The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

6

I was shaken awake abruptly by a pair of bony, yet strong hands. My eyes were still blurry with sleep, but I could see a figure bustling around the room, gathering the few possessions I'd brought with me.

"...Grandmother?"

"Arrian," she replied bluntly.

"What are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd come if you were away for over a fortnight."

"It's only been a week and a half."

"I know you, Arrian. Had I not arrived today, you'd have stayed another week. Get up. We're leaving this evening."

"What? But Antonia-"

"She's coming too. Have you forgotten that the reaping is in just under a week?"

"Of course not. But-"

"No buts, Arrian. Up. Now!"

I slid out of bed with a sigh as Grandmother closed the door behind her. She'd left my rucksack open, now filled with the things I'd brought with me. Noting that I needed to get some supplies together, I slung the strap of the bag over my shoulder and headed back to the operation room. To my surprise, Antonia was sat up, her new arm fixed in place, but with a large conspicuous bandage covering it. The special Capitol technology, however, had done a good job, and I almost couldn't tell that the arm wasn't real. Antonia's face was pale, and she looked like she hadn't slept in a year, but she was alive. Just.

The doors to the operation room swung open to allow me in, revealing Grandmother arguing with a surgeon.

"She has to leave! If she doesn't, they'll find out she's here and kill her. Then all this work would have been for nothing! If she doesn't show on reaping day, it will impact the whole of the District. How can't you understand that?"

"I understand perfectly, Mrs Rider. I also understand medicine and surgery much better than you. What she needs is rest until she can mobilize again-"

"I'm warning you. I have respect for what you've done for her, and I'm grateful, but if you prevent her leaving..." Grandmother trailed off, the stony glare she wore finishing the sentence for her. Antonia, caught my eye, and silently summoned me to help her up. I picked her up under her good arm and she slowly hobbled to the arguing pair.

"I believe the decision is actually in my hands. We're going home."

"Antonia..."

"Nothing will change my mind. Arrian, fetch my rucksack. You'll have to carry it for me."

"That's been taken care of. We're just waiting upon some food and medical supplies and then we can leave. Pandora should be here at any moment," Grandmother told her.

I felt Antonia relax against me, my hip supporting her. It was like someone had replaced Antonia with a rag doll, frail and unstable. I knew we wouldn't get far with her walking. I had no choice, but to carry her. I made a brief visit to Raven, before Pandora arrived with Antonia's bag and some supplies. She softly stroked Antonia's hair.

"It's a sign of love and respect for you," I told Antonia. Antonia shakily reached out with her good hand and returned the gesture.

"Thank you, Pandora. Thank you."

Grandmother looked after Antonia whilst I said my goodbye to Pandora. Her lips gently brushed my jaw, her eyes downcast as she tried not to cry. I tipped her chin up so she was looking me in the eye.

"I'll be back. After the Games, I'll be back. And maybe I can take you home next time. Until then, I'll be thinking of you. Every day, I swear it. Be brave for me. Take care of Raven."

She buried her face in my neck lovingly. Knowing how intuitive she was, she could probably tell that I was breaking on the inside. But did she know how hard it was for me to breathe without her? To function, to keep going? I sighed, breathing in slowly the scent of her hair. My hand clasped the back of her head protectively, and I didn't want to let go. But eventually, I pulled away, pressing my lips to hers for one last fleeting moment.

"Goodbye," I whispered, my hand trailing behind my body as I tried to touch her once more. I felt empty as I reached Grandmother and picked Antonia's body up.

"Let's go," I said. Grandmother nodded, patting my arm lightly, beginning the climb up the many flights of stairs.

The next four days were a struggle to say the least. It was though the world was against us. We got caught in rain storms for the most part of our travels, and with no shelter, we had to battle it out. We were barely able to sleep, and Antonia's soft sobs filled what little rest I did get.

Approaching the fence on the fifth day felt like a miracle.

Until we saw the Peacekeepers patrolling the fence.