So, Um, I know I said I would be doing three other stories. Well, that number is undecided. I might be doing more.

Everyone: More!?

Me: Yeah.

Everyone: *Dumbstruck*

Cobra: Ha, I'm the only one who knows what she's thinking.

Me: Don't you dare say it!

Cobra: She's doing a-

Chapter 4

How to save a life

Eventually the restaurant opened, and there was actually a steady amount of people always passing in. I can see why this place is so popular. It's like a high quality fast food place. Although, the food isn't at all like those other fast food joints. It's just cooked astonishingly fast.

I almost ripped off my ears, when Igneel told me to go into the kitchen. Thankfully, Erza was busy, so she didn't see me.

I won't admit this out loud, but Sting and Rogue kinda made me afraid of her. Just a little. I mean, I don't know what to expect from her. And judging by the glint in her eyes as she starts to stir fry some vegetables, I don't think I want to be near her when she has a frying pan in her hand. Even Gajeel keeps his distance.

Oh boy, my life is going to be just great, isn't it!?

Note my sarcasm.

Anyways, besides that this place is actually great. I mean, at least I'm not working at Wreckdonald's.

"Oi, Natsu." Gajeel came calling for me just before closing. Which happens to be at nine o'clock, so it's not too bad. I looked at Gajeel as he came up to me, wiping his hands on his apron.

"What?" He gave me a smirk.

"Gihee, it's closing time." As soon as he said that, everyone gathered around me. Including Erza, who just stared at me intensely. I mentally gulped.

"New recruit?" The redhead asked. Igneel nodded.

"Well, then it's time for our traditional blackout." Igneel then announced.

"A what?" I asked.

"A blackout. It's when the newest recruit has to stay and clean up." Sting said.

"What! Why's it called blackout!?" I frantically asked. This seriously cannot be happening.

Gajeel gave his really creepy laugh. "'Cause Max passed out on his first day, and since we didn't have a better name for it, we just decided to call it 'blackout'." Gajeel replied, his smirk widening across his studded face.

I groaned.

"Whatever." There wasn't any use in arguing with them. Besides, it seems like they've all done it. I mean, they all have really creepy faces that just scream 'Revenge!'.

One by one, they exited. Their 'good luck' and 'it's only for tonight' goodbyes didn't make me feel all that better.

I looked around the restaurant that had yet to be cleaned.

"Shit..." I mumbled to myself. Well, I better get to it.

I looked at my phone.

'10:30'

1 message

I opened up my phone, and checked my messages. I was from Igneel! I don't remember giving him my number. Then again, he could have opened up my phone and added his contact information while I was sleeping. Since I don't have a password on my phone, it's a possible. Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a password. Or maybe I should get one... Meh, I'll make one later.

'Txt me when to come pick u up.' (42 min ago)

So that's how I'll be getting home. I was beginning to wonder if I would be walking there. Well, I'll just take out the trash and then text him.

I went over to the trash bin in the kitchen, and tied it up. I walked to the back door, opened it and.

It's dark out.

It's OK Natsu, it's just the dark. It's not like a ninja is going to pop out of that really suspicious looking shadow, and mug you. Yeah..

Ninjas don't do that... Right?

I slowly crept down the stairs, and onto the pavement.

I can make it to the dumpster! I can make it to the dumpster!

I tried to calm myself down as I walked towards the dumpster. But when I got there, I was incredibly disgusted.

There, up against the dumpster was a man pinning a woman to the side of the dumpster.

I swallowed my fear.

"Oi, buddy! Here's not the best place to-" I stopped mid-sentence, as the man turned towards me, and I could see the woman. She looked so helpless, her face red and tear-stained. Her upper body clearly covered in bruises. Her chocolate brown eyes made contact with mine, and her small pink lips mouthed 'Help me.'

"What do you want, kid?" The man spat. I didn't like the look in this guy's eyes. the darkness of them looked like a shark's; predator is clearly read. He also looked pretty sketchy. I mean who wears charm rings, and tattoos some random 'X' thing over their brow?

I cracked my knuckles, preparing to square this guy in the jaw. "I could ask you the same thing, old man." I narrowed my eyes at him, a scowl present on my face. I gave him as much intensity in my stare as I did in my words.

He smirked. "You got guts talking to me like that, ya little punk." He lifted himself off of the woman, but turned back to her. "If you try to escape, I'll make sure to-" I didn't hear what he said next, as he leaned in towards the woman's ear. He clearly made her scared, by the intensified look of fear on her face. He turned back towards me.

