Ritchie Knox

Solid build with solid muscles from years of working out. Naturally slim.

Broad shoulders, narrow hips.

Strong jaw, light eyes framed by long, dark eyelashes, constant stubble, masculine features with pleasing symmetry.

Dark hair and pale eyes, height and build, nervous energy

Drums on things, twitches, shakes leg

skilled at working on cars, strong with high stamina, clever and quick on his feet.

Leather jacket he inherited from his late grandfather, jeans, band shirts, motorcycle boots, black and gray tees, boxers-- never briefs.

A dark history of childhood trauma. Ritchie was born to Victoria Anne Knox, an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. He never knew his father; his mother never even told him the man's name. Perhaps because she didn't know it herself. Unable to afford an abortion, Victoria tried to get rid of the baby herself. When that didn't work, she decided to keep him because it would mean she'd have someone to love her. However, she smoked, drank, and did not take care of herself during her pregnancy and Ritchie was born extremely underweight and spent the first three months of his life in NICU. Victoria did not care for motherhood and preferred her wild, party lifestyle so she neglected Ritchie and often left him alone in the house without food. His premature birth and lack of healthy nutrition caused him to be a scrawny kid. Ritchie had to learn how to fend for himself at a young age. At school, he was a target for bullies and got into many fights. His mother and teachers thought of him as a "problem child". Ritchie's maternal grandfather, whom he called "Pappy" felt pity for Ritchie and guilt for not doing a great job of raising his own kids so he made sure Ritchie was provided for. When Ritchie was seven, his mother moved in with her boyfriend, Howard Kulp, who began sexually abusing Ritchie shortly afterwards. Victoria saw Howard as financial stability and ignored the signs of abuse. After she married Howard, the abuse intensified both physically and sexually. Victoria also physically abused Ritchie and gaslighted him, making him feel like less than nothing. Ritchie's only refuge was his grandfather's farm, where he stayed for the summers until Pappy died. Ritchie was devastated by his grandfather's death and no longer had an escape from the nightmare at home. Ritchie never said a word about the abuse for fear of not being believed or being called a faggot. He ran away from home several times only to be brought back by the cops. He became emotionally withdrawn and started acting out by fighting and committing petty crimes like vandalism and shoplifting. He hung out with a bad crowd and took up smoking cigarettes and weed, as well as drinking heavily. Ritchie spent more time in juvie than in high school and dropped out in tenth grade, although he eventually earned his GED while locked up. Ritchie's time in juvie toughened him up. He worked out obsessively to make himself strong so no one could mess with him. He promised himself he'd never let anyone abuse him ever again. He also learned a lot of conspiracy theories from his bunk mate which caused him to mistrust everything. When Ritchie was released for the final time from juvie, he had nowhere else to go but back to his mother and Howard. But this time, he wasn't taking any shit. He stood up to Howard and challenged him, which led to Ritchie being kicked out. Thankfully, his cousin Jesse was there to help him. Ritchie went to Pappy's old friend, Marv, who gifted him with an old van he'd bought at a police auction. Ritchie named his van "Betsy" and she became his new home. Marv also offered Ritchie a job working under the table at his auto garage under the condition that he held back half of his earning into savings so he could make a better life for himself. Ritchie spent more time with Jesse, who was the closest thing he had to a friend his own age, and the two of them traveled and slept in Betsy, setting up camp wherever they pleased. Together, they smoked and drank and talked about everything, which gave Ritchie a sense of belonging, although he would never admit to Jesse how much his friendship meant to him. He helped Jesse get a job working for Marv and taught him everything he knew about cars. Ritchie also got into contact with some of his old high school friends and met Destiny Brooks, a kleptomaniac whom he had a turbulent, on-again-off-again relationship with (until she stole his van). Longing to get away and start over, Ritchie jumped at the opportunity when Jesse asked him to drive him and his sister, Danica, to Florida. But he had no idea what he was getting himself into by saying "yes".

Male

Decidedly straight with some hangups.

Dropped out of high school in tenth grade, earned his GED.

Works under the table as a mechanic at Marv's Garage.

Staying alive and out of prison, earning his GED, quitting smoking.

Failure to defend himself from Howard as a child.

Childhood physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse. Death of his grandfather.

Street-smart and has a sense for when something bad is about to go down.

Trusts nothing and no one, doesn't believe in much of anything.

Sexual assault, snitching, breaking promises.

Self-preservation, acceptance and belonging.

Resourceful and extremely good with cars. Not so good at controlling his temper.

Likes: classic cars, classic rock, beer, black coffee, cannabis, sex, the smells of gasoline and motor oil, bacon   Dislikes: authority, rules and rigid structure, his stepfather Howard (an understatement), gossip and drama (he-said-she-said bullshit) intimacy, public displays of emotion

Loyal to the end, long-suffering, trustworthy, reliable, strong-willed, quick-witted, supportive, giving, good listener.

Hot-headed, always ready for a fight, untrusting, extremely guarded, paranoid, stubborn, speaks and behaves rashly when riles up.

Always looking over his shoulder, takes the long way every time

Showers when he can but otherwise bathes in Axe body spray.

Mother: Victoira Anne (Knox) Kulp Father: Unknown Stepfather: Howard Kulp Extended family: Aunt Elizabeth Mary (Knox) Childs, Cousins Jesse James Childs, Danica Leanne Childs, and Willa Elizabeth Childs. (Ex)Girlfriend: Destiny Renee' Brooks. Friend and emergency contact: Marv Griffin

Non-religious but believes his grandfather watches over him and sometimes prays to his grandfather.

Untrusted by many but makes friends and girlfriends easily.

Never says more than he feels necessary around people he doesn't feel comfortable with. Puts on a confident front but is secretly self-loathing and terrified. Tries to charm his way out of trouble.

No pets. Hobbies are driving and fixing cars, working with his hands, making and repairing things.

Curses a lot.

Poor from the wrong side of the tracks