Colt Gray

Withdrawn and unsociable. Colt's classmate, Layela Sayarath, who shared a desk with him, described him as a quiet boy: he rarely spoke, and when he did, it was in monosyllables. He often skipped classes.
Mental health issues. Relatives (particularly his aunt) said the teenager was experiencing serious difficulties and literally begged for help from those around him, but received none.
A traumatic experience. His childhood was difficult: the family was chaotic, with episodes of neglect and domestic violence. He was also bullied at school.

Slightly below average height, thin but wiry.
Light hair, carelessly cut, often falls on the forehead.
His look is tired, as if he is always on guard.
He dresses as neutrally as possible: a white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
There are small abrasions and scratches on his hands: he unconsciously fidgets with the fabric and scratches the skin when he is nervous.

Colt is a 14-year-old boy from a small town in Georgia. He moved with his family a year ago and hasn't quite fit in at his new school: he keeps to himself, makes few friends, and retreats to a quiet corner of the library during recess. His father is a straightforward man for whom "being a man" means showing no weakness; he gave Colt a rifle, considering it a sign of trust and maturity. His mother is often absent on business, and at home, arguments between his parents are constant.

Colt found a community online where people discussed high-profile crimes. At first, it was simply curiosity: he wanted to understand how extreme behavior worked, why people break down. Over time, these stories became a kind of refuge for him—they made him feel understood. But the deeper he delved, the more alienated he felt from ordinary life.