After I remove all four screws, the steel panel comes loose easily. I have to twist my upper body around in an awkward way, but I manage to stick my head through the hole that has opened up. At first I see only blackness, but once my eyes adjust to the darkness a little I can make out a faint green glow. I left the night-sight goggles with Wing because I didn't want to lug them around, but the illumination is enough to see I have uncovered an access point to some kind of hidden maintenance tunnel that runs parallel to the temple passage I am in. Only this one hasn't artificially been made to look ancient. This tunnel looks brand new, with smooth, white walls. It's extremely narrow, just wide enough for one person to walk through, and thick pipes run along the ceiling, but otherwise it's just like a regular hallway. And there is a door at the end of it.
With some effort, I squeeze all the way through. I am thrilled by my discovery, but now I am also feeling a jab of nervousness. I am entering forbidden territory now, but I figure I have to see this through now, and whatever I find in here can't be more dangerous than the Temple with the traps and the other tributes. And what if there is… A way out? If there is, I will have to go back to get Wing, but for now I need to find out where this passage will lead me.
Slowly, I edge my way towards the door. I hesitate for a long moment before I push the button to open it, because it just seems so unreal. The door slides aside with a soft hiss, and behind it is another corridor, but a regular one. It is much wider than the service tunnel, and brightly lit with fluorescent lights. Several doors go off the side of the corridor.
Just as I'm contemplating which way to go, the door at one of the ends opens and a man with nappy gray hair steps into the hallway. He is dressed in a dark blue overall and is carrying a mop and bucket. There is nowhere for me to hide, so I press myself against the wall, and he is so engrossed in his cleaning that he doesn't even see me right away. But as he moves closer to me, he raises his head and looks straight at me, mouth gaping. At first I think it's the surprise at seeing me that has rendered him dumb, but when I see the way he drops his gaze and slinks away from me in fearful abjection, I realize he is an Avox. He has lost his voice long ago. It has been taken away from him by the Capitol. In that way, the two of us are not so different. Maybe he will help me?
He flinches when I start to slowly move toward him. He raises the handle of his mop, like he is planning to defend himself with it. I put up my hands to placate him and show that I mean him no harm.
"Please. Don't give me away."
When he does not move, I grow bolder.
"I'm trying to escape. Me and a friend of mine. She's hurt. Can you help me? Do you know a way out?"
The man shakes his head violently. In his eyes I see a lot of fear, but there is something else as well. Compassion.
"Please, my friend. I'm begging you. I don't want to get you in trouble, but if you don't help us, we are as good as dead!"
He continues to stare at me, and I can tell he is battling with himself. Clearly he hasn't been treated this respectfully in a very long time. I wonder how long he has been an Avox, what infraction he committed that he was punished for in this way.
I am acutely aware that while we're standing out in the open like this, someone could walk in on us any moment. But after a long pause, the Avox nods his head. The relief that floods me is immeasurable.
"You will help us? Oh, thank you, thank y—"
He flinches again and presses a finger to his lips, ordering me to be quiet. He glances around conspiratively, even though we are alone. Then he sets down his mop and heads toward one of the doors, gesturing for me to follow. He leads me to a small service room or supply closet, which contains all kinds of cleaning utensils on shelves, as well as a big laundry trolley, half-full with sheets and discarded uniforms. Some are from Peacekeepers. I guess a lot of people must work down here, if they have to bring in cleaning staff to take care of them. I wonder how big this facility is. Maybe the actual command center, where the Gamemakers oversee the Games, is housed here, right here in the middle of the arena?
The Avox shuts the door behind me and points to the trolley, then makes a sweeping gesture with his arm like something flying away. After a second I understand his meaning.
"Oh, you mean I can hide in there? And it will be transported out of here?"
He nods.
"That's a great idea! I don't know how I could ever repay you for this!"
He shakes his head and points at the stack of laundry again, urging me to get in right now.
"No, I can't go yet. I have to get my friend first."
The man looks at me with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation, then starts shoving me toward the laundry cart.
"Hey, I'm not leaving without her!"
I said that a lot louder than I meant to, and he makes a frightened gesture to shut me up.
We stare at each other, neither of us budging. It's difficult to argue when one of us can't speak. His intentions are pretty clear, and I don't want to antagonize him or seem ungrateful, because he might change his mind about helping me. But I made a promise to Wing I would come back for her, and I know I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I left her behind. Especially in her injured condition.
"Please. I know I'm asking a lot, but my friend is pregnant. I have to get her out of here."
He looks at me intently, trying to make up his mind, when suddenly the door is flung wide open.
"What is going on here?"
The Avox and I flinch and turn around in unison.