OC: Mackenzie Lorraine Grimes
Actress: Ksenia Solo
Age: 18 (season 1)
Nicknames: Mak, Kenz, Kenzi, K,
Family: Hades (biological father)
Amanda Walker (biological mother; deceased)
Rick Grimes (adoptive father)
Lori Grimes (adoptive mother)
Carl and Judith Grimes (adoptive siblings)
Bianca DiAngelo (deceased) and Nico DiAngelo (paternal half siblings)
Akuma (Hellhound companion/family dog)
Love Interest: Daryl Dixon (eventual husband)
Other OC's featured: Kennedy Greene [daughter of Apollo; played by Katie Cassidy], Tiana Williams [daughter of Ares; played by Keke Palmer] Dinah Foster [daughter of Demeter; played by Kat Graham] Natasha [daughter of Zeus; played by Gage Golightly]
Weapon: A gold multi-shifting charm bracelet with various charms, each representing a different weapon (a gift from her half-brother Nico)
Gifts: Necromancy
Can sense if a mortal or half-blood she knows is about to die
Can see/sense people's life auras
Can create fissures of hell fire, trapping people in the Underworld
Umbrakinesis/Osteokinesis/Geokinesis/Hypnokinesis/Pyrokinesis
Magic Items: N/A
Position(s): High School Senior/Cafe Waitress (pre-apocalypse)
Small Description: When Mackenzie was a baby, no more than a few days old, her mother left her on the front step of the King's County Sheriff's Station where a young Rick Grimes was working. He instantly fell in love with the baby and took her home, raising her as his own. When she started Jr. High, Rick was struggling with telling Mackenzie that she was adopted, a conversation that was overheard. Since then, Mackenzie started rebelling against her parents and by the time she was a senior, was planning on running away with her boyfriend whom her family hated. However, Rick was shot while on duty and Mackenzie decided to stay with her family. She's known of her demigod heritage since her Freshmen year and has only attended Camp Half-Blood for a few years. When the world ends and the dead start rising, Kenzi uses her abilities to protect her family, while keeping her secret. She will soon learn, she's not the only demigod to survive the end of the world.
The Day it All Changed
"Demigod. A term that can refer to a minor deity, a mortal or immortal who is the offspring of a god and a human being, or a figure who has attained divine status after death. You may have heard this term in mythology or in literature. But, I'm here to tell you that it's more than that. Demigods are real, and they live right under your noses. Why do I say this? Because I am one. My name is Mackenzie Lorraine Grimes, and I am a daughter of Hades. This is my story of how I plan to survive when the dead suddenly rise and start attacking the living. It's not just me here, but my family and people I would meet that I would later call friends. Hell, I even found someone I would fall so hard for, he became the reason I wanted to live. Being a demigod is what kept me and my family safe.
However, my story doesn't start then. It starts a couple months before, when I was delivered tragic news that made me rethink everything I had planned.
My story begins in the small suburb of King County, Georgia. It's a small town, mostly farmlands, but we did have a decent mall, a few bars, a movie theater, some restaurants and two schools; an elementary and high school. I lived in a single-story house in an up-scale suburban-style subdivision with my parents; Rick and Lori, and my little brother, Carl."
A young girl, roughly eighteen years of age with long, jet black hair that reached her waist stood in front of a vanity mirror. She wore a leather mini skirt with a studded belt, a black and purple top which exposed her midriff, revealing an amethyst jeweled unicorn bellybutton ring, with a biker jacket that had angel wings bedazzled on the back in red jewels. Her piercing blue eyes were highlighted by thick lashes, dark eyeshadow and eyeliner.
On her bed was a dog around four years of age, resembling a black German Sheppard. He wore a red-leather collar with gold studs and his information was etched on a tag that was a skull in crossbones, doned with a straw hat.
