FORM:

Name: Stone Everglade  

District: 11

Age: 17

Gender: M

Personality: Stone is not the type of person you want to hang out around too long. He is so depressed and negative it can catch. Even his own mother wants to stuff a gag in his mouth 90% of the time. He is difficult and sarcastic though what his motives are no one knows. Maybe it amuses him, maybe he just hates you its anyones guess. (Though it is most likely the latter.) Stone is very in touch with reality and has both feet on the ground. If someone were to ask him “Is the glass half empty or half full?” He would simply state, “Bite me.”

Description: Stone has short cropped black hair and very sharp features and an lanky angular body. His eyes are a piercing blue, he has one long scar from his forehead to his cheekbone. He would actually be very handsome if it were not for the ever lingering scowl on his face.

Celebrity-Look-Alike: N/A

Family: His father and older sister were shot on suspected treason when he was younger. So yeah, its just him and his mom now.

Volunteered? No.

Alliance: Maybe

Weapon of Choice: He plans on dying, thank you very much. Having a weapon to defend himself would kinda defeat his purpose.

INTERVIEW:

I guess you can say the beginning of the end of my life started with being reaped into the Hunger Games. I would say otherwise, I would say it began almost exactly 7 years ago.

 What happened? Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to. We will just say that you are correct and go with the whole ‘the beginning of the end of my life started with being reaped’ thing.

  So as I was saying before your thoughts so rudely interrupted me; the beginning of the end of my life started with being reaped into the Hunger Games. Don’t feel bad for me. I was actually rather relieved when my name was called out instead of some innocent’s. I deserve to die more than anyone else in my district. Actually, I want to die.

  I paused the imaginary autobiography as my eyes drifted to my scrawny district partner nearly tripping over the dress she wore as she exited the stage. The bastards who put us here let out a low chuckle at her dismay. I watched the screen in the corner of the room sneering at their nerve. She had been pulled here to amuse them like every other mindless pawn here, she wasn’t even given a choice. Play, or die. And do you know what the poor kid would get for trying to live? Death. She would die because the strong would prey on her, they would cut her throat out heartlessly and move on to their next victim. This game was so pointless, we would all die. Come to think of it life was pointless too, death is inevitable and you are miserable trying to avoid it. I’ve seen the people in my district working long hours to keep from starving, or obeying laws to keep from getting shot. Humans are pointless also, we are stupid, naive, selfish and cruel. Everything is just so pointless! Why doesn’t someone just nuke us already and put us out of our misery?

   Most people aren’t nearly as insightful as me. The majority enjoys life and thinks life can be fun. You should stay away from these people. They are in need of serious psychiatric attention

 For the record I was very aware of fact it was now my turn. I considered going out there like everyone else had, but decided against it for the sake of being difficult. I stared at the brightly patterned floor under my feet. It was hideous, all colorful and happy. Was the person who painted it drunk?

  I glanced at the screen amused as the interviewer, Crystal Meth or something along those lines I think, announce me. “Please welcome District 11’s male tribute Stone Everglade!” Stone Everglade, to everyone’s surprise didn’t appear. Crystal Meth shifted her feet uncomfortably and tried again. “Let’s welcome Stone Everglade, coming to us all the way from District 11!” Stone still didn’t appear. “Well…. Lets give him a few minutes…. Maybe he’s just shy.” The interviewer suggested, clearly unsure of the proper procedure for a missing tribute.

  I was so involved with the unnecessary upheaval I was causing I didn’t notice the Peacekeeper until his hand grabbed my arm tightly. I looked over at him and debated punching him. I decided against it. Punching him would require unnecessary movement on my part.

   The Peacekeeper said nothing as he dragged me through the room and shoved through the curtains. I fell flat on my face. What a great way to start my interview.

  “Oh! Look! Here he is now! Let’s give Stone a warm welcome!” Crystal Meth cried happily pointing at me. Everyone cheered. I let my face fall onto the cool floor of the stage. The positivity was sapping my energy. I wondered if they would leave me alone if I played dead.

