The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

16

 It was mid-afternoon when I awoke, my eyes groggy and my head pounding. Sleeping during the day had always made me feel ill, and this time was no exception. I rolled over to look out the glass doors leading onto a balcony outside my room. There, Riley stood, her red curls seeming even more vibrant in the afternoon sun. I allowed myself to tumble out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud that woke me up a little. I ran a hand through my hair before joining her outside. She took one look at me and started sniggering.

 “You look dreadful, Ari,” she commented, smirking.

 “Nice of you to mention it. I feel it too,” I said, though feeling slightly better with the cold wind on my face. I sniffed, feeling a cold coming on. It really wasn’t my day. Riley leaned over the balcony edge. The mentor’s rooms, unlike those of the tributes, had no barrier to prevent someone toppling from the ledge, and Riley was dangerously close to falling. But I knew she wouldn’t.

 “It feels like you can fly up here,” she breathed, a crooked smile forming on her lips.

 “Well, you can’t,” I said bluntly. Riley rolled her eyes, leaning further over the edge.

 “You’re such a bore, Arrian. If I jumped now, would it even matter?”

 “Of course it would. You’d be dead.”

 “That’s kind of the outcome of the Games too.”

 “You could win.”

 “Maybe. But it looks like Otto is a contender too. And speaking of him, you’d better take a shower, because you have a session with him in less than an hour and quite frankly, you stink,” Riley said in jest. I groaned at the thought of mentoring Otto. I’d got away with avoiding him up until then, with him under Antonia’s control, but she’d insisted that I took some responsibility for him.

 “I hate that kid,” I muttered, Otto’s smug face at his training score popping into my mind.

 “You’re not supposed to have favourites,” Riley joked.

 “Who said I prefer you?” I countered.

 “Ouch. I need some ice for that burn,” Riley said, pretending to wipe away a tear and her voice dripping sarcasm “Now get lost. I’m trying to enjoy the view in peace.”

 “This is my room, and my balcony…”

 “Yeah? Tough. Get a shower, stinky,” she said childishly, poking her tongue from her mouth.  I swatted her lightly as I headed for the bathroom. Stepping under the shower, I basked in the hot water for a while, taking in the smells of the Capitol and enjoying the massaging sponges on my weary back. But all too soon I was dressed and ready to face Otto. Riley escorted me to the lift, where Antonia was waiting, looking smug.

 “Have fun with Otto,” she smirked, nudging Riley. They giggled together and walked off, chattering away. At least they’re getting on better now, I thought as I made my way to meet Otto.