SURPRIIIIIZE! I was trying to get the plot back and I found this in my old notes. A chapter written half-way through! So I decided to complete it, work on it whenever I wasn't busy writing Tarnished Minds, and finally post it!

I want to show you guys I'm serious about finishing this story but also, please don't get your hopes up super high. I've forgotten most of the character's personality. I know how this ends for Christian & Ana though, so I'm hoping I'll get the story back in my head ASAP. Until then, I hope you guys enjoy this :)

P.S - It's been a loooong while since I wrote The Cinder, so if there is anything you notice incorrect - anything that doesn't go along with the story-line, the characters or their portrayals, let me know! You guys probably remember this story better than I do at the moment.

Happy Reading :D

Chapter 18

Christian

Things were all going fine, at least as fine as they could be at this point.

Until blondie sneezed.

After that everything went into chaos and havoc.

Who knew a sneeze could be the death of you?

And not even your own bloody sneeze.

She slipped, screamed and fell.

The branches meant to hurt her clawed at Ana instead.

She went up flying while taking my heart with her.

"Ana!" I screamed, petrified. Not caring what happens to me. I would deal with the consequences after she was safe.

Diving for Mia's still burning torch on the ground, I threw it at one of the trees holding Ana captive.

Another scream made me look up, finding Mia being dragged through the ground, a branch around her ankle.

"Christian help meeeeee!" Her raw scream for help made me run after her. She was important to Ana. I had to help her.

Taking out my knife I attacked the branch, turning wild and feral as it fought for the girl's weight. Holding her leg tightly, I stabbed and twisted the knife rapidly, relentlessly until it gave its way.

Dragging her to the safe ground I told her to run and watch out for the branches.

That was the best I could do.

The roaring angry sounds made by the trees jerked my attention back on the desolate scenery in front of my eyes.

Emily and Brandon were helping Jose, burning the branches that were curled all around him like a snake. Suddenly a branch grabbed ahold of Emily's torso sending Brandon into a frenzy mode.

I wish I could help them but I had to find Ana.

Looking around, I searched for her until I saw her stuck in a tree, her body barely visible around the branches.

My heart stopped beating.

With an angry growl erupting instinctually from within me, I made my way running to reach the monster before it swallowed the girl I loved.

The girl I loved.

Shit!

Fucking damn awakening.

I was in love with Ana. I'll be dead before I let her die.

My steps grew faster, louder. The branches detected my motions, coming at me as I bent and dodged them.

But not before long, a heavy one wrapped itself around my throat, choking me as it wrenched me toward its hosting tree.

I clawed at it as my sight turned hazy, my breaths not passing through.

Dammit! I had to fight it. What good would I be to Ana, if I were dead myself?

My head collided against the trunk of the tree, almost knocking me out as black overtook all other colors.

Within in next breath, I was free. Lying down, rubbing my head while taking deep breaths.

Two heavy hands landed on me. "Christian, are you all right?"

As my vision cleared I saw Jose bent over me, bleeding from his temple. His short torn away and his arms and bare chest covered with scratches.

I coughed repeatedly while taking more and more of the blessed oxygen. "Wh-what... happened? How did-did you...?"

"The bough. You need to stab at the heart of the bough. The tree fell down immediately."

"You sta-stabbed it?"

"Nope. You did. When you collided with it. The knife in your hand hit right on the spot."

I sat up. "What about others?"

"Brand just rescued Em. They're sitting right to a fallen tree. They're safe."

I appreciated that but they weren't who wanted to hear. He knew that damn well too. The fear became palpable in my chest when I refused to think as to why he didn't tell me about her first.

I looked at him, his jaw set hard but his eyes clearly concerned. "Ana?"

He hesitated for a moment, it was enough to send me into a panic mode. I guess he saw the storm rising inside me as well. His arms came down on my shoulders steadying me.

"She's alive."

Not good enough. As glad as I was to hear that, it was not exactly what I wanted to hear.

"Is she all right? Is she safe?" I asked him as I stood up, swaying a little.

"She is safe."

Fuck! He didn't answer my first question.

"Where is she?" I hissed in fear. Looking around frantically.

