"Lucy! How many times have I told you not to leave books on the floor!" A blonde-haired woman shrieked as she picked up books from the ground. She shook her head at the mess of books in her 6 year old niece's room.
"Lucy! Come here right this second, young lady!" she screamed. Soon after she screamed, the sound of little feet running up the stairs was heard.
"What is it, Auntie?" a young blond-haired girl asked her aunt, pretending not to know.
She did know. She knew how her aunt hated books left on the floor. But, she couldn't help it. Seeing all those books downstairs, covered in dust - it was better if they were in her room. At least they wouldn't feel claustrophobic anymore.
Her aunt turned around and glared at her.
"Now help me clean up!"
Lucy nodded and started picking up books from the wooden floor and putting them in neat piles - organizing each book into its correct genre.
"Lucy, the next time I see a book on the floor of your bedroom..." her aunt trailed off, thinking of a good punishment for Lucy.
"...You will be banned from reading for a whole week!"
"That's not fair!" Lucy cried.
"It is too." her aunt replied.
"Oh Auntie, you know books are my life. How can you do this to me?" Lucy asked, dramatically.
Her aunt rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure you'll live. Besides, I won't have to punish you if you do the right thing."
Lucy was still pouting, but she nodded, acknowledging the condition her auntie laid down before her.
"Great! Let's go downstairs, I'll make pancakes for breakfast!"
After breakfast, Lucy helped her auntie clean up the table.
Then, she went downstairs to the library. It had lots of books - all collected by her auntie. But, her auntie rarely seemed to read. Lucy wondered why her auntie collected all these books if she wasn't going to read.
When she reached the library, Lucy sat on a chair and started to read her favorite book - Key of the Starry Heavens.
Meanwhile, her aunt was washing the dishes when someone knocked on the door. She quickly wiped her hands on a tea towel and hurried over to the door.
It was Aries. A young girl - 15 or 16 years old - lived nearby. She was panting and looked like she ran a marathon.
"Oh! Aries! Come on in. I'll get you a drink of water."
Aries graciously accepted the offer and walked inside, collapsing on the couch. When Lucy's aunt gave her the glass of water, Aries drank in less than 3 seconds.
"Is something wrong?" Lucy's aunt asked when Aries had finished drinking and calmed down a bit.
"Your mother is alright, I presume?"
"Oh, she is alright. I'm sorry. She did tell me to give something. I'm sorry. Here you go. I'm sorry." Aries gave Lucy's aunt a letter.
Lucy's aunt thanked Aries and when she left, opened the letter.
Dearest Anna,
I wish I could tell you this in person, but I cannot. My legs can barely move which is why I'm sending Aries over. I'm sorry.
Let me get straight to the point.
Lucy is no longer safe.
And neither, are you.
It seems the nymphs have figured out that Lucy is alive. They are headed over to your house right now. Do what you can, hide Lucy, and try not to get arrested.
I only know that the nymphs are coming, I do not know what time. I suggest you send Lucy over to Loke's. Meanwhile, you should hide everything that suggests Lucy was there at your house. Burn them. Make sure they cannot be found again.
I know what you are thinking. Don't worry. Lucy is quite capable of looking after herself. She is Layla's daughter, after all. Sending her into the woods towards Loke's is alright. Don't worry. She'll be fine. And Loke will protect her. He may be a pervert, but he is trustworthy.
Signed,
Athena.
Anna was practically gasping for air when she finished reading the letter. Her knees wobbled and her legs turned to jelly. She slowly sat down on a chair, trying to calm her nervous nerves.
There was no time.
She needed to send Lucy.
And eradicate all the evidence of her ever staying here.
Lucy had almost finished reading when she heard Anna calling for her.
Lucy sighed and put the book down on the table before running up the stairs toward the living room and dining area.
"What is it, Auntie?" Lucy asked once she reached.
To her surprise, her auntie was frantically packing all her clothes into a suitcase.
"Are we going somewhere?" Lucy asked, excited. It had been a long time since she went outdoors. The last time she went was...
That's right.
On the day of her mother's death.
"No darling," Anna answered, breaking the thoughts in Lucy's brain.
"You are going somewhere."
"Without you?"
"Yes."
"Why aren't you coming?"
"Because I have work to do."
"Then I'm not going," Lucy said, firmly.
Anna sighed.
"You're going over to Loke-nii's for a ... sleepover..." Anna said, cautiously. She didn't want Lucy to know the truth.
Yet.
"Sleepover?!" Lucy practically shrieked.
"I've never been to a sleepover!"
Thank gods.
Lucy looked excited.
Anna had finished packing all the necessities that Lucy would need. Then she handed Lucy the suitcase.
"Aren't you going to drop me?" Lucy asked. She was scared of the woods. Apparently, werewolves lived there. And werewolves weren't nice creatures.
"Sorry darling, I have to stay here."
"Oh."
"Alright, now remember! Don't talk to strangers. Don't get sidetracked. Don't stray away from the path. Don't use your magic. And..." Anna looked straight into Lucy's eyes.
"If you run into demons-"
"How do I know if they are demons?" Lucy interrupted.
"You will know," Anna said firmly. "Now, if you run into demons, don't use your magic, don't talk to them. Just run."
"Run?"
"Yup. Run."
"Ok."
"Alright now repeat everything I just said."
"Don't talk to strangers, don't get sidetracked, Don't go away from the path and run away from demons."
"You forgot the 'don't use magic' rule."
"Oh sorry. But, I won't use magic."
"Promise me, you will obey all these rules," Anna said, holding out her pinky.
"Promise." Lucy smiled and hooked her pinkie into Anna's.
Anna felt tears stinging her eyes. She didn't know when she'll see Lucy again - if she'll see Lucy again.
Lucy began to head towards the back door.
"Wait!" Anna called out. Lucy turned.
And Anna pulled her into a hug.
"Goodbye, Lucy."
"Goodbye, auntie."
It was a goodbye.
So why did Lucy's heart hurt?
The only time a goodbye is painful is when you know you'll never say hello again.
Where had she read that?
It doesn't matter.
She only hoped it wasn't true.
Hey minna,
Hope you enjoyed!