Rush Knox

## Bio

Rush was the youngest of six. He came just one minute into the new year, and with him, a new beginning. His parents were young, had their first child at the tender age of sixteen, followed shortly after by a set of twins, and then a second set of twins, and with their hands both figuratively, and literally full, along came Rush to finish out the Knox family. They had very little, but his parents never acknowledged that. Instead they were thankful, thankful for the plants and the trees and the sky and the rain. They kissed the grass when it bloomed and sang to the flowers when they died. Rush’s parents lived as part of a larger family, twenty or thirty couples and their children, sharing their tesserae and working on the farms together.

For a long time, they believed in the crops and the land, but, a year ago, when Antigone appeared on screen sharing her views and beliefs, Rush’s family, along with the rest of the commune embarked on this new sense of meaning to life. The games being the ultimate paradise. As word spread, and the leader of the cult arrived, the stipulations became apparent, and they were harsh. They were on the cusp of utopia, but in order to get there, they must put forward the youngest member of their family. This member must volunteer to enter the games and do everything in their power to protect the leader. That leader, who Rush was mesmerised by as soon as he spoke, would pave the way for Rush’s future. He was beautiful, and clever, and everything Rush imagined a higher power to be.

There was no discussion, no conversation, Rush was told to put on his best shirt and raise his hand high, and come reaping day, he did just that. His parents looked on with pride as he walked to the stage, and really, he had no idea what he’d gotten himself into, but his father looked so happy as they said goodbye, told him they would meet again on the other side, and Rush couldn’t help but feel like he was doing the right thing. He looked over to where his district partner sat on the train, and as he twiddled his thumbs he imagined life after this, or afterlife, if he wanted to be precise and he smiled, because in his imagination, everything was bright and warm, his belly was full and his heart was overflowing. He would be thanked  for his sacrifice, and he would be a hero, not only to his family, but to all.

During the games, Rush did everything he could to protect the cult leader at the beginning, putting himself in danger because living was not important. As the days went on though, Rush began to realise that maybe things were not as they seemed, and other tributes including the cult leader himself showed him the cracks in his story.

He started to remember, memories that had been squashed deep within. He remembered his parents, their words about his death, about the vows they had made to sacrifice his life for a better ending for the rest. He remembered their neglect, the ways in which they let him risk his life in hope that he would be gone of his own accord, but when that failed, the games were next on the list.

*“He has to die” father said, and he did sound sad about it, at least. “We made a vow” he continued, and this was long before the cult. “He has to die, and it has to be of his own doing” his mother agreed, and he could hear the tears in her voice.*

*“Rush, be a dear and fetch me some tea” even if he was only five and she never explained that the tea pot would be hot once it boiled.*

*“Rush you can go for a swim” even if he was only six and she never explained that he had to kick his arms and legs about to keep afloat.*

*“Rush, bring me the digging hoe” even if he was only eight and he never explained that the top bit of the tool was sharp.*

*“Rush, eat your vegetables love” even if he was only eleven, and nobody had told him that the carrots had gone bad.*

*“Rush, you’ll be the one” even though he was only sixteen, and nobody had told him what it really meant.*

Once Rush figured this out, it spurred him on, gave him a new sense of meaning and he wanted to live. With friends help and a new found want for life, Rush became victor of the 126th Hunger Games, and apart his victor tour, he has not returned to district eleven or spoken to his family since.

Rush does his best with his tributes, but he lacks a lot of skills himself, even simple life skills, so they sometimes can find him unhelpful. He is working with trainers and other mentors, trying to develop himself so he can be of more help.