"I don't appreciate little shits like you interfering with my work." He said, stepping closer towards me.

"Sorry old man, but it's quitting time." I said, grinning. I prepared to fight, as did he.

"You think you're a hero, don't ya?"

I only stared at him, as we circled each other.

"Well you're wrong. You'll only be making a fool out of yourself. Let me just whoop your ass, and show my woman what a puny, little dick you are."

I scoffed. "Your woman? Please. Just shut up and stop making excuses. Fight me already." Yeah, I may have been itching to fight.

The man gritted his teeth. "Getting cocky, now are we?"

"Didn't I tell you to shut it?" I said, going in to land an attack. He blocked, and moved towards me. I dodged his punch towards my face, and while he was distracted, I swiped my feet under him, and he fell. I pounced on him, and landed a few punches to his face. But then I stopped.

"Get out of here, before I give you the death penalty." I gave him a deadly stare before getting off of him. He looked at me, his face bruised and bloody, but it still held fear, and then he ran away like the little coward he is. Now look who's the cocky one!

I watched him until his figure disappeared completely into the darkness. Remembering my chores, and the woman here, I turned back towards the dumpster. I disposed of the trash, and went over towards the girl.

She was now sitting on the ground, her face buried in her knees. Muffled sobs were the only noise coming from her. I knelt down to her level.

"Hey," I started in a soft voice. "are you OK?" I asked her. Her sobs stopped, and she lifted her face to look at me. Only now did I notice that her face was covered in cuts and bruises. "What happened?" I looked into her tear-filled eyes. "I...He...and-" She broke into tears again. I rubbed her shoulder. "How about we go inside? There's a first aid kit. I can fix you up?" She nodded, tears still streaming down her face. I gently helped her up, and towards the back door of the restaurant.

She seemed so terrified. I could tell she would fall at any given moment, judging by her shaking. She just cried into her hands, as I helped her into a chair in the break room.

"Just wait here. I'll go get the first aid kit." I told her. She gave me no reply, not looking up from her hands. I had to assume she heard me. I went over to a cupboard and pulled out the first aid kit. I went over to her, and took out some disinfecting wipes.

"Look here." I gently pulled her hands away, and tilted her head upwards. She winced every so often, when I had been too rough.

"Sorry." I apologized.

She didn't say anything. I cleaned and patched her up. When I was done, I cleaned up the area, and sat in a chair beside her.

"I understand if you don't want to tell me anything. I just want you to be alright." I said after an uncomfortable minute of silence.

This time she looked at me. Great! I'm getting a reaction out of her!

"Whatever it was, I did the right thing...Right?" I asked her.

She stayed silent. I wanted her to answer me. I wanted her to talk to me.

"Yeah. Thanks." She finally said. She speaks!

"Do you need a ride home? I'm sure my, uh, dad won't mind." I asked. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to call Igneel 'dad', but I just did so I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Oh well...

"Thank you for the offer, but I actually have to be somewhere." She said, still not moving from her spot. I watched her eyes become distant as they stared at her boots.

Her cowgirl boots. Holy shit! Is this the girl I saw yesterday!?

"You don't, by any chance live in uh, Clover Creek do you?"

She gasped, and abruptly stood up.

"I have to go!" She started walking to the back door.

"Wait!" I grabbed her wrist.

She stared at me, her eyes filled with shock. "I just moved there. I think I saw you in the house next to mine. It's really no trouble for my dad to take you home." I may have rushed it out a bit too fast.

"No. I shouldn't have been there. I, uh...I don't live there anymore." The look in her eyes instantly filled with sorrow. I let go of her wrist.

"Could you at least tell me your name?" I looked desperately at her.

"My name is Lucy." She said.

"My name is Natsu." I held out my hand, and smiled at her.

She took it, and we shook hands. "It's nice to meet you, Natsu. Thank you again. Perhaps I will see you later." She let go of my hand, and left the restaurant.

I took out my phone, and called Igneel.

"I'm done. You can come pick me up now." It's really lame that I don't have my own car.

"I'll be there in five."

"Thanks, bye." And I hung up.

I locked up the restaurant, and stood in the front, waiting for Igneel.

"So her name's Lucy." I savored the thought. Hopefully I can see her again.

Do any of you guys know how hard it is to write!?

OK, well maybe you do, but it's kinda hard when I have a lot of other things going on.

*cough* like the *cough cough* Phoenix *cough*.

You guys should check it out.

I love it, so... Yeah.

Till next time my lovelies!

XOXO

~locoanime