Well I got quite nice reactions on the previou chapter. I hope you all liked the twist. Of course it wasn't going to be so easy for Christian and Ana to just go and grab the stone. They have to confront their past fears and fight them to win against the Broooke. Finals are kicking me but the good news is I'm still writitng to complete the story =D.

Enjoy Reading XD

WARNING : You may ant to read this chapter on an empty stomach if you're a bit squeamish.

16.

Christian

Well, fuck me.

That was my first thought after listening to the conclusion Anastasia had reached.

We were going back into the Pinnacle Race.

Where hundreds of kids have been killed in the most brutal manner.

Where the survivors came out as killers.

Holy shit.

A heavy silence descended upon us as everyone fell deep into the thought. Thinking of how to get through this or how to get out of this, alive.

Needless to say, we all were fear-stricken. And what person in right state of mind wouldn't be?

The Brooke had ruined us for good.

Yet we were back here to collect not only our dear ones but to get back the pieces of our soul as well. We were here to avenge ourselves and the wrong done to thousands of kids like us. The parents who still believe their children went missing, not realizing half of them were dead or gone for worse.

I wondered what Troy's parents must have been through. He never talked about them or his family when we used to live together. Now I knew why.

But what if his parents were still searching for him only to never realize that he was dead now.

A sharp pang of guilt hit deep in my chest.

I didn't kill Troy. It was his choice. I had offered him my protection. It was The Brooke that had fucked his mind so thoroughly that he chose to die rather than fight.

Still, I couldn't stop feeling guilty for my involvement in his death.

Couldn't stop feeling sorrow for the man I had once considered my friend, shared my living space with, went to parties with.

Troy had said he started feeling. That when he met me and others, his emotions broke through his conditioning.

Was that possible? What if he was telling the truth? Could I have helped him? Was it really my fault that he died?

No. I wouldn't do this to myself. I wouldn't ponder over things that can't be changed now.

It was Troy who broke through the ropes I had bound him with, only to take the knife and kill himself.

He could have threatened us, harmed Brandon and ran away. He could've waited for the perfect opportunity to make his move. He could've fought beside us.

Instead, he chose to die. To give up.

I refused to take blame for that.

Thinking questions like this would only harm my sanity, which was very much needed at the present if we ever wanted to get out of here safe and sound and victorious.

"So what now?" I asked.

The only possible benefit we had here was that we knew the area. We knew what to expect and maybe we could fight against it better.

"We can't have a repeat of the last time." Emily shuddered. "I still get sick remembering Kyle."

Brandon, sitting next to her made a grimacing expression. "Ugh, don't want to recall that. Poor soul."

"Kyle who? I never heard this story." Mia turned to Anastasia and Jose who both had a haunted expression in their face, similar to that of Emily and Brandon.

"Kyle was our ally too, until this level." Jose answered her in a grim tone. "Anastasia, Christopher and Kyle were the last three left, we all had reached and gotten our lotuses. Only two were left, so a fight broke out between Christopher and Kyle."

Emily continued, "And two branches from different trees caught Kyle. They fought for him and ended up splitting his body from the mid"

"Ewww! That sounds worse than Final Destination movies." Mia exclaimed.

Brandon let out a bitter chuckle. "What we saw, what we lived could never be compared to any horror movie. It was the worst or worst nightmares." His breathing hitched. "Especially when you survive it all thinking your beloved had died."

His eyes darted towards Emily but she had already turned her face away from his, hiding her tears.

Ugh. Too much angst. I couldn't handle it well.

Anastasia was quiet through all this. "What ya' thinkin' Ana?" My southern drawl came surprisingly stronger than ever.

Guess Em and Brand were making me emotional too.

"Your throwing knives and Brandon's swiss knife aren't going to be much of a help in the woods. They wouldn't be able to cut through the branches."

That was Ana. Always planning through survival.

"Then the only other way for us to get through the forest is to start a fire" Jose chimed.

"You mean a forest fire? That was how you guys escaped last time, right?" Mia inquired. Jose nodded.

I could see Anastasia wasn't very comfortable with the idea but didn't protest against it either.

Which was good.

She should better be knowing by now that I wasn't going to let anything harm her.

That she could lean on me when in danger. Or even otherwise.

I didn't know if she thought of this or not, regardless she agreed.

"Yeah, I guess that could work."

"So we better start it." Brandon hopped from his seat.

"We could also just simply go in one line you know, like stay away from the reach of the branches." Emily suggested.

"Didn't work last time."

"That's because last time we were racing against each other. There's no time limit this time, no lotuses set out there."