My feet moved before I could contemplate before my mind could receive the message of what my eyes were seeing.

A burning tree, Mia sitting right next to it, bent over something. Somebody.

Ana!

I rushed through the newly erupting fire, spreading from tree to tree. The fire wouldn't kill them but subdue them for a while.

I raced till I reached Mia, falling onto my knees as I took in the sight of my beautiful girl looking like a wounded soldier from a battle.

Jesus Christ! She was bleeding everywhere.

Angry scratch marks and bruises covered every inch of her visible skin, her top torn into the half, revealing her black bra. Her bare skin once smooth was covered with dirt and scraped, traveling from her belly till her ribs.

Several huge gashes bled rapidly from her arms. A punctured wound at her thigh. My insides shriveled as I looked at her wrist where the savage tree had grabbed her.

But what made me most worried wasn't her severely bleeding wrist. It was the torn up flesh at her leg that was so deep I could see her muscles inside.

Her closed eyes threatened my own to tear up. The only relief I got was checking at her deep breathing and a steady pulse.

I was so focused on tracking her injuries, I didn't become aware of Mia sobbing my name until she was shaking me.

"Christian! You're bleeding."

"Huh?" I looked up dazed.

"Your nose is bleeding."

Who gives a fuck about my nose?

I looked back at Ana. Tucking her gently back, away from her face.

Her lower lip was busted up and a gash on her cheek as well. Jesus.

But I was relieved... so, so relieved that she had made out of that tree somehow alive.

My fearless, beautiful cinder.

Gathering her up in my arms, I cradled her to my chest. Inhaling her scent mixed with dirt and smoke, nuzzling into her warm skin.

My body shook with relief as I held her tighter, closer. Each trembling within me made me cling on tighter to her. I kissed her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her bleeding cheeking, her busted lip.

She was okay. She was going to be okay. She was safe, warm and alive. I didn't want anything more.

The realization brought new tears in my eyes. This time I didn't stop them from rolling down.

I let myself be vulnerable. With her alive and breathing in my arms, I didn't care about anything else.

"Why isn't she waking up?" Emily's concerned voice dragged my eyes into her direction. She looked at Ana, worried. Jose must have brought them here.

Behind her Brandon stood, supporting her torso. Only then I noticed that she was standing on only one leg, the other one bleeding badly. Her torso was bruised and scratched as well.

Brandon looked worse. We all were badly injured. But we all were alive too.

Unlike the last time.

I looked at my sleeping cinder again as I answered Emily. "Her injuries are too many. Her body shut down itself while recovering."

I had to quickly get her to safety. Tend to her wounds. Nurse her back to health.

"Though, why was she near a burning tree? Near the fire?" I asked no one in general.

"Because she is smart. She must have figured out it was her best shot." Jose answered while looking at Ana with a wild concern and longing clear in his eyes.

I narrowed my eyes, unable to decipher his look. Of what it meant exactly. Before I could, Mia spoke, distracting me.

"Jose's probably right. I saw her creeping here right after she jumped off that tree."

I turned to her, shocked. "She jumped off a tree?"

Blondie nodded, swiping at her tears. "It was so high. The landing was pretty nasty. I was almost worried she broke something but then I saw her coming here. I followed."

"Why didn't you run ahead when I told you to?"

Her gaze hardened as she jerked her chin at Ana's limp body. "I couldn't leave her behind. It happened all because of me. Because I fucking sneezed."

Damn right it did! Ana was injured, bleeding and unconscious because of her.

"No one blame's you, Mia, it could've happened with anyone." Jose consoled her, earning my death glare.

I certainly did blame her.

Emily nodded at Jose's words. "Yeah, we're a team now. You can't take the blame alone. We were stupid to follow through as well."

Brandon didn't say anything, holding Emily tightly at his side. I knew what he was thinking from the way his jaw clenched. I was thinking the same.

Had Mia not made an impulsive decision, Ana wouldn't have gone after her and thus neither of us.

Her stupidity had cost us all. Most of all to Ana.

Jose came beside me and spoke in my ear. "Quit it. Ana wouldn't want us fighting and blaming each other."

