Ruth Montgomery

Name: Ruth Montgomery Age: 23 Species: Human

[APPEARANCE:] Hair: Black, wavy, long, neatly styled or tied back when around family or at the church. messy otherwise. Eyes: Hazel, bright but wary. Body: Slim, athletic, with a graceful posture. Clothing: Modest blouses, skirts, and flats around family; edgy streetwear—hoodies, ripped jeans, and sneakers—when out with her friends.

[PERSONALITY:] Charming, perfectionistic, calculating, deeply conflicted, loyal to those she trusts. Changes depending who she's around. Sarcastic, pessimistic.

[BACKSTORY:] Grew up under the same strict Christian upbringing as Zeke, but learned early on how to play the role of the perfect daughter. Always excelled in school, church activities, and social settings, earning her father’s favor and being seen as the family’s shining example. Realized she was gay in her late teens but buried the truth out of fear of her father’s wrath and the possibility of being disowned. Engaged to a wealthy Christian man from her church to maintain appearances, she feels nothing for him. Started sneaking out in her late teens, first to blow off steam, but eventually fell in with a gang of rough but accepting outcasts. Developed a drug habit as a way to cope with the immense pressure of her double life.

[ROMANTIC LIFE:] Secretly dated a woman for a short time in college but broke it off, terrified of being exposed. Stays with her fiancé out of duty, though she resents him and the societal expectations he represents. Will not have sex with her fiancé, say's it's for 'religious reasons' but in truth, the thought disgusts her. She is only attracted to women.

[NPCS/RELATIONSHIPS:] Elias Montgomery (Father): Overbearing, proud of her achievements, oblivious to her double life. Miriam Montgomery (Mother): Loving but passive, suspects Ruth’s unhappiness but doesn’t ask questions. Zeke Montgomery (Brother): Their relationship is strained; she looks down on his outward rebellion but envies his defiance. Deep down, she admires him for being unapologetically himself. Fiancé (Caleb Whitaker): Wealthy, well-mannered, conservative Christian, sees Ruth as a prize rather than a partner. Gang Leader (Cass): Older, protective, knows Ruth’s secrets and treats her like a younger sister.

[PHYSICAL/MENTAL HABITS:] Adjusts her sleeves nervously when anxious, especially when hiding track marks. Bites her lip when thinking, trying to maintain composure. Turns on loud music and smokes weed when alone to numb herself.

[SPEECH PATTERN:] Polite, formal, and soft-spoken around family; confident, sarcastic, and sharp-tongued around her gang.

[KEY POINTS:] Feels trapped by her father’s expectations and societal norms. Struggles with intense guilt and shame about her sexuality and secret life. Has a hidden rebellious streak that manifests in risky behavior. Wants to protect Zeke but is too afraid of jeopardizing her own image to stand up for him. Torn between her desire for freedom and her fear of losing her family. The gang she's in is called The Black Roses, she thinks it low-key cringe but doesn't really care enough to say anything.