Demetri Ryder PK [done]

Age: 40
Peacekeeper
FC permission from Ems
Baby Wessex d9b [earthling] has dibs


Early life

From the time I was just a boy, I knew I always wanted to protect my family. They've meant the world to me. They raised me, they helped me grow. They fed me when I was hungry. They gave me a place to sleep. They showed me love even when I didn't deserve it. Sometimes I did wrong, and I messed up, but they always welcomed me back. My parents cared for me, and I love them more than anyone can ever imagine. We never had much growing up, and I watched my parents go hungry so I'd have something to eat. I watched people die of starvation, and I didn't want that to happen to the ones I love and care for. I've always been getting into things. I've lied in order to keep myself safe. I've stole things to sell and trade for food, but it was simply to keep me and my family alive. I swore to do whatever I could to make sure they were safe because they did that for me. The least I could do was repay them.

Maybe stealing wasn't the smartest idea, but it was something a teen could do. I couldn't get a job because I wasn't old enough. I learned how to steal things quietly without anyone noticing. Sometimes I'd even steal chicken eggs the chickens laid on farms. They made great eggs and meals and stuff, and sometimes it would last a long time. When I got my first job, I was a stable boy. All I did was clean out stables, but it wasn't enough to survive. I stole from the family taking some of what they had home to my own family. Maybe it was best to ask for it, but I didn't think to ask. I didn't want to ask because I was a shamed of having to ask for help. I'll never forget what happened when they realized I was stealing chicken eggs from them. I got fired from my job and was told to never come back on the property again. It was quite the blow, but I had stored up enough eggs to keep my family alive for a couple weeks if not a little longer.

But I even went on to stealing burnt bread nobody wanted, and cakes from the bakery. Sweets tasted amazing, but it wasn't even about the taste. Sometimes my family just needed sugar. Something to help ease the feelings of jitters and sweat. A cake would last a month, and even when it was stale, I still ate it because it was better than nothing. Even that wasn't enough. We didn't' have many clothes, and what we had was falling apart. I never had shoes that fit. Wore hand me down clothes. I just thought it was apart of life I had to deal with, but I learned that not everyone faced this issue. Not everyone went hungry, and I would hide behind their houses and steal from the trash cans in order to gather scraps. Sometimes the scraps would hold us over, but even then it wasn't always enough. Sometimes I'd take the oldest, sickest chicken home from the shops because it would give us something to eat for a while.

Soon I went on to stealing yarn and stuff from the markets. Mom liked to sew things, and with the yarn she would make new clothing. She never asked me how I got it, but I think she knew. It was just something we never talked about. Or I'd find old clothing that was in the trash cans and remove them because mom could make clothes with that. It may not have fit, but it was something to wear other than rags. It was at this point I knew I had to do something to make a difference. I had to keep my family alive so they could grow old and prosper. The best job I could think of was becoming a peacekeeper. I'd leave my family behind, yes, but at the same time I could send them money to help them live. They could buy food. They could buy clothes. Maybe even start their own farm. Everything I've done in life has been for them, and that's how it'll always be.

Peacekeeping years

Becoming a peacekeeper was one of the best moves of my life. I was able to protect people. To help people. To shield the innocent from those who break the law, but there's so much more than that. It's given me a way to keep my family safe. To make sure that there's food on the table. I've given everything up because I wanted to help people. I've arrested people, I've interrogated people. I've done everything to show just how close to the Capitol I became.

Sometimes I've been faced with things that no man should see. I've sacrificed so much, but I'm loyal to the Capitol because they gave me life. They provided for my family. They've done so much, and this is the only way I can repay them. I never thought I would enjoy this job, but I did enjoy it for a bit. It gave me food for the table. It helped my family out.

Now I can't say I enjoyed torturing individuals because they broke the law, but I had to push myself away. I had to learn to look at them like animals since that's what the Capitol made them out as. I couldn't change them, and I had to make them pay for what they did. Sometimes it took things away. It gave me nightmares. It tormented my soul, but I wouldn't dare speak out against the capitol.

I didn't care at first, I did what I was supposed to do. I wore the uniform with pride. I've done everything possible to make sure nobody crossed the line. But it wasn't easy. Sometimes I had to wash my uniform more than once because of all the blood etched within the fibers. I've gone to sleep at night regretting what I've done, but I signed up for this, and I knew exactly where it would get me. It definitely changed my life. But there comes a time when I had to say enough is enough.

Current time

So much has changed in my life as I've grown older. I remember when district eleven won three years in a row. It was a great accomplishment, but President Snow didn't see it as that. Nobody did really. It wasn't expected, but they did it. I went to eleven that year. I remember looking around at everyone seeing hold onto hope. Watching young children smile as they got to eat food. I've been to district eleven before, and it's a very poor place, but the people are hard workers. They'll do a lot of working. Working for nearly everything they have. So many young children walking on the streets with old shoes on. To see a change impacted me. It made me glad that I was stationed there even for a bit.

But then came the pain of watching them lose people they loved and cared for. Of course, it happens when the games roll around, but I'm almost positive the reaping was rigged both years. It was something I could see being done. It was hard watching them mourn the loss of two young individuals and then the following year watching them mourn the loss of another relative of a victor. It happens in every district, it's not just in district eleven, but I remember watching the hope fade from the eyes of the young innocent children. It was hard, and it made me feel horrible.

I wish there was something I could do. I want to help district eleven, but I'm afraid of losing my job. I want to give them food. I want to help them do things to make their life better. I want to be lenient when it comes to punishing them. I don't want to put a bullet through a skull because they stole something to eat. I'm really close to helping them escape from the district, but I still have a job to do because I have a family of my own that's in need. I still help care for my parents. I make sure they're taken care of. I see it so often here. Young children taking care of their parents because they're sick or injured.

I'm about ready to retire and turn in my uniform and find a place to live on my own. I want to do something else to make a difference in their lives, but right now I can't. I have an oath to uphold. I have to make sure nobody crosses the thin line between right and wrong. I swore to make sure citizens obey the law, and it's something I want to help with. Many nights I find myself trying to sleep, but I can't sleep because of everything I've done. I used to be all for this job; however, it's all changed.

I stand roughly six foot tall. I used to keep my hair clean cut, and my beard shaved, but now I've let it go. I like the scruffy look because it helps me out. I'm not as quick on my feet as I used to be, but I still have the endurance to help chase down the criminals trying to flee. I'm sure my mom would tell me that I've let myself go. My sandy blonde hair isn't as blonde anymore. There's some gray in my scruffy beard along with the roots of my hair. I've been told stress can do that to a person, and right now I'm under a lot of stress. Beneath my eyes are covered with bags from lack of sleep. I rarely smile anymore. It's hard to crack a smile. I try to stand tall and proud, but it isn't easy anymore. I've done things I'm not proud of, and I'll never forget.