I honesty didn't know where I was going at the time, I just continued walking without a destination. The forest was cold and my feet felt like ice. I could see my breath as it evaporated into the cold atmosphere. My skin was pale and my arms were graffitied with goosebumps. Oh did I yearn to be back in my cozy bed under my warm blankets. I missed the guild. A lot.
     I'll have to gain the courage to walk through those doors once more. I didn't know what masters reaction was to my abrupt leaving, but I just had to leave at the time. I know that it's bad to escape reality, but isn't it bad to be afraid?
      I held onto my bare arms and shivered from the cold. I was in the middle of the woods and it sent a chill down my spine. I probably should go back. I procrastinated with myself the whole walk. I just wanted to cry on someone's shoulder and be held in their arms. I missed Levy.
"Is it true?" I shrieked on the top of my lungs at the startling voice. I aggressively turned around in horror, but to be soothed at the familiar figure.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" I mumble. "How did you get here? I didn't summon you?"
"I came on my own," Loke pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked me in the eye.
"What are you doing?" He asked. His words were filled with curiosity and sympathy.
"I.... I just needed to be alone I guess," I shrugged. He looked behind us and searched for anybody else around us.
"Do you mind if I'm here?" Loke seemed uneasy for an unknown reason.
"No. I don't mind," I gripped onto my bag and adjusted it on my shoulder. Loke sighed and looked down at the ground.
"Lucy... I'm going to be honest with you," He looked up and stared into my eyes. "Crux started panicking randomly. We didn't know why so we started to worry. We asked him what was going on...and he said you left the guild." My eyes went wide and I mentally face palmed.
"It's true," I whisper.
"But...why?" I gripped my arm and sighed.
"I had a feeling I would have to tell you guys someday," He looked at me with a flustered expression.
"Why is it bad?"
"No. It's not."
"Then what is it?"
"I'm...pregnant," I whispered quiet enough for him to hear. His eyes went wide and he put his hand on his mouth.
"Does Natsu know about this?"
"What makes you suspect the baby's his?"
"Is it not?" He asked, gesturing towards me. I chuckle and nod my head.
"No. He doesn't know," I conclude. He looks me in the eyes with a confused face.
"And why not? He has the right to know."
"He doesn't want it,"
"Well if you haven't told him how do you know he doesn't want it?"
"Well. He told me, without telling me?" I said as if it were a question.
"Is that physically possible?"
"It is." Loke took one of my bags and swung it over his shoulder. I was going to refuse but he shot me a smile in a way of telling me 'it's fine.'
"When will you go back?" He questioned.
"I honestly don't know."
He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.
"Well. If you wish to stay away from the guild, I won't stop you," He says while gesturing me to continue walking. I do as told and head onward, Loke following behind.
"You don't have to stay with me. I don't want you straining your magic just to walk with me,"
"No, It's fine. I'm not going to leave you alone in these woods. Only God knows what lies beyond this path," He stated. You could see his breath leave his lips as it disappeared into the air.
"So what's your plan?" He finally asks.
"Survive."

~•~

Back at the guild...

Levys POV .
(Few days after Lucy leaving)

"Hey Shrimp. Whatcha readin'?" I looked up from my book and saw Gajeel looking back at me.
"Oh! I'm reading a book about a girl that joins a wizard guild--"
"I asked about the book, not your life story." He sends me a mischievous grin and pops a bolt in his mouth. I huff and look back down at my book. "Well, since I had your attention. Where's Bunny Girl? It's been a few days already." I perk up at her Nickname and think of something to say.
"S-She went on vacation," He didn't look like he was buying it.
"All by herself?"
"She is. I'm sure she was just wanting a break. It's hard being in a guild, you know?" He shrugged and leaned back in his chair, throwing an iron bolt in his mouth.
"I find it strange that she just got up and left without telling anyone. Don't you think she would have to tell Master Macarov? Or even Mira? Natsu did mention him going to her house and saying his goodbyes, but why did she leave without saying goodbye to the guild? Do you think she's in trouble? Because you know she's good at that." I sigh and slouch in my seat.
"You could put it that way," I lamented.
"What?" He said through a mouthful of iron. I cursed under my breath, only bringing Gajeel's suspicions higher. He got up and leaned against the table getting close to my face. I blushed at our sudden proximity. "Is there something you aren't telling us?" I mentally slap myself for slipping up and sit up straight.
"Oh! No! I'm just rambling to myself. Ignore me and my blabbering," I lie. He sighed and looks into my eyes.
"You know you can tell me these things. I may seem like I'm a bully to you, but you know I'm here to help, right?" I give him a smile and nod my head. He grins and leans back in his seat.
"How come you've been taking a bunch of jobs in Hargeon?" I close my book realizing he's wanting to have an actual conversation.
"Well. I guess I just like the city. Most of the jobs that strike my interest are there," I lied. I could care less about the jobs, I was only going there because that's were Lucy's new place is.
"I'll have to go on one of those jobs with you," He implied.
"That would be fun! I don't know about going on any jobs at the moment. I mean, I literally just got back from one!" I awkwardly chuckle earning a glare from Gajeel.
"You're weird," He teased.
"Hey!" I roared. He erupted in laughter making me blush. I quickly tried to change the subject trying to hide my embarrassment. "Hey Gajeel, where's Natsu?" Gajeel looked around the guild without prevail.
"Where's Salamander?" Erza piped up and set down the fork to her Strawberry Cake to answer his question.
"He's on a mission," She answered before continuing to keep eating as if she didn't just admit to eavesdropping.
"Again?" Gajeel inquired.
"Yeah, he's been going on a lot of missions lately. He says he has a bad feeling about Lucy being away," Erza added. Gajeel looked at me hoping to get a glimpse of an expression from me, but I tried so hard to keep a straight face. When he looked away I let out a breath of air I didn't know I was holding. His ear twitched a little, but I decided to ignore it.
"Has anyone tried to make contact with her? It's almost as if she's avoiding us...." Erza explained. I wanted to admit to her that she was right so bad, but I wanted Lucy to raise her child happily.
"I don't know. Mira's asked Warren to try to get contact with her, but he can't get a signal. She's probably too far away for him to reach her," I pondered aloud. I was trying my best to cover up me spilling out things I should have kept to myself.
"Huh. That's strange, he's been able to contact the whole guild from miles away. Do you think she's in trouble?"
"That's what I said!" Gajeel grumbled. I couldn't handle lying anymore, so I tried my best to make some sort of escape.
"Excuse me," I exclaimed before getting up and heading to the bathroom. Even though I didn't have to go, I just needed an excuse to leave.

"Please tell me you saw that too," Gajeel blurted out. Erza nodded her head.
"I did, and it doesn't take a dragon slayer to sense somethings up."

So what do you guys think!!? I've been working on this chapter for a while, so if you see any mistakes feel free to point them out, and please tell me your thoughts on this book! Anyways, I hope you liked it, and have a good rest of the day!! Ba~Bai!