I looked down at Ana, my heart thumping painfully in my chest at the sight of her limp body against me.

"We should start going now. Jose, let's light them all up. Only then we could walk freely."

I carried Ana in my arms as we all walked to the other end of the Brooke Woods. With Mia supporting, Emily's limping body while Brandon and Jose set fire to each tree we crossed, stopping them from attacking us.

Soon the forest fire got out of control and we had to make a run for it. Brandon carried Emily and we all raced the end of the woods. The fire chasing behind us till we reached a clear zone. Free of destroyed trees, into a grassland.

"Whoa!" Brandon breathed out as he set Emily down. "So much for not racing this time."

Ana came to an hour later, moaning in pain as Emily stitched up her leg wound.

I had already bandaged and gauzed up her scratches, gashes, her wrist and thigh injuries after cleaning them as I treated my own wounds side by side.

Her leg wound, however, was another case. It wouldn't stop bleeding and was clearly in need of stitches.

Thankfully Emily was somewhat skilled in stitching, something she had picked up at her time in the asylum and offered.

Though it was clothe-stitching where her enthusiasm lay, still she was a better option than me who had no experience stitching whatsoever.

"Christian?" Ana called out in a hoarse voice, her brows furrowed in pain.

"Shh. I'm right 'ere, baby. Em's stitchin' up ya leg, 'kay?" Her being awake and calling out for me had me all choked up. Relief had never tasted so sweet.

"It hurts."

"S'okay. Grab my hand."

She did. Squeezing with such strength, each time the needle pierced her skin, that I thought I might end up losing my hand.

Yet, I didn't dare speak up. She was in so much pain, the least I could do is take some of hers in me.

"There, all done," Emily said with a gentle smile. "How are you feeling Ana?"

"Like I could sleep for another century or so."

Emily giggled softly. I didn't find anything funny.

"What happened?" She asked me after Emily got up and went back to others, sitting near the bonfire.

I look in her eyes, before bending down to kiss her soft lips. Ana responded immediately, wrapping her arms around my neck and thrusting her tongue inside my mouth.

Our kiss turned aggressive, desperate yet thankful and filled with relief.

Our kiss was gratitude for the other being alive. Our kiss was ravenous for the fear of almost losing each other.

My lips traveled from her lips to her neck. Relishing the feel of her skin, her needy sounds, her beating pulse against my mouth.

Tears came unbidden to my eyes. I shook with the need to control them, blinking them back before they spill over.

"Christian? What's wrong?" Instead of answering her I hid my face in her neck, resting my forehead at her shoulder.

I couldn't face her with all the emotions raging inside me, clearly showing on my face. I needed to get myself in control.

She can't see. She can't know. I'll lose her forever.

"Christian, look at me, baby. What's wrong?"

I love you.

She can't see. She can't know. I'll lose her forever.

She wrapped herself closer around me. One her hand playing with my hair as she kissed my head in an attempt to soothe me.

"It's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay, C. We're all safe. You're safe. I'm safe. It's okay."

Wrenching my head up, I didn't give her any time as my mouth crashed against hers in despair and agony.

She responded to my every stroke, every touch, every taste. Giving me back a ten-fold.

Her legs curled at my hips, binding me closer to her. Her hips thrusting at mine she sighed.

I couldn't hold it anymore in me, I couldn't control it anymore. She felt so good against me.

"Is your leg hurting you, cinder?"

"No more than not having you."

That was all I needed. Picking her up, I stood up rapidly. Her legs and arms clinging at me, her mouth not once separating from mine as I went further away from our group.

Once we reached a safe distance, we were all hands and tongues. Tasting, touching and savoring any part of each other that we could.

I gently set her down on the soft grass as we undressed each other. When her slender fingers reached to undo my fly, I stopped her hands with my own. Hesitation setting in.

"Christian, please," Ana begged. I hated and loved it at the same time. It made feel so smug yet helpless. She gave me the power when she begged but ultimately it was me who was her puppet as soon as she let out her soft pleas.

"Ana, you're hurt. We should take it easy."

