The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

23

 It was the fifth day in the arena, and the betting was getting very competitive. Hundreds of Capitol citizens were milling around the plaza, putting money on who they thought might win and sponsoring their favourites. When I checked on the betting, it seemed that most people believed Riley would win, with Otto and Elianna slightly behind in votes. I passed Angelica, Riley’s sponsor, walking with her friend and she waved to me.

 “I must say, Riley was certainly the right choice,” she said “And that interview with her family last night simply broke my heart!”

 “She is an amazing girl. I’m glad she’s doing so well,” her friend added “I may be willing to invest some money in her if she continues to shine.”

 “I guarantee she will,” I told her. The two women smiled and went on their way. I spotted a group of women and approached them, hoping to grab some more sponsors.

 “It’s Arrian Rider!” one cooed, standing to shake my hand. She was alarmingly dressed in an orange ruffled dress and towered over me in colossal red shoes “I’m a big fan of yours.”

 “Thanks,” I said awkwardly, grimacing as she kissed my cheek sloppily, leaving a trail of lipstick. Her friends guffawed at the lipstick on my face and I pretended to be amused too.

 “Tell me, ladies. Have you sponsored anyone yet?” I asked, hoping they’d say no.

 “Well actually, we haven’t. We’re torn between your two tributes. Riley and Otto are very different, but they both have the potential to win,” one of them mused.

 “I assure you, Riley is the right choice.”

 “Perhaps. We’re waiting to see how this event plays out.”

 “What event?” I asked sharply.

 “Haven’t you heard? Otto has been tracking Riley for at least an hour!”

 My heart skipped a beat. Though I knew Riley was strong, I did wonder whether she was capable of beating Otto in combat. One of the women patted my arm.

 “Sit down and watch. When this part is over, we’ll sponsor one of your tributes.”

 I perched on the arm of a chair, watching the screen intently. It was focused on Elianna, Riley and Milo sitting in a huddle, eating some rabbit which Elianna had shot for them. Riley was blissfully unaware that under ten metres away, Otto was watching them. She reached the bone of her rabbit leg and spoke.

 “Tell me about the best days of your life,” she said to her friends. Elianna chewed her thumb.

 “Well. In District 4, they have a swimming competition each year. You had to pay to enter, and the winner got all the money collected as a prize. With the amount of people entering, it’s very competitive and, of course, the prize is huge. I’d never been able to afford to enter until last year. You see, I got a job last year on the fishing boats, and that meant I could pay for myself. So I entered. It was a mile long race, half a mile out to sea and then you had to swim back. But there are obstacles and things, to make it harder. I guess it’s kind of like a mini version of the Hunger Games. Without the death,” Elianna said. “Anyway. I entered last year, as did a boy in my class, Nonus, who had always tormented me. He was one of the rich kids and he had always made me aware that I was not. He thought himself to be much better than I. So he made a bet with me. He said if he beat me, he would humiliate me in front of everyone, and not allow me to enter again. But he said that if I won against him, even if I didn’t win overall, he’d give me some money every week for a year. So, knowing that I couldn’t feel any more humiliated by him that I already did, I agreed. I don’t think he really expected me to take on the challenge. I trained hard every day up until the race, and at the starting line, I placed myself right beside him. When we set off, I went slowly, allowing him to rush on ahead for the first half mile. Coming back to the shore, he was weary, and I was far from it. He placed ninth. And I placed fourth.”

 “Yeah, you showed that guy!” Riley grinned, punching the air with her fist. Elianna smiled.

 “I sure did. And he respected me, after that. He knew that I had won, fair and square, and he didn’t bother me again. And I had enough money to buy fresh fish and meat every day, plus a small cake for myself once a week. And that’s why it was the best day of my life,”

 “What about yours, Milo?” Riley said. Milo opened his mouth to answer, but something was moving in the fog towards them. They were being ambushed. They all scrambled to their feet just as a dark figure appeared and a dart flew through the air towards Riley. Riley’s eyes widened, knowing it was about to hit her. She closed her eyes and waited for the impact, but it didn’t come. Not for her. At the last moment, Milo threw himself in front of his friend, the dart piercing his neck. He let out a cry and Riley screamed, running to his aid as he fell to his knees. Elianna was crouched low, her bow and arrow trained directly on the assailant as he revealed himself. Otto.

 Milo’s face was paling as Riley glared at Otto, her breathing heavy and tears pouring down her cheeks.

 “Oh dear. Poor Milo,” Otto said with a tut “This is why making allies is always a mistake. You end up caring too much. To the point where you would rather sacrifice yourself than watch your friend die.”

 “It was worth it,” Milo rasped.

 “Was it really, Milo? I would say it was a wasted effort. After all, I’ll kill that little squirt eventually,” Otto said, smirking at Riley “But not today. I would rather fight you when you might actually be competition, Riley. Pull yourself together. Next time we meet, I won’t be so merciful,” he said coldly. Then he turned to Elianna, her face devoid of emotion as she glared at him “You could join me, Elianna. We’d make a good team,” he said, running his tongue across his lips sinisterly. Elianna cried a string of swear words before releasing her arrow. It buried itself in Otto’s arm and he yelped. Elianna’s bow was already reloaded as Otto laughed darkly.

 “I’ll take that as a no. I’ll be on my way. Don’t take too long saying goodbye to him, ladies. I suspect that the poison has already entered his bloodstream…he has moments to live,” Otto said, slinking backwards and out of sight in the fog. I felt tears in my eyes as Riley lay Milo down on the ground sobbing. He reached out his hand shakily, caressing her tear soaked cheeks.

 “The best day of my life,” he croaked “Was when I met you.”

  “Don’t go, please don’t go, Milo. I love you,” Riley whispered, shaking. Milo closed his eyes for a moment, and when they reopened, his crystal eyes were filled with tears.

 “Kiss me, Riley. Just once. Please,” he said. Shaking, Riley lowered her lips to Milo’s and kissed him. They clung to each other desperately, but Milo’s life was slipping away. All at once, he went limp and his cannon fired. Silence had fallen. Milo was gone.

:( Sorry guys