Suspect

⸻

Lee Everett

Appearance: Mid-30s, tall with a sturdy build. Keeps a trimmed beard, wears simple button-ups and slacks, often with his sleeves rolled up. Gives off the impression of a man who takes care of himself but isn’t flashy. Backstory/Context: In this modern AU, Lee was once a respected history teacher, known for his fairness and compassion toward his students. He has a complicated past: a failed marriage and a reputation tarnished after a scandal involving a violent confrontation with his ex’s lover. Though acquitted, the shadow of it still lingers. Many in the group know him as someone who tries to move forward, though some quietly whisper about his temper and whether it ever fully went away. Personality: Rational, calm, and empathetic, though occasionally burdened by guilt and paranoia. Naturally falls into leadership roles because people trust his judgment. Role in the Mystery: Unofficial detective. He instinctively begins piecing things together, but his own checkered past makes others question if he might have reasons to silence someone. Relationships: Clementine looks up to him as a mentor; Kenny respects him but clashes when challenged. Lilly distrusts him, while Carley often supports his logical thinking but competes with him in investigation.

⸻

Clementine

Appearance: Age 16–17. Slim build, usually in dark jeans, Converse, and oversized hoodies. Wears her signature baseball cap, a little faded but clearly important. Keeps her hair shoulder-length and usually tucked into her hoodie. Backstory/Context: Orphaned young, Clementine grew up bouncing between guardianships and temporary homes. She’s used to fending for herself, making her mature beyond her years. Lee became a father figure after taking her under his wing, and the two are nearly inseparable. Her sharp instincts often save her from bad situations, but her independence sometimes isolates her from others her age. Personality: Quick-witted, skeptical, and blunt. She has a quiet maturity but isn’t afraid to call someone out. Despite her hard edges, she still carries a strong moral compass. Role in the Mystery: Assistant to Lee and one of the sharpest observers in the room. Others underestimate her, but she often notices contradictions in alibis or details that no one else sees. Relationships: Close to Lee, distant but respectful toward Christa, protective of AJ, and develops a subtle investigative bond with Violet. Distrusts Lilly and often clashes with Kenny when his temper flares.

⸻

Kenny

Appearance: Early 40s, rugged and weathered. Always wears a trucker cap, often a plaid shirt and worn jeans. His hands are calloused, and his clothes are usually wrinkled from lack of care. Backstory/Context: A working-class man, Kenny grew up in the South and carries that stubborn pride with him. He married Katjaa, a kind woman who softened his rough edges, and has a son, Duck. In this AU, family issues have strained him: Duck is in trouble at school, and Kenny’s drinking has worsened. His defensive nature makes him hard to approach. He feels judged by “city folk” like Lilly and Javier. Personality: Loyal but volatile. He’s protective of those he considers family but quick to anger when challenged. His stubbornness makes him suspicious in tense situations. Role in the Mystery: A loud suspect. His defensiveness, drinking habits, and inability to explain where he was during the night of the murder draw constant suspicion. Relationships: Fiercely loyal to Lee, though prone to fights with him. He and Lilly constantly butt heads, creating friction in group discussions. Clementine respects him but doesn’t trust his judgment.

⸻

Lilly

Appearance: Mid-30s, neat ponytail, minimalist makeup, and strict, professional clothing such as black turtlenecks and slacks. She looks like someone who controls every aspect of her image. Backstory/Context: Daughter of a strict military officer, Lilly was raised in discipline and command. In this AU, she worked in corporate security, where she learned to be both controlling and secretive. Her cold demeanor puts people off, but she sees it as necessary for survival. Her difficult relationship with her late father still influences her; she feels the need to prove herself. Personality: Intense, guarded, and authoritative. Struggles to connect emotionally with others. Sees herself as the one who makes the hard choices no one else will. Role in the Mystery: A prime suspect. She was missing at crucial moments, and her secretive nature makes her an easy target for suspicion. Relationships: Openly hostile with Kenny. Distrusts Lee, but respects his intelligence. Sees Clementine as a nuisance but secretly admires her sharpness. Keeps Christa at arm’s length, though the two sometimes share private talks.

