2054(HIATUS)

Chapter 1

10/27/54

The sound of crunching leaves under foot was the only noise keeping Cinder from going insane. Nobody spoke. It was almost so quiet it was nearly unbearable. But, Cinder wasn't going to be the one to break that silence.

He didn't speak much, even around his party members. It wasn't a very big party, only four people, but they didn't need anyone else.

Someone cleared their throat, which snapped Cinder back into reality, free from his thoughts. "According to this map, we're almost there," Isaac's deep, smooth voice spoke out. Cinder liked Isaac, he was like the older brother he never had. He did have an older sister—but he never had liked her all that much. Isaac however, had a warm and comforting smile, and despite his tall height and rather large build, he was very softhearted. Like a lion who cared for a small kitten, and Cinder was that kitten.

"Ugh, finally! We've been walking since sunrise and frankly, I'm tired," That was Lynn. She was the life of the group, like a crazy party animal that would force you to join her in social gatherings. If social gatherings were a thing anymore. Cinder didn't much mind Lynn, except for when she "encouraged" him to be more talkative and trusting of the group.

The last party member, Athena, didn't say anything. Besides Cinder, Athena was probably the quietest in the group. Though her reasons for being silent differed greatly from the young teenager's.

Cinder had been lost in thought again, barely paying attention to his surroundings. Currently the party was trekking on a road through the woods, trying to get to a town that resided on the other side. Where they were exactly, they didn't know. The map they followed was slightly damaged due to traveling in the rain and in Isaac's backpack, so you couldn't read any of the words on it.

His foot landed in a small dip in the road, which caused him to stagger to the side and let out a surprised yelp. Though he wasn't able to keep his balance. Instead he fell down to the ground, expecting it to just be more road.

But no.

As he spaced out he had wandered to the side of the road, and when he fell over he fell to a drop off. Not like a cliff, but more as...a steep hill, you could call it.

Before he could even react he started tumbling down the hill, but Isaac did seem to react. As soon as the taller brunette heard Cinder's yell, he reached forward and snatched him by the wrist, holding onto a tree to keep himself from falling as well.

Though when he caught Cinder, the pale boy was yanked forward, and Isaac's grip loosened to the point he let go.

Cinder's life flashed before his eyes.

No, he wouldn't die from a tumble down the hill unless he hit his head on something and bled out—but that didn't mean it wasn't terrifying. Cinder could feel sticks and small rocks jab or stab at him as he fell, and he rolled to keep the damage to a minimal.

When he reached the bottom he moved his wrist behind him to try and catch himself, but instead...

Crack.

Cinder gasped, pain shooting to his left wrist immediately. He moved his hand up to his chest and held onto his arm with his right hand. The pain was horrible, like a thousand needles stabbing into him at once. No, not needles, what's a better way to phrase this...

Like someone shot his wrist with a sniper rifle multiple times from close up.

Well, maybe that was an exaggeration. But you get the point, right?

Isaac was panicked, how could he have let go? That didn't matter right now. He could see from where he was frozen in fear that Cinder was relatively fine, wasn't noticeably bleeding or anything of the sort. But he was holding his arm close to his chest, so he might have hurt it.

Not might, must. He must have hurt it.

Lynn and Athena had ran over next to Isaac during Cinder's tumble, and immediately the trio cautiously made their way down the steep hill. "Cinder! Are you alright?" Lynn's voice was frightened and laced with panic, or worry. When she received no response she kicked some bracken out of her way and ran over to him, crouching down next to the small boy.

You see, Cinder was petite. Hm no, maybe petite wasn't the right word. Perhaps fragile? Frail? Dainty? Hopefully that helps you understand that, he's not very big nor is he sturdy. He's easy to break. Whether that be physically or mentally, I'll let you decide.

Lynn knew full well that the boy wasn't alright, but she didn't quite know what to do. Athena, the more calmer of the trio, knelt down beside Cinder and reached her fingers to gently graze his hand, asking permission to see the wound.

Cinder granted it and lowered his wrist from where it was tucked into himself. It was starting to visibly swell, and was a sickeningly blue-ish purple color. "Can you move your fingers?" Athena asked softly, her voice like a mother, speaking to a child who scraped their knee. Cinder's hand trembled, but he made an attempt to move his index finger.

Pain shot through him again and he gasped, squeezing his forearm and holding back tears. Athena's gaze drifted to his face, a sympathetic look in her eye as she spoke, "I think it may be broken."

"Broken?" Lynn gasped, covering her mouth, "This isn't good..." Isaac didn't much participate in the conversation, instead just stared horror-struck at the injury. "I'm..." The tall male finally spoke up, guilt and regret seething through his voice, "I'm sorry."

Cinder shook his head lightly, as if to tell Isaac that it wasn't his fault. If anything, it was Cinder's for not paying attention to his surroundings.

"Never mind that," Athena cut in, gingerly and cautiously grabbing Cinder's shoulders and helping him stand, "We need to find a hospital, or something of the sort."

"Like an Urgent Care?"

"Maybe."

Lynn nodded and waved her hand in the air, sputtering something along the lines of, "I'll go find one!" before taking off running. Athena followed more slowly, still holding onto the injured boy. His body was trembling and he was beginning to feel light-headed, but despite that he managed to walk. Isaac snapped out of his thoughts and jogged over to the other side of Cinder, eyeing him carefully, then spoke up, "Should I carry him?"

Athena nodded and with tons of caution, the brunette picked up Cinder bridal style and held him close and tightly so he wouldn't fall or even slip.

Cinder just let himself be carried, resting his head against Isaac's chest. There was something quite...therapeutic to Cinder about listening to the older male's quickened heartbeat, and he allowed himself to close his eyes and rest. Though the pain never went away for a second.

As they continued to walk out of the woods, Cinder couldn't help but think.

Worst. Birthday. Ever.