Character Name: Michael
Appearance
Michael is a ten-year-old boy. He is physically small compared to the older youths and adults he encounters. He is one of the protagonists of Uncanny Copycats.
History
Backstory:
Michael is a foster child. His biological parents are no longer present in his life. His father previously worked as a firefighter and once brought Michael to a fire station, where Michael admired the firefighters and dreamed of becoming like his father. At some point, his father broke a promise to always be there for him. Michael currently lives with foster parents who are inattentive and do not wake up to take him to school.
Volume 1:
In Chapter 1, Michael is chased by two police officers through a poor town while attempting to reach school after missing the bus. The officers pursue him on suspicion related to a nearby café theft. Michael runs through main streets, past shops, behind a butchery, and into an alleyway where he trips over trash cans and climbs a fence to escape.
During the chase, Michael attempts to seek help at a fire station, which appears abandoned at the time. He recalls memories of visiting the fire station with his father and expresses anger at the absence of help. Continuing toward school, Michael is stopped and restrained by three older youths in a different part of town. One of them, identified as King, brandishes a small black gun. After searching Michael’s backpack and finding only school supplies, King orders Michael to leave and draw police attention away from their area.
Michael continues toward Camden Promise Middle School but is ultimately caught by the pursuing officers on school grounds. He is restrained until Ms. Mendoza intervenes, demanding an arrest warrant and asserting the school’s authority over Michael as a student. The officers release him and leave the premises. Michael then enters Camden Promise Middle School for his first day.
Personality
Michael displays determination and persistence, continuing to run despite exhaustion. He openly challenges authority figures and expresses distrust toward adults and institutions meant to protect people. He shows emotional reactions tied to abandonment and broken promises, particularly regarding his father and the fire station. Michael resists showing fear when threatened by older youths.
Powers & Abilities
None. Michael demonstrates no supernatural, enhanced, or unusual abilities in Chapter 1.
Equipment
- Backpack
- Contains school supplies, pencils, notebooks, and loose paper
Trivia
- Michael attends Camden Promise Middle School.
- He is late on his first day of school due to missing the bus.
- Michael refers to police officers using derogatory language during his arrest attempt.