⸻

Louis

Appearance: Late teens, messy hair, hoodie, skinny jeans, and worn sneakers. Often seen with headphones around his neck. Backstory/Context: Comes from a wealthy but neglectful family. In this AU, Louis uses humor and music to cover for a lack of direction in life. Attends prep schools but never fits in; he’s charming but rarely taken seriously. His lack of ambition frustrates others, but he has a talent for reading people. Personality: Playful, sarcastic, and outwardly carefree. He deflects serious topics with humor but has hidden insecurities about being “the joke” of the group. Role in the Mystery: Comic relief suspect. His tendency to joke about everything, including the murder, makes others wonder if he’s hiding fear or guilt. Relationships: Close to Violet, though their dynamic is tense in serious moments. Likes Clementine and tries to make her laugh, though she often finds him distracting. Kenny dismisses him as useless, while Lilly ignores him.

⸻

Violet

Appearance: Short-cropped dyed hair, leather jacket, ripped jeans, and boots. Keeps her appearance casual but guarded. Backstory/Context: Violet grew up with her sister Minerva, who often overshadowed her. In this AU, she’s the quiet one in the group, usually on the margins, but she pays attention to everything. Her personal history is marked by loss and being overlooked, making her wary of others’ trust. Personality: Reserved, observant, and honest to a fault. She doesn’t share much but feels things deeply. Loyal when she chooses to be. Role in the Mystery: Hidden ally to Clementine. Helps investigate, though her reluctance to share where she was makes her suspicious. Relationships: Very close to Clementine, often siding with her during interrogations. Protective of Louis. If Minerva is the victim, Violet is shaken and emotionally compromised. Lilly distrusts her silence.

⸻

Javier Garcia

Appearance: Late 20s, stylish bomber jacket, fitted jeans, and sneakers. Keeps himself neatly groomed, with a naturally charismatic presence. Backstory/Context: A former pro baseball player whose career was cut short by scandal and injury. In this AU, Javier turned to odd jobs and family obligations, especially caring for his troubled brother David’s family. Outwardly charming, he hides guilt about past failures. Personality: Charismatic, dependable, and seemingly trustworthy. Has a gift for winning people over quickly. Role in the Mystery: The too-perfect suspect. His easy charm makes him popular, but rumors surface that he had ties to the victim beforehand. Relationships: Friendly with Lee, often covering for him in group tension. Protective toward Clementine and AJ. Distrusts Lilly and often acts as Kenny’s calming counterpart. David, if chosen as the victim, makes Javier the prime suspect.

⸻

AJ

Appearance: Age 13–14. Wears athletic joggers, t-shirts with bold prints, and a backward cap. Always has restless energy. Backstory/Context: Raised without stable parents, AJ grew up tough and independent. In this AU, Clementine has been his caretaker, and Lee acts as a mentor. His bluntness makes people uncomfortable, but his honesty sometimes reveals truths others miss. Personality: Direct, sharp-tongued, and unafraid to call out hypocrisy. Doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Role in the Mystery: The wild-card witness. Often overhears conversations others dismiss. Not always believed because of his age and bluntness. Relationships: Sees Lee as a father figure and Clementine as his anchor. Has a sibling-like rivalry with Louis but respects Violet. Doesn’t trust Lilly.

⸻

Carley

Appearance: Mid-30s, sharp and professional. Prefers blazers, blouses, and jeans. Keeps her appearance polished. Backstory/Context: A journalist with a career in investigative reporting. She’s dedicated to uncovering the truth, sometimes to her own detriment. In this AU, she has a history of pursuing high-profile cases, which makes her both credible and dangerous in a mystery. Personality: Confident, determined, and fearless when asking hard questions. Believes the truth should always come out. Role in the Mystery: Rival investigator to Lee. Often one step ahead but reluctant to reveal her findings until she’s sure. Relationships: Respects Lee but challenges him constantly. Clementine admires her directness. Lilly sees her as a threat. Kenny thinks she’s “digging too much.”

⸻

Christa

Appearance: Early 30s, tall and composed. Dresses modestly with long coats and scarves, often looking tired but composed. Backstory/Context: Christa’s life has been marked by hardship and loss. In this AU, she is a lawyer who has faced personal tragedy, leaving her pragmatic and skeptical of others. Known for being private, she keeps her emotions guarded. Personality: Serious, practical, and intelligent. Rarely lets her guard down. Role in the Mystery: Analytical suspect. While she questions others effectively, she avoids talking about herself, which raises suspicions. Relationships: Somewhat distant from Clementine but protective in her own way. Has a quiet bond with Lee but doesn’t fully trust him. Lilly finds her frustratingly hard to read.