Riley Pratchett Narrative

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As a skinny boy walks into the Descorde arena, the audience explodes into cheers. He’s Nick Athens, the reigning champion of this tournament. The media adores him almost as much as the other fighters despise him. I grit my teeth and finish adjusting my fighting exoskeleton, preparing to step forward, but Vivian places a hand on my shoulder to stop me. "Hey, Riley?" She gives me an uncomfortable smile, flashing perfectly white teeth. "Go out there-"

"I know, Vee," I interrupt her more harshly than I’d intended, brushing her hand away. She's been my trainer for months leading up to this competition; she knows that I have to focus. We both need me to win this.

"Riley Pratchett to the arena, Riley Pratchett to the arena."

A clear and metallic female voice rings out from the loudspeakers. I glance at Vivian, and this time my trainer doesn't stop me as I step out and into the light. I blink rapidly and continue moving forward, adjusting to the brightness. Walking through the doorway is like stepping into another world. Gratifyingly, it seems that my entrance to the arena is making the crowd roar as loudly as they did for Nick. He's waiting at the other end of the arena patiently, eating what looks suspiciously like a chocolate bar. …show more content…

The crowd gradually calms down, tense in preparation for the starting buzzer. I lower myself into a battle stance, my gaze locked on the light-haired boy at the other end of the arena. Surprisingly, he doesn't do the same, he simply finishes his chocolate and stuffs the wrapper into his pocket. It occurs to me how utterly unthreatening Nick Athens looks, even with a fighting exoskeleton and uniform

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