Hey, guys! hope everyone is fine,and hopefully have not given up on my story :P Well, as promised here is the new chapter. I read the reviews and some of you absolutely loved Chapter 14 (told ya). Thanks a lot! Your support means a lot to me. It got me inspired and now I'm trying to finish the story ASAP so that I couldn't update the chapters weekly for you.

Enjoy reading XD

15.

Anastasia

My arms were hurting like hell. It took all my willpower not to hiss when Christian pulled me towards him.

Unfortunately, I couldn't help wincing visibly when he put his hands under my arms to lift me into his embrace.

"Ana?" He shot me a knowing look. Of course, he knew I was hurting. Christian didn't miss anything. Not when it came to me.

After Jose and Brandon had pulled us up safely on the branch, we were forced to make a conflicted decision of whether to climb up or down.

Both seemed equally dangerous since we had no ropes or any other stuff that would assist in rock climbing.

Luckily though, Jose had managed to grab a few bags before the car had fallen.

My travel bag was not one of them.

Not that I was feeling for its loss but apart from my clothes, which I didn't really give a care about, it also had my forever-staying first aid kid.

Looking at most of us injured and bleeding did not sit well with me. I wanted to tend to their injuries.

After a heated discussion, we concluded that if we climbed up, we'd have to find our way down again by the hills and no one knew what we might encounter.

We didn't know what could happen down there either but it was a moot point because we anyway had to go in those woods.

Going back was not an option now. Not until we had the gemstones.

Also, if we walked back, there could be a risk of getting caught by the people of the Brooke.

This way, we'd at least have a powerful source to threaten them if they tried to harm us.

"What was it anyway? Why did the car lose control like that? Why did Ana scream for you to look out?" Brandon had asked Christian.

"Not sure but I think it was an animal. A bear of some kind. He just stopped in between trying to jump on a tree. We would have crashed into him so I tried to change the directions of stop the car. Went all into a clusterfuck."

"There are many unknown creatures out there. You never know what might cross our paths." Jose had commented.

"So what do we do now?"

"I suggest getting down seems like a start."

Already having to pull so many people and then hanging with Christian's weight in my grip caused my arm muscles to scream in silent agony.

I tried my best not to panic as we slowly climbed down the rocks.

None of us were trained climbers and with the exception of Christian and Mia, no one has ever gone on any sort of rock climbing trips.

Still, neither of them had any experience with free climbing without any equipment.

It took all us an uneventful hour approximately to land down to the ground safely.

That was when Christian took me in his arms and noticed my state.

My own arms were sore, refusing to lift even an inch. The side where I had fallen from the car was throbbing badly.

Earlier, Christian had asked me how I was not in the car with them but on the upper branch instead.

"I don't know why I did it but I guess you can call it instincts. The moment we fell down the cliff, I opened my door and held on until I found the branch and jumped."

Needless to say, my story was rewarded with a hell of a shouting, lectures and cursings about how stupid that was.

"But it saved us all didn't it?" Jose had taken my side.

"Oh look who's grown a pair of balls here." Christian had snorted.

"C, don't be so mean. He is right. I know what I did was absolutely reckless but the end result was it saved our lives. Else I would've been there with you hanging helplessly."

With a narrowed angry look in his eyes, Christian had to let it go. But not before warning me that the moment we were on safe grounds, he was reddening my ass for my stupid stunts.

I didn't know why but the idea of him spanking me made me clench my thighs as I shivered and my cheeks heated.

Obviously, Christian had noticed that and smirked.

"Ana, you need to sit down. Have some rest." Christian insisted, rubbing his hands up and down my arms, leaving a trail of blood.

"No, I need to look at you first. You're hurt, Christian."

Not only his palms were bleeding from the shattered glass that must have pierced into his skin, there were patches of dried blood near his hair and on his temple.

"I don't feel any dizziness or weakness so it's not that big of an injury. However, I don't think I can say the same for your arms."

That might be true.

Pulling up Mia and Emily had been quiet easy. It was Jose whose weight had caused my muscles to pull. Though the girls had helped me.

Brandon was assisted by Jose and Em so I wouldn't be taking any credits for that. I was too busy watching D doing his thoughtless climbing on the car's roof.

Talk about being stupid and reckless.

But holding onto Christian was a lot to bear for my poor arms. The climb had over-pushed the tolerance.

"Let's just sit first and see what we have."

Jose had three bags. Three bags that he was able to save.

Mia had also brought her handy purse with her to the safety.

We sat down on the edge of the woods. Cool air making me shiver intensely.

Christian removed his jacket, wrapping it around my front as he sat behind me. His front glued against my back with his arms snug tightly around me.

