Balian Lucy
PAS 113A
Prof. Broadous
The Safety Net
Axel had just moved to Los Angeles. He lived in Brooklyn, New York near his mother and step-father. He's intelligent, a quick learner, and solves problems much more brisk than an advanced mathematician or engineer. He always had the highest GPA in school, but wasn't school oriented, and preferred independent study. He is 6'2, has mysterious looking green eyes, and very observant with his surroundings. He has shiny dark blonde hair, and smooth looking skin. He is of German decent. He always has a serious look on his face; His eyebrows and forehead bunch forward and his veins are visible due to his pale skin and lack of body fat. He is quiet and reserved; he likes to have his space. He is social when he wants to be, but keeps a distance from friends and family. He is a strong man, building muscle from the age of 6. As a child, he lived in Stuttgart, Germany with his parents and two siblings. His father Norbert, would abuse Axel, his mother, and two siblings. Norbert was a wealthy man, but a great amount of spending was purchased on alcohol. His father was bi polar, and very aggressive and hateful towards the family. His father grew up in poverty, with a single mother, and struggled every day of his life to make a living and survive. He would walk to school alone as a child, through snow that mounted up to his knees, to get an education to be successful and forget about his childhood. He did not want to remember the rainy nights he had to sleep in a stack of hey without any blankets or shelter. He wanted to forget about the days he went without food, and the days he slept on an empty stomach. He wanted to forget about the days he attended school barefoot, with ragged clothes and blisters from the cold. Axel's father was materialistic and selfish. He had a sports car and loved to buy clothes, accessories and essentials for the mansion. He also bought expensive meats and food for him, that was only sold in particular parts of the country. His father would starve Axel and the children. Not many people were aware of the children in the family, because Axel's father wanted to keep them a secret. He couldn't risk his career or reputation by giving people the chance to sabotage his personal life. Axel and his siblings were frail and lacked energy. Axel was the oldest of the 3, and favored by his father, even though he was still lashed and punished. Axel was beaten so atrociously, that the scars on his back never healed. It is the reason he never takes off his shirt. Once, Axel tried to steal bread from the kitchen to give to his siblings, without knowing his father was home. His brother and his sister grew really sick; they had a weaker immune system. When Norbert caught Axel in the kitchen, he slammed the drawer while Axel's fingers were still inside. Axel was not able to move his fingers for weeks, each were broken. His mother, Marie, was not able to help. She was incompetent. She once tried to protect her children, but ended up with 400 stitches under her rib cage, and never attempted to do so again. The children were traumatized by witnessing and experiencing the physical and verbal abuse their father caused.
Axel's brother and sister had died from starvation and neglect of necessities. Marie decided it was time to take a risk to get away from her husband's harm. She bought two airplane tickets to New York, and began her life with Axel in America. Marie left to the airport with Axel while Norbert was at work. They have yet to visit Germany after living a few years in America. Axel was 9 years old when he left Germany. Four years later living in New York, Marie married a business man. John, Marie's second husband, had a successful business-he owned an auto shop. John was a fatherly figure to Axel. However, Marie did not give the attention Axel needed, and Axel grew to be cold and bitter. He'd spent his time with his step dad in the auto shop, fixing cars, learning about the car parts, and listening to the advice John gave about life. Axel would only spend his time at home when he had to sleep. Marie only puts effort in talking with Axel when John is around. Axel responds with short answers, because he shifts to an angry tone when he talks to his mother for more than a few minutes. He becomes irritated; he is short tempered and has no patience. Axel attended school when he was living in New York; he wasn’t home schooled like he was when living in Germany. He became close with a boy he had met in school. The boy’s name is Phillip, and they had a lot in common. Phillip was born in Hamburg, Germany, and is of German and Danish decent. They both wanted to move out of New York, and get out of their comfort zone. They grew close, and had similar ambitions. They wanted a fresh start, and made plans to leave to California from a young age.
They were now 19 years old. Axel felt that by leaving New York, he wouldn't be a burden to his mother, even though he never asked her for anything. Axel wanted to continue his education in California, and get a degree, so he wouldn't have to work with John all his life in the auto shop business.
