foolproof | NALU - novel ☾

unexpected predator.

chapter 6

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lucy heaved over, heavy breaths escaping her lips quickly as her heart raced a mile a second. she looked over her shoulders, to find thick wooded trees surrounding her. sighing softly as she regained her breathing, she found she had been in yet another clearing. tall grass rose from the soil as petite shrubs and bushes dotted the landscape before her. a small pond with sparkling clear water glistened before her, in which she ran towards it with the last bits of her energy.

cupping her hands together, she dipped them into the cool substance, and swiftly lowered her head to drink in the much needed hydration; for her mouth had been dried from the vast intakes of breath. lucy felt the soothing cool slide down her esophagus, and she closed her eyes; savoring the tranquil. birds chirped in the distance, as dragonflies and lightning-bugs buzzed around the blooming flowers that had slightly drooped over the pond. toads croaked and hopped from land to water, creating a quiet, "splash."

lucy listened intently, sliding her knees up from beneath her and pulling them close to her chest. she rested her chin in the crooks of her knees, and noticed the sky had been painted the hues of pink, orange, yellow, and soon faded blue. the sun must've had to been setting, meaning lucy had most likely been running through the wood for a time. she sighed softly, allowing herself to relax in the scenery. she took note that she'd never get the luxury of this type of relaxation at home; and that she'd enjoy her time in the wood before she'd embark on a long walk back to magnolia.

lucy's thoughts wandered to fairytail and her beloved guildmates; and how they must've been so worried for her and natsu. happy, especially. the trio of her, natsu and the cowardly blue exceed had been astoundingly close, and without a doubt; lucy knew that the loving feline was awaiting for her return, as well as the boisterous dragon-slayers. she smiled contently to herself, remembering the guild and their reckless behavior, and their oh-so casual fights. each time resulting in the requip mage going on a rampage; soon knocking everyone into shape.

she thought of how terrified natsu had always been of the red-head, and how despite that; their bond was close and unbreakable. the same had gone for the rest of the guild, but it seemed as though natsu was positively connected to everyone in personal relations in the guild. she knew he loved the people of fairytail, and would do anything to protect each and every one of them with his life.

however, at the thought of the dense-pinkette, she had pondered of where he had been right now, and what he had been doing. she questioned herself if he had been alright, and if he was safe and sound; despite the fickle he had gotten himself into. lucy looked towards the sky, and noticed how the one brightly colored hues of the sky, had now darkened. white spheres of gas millions of miles away, had looked like sprinkled salt on black parchment paper to lucy. the moon was bright, and lit up the area perfectly.

lucy quickly spotted her beloved celestial spirits' constellation, aquarius, and placed her hand upon her hip for the familiar touch of her spirits; only to remember that she had somehow lost her leathered pouch of golden and silver keys back in her encounter with natsu. she brought a hand to her chest, and hugged her knees closer; uneasy without the comfort of her spirits.

at that moment, she was quick to miss the comfort of having four walls standing broadly around her, and she had longed for the warmth of her pink comforter. she had begun to feel the loneliness without her guild being only minutes away from walking distance outside her doorstep. she felt lonely without the breaking in of her two best friends, who'd sneak in at the quiet hours of the night and stay in her home to be there with her as she slept.