"A vial of hope and a vial of pain. In the light they both looked the same. Poured them out on into the world, on every boy and every girl"

It was now a month since Lucy escaped and slowly, she was becoming herself again. That didn't mean that she was cured, but the mental scars she retained were being washed away.

She was less fidgety around her new friends, she could freely laugh now, without feeling insecure, and the heavy weight on her shoulders was slowly lifting.

The only thing that didn't change was her nightmares. They came every night and Lucy couldn't figure out how to make them stop. The worst part was that majority of them didn't feel like nightmares. They felt like she was reliving everything over and over again. In some ways, she could be considered worse off the more she ignored what happened. But she was determined to forget everything. To move on.

Walking home from work, Lucy breathed in the night air. It was quiet and the moon was bright. Lately, she'd been taking more hours at work realizing that there were quite a few things she needed, like a cellphone. After her friends found out that she didn't have one, they freaked and forced her to go out and buy one. Levy told her which place to go to and which plan to get in order to keep it cheap and simple.

Although, in a way she sort of regretted it because after she was put in their group chat, her phone would not stop ringing. Gray and Natsu were constantly fighting and every now and then Lucy would put the conversation on mute because her phone couldn't take the amount of notifications it was getting.

Like right now, for example.

She sighed as she pulled out her phone and read the messages as they came.

Natsu: GRAY YOU PIECE OF ASS SAY THAT TO MY FACE

Gray: ALREADY HAVE AND I'LL DO IT AGAIN.

Erza: Stop.

Natsu: Yes M'am!

Gray: Aye!

Levy: Thank you Erza, I felt like my head was going to explode.

Natsu: Hey!

Gajeel: Gihi...

Juiva: Juvia would like to know what we're doing for Halloween this year

Gray: Oh yeah! It's this Friday, right?

Natsu: We're handing out candy at my place again this year, right?

A chorus of agreements followed.

Lucy blinked. She totally forgot Halloween was coming up. Locking her phone, she put it back in her pocket. She wasn't going to go with them. Lucy had dodged almost every hang out they've invited her too. Not that Lucy didn't want to go, because she really, really wanted to, but because she felt like she'd be intruding. They only recently met her and they had told her how they had been friends for years. She would just slowly ease herself into their group.

Turning the corner, she could see her apartment building. Lucy always felt so tired after work, but a sort of satisfied tired. She was doing something for herself and no one else was helping her. She stood on her own two feet by herself. She never needed anyone other than herself.

'Oh Lucy, everyone needs someone' her friend said while suddenly falling into step with her.

"Well, I don't." She mumbled, turning her head away from the shadow.

'Whatever you say. Just remember you're destroying your own mind here.' he chastised.

Lucy only shrugged in response. If anything, she'd be destroying other people. What a heavy burden to put on someone. To have to listen to someone like her. People had their own problems; they didn't need more.

Entering her building, she made her way up the flight of stairs to her apartment. She avoided using the elevator because of the excessive amount of anxiety she would suddenly get the minute she'd walk on.

Standing against the wall to the left of her door was her shadowy friend.

'The elevator would've been faster' it groaned. She only shrugged in response and closed the door behind her. Trudging to her room, she flicked on the lights and plopped down onto her bed, face first, and let out a long groan. Her back felt sore along with her feet. Lucy attempted at relieving some of the knots from her shoulders but she inevitably failed. Letting out a sigh she flipped over onto her back and pulled her phone from her bag. The group chat was lively, but it seemed Natsu had messaged her separately a few times.

Natsu: Luuuuccccccccyyyyyyyyy

Natsu: Why aren't you talking in the group chat?

Natsu: Please don't ignore me...

Natsu: I'm sorry if me and gray were annoying, I just wanna know if you're coming to my house for halloween.

Natsu: Pllllllleeeeeeaaaaaseeeee Luce

Natsu: We can match costumes! Or you can eat all the candy! You don't even have to wear a costume just come overrrrr

Lucy found herself giggling as she scrolled through his messages. Somehow Lucy always found herself smiling at everything Natsu did. Lately, she found herself growing closest with Natsu. He made her feel safe and his smile somehow always brightened her day. As cheesy as it sounds, she just wanted to be near him all the time.

He'd goof off, help her with anything and everything if she asked, defend her in an instant when anyone said anything remotely harsh, and always stayed close to her.

Her favorite thing was seeing his eyes widen a bit every time he saw her, followed by the biggest and most genuine smile she'd ever seen.

Lucy's heart always skipped a beat.

Her phone dinged again and she looked at it.

Natsu: Lucy that's it, I'm forcing you to come.

She rolled her eyes and finally answered him.

Natsu felt his face heat up as he re-read the message for the hundredth time.

Luce: I wouldn't miss it for the world

It was finally Halloween and he felt like this year was going to be different. He had dressed up as a dragon (again) and had bowls upon bowls of candy, ready to hand out. His friends had decided to stop trick-or-treating around two years ago and began a new tradition filled with horror movies, food, and candy until everyone passed out on his couch.

