A thin stream of blood leaked out of Lucy's nose and pooled beneath her. She could hear the click, click of wooden sandals as they made their way across the caboose's flooring but she didn't look up. Instead, she focused on the little puddle of blood.

Mr. Black grabbed her by her neck and lifted her to her feet. She coughed and tried to get her balance. The sprint through town had left her legs weak and they weren't doing a good job of supporting her.

"That was a lot more work than I was anticipating," Mr. Black said.

"Well, you know what they say—hard work helps build character."

He took the keys from her belt and then released her. Lucy's legs wobbled for a minute and then she sank to the floor. Mr. Black looked down at her and finally seemed to notice the arrows sticking out of his limbs and chest.

"Sagittarius is an excellent shot, isn't he?" He began pulling the arrows out.

"I couldn't have asked him to do better." She stayed on the floor. There was a certain tranquility that came with giving up.

When Mr. Black had plucked the last arrow from his body he knelt down and tilted Lucy's face, examining her injuries. After the inspection was complete, he ran his finger along the brim of her nose.

"Sana."

Lucy could feel her nose shift and the pain was gone. He must have cast a healing spell.

"My shoulder hurts also," she offered.

Sure enough, Mr. Black began prodding her shoulder. When he had sufficiently felt along the bones and tendons, he folded her arm and rolled her onto her side.

"What are you—" Lucy started.

Sharp pain shot through her shoulder as he popped her joint back into place. Lucy screamed in agony and glared at him angrily.

"Why didn't you use the healing spell?"

"It wasn't necessary. Can you walk?"

Lucy shook her head. "Not very well." It was the truth.

This didn't faze her captor. Instead, he simply picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

Lucy's body swayed side to side as he marched back towards her apartment. It was humiliating. People stopped and stared at them but no one said anything. She thought about calling out for help but normal citizens didn't stand a chance against the man—he was a monster.

When they got back to her apartment building, Lucy noticed a black carriage parked outside. Mr. Black walked to the front of the coach and spoke to the driver. "I'll load her up. Go bring me one of the Fairy Tail wizards."

"Is there one in particular I should bring?" asked the driver. His voice was airy, as if he were whispering.

"No, anyone will do." Mr. Black opened the coach's door. "Wait—on second thought, bring me a woman. Get the weak one with blue hair."

The driver hopped down from the carriage and jogged up to the apartment. Lucy could only see his back. He was dressed in black robes.

"Why do you need another person? I thought you were just after me," she asked.

Mr. Black dropped her on the ground and she grunted.

"I want a bargaining chip. You see, I need you alive."

"And you need a person who is… expendable?" She cringed as she said the last word.

Mr. Black was silent.

"Wait, what about Natsu?"

"What about him?" Mr. Black went to the back of the carriage and opened a trunk that was sitting on the luggage rack.

"Well, why didn't you request Natsu? He is my partner and you seem to have some sort of an issue with him."

Mr. Black began rummaging around the trunk. "Where did I put that? I just had it," he muttered to himself.

Another thought occurred to Lucy. "Wait, Natsu's still alive isn't he?" She tried to stand and fell back down.

Mr. Black glanced over his shoulder at her. "Yes, he's still alive. I just don't want to kill him at this particular point in time. Ah—here it is." He pulled a candle out of the trunk and closed the lid. "Actually, let me rephrase that—I won't kill him at this point in time."

Lucy could see the driver returning with Levy draped over his back. Tuffs of blue hair poked out from the twisted curtain. As they approached, Lucy tried to make out the driver's face. He looked extremely pale and thin.

"Look, I'll do whatever you want me to do. Please don't drag Levy into this."

Mr. Black motioned for the driver to put Levy in the carriage, then turned his attention back to Lucy.

"I got a better idea. How about I bring your little friend along and if you cooperate, I won't turn her into dust." He lit the candle.

Lucy stared at him. "I'll cooperate."

"Yes, I think you will." He closed his eyes and began chanting. Lucy heard her name among the strange syllables.

"Sweet dreams." He blew out the candle and she fell asleep.