Natsu's New Rival

Chapter 8

Walking up the steps to this large manor, I noticed that not a single floor board creaked. The maroon carpet that covered the steps was beautiful with golden patterns that lined the edges. I followed the butler as he showed me to the room I would be staying in.

We came to a large hallway with paintings lining the walls and had the same carpet as the stairs running down it. The hall was dark, giving it an eerie feeling.

"Here is your room, just call if you need anything." The butler that was tailored in a fine black tail coat bowed before walking off in the direction that we came from. I grabbed the brass handle on the large wooden door and pushed it open.

The room was just as grand as the rest of the house. The large bed sat in the middle of the room and was covered by a thick navy blue comforter. There was a large couch not far from the bed that matched the blankets. Gold walls surrounded the room with gold and blue accents spread throughout. The room smelled of cleaning products, lemon and maybe even orange.

I sat my pink suitcase at the bottom of the bed before laying down. I don't think that I have ever laid in a bed so soft before. Crawling under the warm blankets, I melted into the large fluffy pillows.

The memories of the years before were still fresh in my mind and each time I thought of them, the scars would burn. As if they were a reminder of the past that I kept hidden. A lot has changed since then and I vowed to never be considered that weak ever again.

I had arrived late at the manor and was informed that the client was unavailable until morning. The butler recommended that I rest for the long day that I had ahead of me. I wasn't sure what he meant but something about this place rose the hairs on the back of my neck. My throat seemed to have swelled and my stomach was suddenly nauseous. I felt nervous, as if I was being watched. Even though I was exhausted, the feeling that I had wasn't going to let me get any sleep.

I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours and jumped at every little noise I heard. I kept my keys close as the night seemed endless. After some time I felt as if I was finally drifting off to sleep.

A jingle of metal stirred me. My eyes shot open. That was my keys! I reached forward with sweaty palms and felt around the end table. Nothing. No keys. My heart was racing. I listened closely. Waiting for a sound.

"Who's there?" I demanded. My voice was firm. I couldn't let them know the panic I was feeling. The room was dark. Too dark. I realized that the curtains that were once open are now shut. Shuffling. Something was close. Suddenly something grabbed me. Pining me down and covering my mouth. I tried to kick and scream.

Finally, I managed to free my leg. My knee connected with their gut. The grip loosened and someone groaned in pain. I pushed them off and ran towards the door. On the other side, stood another figure. I could barely see them. The dim lighting in the hallway cast a dark shadow over them. But I could see their blue eyes staring at me. Goosebumps crawled up my skin. I began to tremble.

Their eyes, so sad, dark and cold. Maybe even lifeless. A pale hand was raised from the shadows. I backed up and into the other person in the room. Large, cold hands gripped my arms, pulling them behind my back. What was happening? What did they want? I found it hard to speak. As if I had lost my voice. Fear had captured me, I was frozen.

"Water lock." A hardened yet feminine voice spoke. Cold water began to circle around me. Spreading and completely encasing me. I was trapped. I felt myself growing weaker. My chest began to burn from holding my breath. Is this it? Is this the end? Was I really going to die, drowned in a giant bubble of water? My eyes grew heavy as the darkness began to take over.

My head was spinning. I tried to move my arms but couldn't. The memories of what happened, flashed before my eyes. I was captured. I thought that I was going to die. I forced my eyes to open. The room was dark and cold. I was chained to the brick wall behind me. My arms ached, needing to rest. I was hung at least a foot from the stone ground.

A chuckle from across the room. My eyes lifted to meet scorching red ones. They looked demonic, as if they belonged to some sort of beast. The man was clad in mostly black, piercings covered his body. His sharp canines were revealed through the malicious smile he wore.

"Finally the princess has woke up. I was starting to think you died on me." His voice gave me chills. He walked forward taking slow steps. Chewing on my lip, panic once more began to eat away at me. "That wouldn't be any fun, now would it?"

He stopped several feet away. The piercings that framed his face reflected the small amount of light that shined through the broken window. His hand gripped something that caught my attention. I squinted my eyes, trying to make out what it was. He lifted his hand, and in one swift movement something was shot into the wall behind me, no more than an inch from my head.

I turned towards it and noticed the gleaming metal of a throwing dagger. My eyes widened. He threw it so fast that I didn't even see it. I turned back to the man that was now laughing. He held his gut as his laughter rippled through his muscular body and echoed throughout the room. My eyes narrowed at the black mark on his left shoulder, the design was familiar.

"W-who are you?" I tried to keep my voice strong but my fear could be heard with every word. The chains that held me to the wall rattled as I trembled. The cold metal was cutting into my wrist and stopping the circulation. I was certain that if I had the strength to look up that far, that my hands would be blue due to the lack of blood flow.

"So she speaks. Good, that just makes this even better. I get to enjoy the sounds of your screams as you beg for mercy." Another dagger was thrown, landing next to my arm. I bit my tongue to stifle the scream that wanted to escape. No, I won't give him that satisfaction. I need to remain strong if I ever plan to survive this. A door creaked open, one that I had not noticed before. It was hidden in the shadows to the left.

"Now now Gajeel, let's not harm the merchandise." A creepy voice reached my ears and another shiver passed through me. A man stepped forward and looked just as menacing as he sounded. His deep red, almost black hair framed his sharp features, his dark eyes showed the malice this man held. His dark purple clothes added to his evil image. He stepped closer, his eyes traveled the length of my body as a disgusting smile crept over his thin black lips. He removed the purple hat and placed it against his chest as he bowed slightly.

"So sorry about his rude behavior, I hope you can forgive him." He looked me dead in the eye, a hint of amusement could be seen. "My name is Jose Porla, it's nice to finally meet you Lucy Heartfilia."

Jose Porla? I know that name from somewhere. Why couldn't I remember? The attempt at racking my brain to remember just increased the aching. The throbbing in my arms was intensifying the longer I hung from here.

"What do you want?"

"What do we want? On no dear, it's not what we want. A man put up a large reward for your capture. You, apparently, are worth a lot of money." His eyes shined with greed. These people were disgusting, to do something like this for money. Finally it dawned on me. I was able to remember where I had heard that name from. Phantom Lord, he was their guild master. These were the people that have been searching for me.

"Who sent you for me?" I snapped, my frustrations were building. Jose cackled at my words. This man was just too creepy. The dark haired man named Gajeel stepped closer to Jose still wearing that smirk across his lips.

"Talkative, ain't she?" I narrowed my eyes. At least Jose was polite. This man seemed to have no manners what so ever and seemed to enjoy the idea of torturing others. But they both were detestable and utterly revolting.

"Yes she is, but that just makes things more interesting. I like 'em feisty. And to answer your question, you shall see momentarily who requested your capture. Be lucky that they wanted you alive and for the most part, unharmed." Once more the door creaked open and a figure stepped into the room. My eyes widened as the blond man stepped forward.

"Lucy." No! No no no no no. This couldn't be happening. I had escaped him! I finally had my freedom! I don't want to go back there. Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't he just leave me be? I felt the tears burning in the back of my eyes. Was I to be trapped in that horrible place once again? The one that I had fought so hard to get away from?

"Father." It came out as barely a whisper, as if seeing him had taken my breath away. But it had. That one word, had caused so much pain in the past and yet here he is, standing right in front of me, and glaring at me with eyes full of hatred and antipathy.