the danger of the treatment is due to the same thing that makes it effective. Some families might decide that their family member would do better without this intervention. Other patients, like Justin—who has played video games all his life—show a natural inclination to interact with the game.”
“I see.” Yang now scribbled furiously.
“The game has provided him with experiences he had always wanted to have,” Mary said quietly. She stood beside Jacob and smiled at him. Tears still streaked her cheeks, but she was composed. “He is able to help people in the game and his father and I have been able to send him limited communications. He knows he is not alone. It is a great comfort to us and to him that he is not locked in his own mind.”
The reporter finished writing and looked at them. “This is fascinating. Thank you for your input. Ms. Price, rest assured that all drafts will be vetted by our legal team according to your specifications.” He went around the room and shook the hands of the PIVOT team members, Dr. DuBois, and the assistants. He nodded and left with his crew.
A long silence followed.
“I think that went well,” Mary said brightly. She squeezed Jacob’s hand.
“No one cares about the upside when the downside is…” He shook his head.
“Mr. Zachary,” Price said, “do you honestly believe you will do anyone any good by convincing yourself that the article will be negative?”
He gaped at her. “Well…I… No.”
“Then I suggest you return to work,” she suggested. “I feel confident that we can expect both supporters and detractors, whatever the outcome of this article. All that is within our power is to do the best we can. Of course, I speak metaphorically, as I am not participating in this research.” She smiled. “I have every confidence in you. Keep working.”
She left but paused to scan the records of Justin’s fight with disturbing acuity.
When she was gone, everyone stared at one another.
“I cannot get a handle on that woman,” Amber said finally.
Every person in the room nodded.
Chapter Eighty
Justin spent a tense quarter of an hour pacing around the emergency suites while the crowd in the arena muttered and shifted restlessly. Everyone wanted to know who would win and the AI constantly offered him a dispiriting account of the odds that were being given for his survival.
When a messenger appeared at the door, the two friends turned quickly. The man who entered beckoned them to follow him, his shoes clicking on the stone floor, and Justin felt a strange calm wash over him. He looked at Tina.
“It’ll be okay.”
“Easy for you to say,” she said but she grinned. “You weren’t the one who threatened the chief healer with violent death.”
The messenger darted an alarmed look at them and increased his pace.
“I like you two together,” the AI told Justin.
“Wait. Really?”
“Yes. She’ll keep you on your toes.”
“You hope she kills me, don’t you?” He rolled his eyes.
“Of course not. Don’t be so short-sighted. If she did, I wouldn’t get to make fun of you.”
He threw up his hands and mouthed “AI” to his companion, who snickered.
In the other room, the Twins waited with the Master of Ceremonies. When they appeared, Callie and Tina locked glances, and it was clear that the two women despised one another. Dexi tried to lounge as if he were bored but he didn’t quite pull it off. Apparently, no number of healers could fix every bone in someone’s torso in ten minutes.
Having been on the receiving end of a death spell, Justin didn’t feel too charitable. Frankly, he hoped it hurt. He hoped the man felt like he’d been kicked by a horse.
“Thank you for joining me,” the Master of Ceremonies said. “I am Jaco.”
All four contestants looked stonily at him and he laced his hands behind his back with a tense smile. “Very well. As you have seen, there is the small matter of declaring a winner.”
“We killed one of their teammates,” Callie said. “We’re clearly stronger.”
“They exceeded any reasonable standards of sportsmanship or necessary force,” Tina argued. “They should be disqualified.” When she saw Justin staring at her, she shrugged. “What? I was in pre-law for a while.”
“Huh.” He tried to picture her as a lawyer and couldn’t.
“Both teams had one member incapacitated,” the official said. “Therefore, the match is declared a draw and both teams will receive a prize of their choosing.” He took care to add quietly, “The prizes will be dwarven artifacts of great value from the