Decades Gone By Series: Realization of Crazy - Novella (Fairy Tail)

Chapter 1 - A New Place

The feeling of cold stone against Lucy's back, her bare knees digging into concrete and the strength of something around her wrists sent shocks throughout her body. Her skin was gripped by a cold wind, her nostrils flaring by a rotting smell and noises surrounded her. They ranged from squeaks of rodents and loud banging. The tickle of her hair falling in front of her sent shivers slithering up Lucy's spine. Her eyes fluttered, trying to rip what felt like stitches from her eyelashes and her fingers twitched, the numb feeling that had run through her body beginning to disperse. 

Lucy coughed, eyes finally opening and the first thing she saw was the ground, the way she was kneeling over and the stone floor that was decorated with dry blood. Her blonde hair fell in front of her, still damp from her shower. She dared to lift her head, the taste of blood in her mouth so strong, she was afraid some type of metal was lodged inside her mouth. Black bars stood across the room, looking like a mile away from where Lucy kneeled. 

Casting a glance beside her, Lucy found that the tightness on her wrists were chains, linked up to the stone wall behind her. They were secured well, causing her wrists to burn and blood to ooze out from underneath. She felt a chain around her neck however, it wasn't on as tightly, loose enough Lucy was able to move her head around. Her body shook from the cold air that was let through a bared window set above her, the moonlight spilling out across the stone floor. 

A soft fabric touched her skin but it wasn't the same dress she had slipped on before. It was more rough and her legs were bare, her feet pressing up against the wall. Whatever she wore, it was strapless and revealing. Lucy breathed heavily, her throat parched and lips dry, so dry they began to bleed, dripping down her chin endlessly. From a distance, she could hear footsteps echoing outside of the cell.

A figure appeared on the other side of the bars, holding something in their hands. Lucy blinked, her vision going in and out of focus as they opened the cell door and closed it behind them. She tried to gasp, but it came out more like a broken squeal as Zeref stepped into the light, a bottle of water in his pale hands. He hovered above her, emotionless as their eyes met. Lucy's memories were shaky, but she could remember Zeref in her apartment but she didn't know how she ended up chained to a wall and staring up at him as he twirled the water in his hands, seemingly mocking her. 

Zeref knelt down before her, taking the cap off slowly. Lucy shifted, the chains rattling as she watched the water simmer in desperation. Her throat burned with thirst and when he slipped his hand behind her head, bringing the water up to her lips, she took it eagerly. Zeref tilted the bottle up, letting a river of it slide down Lucy's throat, her lips glossening as water dripped down the sides of her mouth. When he pulled away, she moved forward and gasped, the ability to speak rising up in her throat again.

As he screwed the cap back on, Lucy glared at him and licked her lips. "What the hell happened?" The question was released as a growl, which she didn't mean to happen but Zeref looked at her, placing the bottle beside him as he crossed his legs, staying directly in Lucy's line of vision, which was now clear as day. "Where am I?"

"You're in the dungeon of my mansion," he stated simply, like it wasn't such a big deal her knees were aching violently. "I'm sorry about the arrangements but you're not ready. When you are, I'll let you out of this cell."

Lucy felt her blood begin to boil, her face contorting in anger as she shifted, the chains jingling. "Ready for what, you bastard?" Zeref held up his hands in surrender, a sly grin spreading on his face which made Lucy's hands curl into fists, the urge to punch him growing stronger by the minute. 

"No need to get rough. I am the one who convinced you to come here anyways." Lucy frowned, but before she could say anything Zeref grabbed the bottle and was on his feet in a flash. He turned without another word, opening the cell and slamming it shut with ease. As he locked it, Lucy called out to him, her voice returning to its original state.