I allowed myself to take in the comfort as I leaned back into him. Relaxing for mere seconds before opening my eyes again.

Mia opened her purse letting out her phone, a wallet that contained some cash and credit cards, a petite deodorant and a small bottle of olive oil which I knew she used as a moisturizer.

Nothing really helpful. Except for the phone and means of money that would help us after we exit the Brooke.

But for now, there was nothing that could be used.

With the exception of Jose and Mia, all our phones were damaged or broken due to the accident.

Jose's phone screen was severely cracked but it was still working.

Sadly there was no network when you entered another dimension.

The bags that were saved belonged to Emily, Brandon and Christian.

After taking a quick inventory we found all clothes and shawls in Em's bag. Accompanied by a canteen of water and a strip of painkillers.

An umbrella, a lighter, a Swiss knife, few t-shirts and sweat pants with some packet foods in Brandon's. I remembered he was allergic to rain; it was good he brought it with him.

Christian's bag again had a few clothes, then some throwing knives, two canteens of water and thankfully a medical kit.

While I hoped that we would find the car and miraculously few of our bags might be intact, I had to be grateful for the stuff that was at the hand currently.

This could be used for our survival for a while.

"So what do we do now?"

"No one has any energy left to move. We should get rest for the night."

"What? We are sleeping here?" Mia was baffled.

"Think of this as a camp night. Just no tents or sleeping bags."

"No shit."

"Well, good news is the Brooke doesn't seem to have any flies or insects." I said.

Christian snickered behind me.

Emily cheered up at suddenly sick looking Mia. "We can still have a campfire for our pretended- camping trip."

I hadn't meant to but I stiffened at the name of a fire.

"Shh. It's okay. I've got you." Christian murmured behind me.

His words should've comforted me but they only made me confused. And suspicious.

"How do you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I'm arson phobic. I have never told you."

No one knew that. I had always tried to hide it from everyone except for my parents.

But after their death, it was a secret I had buried deep inside me. It had only come out during the second level of Pinnacle Race when there had been a forest fire which had caused me to be literally paralyzed by the fear.

Christopher was the only one who knew my weakness because he had been there with me.

"I told him." Jose was beside us suddenly causing me to jerk in surprise.

"How did you know?"

"Christopher told me once. In the Pinnacle Race. When I was making a bonfire for the night. He told me to keep it low because you have arsonphobia."

"Oh." That made sense.

Christian cleared his throat. "Yeah, so let's get settled for tonight. We can borrow the shawls from Em, I suppose, if she is kind enough."

Emily offered her all four shawls very generously.

Mia had her own scarf that was long enough for to cover her. She was the first one to retire.

All this must've been too much for her. We had been here before, seen it all before, except for Christian but he still had an idea of the monsters living here.

Mia was unaware of the world that existed in here.

In less than twelve hours, she had traveled into the supposedly fifth dimension, survived a deadly car accident, climbed down a hundred and fifty feet cliff freely.

Now the girl who was used to money and luxury was sleeping on a dirt ground by the edge of the woods.

Yet, she hadn't once complained or showed any type of resentment for coming here. I knew why. Because she loved me. She'd do anything for me.

A loving smile touched my lips as I saw her breathing deeply while she slept.

I would move the hell and heaven to make sure nothing touches her here. She was here because of me, but she wouldn't be harmed because of me.

While the others got busy in finding broken pieces of woods to be used for fire, I crawled next to her with Christian's medical kit in my hand.

Gently as to not wake her, I wiped the blood of her hands and her legs. Her leggings were ripped badly, offering no clothing protection to the skin below her knees.

I was dabbing some ointment to her minor wounds and scratches when the others whined about how the woods weren't catching fire.

Taking out the deodorant from Mia's purse I tossed it to Christian.

He sprinkled it on the woods and the alcoholic mixture successfully caught the fire.

With a gentle grin, he walked towards me. Securing the deodorant back in her purse, he picked me up and walked a bit further from the others.

Jose, Em and Brand all took their separate shawls, lying in a circle around the fire, Mia included.

I was grateful when Christian chose a spot that was not very near the burning woods.

He soothed my injuries with the medicines first, then his kisses. Each time his warm lips brushed over the irritated skin, I felt truly healed.

When he was done, I repeated his actions by tending to his wounds.
I was cleaning the scratches on his palms when a strong sense of déjà vu hit me once again.

Christopher and I. Cleaning and tending to each other's wounds. Sitting near the forest. His palms on my lap.

I was transported back to five years ago, in the second level of Pinnacle Race.

So much has happened since then. It seemed like nothing had changed, yet everything had.

