The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

4

Running as fast as I could up the many flights of stairs, I made my way to the hospital wing, Pandora and the guard hot on my heels. I fumbled in my rucksack as I ran, pulling out a shot of morphine. I couldn't believe she'd been hurt until I saw her lying on a white sheet, blood stained red. The wound was clearly in her upper arm, though I hadn't been previously told, and it bore a gaping black hole. I wasn't squeamish, but it shocked me to see Antonia in such a state. She was awake, panting quickly and sweating as she fought back the pain.

"I have morphine," I said, quickly jabbing one of the precious needles into her arm. Antonia squirmed in agony, before grabbing my arm and pulling me close.

"Bring me Pandora. I need to speak to her. I need to-"

"You're weak."

"This is my punishment. I have done something unforgiveable and I need to amend it. Bring her now, Arrian. Please, if you are my friend, you will bring her here."

I sighed as she released me, and summoned Pandora from outside. Pandora scuttled into the room sheepishly. She looked horrified at Antonia's condition, but softly took Antonia's good hand in both of hers. Tears mixed with the sweat on Antonia's face.

"Pandora, I'm so sorry. More than you can ever know."

Pandora shook her head and smiled slightly, signing a message to her.

"What did she say? What did she say?" Antonia asked.

"She says she's used to it," I replied quietly. Before Antonia's shock could sink in, a doctor grabbed my arm urgently to consult me.

"Sir..."

"What the hell happened?"

"We take security very seriously here. She was a tresspasser."

"Look, it doesn't matter for now. What's the next step?"

"The best bet we have now is to amputate. We have someone in the Capitol we can bring in with a prosthetic arm, but we will have to wait a few days. We think it's best that you make this decision for her, with her in this state."

I looked at Antonia, who was still crying and whispering to Pandora, whilst Pandora stroked her hair comfortingly. I couldn't allow her to die. So I nodded.

"Do it. Can you use anaesthetics?"

"The ones we have are weak, but if that is what you wish. She will be mostly unconscious, so she won't move about, but she will be able to feel pain."

"It's better than nothing. Please begin as soon as possible."

"I will, sir."

The doctor called his team and they began to advance on Antonia. I grabbed Pandora's arm and pulled her away.

"Arrian! Arrian, what's happening?" Antonia cried.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, before withdrawing from the room. I watched through the glass viewing window as they struggled to put a mask over Antonia's face, the gas they released through it calming her down, until she was barely conscious. Her eyes were vacant and stared at the ceiling. As I bit my lip, barely able to watch, they began to remove her arm.