Hi everyone! I'm going to try to update once a week at the very least, i've had free time on my hands so i've been able to update rather quickly but i'll have school to focus on soon since my graduation is hanging by a string o.o But anyways, heres chapter three!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

Chapter Three

(Lucy's POV) Lucy was covered in sweat and soot as flaming coals and streams of fire surrounded her, heat and exhaustion were getting to her. She knew closing was any minute now so she kept her spirit up and her movements on point, she had to unless she wanted to be burned or receive a beating, most likely both. Not only that but she was determined to keep these men showering her, the more money they had the easier they could hide once they escaped. They may even be able to hire protection or at least take a train to a few regions over, they had to put as much distance between them and Jose as they possibly could. Lucy quickly dipped around the pole as a burst of flames shot above her, time seemed to slow during this simple movement as she stared at the fires beauty while it faded in a fantastic array of oranges and yellows. Lucy found fascination in fire. In all honesty she enjoyed her fire dance, the concentration it took and the achievement she felt from flawlessly evading and synchronizing with the fire. Lucy detested having to ruin the grace of the dance with the skimpy outfit and the hooting men. Her skill had earned her the stage name Phoenix and tonight, she would live up to that name. She'd rise from the ashes of this life and start a new with Levy somewhere else.

Just as Lucy accidentally fumbled and slid down the music in the room was replaced by the sound of an intercom turning on. "Closing time is in 5 minutes gentlemen~" A breathy woman said. Lucy knew exactly who it was, she couldn't stand her and the woman didn't like Lucy either. Jealousy made her lothe Lucy. 'Thank God, now no one will notice my fumble.' Lucy thought relieved, she had played it off as her sliding down being finished. The music came back on as soon as Minerva's voice ended, Jose always kept the music this loud until he was done with all his 'work.' It covered the sound of screams and made the fact the place was closed yet the lights still on less suspicious.

Lucy immediately looked around the stage for her top only to see nothing but cash and a few coins. 'Coins? Come on now, who throws coins at a stripper?' While Lucy hated referring to herself as a stripper it was true. After coming up empty handed with her search she covered as much of her chest as she could. 'Everyone here's already seen but that doesn't mean i'm just staying naked.' Lucy's face was tinted red as the men simultaneously watched her and gathered their things to leave. She quickly walked behind the stage to grab the usual sack the money she made goes into. Lucy tried to look normal as she hurriedly shoved the money in the bag. 'I have to hurry. Just play it cool.' She went over the plan in her head. One: Collect the money and hide it. Two: Find Levy and non suspiciously head into the bathroom after grabbing the sack discreetly. Three: Quietly slip out the window run like hell and don't look back.' Lucy felt tension in her stomach, she had thought of trying to escape many times before but she was afraid. Now her back was against a wall as her and Levy gained popularity and men wanted to buy their bodies, after tonight there was no going back no matter what happens. Either she and Levy would have their virginity sold away, they'd be found after escaping, beaten then sold out, or they would never have to set foot in this hell hole again.

Lucy let out a shaky breath and slyly looked around for any of Jose's men, after seeing none she stood sack in hand with one arm over her breasts and began walking around the edges of the room towards the bar. She watched the room like a hawk, checking for Jose's men and avoiding the ones who were leaving. Making herself as discrete as she could Lucy put up mock confidence of normality. Afterall, right now she looked just as she did any other night, gather the money she made then take a bathroom break after finding Levy. She just had to play the role of innocents and obedience. 'Okay, now to collect Levy's money.' Lucy began picking up the alcohol drenched bills and putting it in her sack. 'Wait.. Where is Levy? She never takes this long to get to the bar after the five minute warning.' Lucy again felt dread and nerves coil in her stomach, oh how she hated the constant feeling. Her heart constricted as she once again remembered why they were in this position to begin with. 'Me. I did this to us..' She'd never trust anyone again, she'd never be so naive again in her life. 'Never.'

Life was not some fairy tale, it was cruel and the people crueler. Lucy again found herself wishing for something. 'I wish life could be like the novels i write and the stories Levy reads, for everything to fall into place and be okay.' She knew she was naive for her wishes and it made her disgusted with herself. Dread continued to claw at her insides, she couldn't stand waiting any longer. 'Something must have happened to Levy..' Her mind screamed at her and adrenaline shocked her, Lucy sat the sack behind the bar and began darting around the room trying to locate her small friend. 'Why'd i take my eyes off her!' Guilt and regret mingled with anxiety as her eyes flew back and forth. Checking every corner and even standing on a chair to see into the crowd of leaving men. Still no sign of Levy. 'Shit.' Everything that could have happened to Levy flooded Lucy's mind, 'Levy.. Where are you?!' Lucy was to taken in her panic to realize a woman walking up behind her.

Sharp pain erupted on the back of Lucy's head as she was yanked backwards and shoved onto the wall. "Well look who it is, blonde bimbo thinks she's all that huh?" Minerva cruelty says into Lucy's ear.

