[91st] The Reaping - District 4

Gentle rays of sun beam through the broken, but it doesn't bother him. Derecho stands, bare feet touching the dirty floor as a new day begins. Today isn't any ordinary day, no, it's the reaping day. Time and time again he stands still, feet locked into place, as some poor soul tries to prove their worth. Sure, a few have won.

But none of them will ever compare to me.

A sly grin spreads across his face as he catches his reflection in the shattered mirror. It matches his soul, broken and torn in many places, yet many will never understand. Building, and working, and training, and trying to be the best son to his parents placed a strain on him for many years, but now Derecho doesn't care what anyone says, what anyone thinks. Instead, all that matters is making sure he's happy and his desires are filled.

But I desire more.

Seeing people get hurt never bothers him. Laughing at the weak, putting them back in their place, that's all he desires. Making sure everyone knows that he's better than them, that he's going to win in the end. Most of the time, Derecho spent hours watching people fail and laughed at them. Sometimes a kid would cry which only caused him to laugh even more.

Death doesn't bother him. It's something that's going to happen, and maybe along the way he can make a name for himself. That's more important than silver and gold.

My parents tried to warn me. They've told me my behavior needs to change. Yet they don't know me, so I told them they were wrong because they don't know what I'm capable of, and I am tired of being their golden son. Underestimated, brought down. That's all they ever did to me, and now I'm the one who controls the reigns.

Sometimes all it takes is a moment to knock someone down to reality, and it happens the second someone knocks at the door.

They always interrupt my mornings.

"I'll be ready in just a moment." He hisses through gritted teeth. "Now go."

Mother sighs outside the door, and Derecho smiles even more. They know better than to try to rush him, and his parents know he'll be ready when it's time. Not a second sooner, and not a second later. Every morning it's the same thing, and he hates their terrible routine. Always knocking on his door. Always wondering what he's up to. Always wondering why he's so quiet and locked away in his room.

It's none of their business. I do what I want, when I want, and nothing will ever change it.

Throwing on his nice shirt, he rushes out his bedroom door and into the kitchen where his parents are standing.

"Derecho, you're finally ready." Father says.

"We can't be late. You know this." Mother adds.

"We'll be right on time." He replies before grabbing a fish from the stove and placing it on bread. "I always am."

All it takes is a moment, and then he's standing in place with his eyes locked on the escort. Every year it's the same thing, the same speech over and over.

It's dull and boring, and I don't even care about it. Let people rise up again. Let them suffer through another terrible war. I'll side with those winning like I always do because I never lose.

But now the fun begins.

Derecho stands tall, listening for the name, and then he hears the first one, and he watches as someone named Genesis tries taking his place on stage. So many have a moment to think.

It's my time to shine. It's my time to make my family known. Nobody will succeed at this but me. It's my turn.

"I volunteer!"

Genesis hasn't even had a chance to make it to the stage before Derecho runs out pushing him out of the away and taking his place onto the stage.

It's my turn to shine.

Being underestimated, knocked down, pushed around, and everything comes down to this.

"My name is Derecho Sinclair." His voice is strong, and his head is held high.

Nothing can stop me now.