NAME: Carina Flores Garcia
AGE: 30
BIRTHDAY: December 31st, 1989
GENDER/PRONOUNS: Female, She/Her
BIRTHPLACE: Mystic, Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Trauma Nurse at Lake Mead Hospital
FACE CLAIM: Priscilla Quintana
Trigger Warnings: substance abuse, neglect, infidelity, hospitals, fire
Like a wildflower in a field of daisies, there had always been something a little different about Carina Flores Garcia. Something she had first come to notice in the way her father had treated her. For as long as she could remember, Carina had longed to be a daddy’s girl. Though try as she might, she was never given the opportunity. Part of this could be blamed on their parents’ mental and physical absence, while on the other hand, it seemed personal. Even on a good day, Antonio paid little attention to his third-born, often sending her off with her mother and siblings when given the opportunity to do so.
As Carina grew older and wiser, she also began to notice slight differences in her appearance. While all four of the children shared their mother’s narrow jawline and naturally dark hair, there was a rather striking difference in her eye colour. For a family full of warm brown eyes, the green and golden hues of Carina’s hazel orbs stuck out like a sore thumb. And the more she learned about science and genealogy, the more she didn’t understand how it was possible.
Unlike her outspoken older sister, comedian of a brother, or rebellious younger sibling, Carina had always been rather reserved. She spent most of her spare time studying in her room or attending a number of extracurricular activities, rather than capitalizing on high school parties and social events. She was academically driven, not only to make sure she didn’t turn out the way their parents had, but in hopes that her success would one day earn her father’s respect.
These differences had always been a white noise in the background, growing louder and louder, until one day it drowned out every other sound — the day her father had snapped. Carina was fifteen-years-old when she walked in on Antonio in bed with another woman. But while she had anticipated her mother’s rage, she hadn’t been expecting to hear that there were just as many skeletons in her closet. News of the affairs spread throughout the household, echoing against its walls with every threat or expletive. The reason why Antonio hadn’t treated Carina as his own was because she wasn’t. And no matter how much her older siblings had tried to reassure her, she couldn’t help but feel like one giant mistake. Unwanted. She wasn’t the product of love at all. She was a curse.
After high school, Carina threw herself into the medical field, attending nursing school in Norwich, Connecticut, 30 minutes outside of Mystic. Although she remained close to home, this transition would change Carina’s life forever. Now surrounded by like-minded individuals, her small circle of friends grew right along with her and Carina began to step outside of her comfort zone, taking time to socialize outside of clubs and sports teams. But although she surrounded herself with new people, her biggest cheerleader remained the same. For as long as she could remember, Cam had not only been her sister, but her parental figure and best friend. She had been the one to celebrate all of her successes, and the one cheering the loudest when she walked across that stage to get her diploma. She was also the reason she didn’t want to leave Mystic like her brother had. Despite their genetic differences, she wholeheartedly believed that the siblings were stronger together than apart.
Following graduation, Carina found work at Lake Mead Hospital, fulfilling her dream job as a trauma nurse. Although the role wasn’t for everyone, she couldn’t help but want to be in the heart of the action, helping patients through some of the toughest diagnoses. All throughout university, she had heard her professor mention that healthcare workers were responsible for more than just treating their patients. They were often a source of support, and of hope. These words had been the very thing to guide her through years on the job, but most especially on one day in particular.
Carina had only been working at the hospital for two weeks before tragedy struck the small town. Shaken by the events of the fire, citizens flooded hospital rooms with both minor and major injuries — some being treated for smoke exposure, others for burns, and the worst of which, dead on arrival. For a new nurse, it was like diving into the deep end without a life jacket, overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. She wasn’t just helping a stranger, but her friends, neighbours, and classmates. Although such a shock to the system could have scared her away from the field, this experience only made her stronger. If she was able to make it through this horrible tragedy, then she would be prepared for even the hardest of cases.
+ intelligent, responsible, independent
- reclusive, gullible, moody
