The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

34

 The cell is dark, the slit for a window not allowing much light, but Pandora’s presence is like a small glowing star. Her skin is illuminated in what little light the room has to offer, her breathing soft and her bare back pressed against my chest. I smile sadly, burying my face in her shoulder. She smells like home. I enjoy the last time we have alone together, though she still sleeps. I would never deprive her of her last moments of sleep, the last snatch at dreams, her only escape from reality. She is smiling as she sleeps, and I wonder what dreams she’d been blessed with. Suddenly, she is awake, back in reality. She looks panicked and I wrap my arms around her, soothing her with my touch. She visibly calms a little, before turning over to meet my lips. I feel her legs entwine with mine and she begins to trace a pattern on my chest. I know what it means. Her finger creates the outline of a circle, and then makes a cross in the centre. She told me once that it made her think of me. Arrian. My earth. My hope she’d said to me. But now I feel I have failed her. This is the end, for both of us.

 I wish we had time to say our goodbyes. I want Raven to know I love her. And Eddie, and your Grandmother.

 “They know,” I say. I brush her hair from her face as the door opens and a pile of grey clothes is left for us on the floor.

 “We don’t want them. We have our own clothes,” I say.

 “You are required to wear them. Traitors to the Capitol don’t have the privilege of choice,” the man at the door says, averting his eyes from our naked bodies. I don’t try and cover myself. I am humiliated more by the prospect of wearing their prison wear than being seen naked.  “You have five minutes,” he tells us as he shuts the door. Pandora stands shakily and scoops up her clothing. She hands me mine and I pull the sludge trousers on and button the grey shirt. Pandora is shaking too much to attempt to do the same. I carefully steady her and button her shirt for her. The trousers don’t fit her, and I tie them to fit her slim waist. Her cheeks are wet with tears. I wipe them with my sleeve and hold her close.

 “No tears, darling,” I whisper “Don’t give them the satisfaction. Don’t let them win.”

 She cups my face lovingly and we kiss. We kiss knowing that we won’t do so again. Her fingers grip me hard and my arms threaten to crush her and I never want to let her go, never want her to leave me. We’re forced apart by Peacekeepers and Pandora screams silently. My cries are voice for both of us. But no amount of screaming and swearing loosens their grips. So I fall deadly silent. And I propose never to use my voice again.

 The courtyard is cold and the sky dismally grey, but I see Pandora smile. I know she is glad to feel the wind in her hair just one more time. Her skin is riddled with scars, but her smile is enough to make me forget that. To make me forget that at this moment, I am a step closer to death. The Peacekeeper shoves me forwards, closer to the scaffolding where two nooses hang ominously. They beckon me. Taunt me. I close my eyes so I don’t have to look upon them anymore.

 They leave us atop the platform. They know we won’t run. Peacekeepers line the edge of the courtyard. At least in these last moments, with President Snow not yet present as I am certain he will be, I can reach out and hold Pandora’s hand. No one stops us. Every human has a heart. They would not deprive us of a final touch.

 President Snow smiles as he makes his way to the podium. I suppose he’s pleased with himself, to some extent. He may not be able to attack 13, but he can rip away all my dignity and take my life, like I am no more than a slab of meat to him. I suppose I am not. I glance to Pandora. Though she cannot speak, her lips form words. I love you.

 I love you too. Forever I mouth. Tears sting my eyes though I will them not to. Be brave Pandora mouths back. I squeeze her hand. And I think of all the people I’m leaving behind. Raven. Drew. Venus. Grandmother. Antonia. We’ll never talk things through now. But she knows I love her. They all do. They must- Snow wrenches us apart.

 “Any last words, Mister Rider?” he says, a blot of red appearing on his paper lips. I spit in his face. He doesn’t seem to care. Just wipes it away with a smug smile. “I would ask your lady friend the same, but I am aware she’s a little quiet.” I wonder how long he’s wanted to say that joke. Some Peacekeepers laugh and I curse them all. But then a bag is put over my head, and I’m trapped in a case of hot air and scratchy material. I lose myself to anger, screaming to Pandora.

 “I love you, Pandora, I love you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I cry. I wonder if she can hear me. I feel the noose tie around my neck and then the floor disappears beneath me. Squeezing, squeezing. Raucous laughter. I choke out her name, bring her face to mind. Choking, dying. There’s a ringing in my ears so loud I almost don’t hear the voice.

 “Death is an adventure,” Riley tells me. Her smiling eyes and crooked teeth beckon me towards the light.

 Ican’tbreathecan’tbreathecan’t-

Sorry guys :( I know you probably all hate me now, but please be nice. I've had a pants day, and I'm absoloutely crying my eyes out over this :( Epilogue will be up soon. And I promise Battleborn will be kinder and no one nice will die. The song at the side is just perf as well, the guy singing it is amazing. Don't hate me please! :( x