Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Eight: Attack

The plan was definitely working. It was almost working too well. As in, as long as the wagon was moving, Wendy wasn't. So she was taking advantage of their rest for the night, forcing herself to walk around the campsite in increasingly larger circles, Carla by her side. When asked earlier by the Exceed why she was pushing herself when she so obviously had no energy left, her answer was shortly forthcoming. "Lying down in the back of a wagon for weeks and weeks is the worst thing I can do to myself. If I don't use them, then my muscles will start to atrophy and I'll lose what I spent years of training on. Besides, I'm going crazy just sitting around trying to breathe. I need to do this Carla, before I suddenly can't stand up anymore."

Natsu had immediately taken her side, mostly because he wasn't sure what 'atrophy' meant, or if it was a good thing or a bad thing. But he knew that Wendy knew what she was doing, and he trusted her judgment. Even still, he asked Lucy to keep a close eye on her, making sure she wasn't stumbling too much, while he, Happy, Gray, and Erza went out into the night, looking for food. And of course it had turned into a fierce competition within minutes.

Lucy rolled her eyes as she relaxed by the fire, her history book on Benos open in her lap. She had no idea how they were catching anything with all of the yelling the four of them were doing. A new shout split the air every time one of them caught a rabbit or found some kind of hopefully edible vegetation, and each declaration was quickly followed by a string of insults or boasts from the others.

"Quick Happy, get all the mushrooms!"

"Aye sir!"

"Ha! That's seven rabbits for me! Try and beat that, flame breath!"

"Pitiful Gray! Is that really how a wizard from Fairy Tail hunts?! I'm already at twelve!"

"That's not fair! You have a sword and we have our bare hands!"

"Don't worry Happy, we're still gonna win! Come on rabbits, come to me so I can burn you!"

Lucy groaned, slapping her forehead with an open palm. It's a good thing we're nowhere near a town, cause they would certainly draw everyone's attention to us. And we're supposed to remain undercover! She sighed, rubbing her stomach and looking out into the night, her teammate's shouts ringing in her ears. But I am hungry...

Wendy glanced up at the sound of her friend's thoughts, laughing tiredly to herself at the face Lucy was making, now clenching her torso to try and ward off the grumbling from her empty stomach. Wendy turned her thoughts inward, thinking about her own hunger. Her stomach ached, and yet she couldn't find the desire to eat. She knew she should, especially since food and its energy was crucial to help her fight this illness. But the thought of sitting down and eating, the smell of roasted meat or fresh vegetables wafting into her nose... Wendy quickly pushed down the bile that threatened to rise up her throat. She would eat, she promised herself. But that didn't mean she was going to enjoy it.

Perhaps it was because both young girls were so focused on their hunger that they didn't hear what was going on around them. Or maybe it was that the competition between the four wizards had grown so loud that all other sounds of the world were drowned out. Whatever the case, the events of the next few minutes came as a complete surprise to the three still near the campsite.

"Come on Wendy, let's sit for a little." Wendy met Carla's eyes, her best friend near clinging to her leg as she tried to force Wendy back toward the fire. Wendy finally gave in, recognizing the maternal worry evident in Carla's large brown eyes. She gave the Exceed a weak smile, leaning down to pull her up into her arms, taking comfort in the warmth of her fur.

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, Lucy looks like she could use some company." The Dragon Slayer looked back at the fire and the blonde still reading her book. Something in the shadows caught her attention; Wendy squinted, holding her breath to quiet all unnecessary noises. Carla glanced up in confusion, but Wendy ignored her, still scanning the trees and brush surrounding their little campsite. Something was wrong... what was it? Wendy opened her mouth to warn Lucy, not knowing what she was warning her of. "Lucy-" Her next words were cut off, all the precious air leaving her aching lungs as an impact hit her squarely in the back. Wendy went flying forward, curling around Carla in a desperate attempt to protect her from whatever was attacking them.