Background

Nora Zhang Allen was born on March 25th, 1972, in Manhattan, New York City. To an upper-class American father and a Chinese mother. Growing up and having a Chinese mother. She had learnt how to speak fluent Chinese through her and her mother's side of the family whenever they would visit them. She spent most of her childhood in school. At first wanting to become a Lawyer like her father. More often, she would sneak into his office at home and play Lawyer at his desk. Other than that. She would wake up, go to school, come home, and play lawyer, sleep, and repeat. Until her teenage years. Later on, around age 15. She would spend a lot of time exploring New York with her sibling and their friends. Often sneaking into construction sites during the late afternoon. Climbing on top of things and hanging out with everybody she snuck in with. One day in high school, Nora was asked what she wanted to do with her life by her close friend. She thought and thought. Eventually, landing on a Therapist. Why? Because she figured being a Lawyer "Takes too much effort. Psychology sounds way more fun and exciting!" And so her future was set in stone!! She would become a therapist! Nora's parents can only be described as "The most loving and supporting parents in all of New York- I LOVE THEM!"-(Nora, when asked about her Mother and Father at school.) It would be safe to assume that she grew up in a stable, loving household. Which she did! After graduating from high school, she would apply to Harvard! Only to be brutally rejected.... Not being held down by those silly Harvard admission people. She applied to Columbia University! And... Gets accepted..?! Nora held the acceptance letter with what can only be described as pure shock. Nora knew she excelled in school, but to actually get accepted by such a university? And so it began! Her Bachelor's degree! Her university days were the worst days of her life. Having to spend most of her days glued to a book and practicing for tests weeks beforehand. During her Third year of study in 1993. Nora, her sibling, and a couple of other friends would take a road trip to Dallas, Texas. During their break, of course. They'd rent a car, drive through to Dallas, and take a plane back to New York! That was the plan before they had to drive into Kentucky. Louisville, Kentucky... It was just supposed to be a night stay before they would drive into Missouri, Arkansas, and then Texas. A simple pit stop in the final bits of their road trip. They were staying in Kentucky on the night of March 8th. In the Morning on March 9th, they'd wake up like usual and prepare to get out of Kentucky. Until the rifts came. All of their friend group scattered like cockroaches once the rifts came. Leaving Nora and her sibling. After a couple of hours of running and evading the rifts and rifters, they found themselves in the mall. With what money they had gathered. They bought a room in the hotel and stayed there in an attempt to wait it out. Only leaving to resupply on food and drinks. They never spoke to anyone in the mall while they resupplied. Eventually, their money would run out along with their food supply. Meaning Nora had to venture further out to make money for food and drinks. Or scavenge for food herself.