Background

Jade Silva was born in a small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Jade was brought into a world that did not want her. Her mother and father were too young and immature to embrace the gift of life. Within days of her birth, Jade was given up too an orphanage where she would spend a quarter of her childhood. Jade grew up never remembering her parents’ faces, only her last name with the feeling of abandonment. That feeling stuck with her as she grew, being a constant reminder of why she was here. As the years carried forward, the orphanage that once felt like a home, now started to feel like a prison. She was teased by the older and bigger kids; being so young and vulnerable gave them an easy target. Jade never made friends during her time within the orphanage. She would cry every other night, often sitting quietly to read her books alone. Jade’s luck eventually took a drastic turn. A couple that seemed like kind, loving people who wanted to give Jade a home. She hesitated before ultimately taking their hand and leaving for her new home. She struggled to communicate with her new parents, at first, Jade tried to believe things would be different. But the warmth she imagined quickly faded. The couple’s kindness had cracks. Her new mother’s smiles grew strained; her father’s cheerful expressions were slurred with the scent of alcohol. Bottles laid across the countertops, and fighting could be heard from the hall late into the night. The affection they once showed turned into neglect. Meals were forgotten as words were sharpened by drink. Years later, throughout high school, Jade took ASL as an extra language class to obtain her language credit to better ensure she was accepted into her dream college. It suited her personality best. Though by the time Jade turned sixteen and later finishing Highschool much earlier than her graduating class, she obtained scholarships from colleges and universities a couple of hours’ drive from where she resided now. Jade’s adoptive parents barely acknowledged the letters of acceptance lining her wall. They were too caught up in their own lives to understand what those letters were and what it meant for her to receive them. Jade did not need their approval. She never did. The coming morning, she packed her belongings to leave and hopefully never return. Months after leaving her home, Jade eventually situated herself on campus at Appalachian State University where she would attend her years of college learning to become a Forensic Psychologist. Jade learned and taught herself that vulnerability was a weakness, and that the worst of humanity exploited it. She needed to understand the thoughts behind people’s actions. Along her academic journey to success, Jade grew fond of one student in particular, Rin, who she frequently spoke with and later developed a bond. The connection which Jade had struggled with most. Shortly after, she met another individual who would impact her life throughout college. Silas, a friend who Jade cherished, also sharing a bond. Over the course of Jade’s time at the university, she participated in extracurricular activities during her free time whenever summertime approached. Jade believed she could strengthen her transcript and overall skillset by signing up for apprenticeships, which she was effortlessly accepted. Closing In on her final semester, Jade graduated in 1990 nearly at the top of her class. Shortly after graduation, Jade received an opportunity which she rightfully accepted that was recommended from her apprenticeships via connections. After some time, Jade became proficient in what she did. Skills she developed throughout the years soon paid off. Joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation early, Jade became something similarly to an idol throughout the agency. Her colleagues commended her for her hard work and due diligence, later bestowing the nickname “Angel” which stuck with her moving forward. Her time though would be cut short, her second year with the bureau took a rapid decline in an instant. Jade misjudged an investigation that would cost the agency millions. Her colleagues wouldn’t look at Jade the same afterwards. Some looked at her with malice, disappointment, or as if she was a fallen angel. Nearly everything Jade had built for herself fell apart. She was given little to no choice on the outcome, but she chose the safest option. Following her reassignment, she made do with the hand she was dealt. Jade noticed familiar faces; some she wouldn’t expect. But in the end, she kept doing what she’d always done, and that was to keep pushing forward. Present day, Jade is now stationed under a new federal agency, ECHO, that slowly began reintegrating itself into Louisville, Kentucky. Accompanied by a few, alongside her supervisors, they planned a trip across country towards the new facility. The drive was mostly silent, with occasional chatter, leaving Jade to ponder the work that awaits.