"That's me, Mackenzie Grimes. I'm a senior in high school and am due to turn eighteen in October. I've been in this goth-rebel stage since Jr. High, when I overheard my parents in a discussion involving me. It turns out, I'm adopted. My real mother left me on the front step of the King County Sheriff's Station where my dad was working. My mom, Lori, wanted me to know, but Rick, my dad, said it was better I didn't. After all, I was abandoned, and instead of going into the system, Rick took me home and raised me ever since. For all that mattered, I was their daughter, blood or not.
As for the dog, well he's not really a dog. He's a hellhound who appears in the form of a dog. His name is Akuma, Japanese for Demon. He was gifted to me by my biological father, Hades, when I first arrived at Camp Half-Blood, but that's a story for another time."
Mackenzie zipped up her thigh-high boots and grabbed her leather knapsack and her red and black checkered satchel on her way out of her bedroom, keys jingling in her hand. She gave a whistle, motioning for Akuma to follow her. The black dog jumped down from the bed and the two entered the kitchen. Mackenzie grabbed a glass from the cabinet, fixing herself a cup of coffee. She set the glass aside and dumped a large cupful of food into Akuma's dog bowl and filled his water bowl.
"Morning sis." greeted a little boy around the age of twelve. He scratched Akuma behind the ears.
"That's Carl, my little brother. He's the most innocent child I've met, and he has no idea we're not biologically related. But honestly, that doesn't matter. Since he was born, I've loved him. I've always protected him. I sang him lullabies, still do. Even in my teen-rebellion, he still thinks I'm the coolest big sister in the world. And hey, I let him praise."
Mackenzie ruffled her little brother's hair. "Hey buddy." She sat on the countertop with her legs crossed and sipped her coffee, still having time to kill before she had to get to school.
"You know mom hates it when you do that." Carl reminded.
"So." the teenager shrugged. "Not like I really care."
Their parents voices caught their attention as they came in from their bedroom. Even though they were speaking calmly, they were in an argument. "You know sometimes I wonder if you even care about this family." Lori huffed, the two adults joining their children in the kitchen.
"That would be my mother, Lori. She's your typical loving mother and housewife. My dad is Rick, which as I've stated before, works for the King County Sheirff Department, along with his best friend Shane, who's like an uncle to Carl and I."
Mackenzie placed her hands on her brother's shoulders. "C'mon buddy, I'll take you to school." she led him to the front door, only to be stopped by her dad. "Wait for me in the car." The teenage girl clicked the 'unlock' button on her keyring. Carl went ahead, leaving his sister and father alone in the living room. "What were you and mom fighting about this time?" Mackenzi raised her dark eyebrow.
"It wasn't a fight." Rick corrected. "It was a discussion."
"Okay, what was the 'discussion' about?" the teenager used air quotes.
Rick ran his hands over his hair, "We'll be having a family meeting tonight, when I get off work." he informed.
Mackenzie scoffed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "The last time we had a family meeting was when you and mom told me I was going to be a big sister." she reminded. "Since then, you've been saying time and time again we'll have another one, but we haven't."
"Yeah well this time, I mean it." the deputy sherrif sighed.
"Whatever dad." Mackenzie brushed past him, shutting the front door behind her.
"Of course, in that moment I had no idea that would be the last conversation I would have with my dad.
I went through the normal motions that day; dropped Carl off at his school before heading to mine. That day we only had a half-day since the faculty had this big meeting. So, after school I went to work, which was a small cafe in downtown King County. It was there that everything changed for me."
The backdoor to the small Mexican cafe opened, a young woman stepping out. "Okay Mackenzie, breaks over." she ordered.
Mackenzie took one last drag of her cigarette before dropping it in the ashtray. "Alright." She ducked under her manager's arm and popped a few tic-tacs to dull the nicotine on her breath. The dark-haired teen smoothed out her apron and went back to her work. She took a table's order and smiled as she headed to the kitchen.
