“I know how hard it has been for you; hell I know how hard it’s been for everyone. But just know that no matter how hard it gets, you have a friend in me.”
✖Name: Summer McDonald ✖Age: 32 ✖Group Affiliation: Kingston ✖Face Claim: Evangeline Lilly ✖Availability: OPEN
Biography
PRE-OUTBREAK:
Miranda Chambers was born to two parents who probably shouldn’t have had a second child. Both were too preoccupied with their careers to really take care of their first son, let alone another one. Miranda always had one constant in her life, her brother. Derrick did more than just protect her from bullies on the playground. He practically raised her since both their parents were rarely home. For most, the absence of their parents would affect them in a negative manner, but for Miranda she welcomed the freedom it offered. Her father was a good man, but he became stressed easily. Whenever he needed to alleviate the pressures of his work day, he’d settle down with a bottle of Jack Daniels–the only reliable thing in his life, he used to say. But as the nights wore on and the drinks disappeared more quickly, his short temper would flare out of control and destruction was left in its wake. Nothing drastic happened at first; he’d simply yell at the TV or knock things over. But overtime, his anger came as second nature to him. Miranda could remember the exact moment when her father snapped. She was only eight, Derrick fourteen. Miranda had been in her room finishing up some homework when she had wandered into the living room to ask her father a question. All of his frustrations and pent up anger reached a boiling point at her interruption. The bottle he had been holding smashed against the ground, glass spraying everywhere. Miranda had screamed in fear, and Derrick came running. Just as he rounded the corner, he witnessed his father’s hand go across Miranda’s cheek. When he tried to intervene, he too had received a blow. That night, Derrick had locked he and his sister in their bathroom while he waited for his mother to come home from her late night shift at the hospital. Both children passed out in each other’s arms in the bathtub; their father in his armchair in the living room.
Each night after that, the abuse came easier and more often. Their mother was dragged into the chaos as well. For the next several years of her life, Miranda and her family suffered through the abuse. Derrick eventually went away to a police academy, but stayed closed to home. When Miranda graduated school, she moved as far away as possible from her father. She began studying for a degree in Social Counseling and Psychology at a college in New York. Just before graduating, Derrick contacted his sister and informed her their mother had committed suicide. Miranda was in disbelief. Her mother had always said suicide was never a way out. When she arrived in her hometown for her mother’s funeral, she confronted her father about it. Through in denial at first, he eventually admitted to killing their mother. He explained he had to do it, that she was going to leave him. Though he seemed remorseful at first, when Miranda announced she was calling the police he feared for his life and went after his daughter. Thankfully, Derrick arrived just in time and was able to stop his father from hurting Miranda. With no proof in their mother’s case, their father was locked away for attempted murder on Miranda. Realizing they would never be free of him, Derrick moved him and his sister to a different state. They changed their names and obtained all new identities in an attempt to escape their troubled past. They became Eric and Summer McDonald. Years later, Summer became a social worker, often counseling children and even assisting the local police with several cases. Summer had become one of the town’s prominent citizens with her kind nature and comforting spirit. She took pride in her work and was very well respected. However, she knew she would never forget how she came to be ‘Summer’.
POST-OUTBREAK:
News of strange events happening slowly began to trickle in to Summer’s desk on a daily basis. As the days wore on, the reports became more frequent. She simply shrugged them off and paid them little mind. It wasn’t until she found herself face to face with the undead that she was forced to believe. She had just gotten home from a long day at work and simply wanted to take it easy. While looking over some papers for one of her cases, a scream from outside interrupted her thoughts. Always having been one to help others, Summer ventured out of her house to see what was going on. With no signs of a threat around she headed back inside to pour a glass of wine, hoping it would help her relax. But relaxing would be the last thing she would do. Unbeknownst to her, while she had stepped outside, her neighbor had managed to find his way into her home. But when she confronted him, it wasn’t her neighbor anymore. He had been turned into one of those monsters the news was talking about. Terrified, Summer made an attempt to escape. She fought the walker off as best she could, but nothing she did could kill it. That was when Bobby Harrison broke into her home, shooting the creature in the head with his crossbow. He explained he had been driving past and heard her screams. Though he had almost continued driving, his daughter in the car had guilted him into helping Summer. The woman was eternally grateful and couldn’t stop thanking him enough. Bobby simply waved her words off as he headed out the door, Summer on his heels. She knew she couldn’t survive the end of the world on her own. She needed help. After many pleas, Bobby hesitantly agreed to allow her to travel with him and Sadie, his adopted daughter. Bobby was gruff and didn’t open up to Summer right away. Though she proved herself trustworthy time and time again, he was cautious. Finally, it wasn’t until he realized Sadie had accepted the woman into her life, that Bobby became to slowly let her into his as well. Summer became the mother figure Sadie wanted, and the companion Bobby needed.
