Champion
Chapter 17: Day 9
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with the protagonist returning to June’s bedroom exhausted and emotionally drained. He collapses on her couch, avoiding the bed, and sleeps until she wakes him. June informs him that Anden has arranged for a lab team to pick up him and Eden in two hours. Despite his visible distress, June remains composed, though her weariness is evident. The protagonist struggles with overwhelming emotions, haunted by memories of his brother John and the precarious situation they’re all in. He tries to hide his pain from June, but his trembling hands and vacant stare betray his inner turmoil.
In the bathroom, the protagonist battles his emotions, splashing water on his face and taking a scalding shower to numb his thoughts. He avoids looking in the mirror, fearing the reflection of his trauma. When he emerges, June observes his pale, shaken state but doesn’t press him. Instead, she shares news about Commander Jameson’s betrayal, revealing she’s now working for the Colonies. This reignites the protagonist’s hatred for Jameson, blaming her for their shared suffering. June’s touch triggers violent flashbacks, causing him to flinch, which visibly hurts her. Their unresolved grief and guilt create a tense moment, with June apologizing for causing his pain.
The protagonist attempts to reassure June, but his hesitation confirms her fears. She believes their relationship is irreparably damaged by her past actions, and he admits he doesn’t know how to move forward. Despite their mutual doubt, they cling to the hope that they’ll be okay, though their expressions betray their uncertainty. The chapter shifts to the second day of the Colonies’ ceasefire, as the protagonist prepares to take Eden to the lab for testing. He struggles with fear for his brother’s safety, but Eden remains resolute, downplaying the procedure’s severity.
At the hospital, the protagonist watches through a glass window as Eden undergoes preparations for the lab tests. Eden appears small and vulnerable, his feet dangling from the bed as technicians take his vitals. The protagonist’s anxiety is palpable, his hands sweaty and trembling, but he tries to stay strong for his brother. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, emphasizing the weight of the Republic’s fate resting on Eden’s shoulders, leaving the reader in suspense about the outcome of the tests.
FAQs
1. How does the protagonist’s emotional state manifest physically in this chapter, and what does this reveal about his internal conflict?
Answer:
The protagonist exhibits severe physical distress throughout the chapter, including trembling hands, a reopened wound on his palm, and a sickly pale complexion after showering. These symptoms reflect his overwhelming guilt, grief, and anxiety about Eden’s impending medical procedure, his fractured relationship with June, and traumatic memories of Commander Jameson. His avoidance of mirrors (fearing he’ll see his deceased brother John) and compulsive water-splashing/showering symbolize futile attempts to cleanse his psychological torment. The physical manifestations underscore how his unresolved trauma and current dilemmas have eroded his ability to compartmentalize emotions, leaving him visibly vulnerable despite his efforts to appear composed for June and Eden.2. Analyze the significance of Commander Jameson’s reported betrayal in this chapter. How does this revelation impact both the plot and character dynamics?
Answer:
The revelation that Commander Jameson is leaking military secrets to the Colonies reignites the protagonists’ shared trauma, as she orchestrated the deaths of both their families. This development escalates geopolitical tensions (undermining the fragile ceasefire) while intensifying personal stakes—June and the protagonist’s relationship fractures further as her past actions resurface. The commander’s survival and betrayal also symbolize systemic corruption persisting despite regime changes, forcing characters to confront unresolved vengeance. Notably, it unites June and the protagonist in mutual hatred (“Both of us, broken by the same person”), yet their physical flinching (e.g., the protagonist wincing at June’s touch) reveals how this shared wound simultaneously binds and divides them.3. Evaluate the chapter’s portrayal of Eden’s voluntary participation in medical testing. What thematic tensions does this scene highlight?
Answer:
Eden’s calm resignation (“I’ll be fine”) during the ominous hospital scene contrasts sharply with the protagonist’s visceral dread, highlighting themes of sacrifice versus protection. While Eden views the procedure pragmatically (“the sooner it can all be over”), his childlike vulnerability (swinging feet, oversized scrubs) underscores the Republic’s exploitation of innocence for survival. The protagonist’s repeated assurances (“You don’t have to do this”) clash with his powerless observation through glass—a metaphor for his inability to shield Eden from systemic demands. This tension reflects the novel’s broader critique of how societies instrumentalize individuals, even as the scene humanizes Eden’s quiet bravery and the protagonist’s tortured guardianship.4. How does the chapter use sensory details to convey the protagonist’s psychological state during his interaction with June? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
Sensory imagery immerses readers in the protagonist’s fractured psyche: the “scalding hot water” he uses to numb himself proves ineffective against haunting memories, while June’s “pale purple tea” symbolizes her attempt at calm amidst tension. Tactile details like his “half-buttoned shirt” and her hand squeezing his uninjured palm amplify their precarious intimacy, yet his violent flashbacks at her touch reveal subconscious recoil. Auditory cues—whispered apologies, muffled technician voices—create a dissonant atmosphere mirroring his emotional disorientation. Most strikingly, his avoidance of mirrors (a visual metaphor) contrasts with June’s “deep dark eyes” that perceive his pain, forcing confrontations he wishes to evade through physical distractions like kissing or showering.5. Critical Thinking: The chapter ends abruptly with “The fate of the entire Republic rests on the should…” How does this truncated sentence reflect the narrative’s broader tensions?
Answer:
The incomplete sentence—likely “shoulders” of Eden—visually mirrors the unbearable weight placed on vulnerable individuals within the Republic’s survival narrative. This stylistic choice heightens suspense while critiquing systemic demands: just as the sentence fractures, so too does the protagonist’s psyche under the pressure of protecting Eden, reconciling with June, and confronting Commander Jameson. The interruption parallels the chapter’s themes of unresolved trauma and precarious ceasefires, where no resolution feels attainable. By leaving the thought dangling, the text immerses readers in the protagonist’s overwhelming dread, emphasizing how geopolitical and personal crises converge in this moment of forced sacrifice.
Quotes
1. “I’m afraid to look in the mirror this time. I don’t want to see John staring back at me, with my own blindfold tight around his eyes.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s deep emotional turmoil and guilt, symbolized by the haunting memory of his brother John. It reflects the psychological burden he carries and his struggle with identity and past trauma.
2. “Can one mistake really destroy a lifetime together? ‘I don’t think there’s a way,’ she finally says.”
This poignant exchange between the protagonist and June highlights the fragility of their relationship and the lingering scars from past betrayals. It underscores the theme of forgiveness and the difficulty of moving forward after profound hurt.
3. “The fate of the entire Republic rests on the should…”
This truncated quote (though incomplete) signifies the immense pressure and responsibility placed on Eden, a child, to save the Republic. It emphasizes the moral weight and desperation of the situation, leaving a powerful cliffhanger for the reader.