The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

29

 The second we reached District 12, there was a sense of urgency as we walked. Max rode on Jordan’s back, but the two younger girls struggled to match our pace, jogging on and off. There was no time to waste, and though our muscles burned and our shoulders ached, we had to keep going.

 We managed to reach District 13 a day quicker than Antonia and I had done several weeks earlier. My heart pounded with fear, uncertain what was going on, but also because I knew, that despite all the bad things going on, I’d get to see Pandora again.

 “Is this it?” Jordan asked, gesturing at the one visible floor of District 13.

 “The rest is underground,” I told him “The Capitol don’t know that District 13 still exists. At least, I don’t think they do. If they do, we’re in trouble. Maybe that’s what happened here.”

 We broke into a jog, and someone was already waiting us at the door. They let us through without a word, and then Pandora was there, her arms around me, sobbing softly onto my shoulder.

 “Thank God you made it here,” Grandmother said. As she enfolded me and Pandora in her papery arms, I saw a flicker of fear, of uncertainty, across her face. Something I’d never seen in her before. “There is a lot to tell you,” she said, hardening her features as she pulled away again “And not much time. But I think it’s best that good news comes first. As good as it comes, at least. Follow me.”

 Pandora took my hand, a weary smile on her face as we followed Grandmother, Antonia, Jordan and his family bringing up the rear.

 “Where are we going?” I asked Pandora, but she simply shook her head, a look on her face that told me she was keeping a secret. I found myself too tired to pester her for answers, and simply allowed myself to cherish her soft hand in mine as we walked. It soon became evident where we were headed, anyway. Room 496. To Raven.

 Grandmother told me to go inside, with only Pandora. Apparently, Raven didn’t want to see anyone else. As Pandora and I entered, I heard the wails of a babe. And in the mirrors that surrounded Raven Verona, I could see the children in her arms. But I sensed that something was wrong, though of course, no words came from Raven’s mouth. She looked up to acknowledge my presence, but no smile was on her face. I decided it was best not to ask. I knelt beside her bed, looking at her two beautiful children and trying not to think about how sad Raven looked. She didn’t just look unhappy, though. She was frail, brittle boned, pale skinned. Her hair was limp and her eyes shadowed. She looked like she’d been to hell and back.

 Eddie, Raven’s husband, entered the room then. He too looked somewhat older, his shirt untucked and his hands lazily put in his pockets. His freckled face was worn as he offered me a hand to shake.

 “I see you’ve met the children,” he said, but his voice was heavy “Our boy, Elliott, and our daughter, Karissa. We’ve named you and Pandora Elliott’s God parents. Drew serves as Karissa’s,” he told me. Pandora squeezed my hand and I smiled, touching both the infant’s foreheads in turn.

 “You have beautiful children,” I told her “Such beautiful twins.”

 Raven squeezed her eyes shut, but tears flooded over her cheeks, and I knew then that I’d said something wrong. I reached to touch Raven, but she flinched away. She let out a small gasp, holding her children close to her chest. Karissa cried loudly, but Elliott was quiet, like his mother. I looked at Eddie for guidance, stricken. Pandora’s head was bowed and I could see tears in Eddie’s eyes.

 “We had three,” Eddie said, sniffing “Triplets. But…but one was never truly with us. Still born. We named her Eleanor-” Eddie stopped, sniffing again. He slid onto the bed beside Raven, wrapping himself protectively around her and the babies, a barrier against harm, but the damage had already been done. Raven was still crying, and Pandora kept her distance. There was something quite haunting about Raven’s silent tears and the soft snuffles of her children. Though tears stung my own eyes, I found my hand reaching for her shoulder, rubbing it soothingly.