This time I was here with my own choice.

This time I wasn't surviving, I was fighting.

This time our alliance was stronger, our friendship more stable.

This time it wasn't Christopher with me. It was Christian.

And though I was glad it was Christian with me, I couldn't help but twinge a little for missing Christopher.

Because I did.

I missed him badly.

What we had shared might have been short but it was special. We had formed a connection that only we understood.

Although my past with him wouldn't endanger my relation with Christian, I couldn't stop worrying about him.

Especially after learning from Jose how he had sacrificed himself for me.

And here I was, sleeping with his twin brother.

How could I not hate myself?

It wasn't Christian or Christopher who were to be blamed, but I myself.

"What's wrong, babe?" Christian asked, diverting me from my self-pitiful thoughts.

I flashed a quick smile to him that felt too tight for my lips.

"Nothing." Yeah, awesome lie. I tried again. "I'm just feeling a little tired. That's all." At least that was the truth.

Christian opened his mouth, probably to persuade me to tell him the truth, but closed his mouth.

With an equally forced grin, he laid down. Adjusting the shawl until it covered him halfway through. He then stretched his arm away from his body, looking at me in a silent invitation.

I was helpless to do anything but let out a genuine smile as I melted into his invitation graciously.

No matter what my thoughts were or where they went, I was powerless to deny what I had with Christian. What I felt for him couldn't be compared to my past with Christopher, or my unseen future with dangers.

I was with him for now, enjoying my time in the present. Knowing that nothing can trespass through our bond to threaten it.

I was wrong.

So bloody wrong.

But I didn't get to know that until it was too late.

Until I realized that our biggest enemy was not the Brooke. It was we ourselves.

Warm liquid dribbled over my arms followed by a gentle pressure roaming up and down.

Fingers kneaded by wrists firmly causing me to moan with relief.

Christian's lips pressed against mine softly. "Shh. Go back to sleep."

I cracked one eye open to see him massaging my arms.

Oh, Lord. Bless him!

"Is that Mia's olive oil?" I noticed the bottle as he dribbled it over my forearms.

"Yes. I heated it over the fire."

"What time is it?" The sky was still dark. Others must be still asleep as it was all quiet.

"Jose's phone says three am. Go back to sleep."

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"You were whimpering in pain each time you stirred."

Oops. I was?

That was why he must have woken up. I felt guilty. Must have been clear on my face too.

"Stop thinking, babe. Just relax. Go back to sleep."

"D, you don't have to do-"

I was cut off by his lips pressing firmly against mine. His tongue did a quick sweep as if acquiring to my taste.

But it effectively shut me up.

"Go. Back. To. Sleep." He ordered me gently.

I decided to let him do this and enjoy myself.

Closing my eyes I relaxed as he continued working my arms and shoulders for long, silent minutes, loosening the tight knots.

A needy moan left me as he increased the pressure against my shoulder blades.

"This feels so good, I can almost cry."

He chuckled but otherwise continued to knead through my tensed muscles.

Moving his unyielding fingers down to my hands and paying extra attention to each of my fingers.

His magical touch relieved my left arm first then moved to the right, bending them at my elbow few times to stretch for the finishing touch.

I was literally panting and gasping by the time his hands left my collarbone to massage my neck and my face.

Deep noises and loud exhales were the only replies I was capable of making in order to appreciate him.

Soon his kisses joined his fingers as he went from my neck to my face. Each of my features receiving a mellow kiss.

Turning the directions, Christian came to face me with my legs nudging his thigh. He picked them both, keeping them in his lap.

Then he lifted up one of my foot and began rubbing at my ankle, working his way down to the sole.

At my heel, he used just his thumbs, rubbing them up and down with a slight pressure.

It feels good. So good. Too good.

"You're so good at this." I rasped out.

The reply I got was a hot tongue dipping inside my mouth to meet mine. All to leisurely my tongue twisted with him, but as soon as I had begun to kiss him, he got up and dropped down back to my feet.

Once they were done, he covered me with the shawl and removed my horribly ripped jeans.

I would've protested that others were only a few feet away from us but the moment my bare thighs came in contact with the cool air, I clamped my mouth shut.

The irritated denim mixed with dirt gave away, making the skin of my legs breathe without barriers.

Christian pushed up the shirt until the material was up to my breasts.

"Shit, Ana. You said you were fine. I shouldn't have trusted you."

I looked down at myself, already knowing what must have angered him.

The bruise on the side of my rib looked angry with deep purple splashes around it, the center-most part a rueful red.

No one said it wasn't a nasty fall. Jumping out of a flying car was no joke.