He sat in his living room waiting for his friends and eating from one of the bowls of candy. His house wasn't too big, but comfy enough for two people. His adoptive father used to live with him, but he had disappeared when he was around eight, leaving Natsu to himself.

The first few years by himself were the loneliest he'd ever had, but Natsu managed. His neighbors, which so happened to be Gray and his family, had helped him out. They'd make sure he ate food and helped him enroll in school. Gray's adoptive mother, Ur, had also helped clean up his house every once in a while.

Natsu would never admit it, but Gray was his first real friend and he loved him like a brother.

Gray would never know that though for the sake of Natsu's pride. Speaking of the icy bastard, he looked up to see his door opening and a shirtless Gray and giggly Juvia dressed as a vampire, walked in.

"Finally, you live like two feet away, you freak." Natsu groaned dramatically as he heaved himself up to greet them.

"You trynna start somethi-" Gray began but Juvia beat him to it.

"Hi Natsu! Juvia loves the costume and candy!" She happily stated, bounding over to grab some candy.

"Thanks, it's totally better than his. He doesn't even have his." Natsu snorted, poking Gray's bare chest. Gray, in response, looked down and gaped at his bare chest, sputtering. He ran out of the house before returning within seconds, while putting his a navy, skin tight shirt on and carrying a white coat.

"For your information, I'm an ice wizard." Gray stated.

"Oh yeah, clearly." Natsu snorted. "Ice wizards are chumps."

"An ice wizard could take your dragon ass any day." Gray threatened, the two now inches away from one another.

"I better not be hearing any fighting." A firm voice stated from the doorway. Natsu and Gray turned their heads slowly to find Erza in her armor and Jellal in a similar getup as Gray. Erza was slowly unsheathing her sword, while Jellal backed away slowly.

The two boys instantly hugged each other, sputtering.

"N-No M'am!"

Erza smiled in response before bounding inside to where Juvia was, clearly not interested in anything but the candy.

"Your girlfriend is terrifying, Jellal." Gray blanched, while Natsu nodded in agreement.

Realizing he was still attached to Gray, Natsu pried himself off, cringing at the fact that they hugged.

"Hey guys!" A voice suddenly said.

Natsu turned around to find Levy in a witch costume peeking out from behind Gajeel, who clearly decided against dressing up.

"Thanks for hosting, salamander." Gajeel gruffly said while entering the house and standing next to him. Levy, like the rest of the girls, bounded over to the candy. They were all giggling on the couch while looking at the movies Natsu picked.

"Natsu, I disagree with your selection. You don't have any movies with swords." Erza sighed.

"Err, we can search Netflix if you want." Natsu said while scratching his head. He just picked a ton of his favorites, in hopes Lucy would like some of them.

Natsu blinked, realizing Lucy wasn't here yet. He pulled out his phone ready to text the blonde when he heard a knock on his door.

Turning on his heel he felt his eyes widen a bit, like they did every time he laid eyes on her.

Lucy timidly walked in, wearing a black, over sized sweatshirt and black leggings. She had white bunny ears on the top of her head, one of them falling over on itself. Her hair was tied in a side braid, with strands falling loose.

He instantly smiled. "Lucy!"

He could see her begin to smile as he bounded over to her to close the door behind her.

"Hey Natsu." She smiled. "I like your dragon costume."

He could feel his face heat up a bit, but he ignored it. She always managed to do that to him and he didn't understand why.

"Good because dragons are the best." Natsu firmly stated while going to play with her bunny ears. He pretended like he didn't notice Lucy flinching a bit when he reached up to the ears on her head. He rubbed one of the long ears between his fingers and smiled.

The first thing Natsu had noticed about Lucy was her flinching habit. Anytime someone came close to touching her, he could see the flash of fear in her eyes, but it was only ever there for a split second. Every time it happened though, Natsu frowned. He hated seeing Lucy hold so much in because he couldn't do anything to help.

"I like these" he mumbled to himself, attention returning back to the bunny ears.

"Be careful Lucy, dragons eat bunnies." Gray snickered from beside Natsu.

"Hey!" He protested.

"Gihi, bunny girl finally showed up." Gajeel stated, now standing beside Lucy.

Instantly all the girls jumped up from the corner. "Lucy!" Levy shouted, running towards the said girl. Natsu moved aside a bit for everyone to have room to see Lucy. He watched as she stepped back a bit when the girls ran towards her, but Lucy smiled bright, making Natsu's heart flutter yet again.

He didn't understand his heart. The only time it ever did this was when he would watch his adoptive father walk in the door.

"I hope you guys are ready for horror movies. And of course handing out candy, but mainly the movies. And food." Natsu cheered in attempt to distract himself from the light feeling inside his chest. He received a chorus of agreements in response.