After serving a few more tables, Mackenzie cleaned up for the next patrons who entered. She loaded up food-stained dishes, half-empty glasses, and handfuls of silverware, holding the bucket under her arm. The front door opened, sunlight pouring into the small restaurant. "One minute, I'll be right with you." Mackenzie told them, not looking up.
A man cleared his throat, getting the waitress' attention. Mackenzie turned to the front and her eyes widened, seeing her dad's partner, Shane, along with her mom and brother. "What's goin on Uncle Shane?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
Lori stepped forward, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder, her eyes solemn. "Mackenzie, sweetheart." she muttered, squeezing her daughter's shoulder. "It's your daddy."
"Those three words made my heart fall directly into my stomach."
The grip the teenager had on the bucket loosened and it crashed to the floor, the dishes shattering. Her blue eyes widened and she took a step back, her boots crunching the glass. "No." she muttered. "No." Moisture welled in her eyes. She glanced past her mother and saw Shane lower his head, his hand on Carl's shoulder.
Her knees buckled and she collapsed on the floor, her hand over her mouth to suppress a sob. Tears fell down her cheeks and her shoulders heaved. Lori knelt down and wrapped her arms around Mackenzie, rubbing her back. "He was shot, but they were able to get him to the hospital." she informed. "He's in surgery right now."
Lori helped her daughter to her feet, keeping her arms around her in comfort. Shane talked with the manager, who gave the okay for Mackenzie to leave. Wiping her tears away, Mackenzie left with her family, jumping into her Jeep and following her mom's vehicle to King County General Hospital.
"My dad was in surgery for hours, and the majority of that time my mom spent pacing with Uncle Shane trying to comfort her. I took Carl to the cafeteria and we split an ice-cream sundae. Shane had come down to get us when my dad was finally out of surgery."
Lori sat at her husband's bedside, holding his hand in both of hers. "He lost a lot of blood." the doctor informed. "He's comatose as of now, so we can't really say for sure how he'll be in the long run. We'll take it day by day."
"Thank you." Lori smiled softly at the doctor.
"If-if he needs blood, I can give him some." Carl volunteered, his eyes never leaving his father.
"How old are you son?" the doctor asked, looking to the little boy.
"Twelve." Carl answered.
The doctor smiled, "Well, that's awfully noble of you, but unfortunately, we can't allow you to give blood."
Mackenzie rested her chin on top of her brother's head, smiling. She rubbed his chest, "Dad's gonna be fine buddy, don't worry." she assured.
Shane cleared his throat, "I should get you kids home, it's late." he patted Lori's shoulder. "You just focus on Rick, I'll take care of the kids."
Lori nodded and kissed her kids goodbye, watching as Shane led them out of the hospital room.
Using his spare key, Shane unlocked the front door to the Grimes household, "Okay kids, uh, I'll be here if you need anything." he brushed his nose with his thumb, looking around the living room.
Carl nodded and went upstairs without a word. Mackenzie sighed and turned to the older police officer, "Thanks Uncle Shane." she gave him a one armed hug and pecked his cheek before heading upstairs herself.
Mackenzie changed into a black tank top with an anime skull in the center and dark blue silk shorts. She brushed through her hair and laid back on her bed, Akuma curling up by her feet. Her bedroom door opened and Carl poked his head in, "Sis, can I stay with you tonight?" he asked timidly.
"Sure buddy." Mackenzie sat up and Carl jumped into bed with her, laying beside her. "You're worried about dad huh?" she guessed, stroking his hair.
"Yeah." Carl admitted, laying his head on her shoulder.
She pulled the crimson comforter up around them, resting her cheek on her brother's head. "It'll be okay. Dad will pull through." she reassured, kissing the top of his head. "Get some sleep."
Carl nodded, "Love you Kenz." he muttered, closing his eyes.
The dark-haired demigoddess smiled, "Love you too, little bro." she kissed him one more time before drifting off herself.
"If course, in that moment I believed that my dad would be fine. I believed that he would pull through and everything would go back to normal, well normal for us.
I was dead wrong."