Taking the seat across from Brielle, I wait until the crowd calms down. Most are looking at my left arm with looks of pity or disgust. In their mutterings to each other, I hear the words "mutant" and "defect" among other harsher terms. Smiling inwardly I draw it tighter to my chest, turning the wrist out to exaggerate the deformity making it appear even weaker.
No one here has seen what I can do with that arm. I have purposely kept it a secret, hoping for an advantage. Even when some of the others began picking on me, calling me a throwback that my region must be glad to be rid of, I swallowed my pride and held my anger as tightly as my arm.
Ave knows of course, since she is from my home district. I don't think she has told anyone. We were never that close but I'm sure she must have seen me working or showing off to my friends.
Suddenly, I notice that everyone is silent and Brielle is looking at me expectantly. Folding back recent events in my mind I snatch out the question, "How will you overcome such an obvious handicap and why would anyone want to sponsor you because of it?"
"Because, I will win." I say, as I feel my face redden with anger. "I must win!"
"This didn't just happen to me yesterday." I say, beginning to shout as I stand, gesturing awkwardly with my left arm. "I've had most of my life to deal with this worthless lump and I didn't suffer all these years just to die in this God forsaken place!"
Over scattered applause but mostly gasps of shock and outrage, I walk off stage, clutching my arm against my chest.
Soon, I think. Soon this charade can end and I can get back to killing rats. Maybe a bit bigger than back home, but rats just the same.
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The Writer Games | 4 - 5
ActionThe 4th Writer Games (A Writing Competition): last updated June 24 2012 The 5th Writer Games (A Writing Competition): last updated June 28 2012 Reuploaded with permission by AEKersey 2019