Everyone made their way over to his couch while he went to go plug in the first movie. It wasn't too old but he knew it scare everyone. When Natsu had first seen the Conjuring, he was sure he'd have to bleach his eyes in order to forget everything.

It's been a few months and he still can't turn off his night light.

Bounding towards the couch, he snuggled his way between Lucy and Gray and pulled a blanket close around him and Lucy. At first she stiffened against him, sitting straight up, but eventually he felt her relax against his shoulder and he smiled to himself. He felt her hesitantly put her head on her shoulder and he re positioned himself to make sure they were comfortable.

"You better not hog all the blankets," Lucy warned him.

"Wah, I would never!" He proclaimed, tugging on the blankets and sticking his tongue out at her.

The movie began playing and suddenly everyone was on edge. Natsu tried his best not to flinch or scream so his friends wouldn't make fun of it, but he was dying inside. He nearly lost it along with Gray when the demon stuck it's hands out of the closet and clapped, pretending to be the daughter.

Every now and then the doorbell would ring and Levy would be the first one up to hand out the candy. Natsu snickered saying she was scared but Levy replied saying that she "was just being a good person." That made no sense to him but he brushed it off.

Through out the movie, Lucy would inch closer and closer. Natsu noticed that she had completely covered herself in the blankets, refusing to watch the movie. Suddenly everyone was screaming at the movie and he felt Lucy shoot up from her spot.

"Y-You kn-know I think I heard th-the doorbell ring." She stuttered and ran to the door. Natsu, feeling like he couldn't stand to watch the movie anymore, got up and followed her.

"Lucy I think we should just stay here and hand out candy." Natsu said, leaning his head against the wall in defeat.

"Agreed." She said before opening the door.

Natsu waited to hear the sound of 'Trick-or-Treat' but it never came. All he heard was the sharp intake of breath and the dropping of the candy bowl.

Immediately he pushed himself up from the wall and walked around the door to Lucy.

He had never seen her so terrified before.

Her eyes had widened in fear and she was shaking. Her hands were still out as if she was still holding the bowl and she seemed to have trouble breathing. He quickly went in front of her and grabbed her face between his hands.

"Luce. Lucy look at me." He whispered to her, searching her eyes for some sort of reaction. It was as if he wasn't in front of her. Natsu felt his chest tighten and he had no clue what to do. He didn't know why she suddenly froze up. Blinking he turned around and chills were sent down his spine.

Standing at the door was a man wearing a white mask. The mask was plain, with a smile stretched across it. There wasn't a nose, only holes for the person to breathe and eye holes to see. And the eyes- they were some of the most lifeless eyes he'd ever seen. Completely empty and black as if the person had no soul. His clothes were tattered and old with bloodstains splattered everywhere.

He pushed Lucy behind him, shielding her from the mans view. He didn't know why Lucy suddenly froze up at the sight of this man, but he could feel chills run down his spine. He wouldn't feel too pleased either if he opened the door to someone like this.

"I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." Natsu firmly stated while glaring him. The mans black eyes flicked towards Natsu before flicking to Lucy.

They stood in silence for who knows how long. Lucy at some point had grabbed the back of his shirt and he could feel her shaking and it made him sick. Suddenly the man bent down and picked up a piece of candy before simply walking away as if he was never there. He slammed the door and locked it before turned around to Lucy.

"Oh mavis." she whispered. She was doubled over now, hugging herself. She kept whispering to herself before letting out a choked sob.

He ran to her and grabbed her arms, trying to push her up right.

"Lucy you're fine. You're fine." He repeated, searching for her eyes. He had no clue as to why she was triggered so badly and all he wanted to do was help but he didn't know how. He felt so angry with himself that he was so helpless.

His mind kept flashing back to the gruesome scars he saw on her back as he watched tears of fear fall down her face.

She pushed herself away from him and gripped her head with both hands.

"Oh Mavis, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." she repeated over and over again. He ran towards her again, ignoring how she pushed him away.

His breath stopped as he watched her suddenly start to fall on the ground. Reaching his arm out, he tried to grab her before she hit the ground but he missed by mere inches and watched as she collapsed.

Eyes widening in fear he looked towards the living room while trying to pick Lucy up from the ground. His hands were shaking now and his heart felt like it was going to beat right out of his chest.

"SOMEONE CALL 911!"

Ah hello! How is everyone doing?

Sososososososososoooo sorry it took me so long to update! I've been really really bus these past two weeks :c! Anyway I hope everyone enjoys this chappy :D! I'm really sorry it's a bit short, I promise these chapters will eventually get longer and I promise I think my writing will get better as well. Thank you to those who put up with my grammar mistakes and terrible writing every now and then xD

Anyway the quote at the top is by Arcade fire (my favorite band btw)

Looks like things are finally picking up for Lucy and Natsu... but what does this little encounter mean?! MUAHAHAHAHA! Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

I love you all!

-Mad