  No such luck. The Peacekeeper pushed his way out of the curtains and started dragging me toward the center of the stage. I caught a glimpse of his face. He was not a happy camper.

I felt a strange tingly feeling settle itself in my heart. Happiness. Yes, I think thats what it was.

The Peacekeeper sent me one last ‘If-we-were-not-on-live-television-you-would-be-dead-by-now’ glare before storming off the stage. I realized I enjoyed destroying capital civilian’s days.

  Now, Crystal Meth was one of the most hideous capital specimens I have ever seen- and that is saying something. Her leathery skin had been pulled tight over her face and was the color of the orange fruit we harvest back in 11, her face was caked with so much makeup I was sure it would fall off on chunks if she showed too much expression. She had frizzy purple hair that haloed her head in an afro. However Crystal’s outfit was the worst part. She wore nothing but a sequined red push-up bra and a flowy skirt that was so sparkly I was concerned it might blind me. So in short Crystal Meth looked like she had been a subject in some inhuman experiment gone terribly wrong.

  She smiled, (And I thought she couldn't get any uglier.) “So glad you could finally join us Stoney! We were worried when you didn’t show up!” She cooed like a doting grandmother.

  My left eye twitched. “Stone. Please.” I said forcing myself to make eye contact with her.

  Crystal Meth fake pouted, “But Stoney fits your cute little personality! Doesn’t it folks?!” She cried addressing the crowd who of course started chanting ‘Stoney.’

  Oh dear God. Someone shoot me now. I buried my face in my hands.

   “Aww look he’s shy…” She smiled patting my shoulder reassuringly.

   I pushed her hand away unwilling to be contaminated with whatever was on her hands. “Alright then Crystal Meth-” I started but of course the thing that sat across from cut me off. For the record I tried very hard not to glare- I was very unsuccessful.

“My name isn’t Crystal Meth… Poor thing must have me mixed up with someone else.” She smiled warmly. I believe my eyes began to burn from looking at her too long. “My name is Ruby Shimmer! Duh!”   

   A obnoxious snort escaped my mouth, “Like thats any better.” The crowd booed angrily. “Don’t feel bad. I’m sure the majority of your names suck too. Maybe you can form a support group.”

  Crystal Meth A.K.A Ruby Shimmer eyed me coldly, the way scorned women often do while they plot your painful demise. Any sympathy I previously had from her was gone- thank God. I think I would have pulled my hair out if she called me Stoney one more time.

  “Lets get on with the interviews, shall we?” Her smile was cold now, but I knew for her the cold was a temporary thing, a thing that would fade quickly. I was much colder than she would ever be. “Now I realize something must have put you in a bad mood, aren’t you enjoying the capital?” That was a stupid question on her part.

   I frowned- deeper that is. I always frown. “I hate it. It looks as if a three year old designed it- and don’t even get me started on the people here. A complete waste of oxygen. I doubt you even know what oxygen is.” I snapped, crossing my arms defiantly over my chest.

   Ruby Shimmer cocked her head to one side and smiled fakely, “Thats funny coming from someone who came from 11. And to answer your question- no. I have no idea what oxygen is, but it clearly isn't important. If it were I would definitely know what it was.” The crowd cheered her on fiercely. “Speaking of your little uncultured district, I am required to ask you if there is anything you miss about it.” She pursed her lips and squinted her eyes, daring for me to challenge her again.

I’ve never been one to pass up a dare. “You know at least the people in 11 have some level of brain activity. And to answer the stupid question, I hated district 11.” I shouted. Yes I hated 11. Its not normal to hate where you grew up, but I hated 11 for the memories it brought more than anything. You would too if you were me.

  Ruby still looked mad as hell, but now she was curious. She snorted, “Honestly. You must have someone or something you miss. A mother, a brother, something.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, bite me. The only person I have left is my mother, and quite honestly she will be dead in a few years anyway. We both will.” I adverted my eyes and bit my lip.

