Afton had captured all their attention in no time. Because of what? The cut on his hand his daughter had given him just that morning. It had reopened when he was climbing, probably scraped on some sharp bark.

“Get him!” one in the group yelled, and the cry was soon taken up by the others. Afton dodged and darted as bullets flew upwards, but he didn't mind. Judging from how unorganized Chrisianons were without their leader, they'd leave Anastasia to her own devices, probably leaving a guy or two to guard.

None of the Chrisianons could actually climb because of their general bulk, not to mention the armors they wore.

Finally, when one did manage to climb it, he was sent flying(falling) down with a throwing knife to his head.

It wasn't that hard, really, for Afton's aim was wonderful. Still, it didn't mean that he had an unlimited supply of ammunition and weapons. Five more throwing knives, three switchblades, two pistols, two daggers, and the sword.

Right now, he just needed to make sure his little Annie was safe.

There she was... with that unfortunate jailer who was failing miserably at his job. But his cries were unheard by the body of men hurling whatever they could to the trees.

She had managed to kick the guy higher than she had any of the others previously, by the time Afton had made it to a rather suitable fork in the trees, and he was rolling on the floor clutching the injured part. However, she stayed one second too long, whether it was to gloat over her success or to check if her ex-jailer was done enough, because someone grabbed her from behind... when Afton wasn't watching.

Anastasia didn't scream... not a squeak escaped her lips as she was transported out of Afton's range of sight.

Afton shot a hole through a head and turned to where his little girl was. The shock, the fear, they came rushing back with a force that crushed his self-control.

Annie... where is my Annie?

Kaylie had been letting the whole proceeding pass without lifting a finger to help either side. She would have taken Afton's life by now if she wasn't held back by a feeling.

Still, she was around as a not-so-innocent by-stander who witnessed the separation of a family...

Yes, the feeling of being torn in two was never fun, but Kaylie was at a loss of what to do. Is his love worth it? Worth the queen's favor? Worth life in hiding? Then a question popped up in her head: What is love?

Is love the feeling of too much blood pumping? Is love a feeling? Is love... even real? Still, love... is Afton. He's got my heart.

Afton had fired the last two bullets in his pistol before throwing the 'useless metal blocks' at another two unfortunate victims of a mix of Afton's wrath and fear. He finally dropped into their midst, knowing fully well that they had the advantage on the ground. It was the only way...

Kaylie took one step forward but someone held her back.

“No, mistress Kaylie, your job here is done. You may return to Chrision now. Here is a fresh horse.”

Kaylie swallowed down any signs of pity that may have shown in her face and she replied coldly, “I have an old account to settle with him. I'd rather they left at least a little life in him.”

“I'll be sure to bring him back alive, mistress Kaylie, you see, he wouldn't want to live with his daughter dead.”

A shiver rolled slowly down her back, but she concealed the surprise.

“She's dead, huh?” Kaylie laughed coldly, before muttering, “serve's that brat right.”

Once again that voice instructed her to make her way back, which she did. She needed to get away.

With shaking hands, she urged the horse in the direction of Chrision. The horse went into a fast trot before she let herself think about it again. After all, there'd be less chance of her meeting him again once she was back in.....

A pool of blood streaming across the middle of the trail brought her to tug hard on the horse's reins, no doubt, hurting the animal in the mouth, for it reared up and almost threw her off. She stayed on, however, and only dismounted after she had settled the horse and secured him to a branch.

Then, she saw it.... saw her... Annie, Afton's treasure. The little girl was still pretty, though not one centimeter had escaped without a blood red coating.

She's dead... and I could've kept her alive. Still, it's better she was gone. Then Afton would.... but it's selfish! Gah! I can't undo what's done.

An internal war raged inside her head between jealousy and compassion, the two traits that almost inevitably come with love.

She's dead and you know it, girl! There's nothing you can do about it. But still, there must be a way! Storm heaven and hell for a miracle; where there's a will, there's bound to be a way. Well, we're infallible in the end. Sooner or later, death will... but she's supposed to be alive...

****

Meanwhile, on Afton's side of the forest, he was using speed, agility, and wits to fight his way through... to find Anastasia.

Too many... there's too many of them. I'll never make it to her! Still, I have to.

He threw a knife into a heart before rolling on the floor, slashing at the back of legs as he advanced two paces from where he'd stood before.

I must.

The army crowded about him in seconds as relentless waves in a sea would. Afton caught his breath quickly before blocking a blow for his neck. It seems that with every breath, he inhaled gallons of discouragement and exhaled almost as much. But, he was only human. Yes, he'd gotten stabbed in the hands, legs, even got slashed once between the hip and ribs, and yes, he was bleeding, and yes... he was losing strength and time.

I can't die. I won't. I need... I need to make sure Annie's alive.

Afton almost crashed to the floor countless times, but he forced himself to stick on those shredded pegs of bone and meat (there wasn't much skin left) and continued to surprise Chrision with his endurance.

He was running the gauntlet . If he ever did reach to the end, he'd most likely die the second after from loss of blood. If he didn't he'd never see Anastasia again.

Blood ran from his forehead down... whenever he turned, dodged, or stabbed, a sprinkle of life would bless(or curse) the earth.

