The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

12

The crowd let out a huge gasp as Riley hit the floor. Her dress tore as she rolled sideways, her eyes closed and her elbows bleeding. I held my breath, unable to believe what had just happened.

"What the hell did you tell her to do that for?" I hissed at Roberta. All the other chariots had stopped, and the Capitol music no longer boomed through the speakers.

"Don't be such a worry wart. I put padding in her dress to stop any damage. And I taught her how to dive so that she wouldn't hurt herself. She knew the risks. And look, she's sitting up! She's fine."

Riley was sitting up, but she certainly didn't look fine. I had to remind myself that she was an excellent actress. She blinked, seemingly dazed and then, as though on cue, she began to cry. I had grown accustomed to hearing those wails in the short time I'd known her. I had to admire her performance. And who can ever forget a girl who literarily stops the show?

A dark ominous figure was approaching her. With hair as white as snow and snake eyes that pierced anyone they saw, there was no mistaking that he was the President. He bent beside her, but she didn't stop crying. The President summoned a Peacekeeper with a papery white finger, before getting to his feet.

"The ceremony will continue. Get her out of here," he said, his tone completely authoritive. Hastily, the Peacekeeper scooped up Riley and made his way towards me and Antonia. I jogged to meet him in the middle, thanking him as he transferred her limp body into my arms. When the Peacekeeper was out of sight, Riley stopped the flow of her crocodile tears and grinned at me. Her lip was split from where her face had scraped on the gravel.

"That was so much fun!" she said, hugging my neck. As I put her down, she picked up the tatters of her skirts, revealing two scraped knees to match her elbows.

"It's a shame though. Sorry about the dress, Roberta," she said somewhat politely.

"Not to worry. At least you provided some entertainment for this dreary event."

"Entertainment? It was stupid and reckless. She could have seriously hurt herself!" Antonia exclaimed. Roberta raised an eyebrow.

"This is a nation where the Hunger Games are entertainment. I think Riley's display was preferable, don't you?" Roberta replied. Antonia shrugged and rolled her eyes.

"Come on. Let's get dinner. I don't fancy eating with that brat Otto."

We rode in the elevator to the seventh floor, Riley whooping in delight as we shot upwards. I smiled at her childish heart, wishing she could cling to her innocence. That's the thing about the Hunger Games. They take away your childhood. They make you grow up too fast. It's a game you can't win, really. I wondered how the Games would affect Riley.

We invited Roberta to dine with us, and we settled down around the large table in the living quarters. There was a fine selection of meats and vegetables, but Riley was mostly interested in the puddings. She ate a small portion for her main course, then helped herself to mini cheesecakes topped with mint, orange sorbets and rum truffles with the number 7 iced on them, popping food endlessly into her mouth.

"For goodness sake," Antonia moaned "Riley, eat with your mouth shut."

"She's right," Marcia said, swanning into the room as though she owned it, "You eat like a pig. Close your mouth."

"You're not my mother," Riley said, but quietly so that Marcia didn't hear. Antonia did though, and scowled.

"Riley, why don't we get you to bed? You've had enough excitement for today," I suggested through gritted teeth. I didn't want an argument breaking out.