  Ruby Shimmer now looked genuinely conflicted, “I’m sorry is she sick?” She asked, I noticed a lot of the venom has left her voice. This interview got personal way too quickly.

  I scowled, “She’s just old and doing the work load that 20 year old men are doing, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone will be dead eventually. You, the Gamemaker….” I said rather pointedly. “When it comes down to it we are all just maggot food waiting to be served.” I snorted, looking up and seeing a hint of pity in her eyes. I inwardly recoiled. I was not an object of pity.

  “Well aren’t you a ray of sunshine.” She said sarcastically, though she lacked the conviction to make anyone laugh. “Which tribute stands out the most? Which is the biggest threat? And who is the weakest in your opinion?”

  The question irked me, any mixed emotion I had melted away in this second, “What are we? Just playthings to you? ‘Whos the weakest, whos the strongest?’ You want to know what I see when I look at those kids? I see 23 kids who are going to die for your amusement! 23 kids who won't get to grow up and have a life. 23 kids who are either convinced this it is honorable in this way or are scared out of their mind!” I yelled, “You say this is tradition or whatever, but honestly it’s just sick! You are celebrating 23 murders and one murderer! How can none of you see this?” Ruby’s face had changed, the crowd was silent. I looked at the floor waiting for a bullet to crush into my skull and kill me. As I said before, it would be welcome. I deserve it. A bullet didn’t crush into my skull. Maybe they were biding their time until the arena.

Still, I didn’t look up. I didn’t want to see the sadness I sensed was in her eyes, I didn’t want this ugly capital women to be capable of feelings. I wanted her to be evil like the Peacekeepers who had shot my father and sister so ruthlessly. A wave of nausea washed over me at the memory.

  Ruby Shimmer definitely had feelings. Her voice wreaked of them. “I took this job for the fame that comes with it. This is my first time around, and I’m realizing more and more that bad a lot of bad things have happened to you kids… and” She paused as if the words were foreign to her, “I really want to help you guys if you will let me.”

 I was sure she was lying. She had to be. “Yeah, don’t fake yourself out. We know you are just doing this for your image.

 She didn’t glare at me. Instead she smiled, genuinely actually. “Think what you want to, but I’m a changed woman.” She spread her arms, striking a pose.

I watched unconvinced, sure you are, until you have reason not to be. “Last question, what do you think are your chances of winning? Because I think if you try hard enough you can do it.” I nearly hurled at her sudden positive, encouraging attitude.

 I gritted my jaw, looking out at the crowd who was unnaturally silent. “I don’t want to win…. So none I guess.”

“Why?” Ruby Shimmer asked, perplexed borderline concerned

.

 I was tempted to be open and honest with her, which was beyond stupid. Ruby Shimmer didn’t care. She was doing this for money, or fame or something. “Because I don’t deserve to live…” That came out weak. So weak. “I made a huge mistake and I’m sick of living with it. I don’t fear death and I have no problem with becoming maggot food. It was just a matter of time anyway.” There. That was better.

  Ruby reached over and gently took my hand. I ripped them away and glared at her, “I think everybody makes mistakes, but I believe people can change. I mean look at me! I was self centered and shallow 1 minute ago and now look at me! Completely reformed and selfless!” She giggled and once again struck a pose, “I guess what I am saying is that what happened before doesn't matter, what you do now does. You deserve to live as much as everyone else in these games.” The crowd ‘awwed’ at her statement.

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She was still self centered and shallow… but… now she was at least trying… and maybe a long time from now she might actually change. Maybe. “Thanks. I guess.” I managed to force the somewhat kind words from my lips.

   Ruby seemed delighted at fact I had something not completely negative. She got to her feet and gestured for me to follow. Reluctantly I did and she took my hand and raised it above my head. “Let’s hear it for Stone Everglade!” she cried and she bowed, still holding my hand. I didn’t care if Ruby Shimmer started skipping around and giving candies to all of the children of the world- I was not bowing to these freaks. I would never bow.