"Em's right. We can try staying away from them. If it works great, if it doesn't, we light them up."

After collecting several long planks of wood, we wrapped their heads with our spare shirts or scarfs and lit them with fire.

Each of us had a burning torch in our hands, except Ana who had two of my sharpest throwing knives gripped tightly in her fists.

The rest of us had only one.

Ana took a deep breath, standing at the edge of the woods.

"Guys are you ready?" Her voice wavered yet still held a firm edge to it. Like a resilient leader preparing to fiercely protect us at any cost.

It was one of the things I loved about her. She would always put her fears and doubts at bay for us. Her friends and family came first. Above all.

My hand skimmed through the smooth skin of her arm until her fingers were firmly entwined with my own.

She looked at me with a smile and eyes shining as if I was her world. As if my gaze suddenly removed all her doubts. As if she trusted me with her life.

My heart crumbled with the weight of culpability her stare resonated in me.

Fuck if I ever deserved her in a million lifetimes.

But I couldn't turn away from the trust and love shining in her gorgeous gray eyes. No matter how many daggers it shot to my eyes unknowingly.

Time was running. Soon she would only look at me with hatred and betrayal.

I couldn't hide the truth when were so close to it. Thus, I had to savor moments like these.

I had to be the most heartless brother in the world for wanting to prolong my brother's rescue. Only so that I could be with Anastasia for a bit longer.

"Nope, not at all ready." Mia answered her warily, screeching me back to reality. "I don't I will be ever ready either, so please continue looking at each other in the eye like Jack and Ana when Titanic was drowning."

"Wait, when did they look at each other when Titanic was drowning? They were looking at the water, holding their breath." Emily spoke up.

Blondie just rolled her eyes. "Clearly you haven't seen the movie, then."

"Hey! Can we go in now?" Jose asked, irritated.

"What's the hurry? You got a death wish?"

"I just want to get it over with."

Ana simply shook her head, sighing. "Let's go then."

She took a step forward, intending to lead the group but I stopped her short with my hand grasping her arm.

"Wait, I'll go first. It's not safe."

"Don't be silly C, I know what to expect. You don't."

"Shut up. You're still not going in first."

She opened her mouth in bewilderment and utter shock that quickly turned into anger. "How dare you tell me to shut up? You, shut up."

Before I could say something, Jose cut in. "Jeez, Ana you don't need to turn all feminist. He was just looking out for you." Thanks, buddy.

He turned to me then,"And you, no need to turn all alpha either. Sorry to say but Ana is right, you don't know what to expect. Ana does."

That motherfucking piece of shit!

He knew damn well that he was taunting me intentionally. But I wasn't so daft that I couldn't see his good will. I knew why he said that.

"Anyway, you will be right behind her." He retorted quickly.

I decided I would play along with him.

"Fine then." If only words had the power to bite, he'd be suffering from rabies by next fifteen minutes or so.

"Hey, hot-shot, you ever planning to change your name to Jack? We already got Ana here. All we need is a big ass ship and ta-da! Legendary romance remake! Even a wooden plank will work."

Anastasia stifled a giggle. Or at least tried to. Even I had to snort at that.

Leave it to Blondie to lighten the mood.

Every other person was either smiling or fighting one and failing at it.

That was how we entered the Brooke Woods. All smiles and laughter. Fear buried deep within.

The afternoon sun shone brightly, shadowed by the dense trees as we moved further, propelling us in the darkness.

Anastasia led us deeper into the arena that was used for Level Two.

None of us knew if those monstrous trees would come alive. It was day-time. The actual race wasn't taking place currently, we were just passing by.

But we had to be sure. This was another dimension we were talking about. Nothing could be certain here.

The bell rang as we crossed the sign board, startling us.

No one dared to speak.

No one dared to step ahead.

We were all dumbstruck by the sight in front of us.

Horror gripped my chest tight, making me breathe faster and shorter.

I willed myself to stay strong, stay in control. If I showed any weakness how would Anastasia be able to lean on me?

But my eyes couldn't unsee what they just saw. The grotesque image will burn in my mind forever.

"This is not like how you described it." Mia cried out as silently as she could.

"That's because it wasn't like this last time we were here." Brandon replied, his face red, body trembling and one hand tightly wounded in Emily's.

Anastasia visibly shook against me, swaying a little.

My hand came around her waist at lightening-fast speed and pulled her closer to my body, giving her my support.

That's it, Grey. Focus on her. She needs you. Don't look anywhere else. Don't look forward. Just down, at her.