Christian trailed up his fingers with feather light touch around it. Afraid to touch me there.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Like hell you are." His harsh voice contradicted his action as he bent down and lightly pecked me there.

He continued his massage, making sure to be extra careful around the bruise as he smoothed out the rocks in between my ribs.

God. This was pure heaven.

Each time I made a sound his hands would increase the pressure in the place, causing me to growl like a bitch in the heat.

Christian's newly shown talent did wonders for my body. But as much as it relieved me from the pain, it didn't really relax me. It aroused me.

His touch got bolder when he neared my inner thighs or under the swell of my breasts. His fingers spread out more and more each time he rubbed those areas.

It turned from a relaxing massage to a heated sensual foreplay by the time his fingers grazed at my nipples or my wet folds.

"Christian, please."

He stilled, making me open my eyes to look at him.

There he sat like an exquisite vision, with hooded eyes and pursed lips. His jacket was off, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

I don't know why but his rolled up sleeves that showed off his bulging forearms made me so hot. Hotter actually.

If his restrained expressions weren't enough, the stiffness gathering in his pants was a head-on proof of his arousal.

"Please, C. Touch me."

He obeyed. His hand dug into my panties and rubbed at my swollen nub.

"Ohhhhh..."

Suddenly my shirt was off along with my bra and I was lying there totally naked under his scorching gaze.

"Christian, there are others here."

"Shush. They are far enough, just don't make any sound."

Impossible.

I couldn't not make any sounds. Not with what he was doing to me. But I didn't want to stop him either.

Christian bent down taking my erect nipple into his teeth.

Dammit! He expects me to stay quiet?!

He chuckled when I shrieked. More from shock than pain while he bit at my nipples. He wasn't exactly gentle about it either.

"What you want, babe?"

"Make me come."

And he did. Rubbing my clit, fucking me with his finger and biting at my breasts.

When the first wave of orgasm hit me, keeping my mouth shut became extremely difficult.

Christian helped me containing my moans and screams by kissing me lusciously. Taking in my whimpers to be forever buried inside him.

Afterward, he took one of his shirts out from my bag and made me wear it.

I didn't protest because I was too tired after the day's events and I liked wearing his shirt, clinging to his scent.

"Wait, what about you?" I nodded at his unbelievably hard cock, tenting through the denim. It had to painful by the looks of it.

"This was for you. Your massage. Go to sleep now." He said as he cuddled behind me. "Hope you enjoyed your session."

It was the best massage session I ever had.

The way Jose came with a goofy smile on his face was giving me creeps.

It was late in the morning by the time we were all up. Tending to each other's injuries and breathing in relief that no one was hurt fatally.

Jose had gone to take a look at the area we were, running brief patrols.

I was at first hesitant for him to go alone but he and Christian have assured me that we wouldn't be going too far.

Now as he returned with a Cheshire grin that was splitting his face into halves, I was becoming intrigued.

"I found something. You're going to love it."

Jose's excitement could be easily heard in his words. I got up as he took my hand, leading me a little further into the woods.

Behind me, Christian cleared his throat loudly. It made Jose stop and release my hand immediately. Men.

The rolling of my eyes wasn't gone unobserved by either of them, yet they chose to ignore it.

"Be right back. Stay here guys." Christian said, holding my hand as we followed Jose's lead.

In less than five minutes I knew where he was taking us, what he found. The surroundings became familiar and tears clung to my eyes.

He stopped just at the beginning. Smiling at me, gesturing at the prized finding with his hand.

There, right in middle of this unimaginable hell, lay my peaceful heaven.

My beautiful save haven.

The clearing reflected upon the sunlight just perfectly. No trees covered this part of the land.

The soft grassland here was my sanctuary. Powerful vibrant rays of the sun my shelter.

I hadn't realized I was walking until I stood right in the middle, hypnotized by the overwhelming spell of the sun.

Back in winters, it was glowing. Now, with no snow, it was fucking illuminating.

Closing my eyes, I dipped my head back, basking in the warmth. Seeking refuge in its heat.

It gave me the courage to fight. Strength to never give up. Positivity to always keep trying. And hope.

Even in the heart of the devil, light outshines the darkness.

In the middle of the ruins, a ray of beauty stood resilient.

No amount of evil could overcome the good. No amount of dark could overtake the brightness.

This place, my meadow, was a slap in the face of the Brooke. And that made me love it even more.

Nostalgia hit me hard. I imagined Christopher sitting here with me. His blue-grey eyes, so much like Christian, steadying me.

Dream of another world. Far away from here.

His words echoed in my ear. He had said that to me when I was on the verge of losing it completely.

Christopher had steadied me. Given me his strength. Made me lean on him.