"You must think that considering your dancing, beginning to enjoy the gazes of men are you?" Minerva yanked Lucy's head back so it was tilted upwards. Lucy was afraid, not of Minerva but of the time she was wasting. She had to find Levy now and they had to get out of here. A sharp heel knocked Lucy's knee forward and she crashed to the ground with extra force as Minerva also launched her head forward letting go of Lucy's hair. The repeated stabbing of the heel assaulted Lucy's tired body. 'I just have to take it, don't give her the satisfaction of hearing my pain.' Lucy braced herself, she wouldn't cry out but she would submit, she couldn't risk angering Minerva into getting Jose.

"You seem to forget who i am you whore! I also own you and you are to respond to me when i speak to you, you incompetent bitch!" Minerva spewed insult after insult as she beat Lucy. Lucy knew bruises would form soon as she felt warm liquid leak from her body. 'Play along, just take it for now.' "You're just a whore who chooses to pleasure men!" She spat while laughing.

Lucy's blood boiled. 'I never chose this! I was tricked i thought me and Levy would be waitresses. I would never treat my body as a piece of meat for men!' Anger gripped her as she bitterly thought of how Jose tricked her. Minerva's heel no longer caused her as much pain, instead the regret of her own naivety anguished Lucy. Minerva suddenly stopped attacking her and let out a wicked giggle.

"How about this little slut, lick the floor and apologize for your incompetents. Then i'll allow you off the hook for now." Minerva commanded with amusement in her voice. Lucy gritted her teeth and bit back her anger and disgust with the woman in front of her. Lucy would do anything for Levy and their time frame to escape was slipping away. Swallowing her pride she slowly positioned herself on all fours as pain met her movements. She lowered her head and looked at the dirty floor then she swept her tongue across it with contempt. Minerva let out a sound of disgust and Lucy looked up to the horrible woman. 'I'll never have to see her again after this. Calm down.' breathing in then out Lucy prepared to give Minerva the apology she demanded.

"I'm deeply sorry for my incompetents Miss Minerva." Lucy said as calmly as she could while lightening her voice to a tone of mock sincerity and bowed. There was a few seconds of silence when pain blossomed on Lucy's forehead. Her vision went white and she felt blood dripping from the source of pain.

"All you'll ever be is a toy, i'll finish this later bimbo." Heels clacked as Minerva sauntered away purposely pushing her breasts forward and swinging her hips side to side in an attempt to make Lucy jealous. Lucy picked herself up as the room slightly spun from the kick to her head still. She was angry, she secretly hoped that one day Minerva would get what's coming to her. Anger began to subside as heaviness pulled her stomach. 'Levy!' Her eyes went wide clearing what just happened from her mind, panic once again set in. 'She's not in here and she'd never go to Jose alone.' Lucy headed for the private lounge, now she knew Levy was in trouble. She was small and out of her mind from the drug she'd took, she was a easy target. Lucy wanted to vomit as she pushed the door to the lounge open. Her best friend's pained screams filled the air, she'd never heard Levy make such sounds before.

Lucy's eyes landed on the three men in the back of the room, her heart stopped at the sight. Levy might as well of had nothing on, her clothes were destroyed and she was covered in blood. A man on each side holding her down while metal glinted in the dim lights and Levy writhed. Lucy's mind was completely blank and her body threw her to the man with the knife. 'My God.' He'd been slicing Levy up with the knife, angry lines trailed down her body and colorful bruises mingled with hickes covered her. Anger. Fear. Determination. That's all Lucy felt. Her body crashed into the large man's and they fell to the floor, even though the music still boomed and filled the air with Levy's screams Lucy heard the knife clink as it hit the floor. Time slowed as she propelled herself upwards, diving to grab a mounted whip off the wall. For the first time in the six months she'd been here she was glad Jose was a pervert, BDSM toys lined the walls of the private lounge for the costumers use and enjoyment. She spun around and ripped her hand backwards, lashing it forward and cracking the whip against the man getting off the ground. He screamed and hands flew to his face cradling his left eye. Lucy had only one thing on her mind. Protecting Levy.

Crack, crack, crack, crack, Lucy lashed out hitting him more times than he or she could keep up with. Lost in her anger of the state of her blue haired she continued her brutal assault. The mans blood decorating everything that was near, splattering onto the other men, Levy and Lucy. The two men holding Levy down break themselves from their shock and lunge to grab Lucy, only to be slashed with the whip in her hands. Levy takes this second of freedom and throws herself forward, crumpling to the floor in pain from her extensive injuries. Levy knows Lucy has come, she also knows she has to help her. She staggers forward in a crawl for the knife laying on the floor and grabs for it, missing the first time but succeeding the second. Lucy watched Levy's movements knowing she must be on the verge of passing out and having side effects from the drugs. In Lucy's moment of distraction one of the men grabs her arm as the other goes for her whip.