Her breathing was erratic, just like mine. But her eyes were glued ahead, unlike mine.

"Ana, look at me. Take deep breaths. Don't look there. Look at me, babe." I told her in the most soothing voice I could manage.

I couldn't afford to be afraid right now. I had to be her anchor.

Stay strong, for her.

"Oh God! What happened here, C?"

I didn't know. How could I? But I sure as fuck wanted to know.

There were no trees. Not the usual ones at least. The Woods, if you can call it that, had turned into a place that even people from hell would be scared ever visiting.

Instead of trees, the land was covered with degrading beasts.

No other way to describe it.

What once was covered with leaves now had crumbs and hideous globules. Decayed black, red and maroon colored liquids splashed around it.

The lethal branches were now replaced with tentacles. Huge, long, sharp and disgusting tentacles.

The whole area was covered with them.

Along with bones and rotten skeletons of humans and animals.

Most of them were shattered across the ground while some were suspended high in the air by those monstrous tentacles.

It was then I realized what covered the trees instead of leaves.

Somehow leaves have dried out, though it looked more like burned out.

Leaving behind blood and guts and human organs on display.

The whole sight was like as if the monsters had shed their skin, one where they looked innocent inanimate trees and came into their true forms only to puke out their food.

Fuck. I should have been happy to have a strong stomach but I wasn't. I wanted to barf all my meal and the scene I had just witnessed out of my system for good.

I wanted to let it all out and never lay my eyes upon it.

But I couldn't. Not only because I had a steely stomach but because I had to stay strong.

For Ana.

That was my mantra. I would repeat it until I get through this nightmare.

If nothing else, I would not let myself by weakened for her sake. That was what gave me the power to stay still standing.

Unfortunately, Emily's gag system took better control of her.

She turned around, took a few steps back until she was few meters away from the signboard stating "Welcome to Level 2", found an actual green bush and threw up.

"Fuck." Brandon murmured as he ran after her.

Anastasia turned around as well. Her face all pale and ashen. Her breathing low and gaze dizzy.

"I think I'm going to be sick too."

Uh oh.

She ran back, further than Emily, with me right behind her as she bent down and spilled out her guts as well.

"Go away, Christian." She choked out as she hurled.

"Not gonna' happen." I held her hair away from her face with one hand while rubbing her back with other as she continued to heave.

Two minutes later, she stopped and I staggered her backward until we were away from the repelling stench.

She laid down on the grass, looking drastically tired.

I fished out a canteen from my bag and made her drink the water in small sips.

Anastasia closed her eyes, resting and trying to erase the horrific sight out of her mind.

I settled next to her, taking her in my arms until her face reclined on my chest. My limbs twisting around hers, shielding her from the ephialtes surrounding us.

She sighed when I brought my hand to soothe her hair, snuggling closer to me.

How badly did I wish for time to pause here for rest of my existence. I didn't want to move a single step forward, both figuratively and literally.

"How do we get through this, C?"

I sighed, kissing her head. "You know we could still go back."

"And leave your brother behind? What about other kids suffering here? Rachel's brother? What about the stones that could end this once and for all?"

"Ana you can't save the world."

"Then I'll die trying."

"You're nuts." I growled, not liking her sentence one bit.

"Have you forgotten about your brother trapped here, C? Or that they did something so horrible to you, you won't even tell me about it."

I stiffened. My walls immediately slamming down. Shutting her out.

"I'll only be able to save my brother if I stay alive."

"What difference would it make if we go now and come back later? We'd still have to with that! What if it got worse when we come here next time?"

Lord, why did she have to make sense?!

"But we still don't know what to do." I tried reasoning with her, knowing it was absolutely useless.

"Stick to the plan. Or better yet burn it straight away."

"We don't know what these things are, Ana. What is this backfires on us?"

She thought for a second. Then shrugged, "Only one way to find it out."

"You're willing to risk everyone's life for that?"

She threw me a look that said I should know better than that. "No, but I'm willing to risk my life."

"No way, I won't allow that. You're arsonphobic Ana!" I stood up from behind her in rage, practically shouting in her face.

She stood up as well, ready to match my tonsils. "Oh my God! Could you please be any louder? Let everyone know about my fucking stupid weakness!"

Fuck, she was impossible."Just forget it." I shook my head.

Her nostrils flared up. "You're just impossible, Christian Grey."

I cracked up at that. Laughter bubbling up from my throat loudly.

"What the fuck are you laughing at, you asshole? You think this is funny?" She pushed me, making me stagger slightly.

