Shanice Carter

Shanice Carter was born in 2000, a woman shaped by resilience, smarts, and the hard edges of survival. Her long black hair falls in waves down her back, a symbol of the strength she carries in her bones. She lives in a cramped Texas apartment with her son, Malik Carter, who was born in 2016. Malik is her world: a bright, curious boy who sees everything, even the things Shanice tries to keep hidden.

Shanice works long hours at Big Mama’s Diner, a weathered little spot where the regulars know each other’s stories, and the air always smells like fried chicken, coffee, and grease. She’s grateful for the work, but every day she’s looking over her shoulder, waiting for the past to catch up.

That past is Kingston “King” Wade, the leader of the powerful and violent biker gang known as The Iron Jackals. In 2015, when Shanice was just a teenager, she fell for King—drawn in by his dangerous charm and his promises. But what started as love turned into fear. By 2016, she was pregnant with Malik, trapped in a cycle of abuse that nearly broke her. It took everything she had to finally run, leaving behind the world she once knew.

Now, in 2025, Shanice is a survivor, but the past haunts her. At night, her dreams twist into nightmares of fists and screams, King’s voice calling her name. She lives in constant motion, always planning the next step, always ready to disappear again if she has to.

Shanice is smart—sharp, resourceful, and fiercely protective of Malik. She’s tired, but she never stops fighting, because she knows the only way to truly keep Malik safe is to stay one step ahead of the man who would tear their lives apart.

Born in 1993, Kingston “King” Wade is the cold-blooded leader of The Iron Jackals, a ruthless biker gang that stretches its influence across state lines. Known for his sharp tongue, quick temper, and an iron grip on those who dare cross him, King commands loyalty through fear—and those who disobey often pay the price in blood.

King stands tall with a commanding presence, a collection of scars and tattoos that tell stories of violence, loyalty, and the empire he’s built on intimidation. His dark eyes hold a dangerous glint, and his voice—smooth, deep, and honeyed with charm—can turn sweet in a heartbeat, only to turn venomous the next.

In 2015, King crossed paths with a young Shanice Carter, who was drawn in by his charisma and the promises he whispered: protection, love, a better life. But it didn’t take long for the mask to slip. King’s love turned possessive, his charm turned cruel, and when Shanice became pregnant with Malik in 2016, the violence only worsened.

King doesn’t forgive. He doesn’t forget. And when Shanice ran, he took it as a betrayal he plans to make her pay for—one way or another. With the full weight of The Iron Jackals behind him, King is a man who doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.

He’s a storm on the horizon—impossible to predict, impossible to outrun. And for Shanice, he’s the nightmare that never really fades, no matter how far she runs.

Born in 2016, Malik Carter is the sharp-eyed, thoughtful son of Shanice Carter and Kingston “King” Wade. At just nine years old, Malik has seen more than most kids his age, though his mother does her best to shield him from the worst of it. He’s a quiet observer, always paying attention, always watching—especially his mom.

Malik has deep brown skin and soft curls that frame his face, a striking mix of innocence and maturity. His dark, curious eyes seem to hold questions he’s too young to ask, but he’s always thinking, always learning. Malik loves to draw, filling notebooks with sketches of superheroes, motorcycles, and the Texas sunsets he sees from their apartment window.

He’s got a clever streak, too—quick with a smart remark when he feels safe enough, and sometimes too perceptive for Shanice’s comfort. He knows his mom is tired. He knows they’re running from something. But he doesn’t ask too many questions, not yet.

Malik has a strong spirit, inherited from his mother, and a deep, quiet determination that will only grow with time. He’s a kid who knows how to read a room, when to stay quiet, and when to make his voice heard. He’s loyal, brave in his own way, and when it comes to his mom, there’s no one he loves more.

But underneath it all, there’s a part of Malik that wonders about his father—who he is, where he is, and what it would mean if he ever showed up.

For now, Malik is just a kid trying to live his life, a boy who holds tightly to his mom’s hand, because she’s his home—and no matter what happens, he knows they’re in this together.

Born in 1975, Loretta Jenkins, known by everyone in town as Big Mama, is the heart and soul of Dustwood, Texas—a dusty, sunbaked little town where the summers are long, the nights are quiet, and everyone knows everyone’s name, their business, and probably what they ate for dinner last night.

Big Mama stands tall at 5’8”, a powerhouse of a woman at 300 pounds, with a booming voice that can shake the rafters and a laugh so loud, it echoes down Main Street. Her diner, Big Mama’s Diner, is the beating heart of Dustwood—the place where folks come for a plate of hot food, a slice of her famous Cherry Pie, and a side of local gossip. Her diner smells like coffee, fried catfish, and sweet, sticky pies. It’s where deals are made, secrets are whispered, and Dustwood’s stories are passed down like family heirlooms.

Big Mama is the kindest, warmest woman you’ll ever meet—until you cross someone she loves. She’s got a soft spot for strays, underdogs, and kids with nowhere else to go. Her diner is a safe place, but if you mess with Big Mama’s family—blood or chosen—be ready. She’ll tell you off so loud the whole block will hear, and you’ll feel it deep in your bones.

Born and raised in Dustwood, Big Mama’s seen it all: families come and go, the good times and the bad, the old ways fading and the new creeping in. But one thing never changes—Big Mama’s Diner is where Dustwood gathers, where you’re always welcome, and where her Cherry Pie tastes like a slice of home.

Born in 1987, Jack Blackwood stands 6’5”, a towering presence of calm, strength, and quiet intensity. With black hair, sharp eyes, and a face that looks carved from stone, he moves through Dustwood like a shadow—silent, watchful, and impossible to ignore. Nobody in town knows where he came from, and no one’s brave enough to ask. He showed up one day, unannounced, paying in cash and never saying more than he has to. Folks at Big Mama’s Diner have seen him in the corner booth now and then, sipping coffee in silence, but he’s not there to make friends.

There’s a weight to him—like he’s seen things no man should, and walked away with the kind of knowledge that makes people dangerous. Some say he’s ex-military, others think he’s running from something bigger than Dustwood’s ever seen, but no one really knows. Those who tried to get close learned fast that Jack Blackwood doesn’t talk about his past—and when you look into his eyes, you understand why.

He’s the kind of man you keep your distance from, the kind who’s always watching the door, always sizing people up, like he’s waiting for trouble or waiting for a reason to leave. Dustwood’s a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business—but when it comes to Jack Blackwood, all they know is to leave him alone.