The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

19

 “Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems there has been quite a turn of events! How are Riley and Milo going to get out of this one? What are your thoughts, Claudius?” Venus asked.

 “It’s not going to be easy, Venus, I’ll give you that. But I’m sure our new star tribute will pull something out of the bag. Literally, perhaps! She’s proven to be resourceful and she gained a lot at the Cornocopia. Maybe that will help her out. The question is, how is she going to do this?”

 A good question indeed, I thought, watching Riley struggle. She now had one arm wrapped around the trunk of a tree desperately, her other hand fumbling in her backpack as it hung on her shoulder. Milo was getting weaker against the waters, floating dangerously close to the edge, which now resembled a waterfall as the arena flooded. I wanted to yell at Riley. What are you doing? Milo’s going to die! my mind screamed. But then Riley’s hand grasped something in her bag. She pulled it out eagerly, tendrils of her wet hair falling in her face. She’d found the rope from her pack.

 She worked swiftly then, wrapping the rope around her skinny waist and tying it tight with a knot. Then she tied the other end to the tree hastily. The length was long enough for her to move a considerable distance in any direction, but forwards was the way she was headed. She surged forwards as fast as she could and managed to dive and grab Milo’s ankle just before he tumbled over the edge.

 Her fingers clung desperately to her friend, her face contorted as she strained to keep hold of him. He hung upside down from the edge, eyes closed. Riley gasped for breath, water lapping around her face.

 “She’s looking beat, Claudius.”

 “I hate to say it, but I agree,” Venus said, her tone sad. Riley gave one last tug and collapsed, almost dropping Milo’s foot. Suddenly, through the mist and water, a girl came running. It was Elianna. Once again, her strength shone through, the muscles in her arms and legs rippling as she ran. She caught sight of Riley and grabbed the rope, battling against the wild weather and pulling Riley up. Slowly, Milo came back over the edge, limp and somewhat lifeless, but safer than he had been, and still alive. Elianna threw him over her shoulder with, seemingly, ease, and pulled Riley to her feet too. I leaned forward, intrigued by her dramatic rescue.

 “Come on. We need to get out of here,” Elianna said “I know somewhere safer.”

 The ground still shook beneath their feet, but together, Riley and Elianna seemed unstoppable. Their boots sloshed in the water as they ran, all possibilities of death forgotten. Venus and Claudius commented on the unusual new alliance, and I was able to breathe easy again. Antonia reached for my hand and I took it, sighing with relief.

 “That was horrible,” I breathed.

 “Is this what it is like every year?” Antonia asked “I mean, do you normally get this jumpy and scared?”

 I shook my head “To an extent, I’ve learned to control it. Riley is an exception. As were you. Because it’s much harder to keep a level head when…when someone you love is battling for their lives. I feel so powerless.”

 “Hey. Don’t worry. She’s going to get through. We’re going to get her through. I promise.”

 I nodded, pulling her in for a quick hug. Her floral smell lingered on my skin long after I pulled away.

 “Is it time to swap over?”

 “Yeah. Go get some sponsors. I’ll let you know if anything big happens.”

 “OK. See you later.”

 I threw on some clothes and headed into the Capitol. The plaza was filled with the chatter of a thousand voices and the sound of coins clinking in pockets. People were getting ready to spend. A lot. And I had to persuade them that Riley was worth putting their money on.