Moving would just blow all his chances, so he stayed still—fat load of help that did him. His breaths doubled. Like an antlerbeast in the headlights, he was reminded of just how quickly and easily a trained Alternian laughsassin could spot him. He dropped his stupid weapon, it wouldn't help him anyway. If this was a clone, it was a damn good one. It had all of Initiate's training, and could take him out with a thought.

Psii tried to ask what the hell Initiate was doing in the arena, if he was under Gamemakers' orders as an Avox to cause havoc. All that came out of his mouth were hoarse attempts to make words. In a way, this dispelled his fear and replaced it with righteous indignation. He rolled his eyes and flipped his middle finger in the vague direction of the sky showing through a hole in the leaves. Ironic, that giving the Gamemakers the bird was similar in gesture to flipping off the gods.