Stay With Me

Chapter 17

It was about three in the morning when Lucy hopped out of the bed she was sleeping on, she couldn't find herself being abke to sleep but everyone insisted it. She probably only slept for an hour or two but she couldn't help it, it's hard to sleep when your kid's been kidnapped in her opinion.

It's been a day since Mai came and Lucy was starting to feel weaker by the hour. She suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot through her side and she stumbled, gripping onto a nearby table. She clutched her side and clenched her jaw in pain. As the pain died down a little, she lifted her shirt just above where the arrow hit. It was starting to turn a purplish blue color. One thing was for sure, she wasn't going to wear crop tops any time soon. But on a more serious note; she had to find Nashi before she runs out of time. And by the looks of it, she didn't have a lot of it.

She quickly regained her balance as she tried her best to hide the pain she was feeling. She didn't want to tell them about her current condition because she wanted them to focus on finding Nashi instead of the deadly poison that was quickly spreading throughout her. There'd be no point in telling them anyways, it's not like there's a cure. This was probably the deadliest poison out there. If you got it, you were dead within a week. That's why Lucy is so determined to find Nashi. She only has a few more days before the poison kills her, and now she's starting to get worried she won't find Nashi within that time.

She walked out to where everyone was currently looking for Nashi and walked up to Levy. "Have you found anything yet?" Lucy asked hopefully.

"Unfortunately, not yet." Levy answered and Lucy's hope vanished. "But I feel like we're getting closer!" Levy said determinedly and Lucy gave her a sweet smile.

Erza then walked up behind them, "Lucy!" She said, sounding a little surprised. "What are you doing up? I thought I told you to take a rest!" She said and gently grabbed Lucy's elbow as she tried to escort her back to her tent.

Lucy got free from Erza's hold. "Sorry, Erza, It's just really hard to sleep right now because of how stressed I am-" Lucy was cut off by Erza grabbing her elbow again and leading her back to her tent.

"And that's why sleep is the best option for you right now." Erza said as she brought Lucy back to her bed. "Now stay here and at least try to sleep. You haven't slept in days..."

Lucy sighed in defeat and said, "Fine, I'll try." And she hopped in bed and covered herself with a blanket. Erza looked satisfied and walked out, looking back one time and then zipping the door shut.

Another hour passed and Lucy couldn't stop tossing and turning. She tossed and turned some more before she gave up. Lucy pushed her covers off and stood up. She unzipped the tent and looked around making sure there was no one who would tell her to go back to sleep. She walked out and into the direction of the forest that was right behind her tent.

She dodged branches and jumped over roots before she made it to a small pond. It wasn't to far away from camp, but it was far enough for her to be able to clear her mind.

The pond was surrounded by the trees from the Forest and had lilies floating inside if it. Lucy sat on a patch of grass and admired the beauty of the night on the water. The moon created a gorgeous light that reflected off the water and the stars reflected in it like a mirror. She sat there for a while before she heard a rustling behind her. She didn't notice anyone was there before she heard someone speak.

"Hey." He said, making Lucy jump a little. She turned around to see who the voice belonged to and saw it was Natsu. Lucy suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach and turned back towards the pond.

"What are doing doing here?" She asked. Her tone didn't sound mean or bitter, it just sounded curious.

Natsu took a seat next to Lucy and looked in the same direction she was. "I saw you come out here and thought you might have needed company." He said.