Afton got slashed twenty times over at the hands by now, for he'd used them to block where his sword and dagger didn't.

It was hell. Blood blurred his vision, but he couldn't stop to wipe it off. He stumbled over countless dead and dying but he couldn't care less. He'd go through anything for Anastasia.

“Afton,” someone called from behind him. A smooth scoffing that worked like poison... Afton whirled as suddenly to the speaker as was possible in his condition, took one look at his badges, and smirked in defiance.

The leader, huh.

A throwing dagger whistled in the air... and fell short of the target.

Afton slashed downward at his new foe, to his amusement.

“You look just as covered in blood as your daughter is,” he remarked casually as he parried and thrusted at Afton to make him fall back slightly.

But to the new-comer's surprise and evermore amusement, Afton fell... to the ground barely conscious.

He could see nothing though his eyes were open.

“He's a strong one, Afton. I bet his daughter could ha... It's a pity. A real pity,” was what he made out of the voices that sounded faraway.

She's dead. Annie's dead. And I... could've saved her.

And all senses left him.

****

What if... we could be something we're not? So, Afton and I could've been happy together. I was dumb to have said no. But in this world, happiness is an illusion. Still, I'd rather supply an illusion that would make him smile than start a freezer in his heart.

Kaylie knelt beside her and brushed a strand from the mutilated face. Not like she would cringe at that, she'd been to battle and back with a bored indifferent look the whole time... still, she couldn't help feeling pity toward the little girl.

Ok, girl, you decided to do it, no turning back.

She took a little bottle of green liquid out of her girdle.

I hope this works. Well, only one way to find out.

Anastasia's jaw had been broken and several teeth were displaced, yet, the blood that ran from it was still warm. Kaylie brought the glass of green liquid closer and closer... but she hesitated.

I mean... what if this healing concoction goes to waste. No telling if she really is going to live with that. How is she even going to drink it? No... don't. Don't give it to her.

Kaylie capped the bottle back up and returned it to its former position before turning to go. But a hand grasped her ankle... a bloodied hand that released its clasp as suddenly as it'd held it.

“Wait,” she whispered, almost unintelligibly, “tell papa I'm fine... please.”

Kaylie dropped to her knees and took out the green liquid again, but Anastasia shook her head whispering, “Papa.”

To which Kaylie retorted coldly, “Your papa won't live without you. Come on, just drink a little.”

“No, you must tell papa that I'm ok. And that he shouldn't get hurt... and that I don't hate him for being forced to do what he does...”

“Annie!” Kaylie said sharply, “do what I tell you or your papa will die.”

“Papa won't die. You're lying. No one knows papa better than I do.”

Kaylie downed all the contents of the bottle into Anastasia throat without any more hesitation and scoffed, “If you're going to let that go to waste, let it.”

Poor Annie swallowed whatever she could, but most of the liquid escaped through a hole in her neck. It'd been a miracle that she'd actually spoken.

What... is that?!

Annie smiled at Kaylie as if to say, “I told you, didn't I?” before closing her eyes.

Oh... what did I do... Argh!

Kaylie took out a dagger and sliced her palm to squeeze out a few drops of blood into Annie's mouth. It healed after less than ten seconds with only five drops of blood lost and in the tens of times more loss on Annie's part.

Desperately, she cut her wrist and let the blood flow freely into and down Anastasia's mouth... but that too healed quickly.

Think of something... think... think... baobab. Yes, that's it! But how in the world am I supposed to get baobab wood here?! Definitely not the time freeze. I can't... Well, whatever!

Kaylie froze time and ran for it. It was life and death. She'd probably get a scar or two from this, but who cares, really? The serum would keep her alive whether she liked it or not.

When she finally did reach, she was close to the poisoned zone. All too close. She shot icicles at a branch, severing it clean off the tree before running back with the time freeze.

For Afton... (Kaylie)

Her eyes flickered red several times but she pushed on, knowing fully well what would happen...

****

The Chrisianon soldier fell back. They'd completed their mission at the expense of at least a quarter of their men.

“His clean sheet's been stained,” one of them spat as he passed the barred carriage that held the unconscious Afton.

What if... she's alive? What if... I can find her? Then... what am I doing here? I can't see anything. I can't even open my eyes. Still, I... I don't think I can die without seeing that she's fine. Come on, Afton, snap out of it. So what if you've lost blood? You still have... a dagger... somewhere. Get up and... and fight. For Annie.

A finger twitched, then kept still. An eyelid flickered, but he was too exhausted to keep it open.

****

Air... I can feel air... Blood... I taste blood. I... I smell blood. Cold... I'm so cold. But get up, girl. Keep moving... Stumbling, falling, I can always get up again. Papa is waiting for me. I must go... quickly. Even if I fall; even if I'm shivering so hard I can't see; even if someone gets in my way... Papa is out there somewhere. Papa... is waiting. I have to keep going... for Papa.

****

“Afton hasn't returned?”

“No, sir. There were pools of blood and no bodies left when we arrived at the spot.

“I see. You may go.”

But when the soldier left, the commander sighed.

“Afton would never have gone with them unless he was dead. He's... he's gone.”