of three stomped into her vision, the only girl had unforgettably red hair her eyes were brown; the left slightly glossier than the other. Behind her marched two bickering boys; one quite ordinary; brown hair and brown eyes. The other boy, the one next to him was unique; his hair was an electric blue, he too had brown eyes; on the right side of his face, though, sat a red, intricate… tattoo? Scar?
Lucy felt their each individual gaze on her and got the impression that the group was stronger in a pack. She looked at each of them soundlessly. "This is Lucy, she's gonna be stayin' 'ere." the woman said. "Try and make her feel at home." With that, the woman pulled a cigarette from the pack on the kitchen counter and wandered outside.
Lucy stared at the three strangers in silence; the girl stood at the front, as if the leader, but Lucy could see the boy with blue hair's protective stance. She raked her eyes over them once more, finally resting on the girl. She smiled at her, Lucy frowned.
"I'm Erza Scarlet, nice to meet you." She walked further towards her and stuck her hand out.
Lucy shook it timidly. "Like your hair," she ignored the boys as they snickered. "Lucy Heartfilia," Erza smiled, she gestured to the two boys, pointing to the one on the left; the one with brown hair.
"That's Simon, next to him is Jellal." She grinned again, "I'll show you upstairs."
Not waiting for the others to move, Erza made her way through, Lucy followed behind.
"Excuse me," she said to Jellal. She looked up, and stared into his eyes shyly. His gaze narrowed and stayed focussed on her. Lucy heard Erza's discontinued footsteps, but didn't visually verify if the girl had stopped.
Jellal continued staring? Glaring? Lucy didn't look away, she merely studied him; trying to decipher him.
"Jellal," Erza said, "Don't be so hostile."
Jellal tore his eyes away from hers and briefly looked sideways. He moved to the side and stared once more; he smirked.
Lucy smiled a smile suitable for an unwanted photo. "Thank you,"
The rest of the house was silent as Erza directed her up the stairs; she turned right, coming into the hallway, before going into a room on the right. She opened the door, the sun shining through the blinds. To the left of her was a wooden bunk bed, floral engravings at the head. An old dusty mat lay on the floor, along with a collection of dolls wooden and chipped.
"Are you OK with the top bunk?" Erza asked.
Lucy nodded, "My balance is pretty good."
Erza giggled softly,
"You're funny,"
"Am I?" Erza nodded. Lucy climbed the ladder leading to her bed; Erza threw up a thick blanket. "How old are you?"
"Ten." Erza answered, "You?"
"Seven… " Lucy said. Feeling all to young she quickly added, "Turning eight this year." She spread the duvet over her springy mattress and sat on the bed. "How long have you been here?"
"Two years." Lucy hummed and lay down. She stared up at the ceiling, the roof was not white; but not yet yellow, there was a splash of an unknown orange on the far right. She drifted her eyes to the angles where the walls connected; squinting her eyes to trace the cobwebs.
"Is it nice here?"
Erza didn't answer straight away, she seemed to actually think about it; something Lucy appreciated. "It's nicer in here than it is out there."
Jellal had come in a few minutes later, Simon hot on his heels. Lucy was laying on her stomach, reading one the books Erza had kindly lent her. Erza was on the floor, sitting cross legged; absentmindedly humming a tune while she twirled her dolls.
"Everything OK, Jellal?" Erza asked; not taking her eyes off her toys.
Jellal remained silent
Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes and closing her book. "I'm not going to hurt her."
"I didn't say that." He seethed at her venomously.
Lucy returned the glare. "You don't have to speak when your thoughts are loud enough."
He narrowed his eyes, "What are you, a mind reader?"
"No, I'm just not an idiot like you."
Simon cut in, "We were wondering if you wanted to play outside," he turned to both of them, "You don't have to if you don't want to." Erza looked at Lucy thoughtfully, asking the blonde for an answer.
Lucy looked down at Erza on the floor, "I'll just stay inside, have fun." Erza said.
"I'm fine on my own," Lucy countered, she winked at the redhead. "Go have some fun."
Erza looked worried, "Are you sure?"
Lucy nodded, smiling. "Positive."
