He broke into a careful jog the moment she shouted his name back. He kept expecting to see other victors; if he and Johanna were both here, it was likely that the others were here too. (He didn't let himself think about what it meant if it was only him and Johanna here.)

He didn't have to go far before she came into his line of view -- still on her launchpad. He faltered openly, confused. He had never reached his own. She was still on hers. What was happening? Reflexively, he glanced about the room once again. No weapons. No cameras. No other victors.

"You all right?" he asked, still keeping something of a distance between himself and the pad. He didn't want to trigger anything.