Chapter 14: The Chain

Fin held Draven up by one wrist and Draven hung there like laundry.

The crowd didn't make a sound.

"Put me down," Draven said.

"No."

"Put me down."

Fin lowered him until his feet touched the floor and then let go.

Draven stumbled and caught himself.

"From now until the final round," Fin said, "you're bound."

He put his black hand flat on Draven's chest.

A line of light came out of it and went into Draven, into his coat, into his skin.

Draven gasped and grabbed at his own chest.

"What did you do to me," he said.

"You can't take a score that isn't yours. You can't touch another contestant. You can't leave a trial before it's finished."

"You can't do this."

"I can."

"You can't."

"I did."

Draven stood there with his hand on his chest and his mouth open.

Fin turned to the rest of the room.

"Sixth trial at the next light," he said. "Rest."

People drifted toward the walls and sat down.

Draven stayed where he was for a while.

Then he walked to the far side of the Hall and sat against the wall alone.

I watched him do it.

I watched him sit there with his knees up and his hands on his chest.

And then I watched the woman from design get up and walk over to him.

She sat down next to him.

Then the QA man went over.

Then two more.

I sat with my back against a column and watched the whole thing.

Fin came and sat down next to me.

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