Origin:Â Adelaide, Australia
Axel was taught from a young age that if he wanted something he had to work for it. His father had always been a man that believed that nothing was ever gained unless there was effort put in. Axel’s efforts were almost always rewarded, but nothing was ever given to the boy easily (except, occasionally, when his mother snuck treats to the boy behind his father’s back). It taught Axel to be independent and develop a strong work ethic. If he wanted it, he worked for it.
Even as a boy Axel was always fascinated by how things functioned. His toys of choice were Legos and blocks because he was able to make something out of nothing with them, tinker to his little heart’s content to end up with a final product that was altogether new and fascinating. This hands-on tinkerer attribute lead him to sign up for mechanical engineering in college despite his less than stellar grades throughout high school. He left home for Fort Collins, Colorado and Colorado University after graduating from high school to pursue his career – and explore the mountains.
His first job, which he focused on far more than his school work, was working in his father’s mechanics and machine shop in high school, fixing up old cars, constructing parts from scrap, and piecing together his own motorcycle when he had the spare cash and time to donate to it.
Engineering classes didn’t suit the high energy adrenaline junky. The young man would much rather spend his time at parties, pulling the next big stunt on his bike, or goofing off with friends than hit the books. However, when he was at threat of being put on academic probation and being kicked out of the engineering school he settled down and worked his way through by the skin of his teeth in order to get his degree. After earning his degree he moved around the states picking up odd jobs and getting out the last of his thrill seeking freedoms with his roommate before being tied down with a ‘grown up’ job.
The infection hit in an immediate and sudden way from Axel’s perspective. One minute he was working on his motorcycle in the shop and the next a swarm of infected took over the shop. He managed to tear out on his motorcycle to avoid the bloodbath. He was on the run ever since.
Being on his own Axel had to learn how to survive on his feet. He lifted a handgun and bullets from a shop as he breezed through an abandoned town to defend himself from the zombie creatures that seemed to be around every corner. Initially he didn’t think much about the fact that he was killing real people. It was an out of body experience, a kill or be killed situation to rationalize things - but the more he did it the easier it became, the more emotion he took out of the equation.
Redemption Falls was the first town he rolled into that didn’t seem to be overrun with the infected. While he wasn’t keen on the idea of staying in one place like a horde of sitting ducks he has yet to leave the place, preferring to be in the company of others than back out there on his own.
Axel has a hard time trusting those around him, just waiting for the next shoe to drop and the rest of them to turn like all the others thus far. He thinks that he’s better off on his own and always had been but he is too stubborn to leave…and he’s too proud to admit that he gets lonely being out on the road on his own.
Flynn Hawkins: These two have a longstanding competition going about their kill counts and he’s waiting for the day when he can beat Flynn’s top kill and boast about it in their face.
Jamison Forbes: If Axel wanted to follow the rules he would’ve done better in school. He doesn’t do anything to blatantly defy Jamison’s stricter rules, but he’s more often than not one to be caught where he’s not supposed to be or out after curfew, which doesn’t please the town leader much.
Grayson Williams: Grayson is one of the few in Redemption Falls that is willing to put up with Axel’s recklessness. They work well together and have often taken down a hoard or two side by side. Axel appreciates the man for his risk taking and grit.
Face Claim:Â Nathaniel Buzolic