The three made their way out of the room, laughing and giggling as they thudded down the stairs. Lucy continued reading, she assumed the book must have originally been gory, but had been toned down for a younger audience; she spied the KID FRIENDLY sticker on the front. She fanned the book, sighing as the cool air hit her face.
She put it on the ground and made her way down stairs. The woman was cooking, slumped over pots. She still sucked on a cigarette. "Do you need any help?"
The woman peered over her shoulder before turning and stirring the pot, "I got it covered, kiddo." She coughed, throaty and dry, into her elbow. "Been makin' soup long enough to know the basics."
"Can I taste." Lucy moved closer until she was next to the woman. She held out a spoon, a delicious smelling liquid on it. Lucy drank it down, humming. "Not too bad,"
"It's the best."
"I've tasted better." The woman scowled. She moved towards a cutting board, chopping up some carrots and celery. Lucy grimaced.
"You're putting those in there?" the woman nodded.
She smirked, "Don't like your greens?" Lucy shook her head. "What if I told you there was already vegetables in the soup?" It was Lucy's turn to smirk.
"Then I'd tell you I'd tasted better." The woman tsked.
The woman changed tactics, "Why aren't you outside playing?"
"I don't know how to play." She gazed out the window, watching Erza kick a soccer ball into the goal, hearing her cheer.
"I think you're lyin'," Lucy looked up,
"Why would you think that?"
"Because, 'round here, every pre-school had to teach one sport to its students."
"I was home schooled." The woman frowned,
"Well that's a damn shame."
"It didn't stop me learning, my tutors were well educated."
The woman stared at her, turning on her foot and resting her hip on the counter, "Why don't you go and learn how to play?"
"Why do you put so much vegetables in your soup?"
"Because it benefits your health." She answered smartly. Lucy raised her eyebrows, feeling them twitch as she thought of a reply.
"I'm going to read!" She turned promptly on her heel and marched up the stairs, frowning at herself. She stopped on the last stair, and back tracked, coming down two so she could see the woman in the kitchen,
"Ms Green!" the woman turned to her frowning,
"Ms Green?" Lucy nodded,
"How long am I going to be here?"
The woman smiled, suddenly looking young. "That entirely depends on what Fate and Destiny have instore for you."
Lucy frowned and made her way to the linen cupboard Erza had pointed out earlier, taking a towel she made her way to the bathroom. She turned the cold tap on first – as her mother had taught her – before turning the hot. Waiting for the water to warm she undressed and stood in front of the mirror, she pulled the red ribbon from her hair and watched brown eyes blink at her. Sighing, Lucy carried herself into the shower, the steamy air making it hard to breathe.
When Erza came in later it was only to tell Lucy that supper had been ready. She made her way down stairs, sitting at the rectangle table. Ms Green set them all with a bowl of soup and two pieces of buttered bread. Lucy smiled in thanks.
The four laughed and talked throughout dinner while Lucy stayed quiet. When Ms Green had taken her bowl she had frowned, "Not hungry?" she had asked. Lucy had only shook her head. She went upstairs and changed into the clothing Erza had lent her. The thick pyjamas were overly warm, but Lucy couldn't find it in herself to voice her complaints.
She spread herself out on the top bunk with a book. Jellal and Simon had come to say goodnight, and left shortly after. Erza climbed into bed. Lucy continued staring at her page, not really reading.
"Do you mind if I turn out the light?"
"Sorry, go ahead." She closed the book, not even noting her page number.
She lay on her back, unknowing of how much time had passed. When staring at the dark ceiling no longer interested her, she exhaled, "Erza,"
"Hmm?" the reply was tired and worn out.
"Do you believe in fate?"
Erza answered after a thoughtful delay, "…yes." Erza paused, "One hundred percent,"
And then the darkness consumed her, her escape filled with the terrors of her mother's body, her body shivering despite the thick layers she wore.
Her dreams plagued with The Black Witch, her sweet smile.
Her sickeningly green eyes.
She wouldn't rest until the Black Witch was gone.
That was her fate and that was her destiny.
Let me know if you guys want more; I wouldn't mind writing this one.
Reviews are appreciated.
Until next time :)
~MyFictionalFantasy