Fateful Flames (A NaLu Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

[Lucy]

Where... Where am I?

My body felt heavy, and my head was aching. I pried my eyes open, taking in my unfamiliar surroundings.

I shot straight up, sitting and gripping the blankets beneath me intensely. I looked around with my eyes and didn't recognize anything. I felt my pulse quicken, but the faint sound of running water got my attention. I felt my legs become heavier the more I tried to move them, but I swung them over the edge of the bed I was on. I rubbed my eyes as my brain recalled what the hell actually happened last night for me to end up here...

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"Lucy!" I heard Jared exclaim, but I didn't look back. I just kept running.

I soon found myself in Magnolia, I didn't know where exactly, but I didn't care. I was done being under my father, I needed to find Natsu.

I ran into a nearby shop that was about to close officially for the night and bought a cloak. I figured this way, if someone came looking for me, I could just block my face with the hood of the cloak.

So I began walking around Magnolia, I went up and down most of the alleyways and streets. It was when I heard Jared's voice a little later on in the night that I sprinted down a dark street, and ended up tripping.
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It took me a moment to snap out of my thoughts as the shower stopped. It was at that time that I decided that finding out who took me into their house was for later. I quickly threw the blankets aside then stepped onto my two feet then—

Fell. I fell onto the floor.

I let out a small yelp of pain as my hip ached and throbbed. I lifted up my shirt that was detailed in what smelled and looked like trash to see a major dark bruise. I sighed for a moment before I tensed as I heard the squeak of the door hinge and silence blanketed the room.

Soon, I lifted my gaze and my eyes widened at the sight of a familiar face.

"Lucy..." My name graced his lips.

"Natsu?"

We stared at each other for a long moment before he sprung into action and held out a hand. I took it and slowly stood up before sitting back on the bed.

"You're the one who helped me?" I asked.

Natsu threw his towel into his hamper before nodding.

"I am just as confused as you are, but I'm just glad you're alright."

I smiled lightly and looked away from him, blush rising out of embarrassment for my situation.

"You can go ahead and get in the shower if you'd like. Think you can manage on your own with your hip like that?" Natsu asked curiously.

I nodded and smiled softly, slowly standing up before realizing what I was wearing as the smell wafted my nose.

"Uh, Natsu..." I glanced down at my dirtied attire and I blushed, embarrassed by my ragged appearance.

"Oh, right." Natsu opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt.  "Sorry, I don't have much, but this will do, right?"

I nodded and stepped into the shower after closing the door behind me and removing my nasty clothes.

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After I came back out, I sat back down on the bed to rest my hip. Natsu came around the corner with a glass of water, handing it to me. I took it and smiled up at him.

"Thanks."

"Feel better?" Natsu's head tilted.

Nodding, I smiled again before taking a sip of the water and set it on the nightstand beside the bed.