While helping Sadie start a fire one night, Bobby returned back to camp from a hunt with another survivor tagging along. She learned his name was Shane Walsh and he simply needed shelter for the night. But his one night turned into many as they welcomed him into their fold. With the addition of Shane, the beginnings of a group began to form. As their numbers grew, Summer found herself taking on the role of ‘mother’ to the members. But it didn’t bother the brunette; she tended to look after everyone and made sure they were all comfortable. She felt respected that people would come to her if they needed anything. Eventually the numbers in the group grew too large to stay protected out in the open. So, they fortified a small town and settled down. They were all able to have normal lives for a time. It was then Summer began to realized she cared for Bobby as more than just a friend. Somewhere between him saving her and them forming a group, she had developed feelings for him. She thought she would be able to express those feelings, but when their town was overrun by the undead she knew she couldn’t. It would simply be a distraction to them both. And the fear of rejection weighed heavily on her mind. It wasn’t long before they came across another small group. But they were different. Among them was Bobby’s son and brother. Happy to be reunited with his family, Bobby and Shane–who had become the leaders to their makeshift group–welcomed all of their members with open arms. But it made them an easy target for walkers and other humans alike. Though Summer was happy for Bobby, she couldn’t help but feel cautious of these new people. Not because she didn’t trust them, but simply because their large numbers made them an easy target for walkers and other humans alike. They didn’t have enough guns or food for everyone. But before that could become a serious problem, another group was discovered–Shane’s previous one. They spoke of a cure in Washington D.C., a way to rid the world of the undead once and for all. With the possibility of a cure on the horizon, Summer felt hope that things could be different.
Relationships
✖Bobby Harrison → Not only is Summer thankful to this man for saving her life psychically, but she feels he also saved her emotionally. She didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with someone at the end of the world. But with Bobby, it was hard not to. But while Summer was open to her feelings, Bobby simply denied they existed. She knew it was because this kind of thing scared him, but eventually he confessed how he felt. Though nothing has ever been made official, Summer knows Bobby is hers. And she can’t imagine her life without him. He keeps her sane and helps calm her down when things are getting rough. He’s been her rock in this cruel, new world and she knows she wouldn’t survive much longer without him.
✖Shane Walsh → When Bobby and her first encountered Shane, Summer didn’t know how to feel about the man. While he seemed friendly enough, it was hard to trust anyone in this new world. Though Bobby has developed a close bond with the man, Summer keeps him at arm’s length. She’s see his temper flare up around camp and she knows it’s only a matter of time before he does something to put the group in danger. He’s a ticking time bomb and she’s not sure she wants to be around when he goes off.
✖Colton and Jason Harrison → When Bobby found his brother and son, Summer was ecstatic for him. To find one’s family in this new world was a miracle, and she was happy he had them. But then Jason began giving her the cold shoulder whenever she tried to converse with him. She simply wanted to help repair the broken relationship between Bobby and his son. But Jason sees it as someone trying to replace his mother, and no one could replace her. She truly feels sympathy for the boy, but doesn’t know how to break through that tough shell he holds himself in.
✖Carol Peletier → As the groups merged, Summer was wary of the other survivors. And with rightful reason. But as she began to open up, she realized she could become friends with some of them. And Carol was one of those people. The two women would occasionally share stories about their life before this, and as time went on Summer was able to piece together that Carol had an abusive husband. She in turn, shared part of her own story about her father. The two bonded over their tragic backstories, but rejoiced in the strength they inherited because of it. Carol’s someone Summer honestly considers a friend.
✖Emma Kurtz → When Emma was first introduced to the group, she had a wild and crazed looked in her eyes. She had been through way more than most could even imagine. Because of this, Summer wanted to make her feel safe and welcomed in their ranks. While at first Emma pushed Summer’s attempts away, eventually the younger girl warmed up to the mother of the group. Over time, a friendship formed between the two and Summer saw Emma like a little sister. Though Emma is very hard headed and a lot reckless, Summer still trusts her when it comes down to helping and defending those in their group.