After the guard announced Nate as the winner, the noise of the arena didn't settle immediately. Instead, it swelled for a moment, voices rising from different sides before slowly blending into a constant murmur.
Nate stood there for a second longer than needed.
His gaze dropped to the unconscious girl lying on the platform. Her body was still, her chest rising faintly, while two nurses rushed forward with a stretcher, their boots hitting the ground in hurried rhythm as they reached her side.
They moved efficiently, lifting her carefully.
Nate watched them.
I didn't even get to know her name.
The thought passed through his mind quietly.
He turned away without thinking more than that and began walking back to his seat, his steps steady, his expression already returning to that calm, unreadable state.
In front of him, his group erupted into cheers.
