all children grow up || jb/kou

I hit the couch hard, my body sinking into it as I try to get comfortable. I know what happens now. They talk about it at the career center as part of our 'mental preparation' for the fun "trials" ahead of us. Now all I do is wait for whoever wants to come wish me luck not like i'll need it and then I'm off to my train, off to the capitol where I'll experience wonders beyond belief try me. Life was about to get a lot more interesting than wondering if Damon had killed another hooker he picked up in the street or whether or not someone I was watching on the screen was about to die.

In a few days I'll be the one on the screen with people on the edge of their seats, people cheering, rooting for me. I grin inwardly, my mind focused on the task that every little kid in district four dreams of completing. My hands will be bloodied with the drug that Damon got me hooked on. Death. And people will cheer for me.

No more disposing of broken souls into the night's chaotic ocean tide. No more hiding my addiction. No more withholding my love for an overdose.

My corruption runs deep, my thoughts swirling around the first time I saw real addiction flashing in Damon's eyes when he came home that first night covered in blood and the years later when I sat on top of my soon to be fiance and drowned him. Time to put that addiction to use.

Maybe mother will be watching. Maybe she'll realize that when she left us she did this to me. She turned me into my most corrupt self. Although she did not corrupt me herself, she did lead to my bloodstained nights and fake smile for father.

Maybe Damon will kill another hooker for me tonight. To honor me and the addiction he gave me.

Then the door swings open.

Think of the devil and he shall appear.

"Come to say 'goodbye.'" I say with a grin to my brother.