"We'll be gentle, I promise. But I just need you so bad."

I needed her too. But her promise was an empty one and we both knew it. When it came to Ana and I, we were anything but gente together.

And given in her state, I didn't want to hurt her.

She must have known what I was thinking. With determination and need set on her face, she grabbed my hand and led it to the soft skin of her belly. Then down inside her soaked panties

My breath hitched when my fingers came in contact with her hot liquid silk.

Fuck me! She was so fucking wet.

"This is what I want, Christian. Look at me. Feel how much I need you. Not your fingers or your tongue. I need you. Nothing less, nothing more. Don't make me beg."

And everything else vanished. All resolve, honor or caution ceased to exist.

The only things that existed, that mattered to me at the moment were Ana and I, and this need, this lust, this love.

I lover her so much. Have loved it from so long. But I couldn't tell her as I looked into her eyes that shone with desire for me.

She can't see. She can't know. I'll lose her forever.

It almost killed me to keep my lips sealed. But if that was what it took it to keep her with me, I would do it without a second thought.

She spread her legs wider, inviting me. I rubbed my fingers up and down at her entrance, her soaking lips while my other hand removed her panties carefully.

Bringing her legs, I wounded them around my spine. She lowered one, nuzzling one of her ankles and rubbing it against my now naked ass.

I bit and nipped at her throat in return. My cock hard and weeping as I pushed myself in her slowly, inch by inch.

Ana's breath stuttered. Then she sighed in content when I was fully submerged inside her. "Ohh, C. So good, you feel... so damn good."

Sweat rolled down my face as I slowly moved inside her, holding myself back. Preventing myself from hurting her.

But that was not what Ana wanted. And she always got what she wanted.

She thrust her pelvis hard against me, taking me deeper inside her. "Faster, Christian, faster." Not waiting for me to obey she set her own pace, leaving me little choice to only follow her.

Her ravishing mouth sucked at my shoulder, right before her teeth plunged deep into my skin.

I felt my cock thickening inside her, urging me to move deeper, harder and faster. My hands gripped at her naked breasts, pinching at her nipples as she covered me with her feral bites.

Yeah, right. Gentle.

One of my hands left her breast and slid down, playing with her clit firmly. It didn't take long after that for Ana to come, screaming my name and I followed her.

I'd follow her any-god damn-where.

We were silen the next morning as we walked towards the Brooke Caves.

I had wanted for us to rest and heal for a bit longer but Ana and Jose had argued that the longer we stay here, the more chances are there of being caught. Especially after the forest fire.

So I had caved and we had immediately started walking for the area where Level Three of the Pinnacle Race took place.

According to Brandon, it had taken almost a day last time they had traveled in search of the third level arena.

But then last Ana had stated that last time they were all tired, scared and reluctant to go any further. This time we had a mission, we were here because of our own choice. So it shouldn't take us more than half a day.

After the first couple of hours, I saw Ana struggling with her leg and offered to carry her.

The nasty look she sent my way had almost shriveled up my insides.

"I just need my leg to get used to it. I'll be fine, Christian."

It frustrated the hell out of me. I couldn't understand who was she trying to prove it? We all knew she was strong enough. We all had seen her in action and loved her for saving us time to time.

Would it hurt her pride to depend upon us just for once? To depend upon me? What the fuck was she trying to prove? And to whom?

To herself you idiot. She is trying to prove it to herself.

Realization dawned upon me.

This was not about me and my concern. It was about her.

The last time she was here, she had lost so much. This time she came here with the intent of gaining something.

It made sense as to why she was so set about it. She needed this. To find herself back and to get closure, she needed this.

She had to fight her own demons by herself. Not let me be her protector.

And I'll be there always, supporting her. Giving her whatever she needed.

Because I loved her.

Christian dropped the L-word! Isn't that sweet? I'd say about time. But wait, how do you think Ana feels for him? Does she love him back or she still confused over her feelings for Christopher? And what do you guys think of my wild-card entry? Don't forget to review! Also, please show some love and support for my newest story Tarnished Minds which involves a very fucked up Ana and Christian coupling.

Love ya all,

~Kaishi xoxo