For some reason, this made me laugh harder.

Guess I was finally losing it.

Foosteps behind me gave me back the control over my sanity. I turned to see Jose approaching us.

"Everything okay?"

I gave a nod.

He looked at Ana, "How are you feeling now?"

"Much better. Sorry for that."

He waved a hand. "Don't be. I'm this close to losing it myself." He let out a sheepish smile, which in turn caused Anastasia to grin at him.

From fighting with me over no reason, she was smiling at him in less than a minute.

Fuck this.

"Anastasia wants to go ahead." I stated.

"Oh, I'm Anastasia now? Suit yourself."

Correction : from fighting with me, to grinning at him, to back to fighting with me - all under a minute.

"Ana, you can't be seriously considering this. I don't think anyone is ready to go back out there." Jose tried to reason with her.

Ha! Good luck there.

"I didn't say everyone should come with me, Jose. I think Christian here has a problem with not sharing the whole information. I am going to test a theory and I will do it alone."

"What theory?"

"She wants to burn the whole thing down. Then run in it."

Jose shook his head adamantly, "No way Ana, it's too dangerous. And you're..." He trailed off, checking behind him first before continuing in a whisper, "you're having a phobia of fires."

She smiles, flashing her teeth at him. "Thank You Jose, for not crying that out loud."

I rolled my eyes. Both of them ignored me.

"How about we use a bait? See how trees, or whatever they are, react to it and if it goes out of control you can burn it. Then we can all sit together and search for another solution. For all we know these trees might as well be dead."

"What bait?"

Anastasia shrugged. "Me, of course."

"No way, Ana."

"Absolutely the fuck not!"

Jose and I spoke up at the same time.

"Oh come on guys, you're going to be right there. I'll be going as far as till the first tree. If things go wrong, I jump back and we can fire it."

"What's happening here?" Mia joined us with her bouncy steps, Brandon and Emily right behind her.

I nodded at Brandon which he returned, not leaving Emily's side, indicating things are fine.

"Feeling any better Em?" Ana asked.

Emily gave her a tired smile. "Have been better."

"So what is happening here?" Mia asked again.

Anastasia gave her a summary of her idea while Jose and I protested against it.

Blondie simply shrugged. "I think it's a great idea. If we have to move forward, we gotta' do something."

What the bloody fuck!

"I don't know Ar- uh Ana. It sounds impulsively dangerous." Emily said hesitantly.

Thank God, we had at least always one sensible woman with us.

"But then, impulsively dangerous has always worked around you. It's your call."

I take my gratitude back.

"Brandon, your say is final."

I threw daggers at Ana with my eyes, "What do you mean by final say? There is no say in this. The answer is no."

"Shut up, hot-shot. We all came here risking our lives, we all have a say in it."

"Then why don't you be the bait, Blondie?"

She shrugged again. "That's fine. I don't mind."

Anastasia jumped up. "Abso-fucking-lutely the motherfucking hell in the shit of the crack NOT!"

Mia blinked, stunned. "Wow, Ana. I'm actually proud of you. That was awesome."

Ana ignored her, looking fiercely at me like a mother lioness protecting her cub.

"It was my idea, henceforth I will go. And it's final. I don't give a fuck who says what. Christopher Grey saved my life endangering his own. I owe it to him which means I will get to the caves or I will die trying. If anyone thinks they can stop me, better think again."

With that, she turned her back on us and walked back to the gut-sickening arena we ran away from. Mia right behind her.

Emily kissed Brandon's cheek and shot me an apologetic look before darting after the other two girls. Clearly telling us where her loyalty laid.

"Ana, wait for me."

Brandon shut his eyes in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Fucking hell!" He cursed before taking off after Emily, leaving the two of us behind.

Traitor!

Jose's hand came up on my shoulder as he huffed, patting me. "Don't blame him, Christian. Boy's in love. He goes wherever Em goes."

I grunted in response.

Fucking hell, indeed.

"I guess the decision' s been made. We can't do anything about it." He said dejectedly, walking ahead.

"You coming or not?"

You need to ask?

He just said Brandon goes where Emily goes. He should better know that Christian goes wherever Anastasia goes.

Fucking hell, indeed!

Now that was not very fair of Ana, was it? But then my Ana has alway been a little bit bossy. And you hve to agree she does make a little sense.

Do NOT forget to review of I'll be sending this overturned man-eating trees at you :P Tell me, what do you think happens next? And what should happen according to you?

New chapter full of action and thrill, out in next week.

Love ya all,

Kaishi Springs xoxo