Suddenly the man holding her arm sickeningly screams and convulses, falling to the floor. There's a knife imbedded in his back and Levy is sloppily yanking it out, Levy is laughing and tears are freely streaming down her face. Lucy is shocked, she catches a glace of Levy's eyes, she feels her blood run cold. Levy was gone, her eyes blank and she was in a hysterical fit. Snap, Snap, Crish, Levy repeatedly stabbed him and finally a sickening snap of bone was heard and the man no longer screamed in anguish. The man going for Lucy's whip had stopped in his tracks the same time Lucy as Levy stabbed the man, Lucy took this opportunity and whipped him twice in the face. He fell like the first man, she'd aimed for the eyes. Lucy turned and saw the knife protruding from the mans head, her stomach lurched and she vomited at the sight of the dead man. Levy again crumpled to the floor this time clutching her head with both hands and screaming. Lucy lunged for Levy, picking the small hysterical girl up in her arms and made a B-line for the door. She had to get them out of here now, Jose would have them tortured, they had killed a customer.

Lucy bust through the lounge door, whip in hand and a screaming Levy in her arms. Some of Jose's men were now on the main floor and they startledly turned to face Lucy. Shock displayed on their faces, she used their confusion to sprint to the bar. Grabbing the sack and entering the bathroom. Jose's men were yelling for him and his bodyguards, Lucy dropped the whip and sack, locking the door. She had to work fast, they needed to get out right now. Emotions had made their way back to her, she was gripped with anxiety and fear for Levy. 'Theres so much blood! Hang on Levy, please don't die.' Lucy sets Levy who is now silent on the sink counter, she pushes the window open and looks down. There's an open dumpster directly under the window, they'd have to take their chances. Lucy sent a silent prayer that something soft would break their fall in it. She turned to see Levy staring at her bloody hands, she looked as if she'd killed someone. She had. Nausea rose in Lucy's stomach again thinking of the man's body, banging started on the bathroom door. Fear pricked her and she threw the sack out the window into the dumpster, she tied the whip to her bikini bottoms went to grab Levy.

"L-Levy, Levy look at me. Hey, we're getting out of here, i'm getting you help right now, we'll be alright, okay?" Lucy said hurriedly as she held her friend's face looking into her eyes. Levy gave a simple nod looked past Lucy.

"L-l-Luuucy…" Levy's body slumped down. Lucy's body lit with fear for the millionth time that night, the door was beginning to crack and Levy was unconscious. She would not let her friend die. Lucy picked Levy up again and went over to the window, she squeezed herself out it, sitting on the ledge she stared down. 'I'll save us Levy.' Lucy leaned forward, free falling, she turned so her back was to the dumpster, she'd take the brunt of the fall for them. Lucy felt the wind be knocked from her body as a metallic thud and glass breaking filled the air. She immediately staggered to her feet and climbed out. Her back felt like fire, liquids ran down it. 'I have to get away..' Lucy's ears rang and everything seemed muffled, they'd been in that loud music for hours. She swung Levy to her back putting the girl piggy-back while still holding the sack.

The sky was dark and the street lights were on, Lucy ran through the run down alley-ways fear and determination in her blood. Her body getting heavy but pushing on, she'd be damned if she passed out now. Spotting palm trees in the distance she made her way to them in a staggering, sloppy run but a run nonetheless. Sand and gravel crushing between her feet and toes. Lucy somehow made it to the forest of palm trees, she didn't stop there, she ran and ran until sand turned to dirt and palms turned to oaks. Humidity replaced the arid desert air they had once been in and thunder sounded above them. She didn't know how long she had been running but the moon was now setting and the sun would rise soon, she couldn't stop, they couldn't go back, Levy needed help, she would die. Lucy's legs ached with everything else in her body and her lungs stung. She looked ahead and spotted something moving. Something big and black as the night, fear stung her, it was a panther. She stopped dead in her tracks as the dangerous majestic animal looked to her. The panther looked shocked if an animal could appear so, Lucy began to untangle her whip from her bottoms frantically. Suddenly she heard a deep voice, her vision was fading and she knew she couldn't stand much longer. She wanted to cry, they'd got away but now they'd die. This panther would eat them. Remorse filled her. She didn't know where the voice was from but she slung her whip in its direction preparing for a fight, she wouldn't go down without a fight.

The panther seemed to shift to some kind of humanoid man, Lucy was hallucinating now, she lost too much blood. Or at least she thought she was hallucinating, her whip was ripped from her hand and she fell forwards. Levy fell off her back in front of her, Lucy saw the panther or man, whatever it was, reaching for her and Levy. Lucy threw herself on top of Levy and glared at the humanoid, she looked as if she was the one who was a feral panther in that moment. She would not allow this animal to get Levy. She braced herself for an attack that never came, instead the deep voice shouted and continued talking to her in a soothing way. Lucy felt tears streaming from her eyes and her vision was going black, blood seeping from her injuries. A blur of red caught her eyes. 'A woman…..' Lucy could not longer stay conscious. Naive hope washed through her as her world went dark.

Author's Notes:

Okay guys! I'm very sorry if there are errors in this! It's almost 5 a.m. and i haven't been to sleep yet on top of that i have school today. Hughhhh, i'll make it, i hope you all enjoy this chapter! Next ones coming soon!