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THE BROADCAST ROOM HAD BEEN ABANDONED BY THE TIME ARAUCARIA RETURNED. She had hoped for a moment that she might have time to figure out the drone system so she could send a message to Treech. She wasn't nearly as clever as her father, but some of his brains had somehow been passed down.
Unfortunately her plans were foiled. When she stepped further into the room, Cari spotted both Dr. Gaul and Coriolanus locked in conversation.
Her eyes moved from them to the large screen, hoping to catch a glimpse of Treech. She wasn't prepared to see the figure of Sejanus, bent over Marcus' corpse in silent vigil. How on earth did he manage that?
"Who knows?" Dr. Gaul's voice was hard to miss with the echoing room. "You get him out unscathed, I'll whisper your name in his father's ear. You still want the Plinth Prize, don't you?" That stupid fucking prize. Everyday it seemed there was another atrocity Coriolanus was willing to commit for it.
As if aware of her presence the whole time, Gaul switched her eyes to the side, "Ah, Miss Finch." Coriolanus snapped his head quickly in her direction. At least he had the decency to look ashamed. "You've returned just in time. Perhaps you could join Mr. Snow here on his excursion to the arena."
Araucaria blinked in surprise, the words floating about her head, unregistered. Snow in the arena? "I'm sorry?"
"I can't keep the feeds frozen forever," Gaul explained, stalking closer to the girl. Her silver eye made Cari shift her weight back and forth. "If Mr. Snow is unsuccessful, maybe a... district approach might work." The words fell from the Gamemaker's mouth like poison.
Coriolanus' brows knitted together in irritation at the implication that someone from the districts could succeed while he failed.
"Um," Cari knew there wasn't actually much of a choice, not if she wanted to retain the fragile reputation she had built. If she refused, Gaul could take it out on Treech. Treech... he would be there, in the arena. This was her chance to give him the antidote. "Of course."
Dr. Gaul nodded firmly. "Good. I'll keep the feed frozen for an hour. I estimate that is all we have until the people notice."
Both students kept quiet, the daunting task hanging over their heads like a sword as they made their way to the assigned car. Cari silently thanked Poseidon that she wouldn't have to walk anymore.
The ride over was tense. Cari suspected him of cheating using her father's invention— she had been so focused on the antidote that she had barely processed the betrayal from one of her few friends.
Two peacekeepers surrounded them as they approached the main entrance, another quickly pulling open the gate separating them from the tributes.
Cari went first. Maybe her confidence was misplaced, but she felt that if it came face to face with tributes, some would think twice before attacking her. Coriolanus followed behind her slowly, the gates pulled shut loudly behind him.
