// sunsets have lost their beauty-- [Chase]

<sub>The cold, damp sand felt good against his warm cheek. His body, exhausted and sore from the day was grateful to be lying on the sand. The day wasn’t through yet, he could still be working but his brothers let him off early.

“He looks a bit green.” One had pointed out.

“Did you not sleep last night?” Another asked.

“You can take the rest of the day off.” The third one suggested.

Usually, they were cold to the youngest but this day, they chose to be sympathetic. And thank goodness they did. Reese had felt like he was going to sacrifice his lunch to the fish they were catching. Catching wind of this, the three oldest Parker boys let the littlest go for the day. For a moment, Reese had almost rejected the offer; he did not want to look weak. Just at the moment he was about to deny the offer, the boat had lurched on a wave and almost made Reese puke. So, he took the day. It was better that he looked weak than get a thrashing because he puked all over the boat deck.

In result of that, here he was, almost passed out on the beach. The sand wasn’t much better than the small bed he had at home, so he wasn’t particularly bothered. Also, sand in his swimming trunks wasn’t the newest sensation either. Overall, just the feeling of land was comforting to the usually sea-loving boy.

With a groan, Reese rolled back over and sat up. With one arm, he held his stomach and with the other, with the other he propped himself up. A steady blue gaze watched the sky. The sun was not yet setting but within the hour, it would be. Soon enough, his brothers would be back and it would be time to go home. To their chaotic home where six people tried to share the tiny space. ‘Soon to be seven.’ He thought, remembering the coming arrival of his niece or nephew. A crying baby, that was just what the family needed. Sure, he loved his brother’s wife like a sister but the house was already crowded. Could they have waited?

Reese shook his head. He didn’t want to think that way. Sure, that would mean that him and his closest brother may need to opt for tesserae this year but they had low chances of ever being in the Hunger Games. Sometimes, it was worth it to be in a Career District. There was a never-ending supply of kids willing to take their place in the bloody games. And hopefully it would stay that way. Entering the games would be a nightmare for Reese; he was dead the second his plate reached the surface.

“Where are you when we need you Dad?” His voice was quiet as he whispered it to the arm. Resting his chin on his knees, Reese wished more than anything that he could bring back his father. Everything would be right again and they could go on as a happy family. For now though, unless their business rose from the ashes, poverty it was.</sub>