You're Warm (Fairy Tail)

Infliction

You're Warm
Chapter 4: Infliction

Running through the empty hallways with heavy pants echoing off from the walls, Lucy pleaded to herself not to remember the past which heavily burdened her life. She didn't need them. She didn't want to recall those "wonderful" memories when she was a young child, blessed by the stars above and the Celestial King himself.

There was no need for her in this world. They all made it clear. Since it was her fault to begin with, what else must she do in order for her existence to vanish into thin air?

She attempted suicide. Yes, those typical attempts which never happen to their despair.

All the time, whenever she'd even have a thought of ending her life to be with her parents, her maids and butlers would always run into the room to stop her.
  How did they even find out? None shall ever know the answer to that certain question.

But bolting through the hallways, she covered her ears with tears threatening to fall. She mustn't show them her weakened state.

If they were to see her in this state, then she'll be an easy prey to catch and harm.

That old Lucy Heartfilia was long gone from this world. She left this empty vessel to follow her parents up to the stars above. She left this body to forget about everything.

What now resides in this body was an empty, fragile girl. A stranger. A newcomer to the outside world...

"No... Please... Not now," she whispered as she came to an end of one of the school's hallways.

Looking up, she sighed in relief when she saw the large wooden board hanging on top of two wooden doors. Finally, she made it. She finally made it to the library!

  "Hey Natsu!"

Our blonde bit her lower lip as her mind started to recall those "warm" memories of her. She knew that having these flashbacks was normal for kids who were inflicted, but she didn't want to see herself as that wounded child.

She was insecure. Insecure about everything in her life...

  Pushing the doors open where it slammed against the walls, she ran in and found a small corner surrounded by towering bookshelves. Sighing in relief, she quickly ran over there, ignoring the cheering from the students as the lacrima screen continued to do its job.

"I hate this," she whispered to herself before she finally gave up.

She then dropped to the floor and hugged her knees closely to her chest. A long sigh escaping her lips, her eyes began to grow dull as she allowed the painful memories to flash through her mind.

   "Erza!" a younger version of Lucy cried out as she ran to the prideful scarlet that quickly turned to her call.

Confused, Erza dropped the small dandelion from her small hand and stumbled a few steps back as Lucy slammed into her. "Lucy? What's wrong?" she questioned as the tiny blonde continue to cry in her arms.

"Natsu called me ugly!" Lucy answered as she pushed herself back to show her friend her light-pink dress that shimmered under the sun.

With a pout, she pointed to her dress. "He called me ugly because I was wearing this! He said that he didn't want to protect me anymore!" she stated before more tears began to roll from her eyes.

 "Am I ugly Erza?"

Conflicted, Erza blinked a few times in disbelief. Who would say that to the innocent Lucy?