Fateful Flames (A NaLu Fanfiction)

Chapter 18

[Lucy]
Darkness. That's all it was. It was kind of like I was in a void. It felt like only a few seconds had gone by before my eyes slowly fluttered open, away from the blank darkness. I saw a tiled sealing, and a machine out of the corner of my eye that was making a faint beeping sound. I felt weird for a while there, it was almost like I couldn't move my legs at all...Or any part of my body at that.

After a moment or two of staring at the tiled ceiling, it all hit me. I was in a hospital. I realized that the beeping I heard was the sound of a heart monitor. There was a thick, gray curtain around me where I lay, and there was that certain scent of a hospital that you just can't describe.

When I forced myself to turn my head to the right despite the throbbing pain in my head and neck, my eyes landed on Natsu. He had a bandage around his head, torso(He didn't have a shirt on at the time) and the wrap around his torso was attached to the bandages around his shoulder. His arm was in a sling, resting limply. His eyes were closed, head tilted forward, and his breathing was at a calm, steady, rhythmic breathing. He was sitting up in a what looked to be a comfortable chair, but he was asleep.

Seeing him in that state made me unhappy, worried, but at the same time, glad. I was glad that he wasn't in the hospital bed, glad that he wasn't hurt to a point where it was critical. But I was worried about Gray and Erza. I kept wondering where they were. I couldn't even remember clearly what happened at the time, the last thing I remember is Natsu calling my name. Next thing I know, I was waking up in the hospital. I shifted my weight and the bed creaked a little, making Natsu stir then his eyes opened. Our eyes met and he gasped, shot straight up off the chair - which startled me a little- , and he ran out the door.

I sat there, I little confused as to why that was his reaction.

Then again, how long was I out for?

In came a tall, brunette and she rushed to my side.
"Lucy Heartfilia?" She asked me and I nodded.

"Yeah, that's me..." My voice was a little rough, and my throat felt dry as if I hadn't drank anything in a few days.

"Hi, my name is Louise. I'm your nurse at the Magnolia Hospital. That's where you are now." She explained with a soft, gentle tone. "Are you hungry? We can bring you some food if you'd like... And some water?"

I nodded, finally realizing how hungry I was. Then I spoke up. "Wh-What happened to me? How long was I out for--"

"Miss Heartfilia, please, take it easy. Once you've got yourself fed and such we'll discuss your situation." She cut me off, seeing how urgent I was about everything.

I glanced at Natsu who was looking down at the floor beneath him. I nodded quietly at the nurse and she nodded back before leaving the room to go bring me food.

Natsu stood quietly, and I just sat there. I was sitting there waiting for him to say at least something. I sighed and I opened my mouth to speak but immediately was stopped when he blurted out my name.

"Lucy." He looked into my eyes. I looked back at him, his eyes were shimmering as if he was about to cry. "I...I'm so sorry.."

This worried me. A lot. More than a lot.

"Natsu, what are you talking about? You didn't do anything..."

He looked away, then he shifted his weight uncomfortably. He stood silent.

"N-Natsu...You're scaring me... What's wrong?" I asked. I regretted asking right after.

"Can... Can you move your legs...?" He asked as a single tear fell down his cheek. I froze. I tried, I honestly tried. At the time, I couldn't even feel my legs. I began to breath heavily as if I just ran a mile out of panic and fear. Natsu rushed over to me and grabbed my hand, more tears starting to fall.