It had worked. Against all odds, I had survived the Brooke.

So I closed my eyes and followed his instructions once again. I dreamed.

A world where we all were together, happy, alive and carefree.

I fantasized about a time where we all were free from the claws of the Brooke.

Where Christian and Christopher existed together, joking around and kicking each other's asses in a brotherly way.

Where I stood, watching them in fascination, how the two look-alikes attracted everyone's attention on them.

No awkwardness between Christopher and me as I'd come forward to hug D from behind. All of us cheerful together. Jose. Mia. Brandon and Emily. Beth too. Lucy and Garrett.

But I knew the last two wouldn't be with me ever. Because they were dead. The Brooke had sucked their souls dry.

"Ana." Christian looked at me with several undefined emotions swirling in his eyes.

I couldn't decipher one from another. But I guess I didn't need to. C read me well, understood me better.

Suddenly I felt guilty for putting him in a situation like this. In a place where I had shared something with his twin brother.

"Stop thinking so hard, Ana. You'll only harm yourself."

My heart skipped a beat. Times like these were when I truly hated that they were twin brothers.

Christian and Christopher shared more than just similar physical attributes.

That was proven time to time with C's words. Like why he said just now. It reminded me of Christopher. He had said the same words in this very place, this very spot.

That was the sad thing. I knew without a doubt that even after we rescue Christopher and bring him home, nothing could tear me apart from Christian.

But our time together would always be tainted. Stained by my connection with his brother. Making me think of times when I was with Christopher.

Somehow I felt as if it dulled what Christian and I have.

"I said quit thinking, babe." He caressed my face with his thumbs, gently wiping the tears I wasn't aware I had shed.

This place completely undid me. Ripped open my wounds and called out to my vulnerabilities to present themselves.

But that was when I was the strongest when everything was bubbling on the surface and yet I'd refused to back down.

I remembered how shy, yet happy I had felt leaving the clearing. Joking with our squad, everyone laughing at Christopher and I's expense.

How fearless I had felt when we had entered the woods and fought with those-

Wait.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. SHIT.

I ran back to where we had left others. Praying they had listened to Christian and not wandered off anywhere.

"Ana!" Christian shouted behind me. I should've replied to him, I knew I was overreacting but I couldn't think of anything else.

Except what lay in those woods.

How could I have not thought about it before?

What about Jose? Or Brandon? Or Emily?

No one prompted anyone to beware of the monsters lurking there.

Troy had said the Brooke Woods lead to the Brooke Cave. I should've understood then and there only.

That was woods he was talking about and what caves we were supposed to go in.

Bloody. Fuck.

I slowed down as soon as I reached the area where we'd rested last night.

Relieved to see all three of them there. My lungs sucked deep fists of air inside it. My shaky knees almost collapsed with relief.

Mia saw me standing there and jumped on her feet.

"Ana! Thank God you're finally here. Please tell Brandon that I can manage going alone in woods for a few minutes. I really need to pee."

"What?" I asked dumbfounded.

"He wouldn't let me go anywhere. Saying that hot-shot told us to stay here so we have to stay here." She rolled her eyes.

Instead of responding to her, I leaped at Brandon. Hugging him with all my dear life.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you. Thank you for not letting her go."

Brandon chuckled lightly in confusion, patting me awkwardly on my back.

Everything fell into piece now that I saw the meadow. It placed everything together acting as the perfect landmark.

"The woods. They aren't normal woods. It's where Level Two of Pinnacle Race took place. Those carnivorous man-eating trees, remember?"

"Yeah," Jose spoke, walking with Christian who was glowering at me while panting for air.

Guess he didn't like it that I made him run.

Jose continued. "I remembered when I went patrolling. The area seemed familiar."

"Oh God!" Emily exclaimed. "The cliff. I bet the one we jumped from would have been somewhere near the one we fell down last night."

She was correct. The cliff we climbed down was not as steep or high as the one in the first level. But it had got to be around.

"The Brooke Cave, it must be the cave from Level Three." I finally said what I was thinking.

Everyone remained silent for a moment, absorbing this new information.

Christian looked at me with narrowed worried eyes. "Do you realize what this means Anastasia?"

We weren't going back without the gemstones at any cost.

But the cost seemed a little too high now.

The cliff, the woods, the cave.

I knew exactly what it meant.

We were back into the Pinnacle Race.

Or at least half of it.

This time, voluntarily. With our own will.

Bang! Now the real fun begins ;) What do you guys think of this? Would they be able to survive another round of Pinnacle Race? Let me know our theories.

DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW.

Love ya all,

Kaishi springs xoxo