info.

[deserve]

hayden becker self-appointed heir of a dead cult content warning: cults, bodily harm and psychological abuse against children and adults, homicide, body horror

BACKGROUND. An influential woman and her doctor husband formed a cult that essentially ruled the state of [REDACTED]. Among other institutions, hospitals conspired with them to steal newborns and forge adoption documents for the group simply known as The Family. Immediately upon arrival, the babies were subjected to surgeries where their skulls, after being cracked open, were carved with ancient symbols. Needless to say the majority of them did not survive. The purpose of these ancient symbols was to give them powers: one specialized but not unique, enhanced strength, and telepathy between them. In total there were 28 survivors, girls and boys, who Mother made sure had dark hair. They were made to act obediently and feel miserable; to put a happy front and make good publicity for The Family. Decades later, there was a raid and the kids were rescued, corrupt officials charged, and many others arrested. While the cult leaders — who are in their 80s — are on trial, no one knows the full extent of what was done to the children, most of whom are now adults. BIO. Like every other Becker child, Hayden was kidnapped as a baby, brought to the cult to have his skull carved with ancient symbols that would grant him powers, or result in his death. He survived, but whether that was the best fate is questionable. In that same year, the Beckers brought in another child they named Ezra. He went through the same upon arrival, a parallelism that would carry throughout their upbringing: given the same education, the same strict rules and severity of punishment, as well as the brainwashing and skills necessary to control their powers and trick the public into thinking that the Family was a beneficial contribution to society. As the years passed, it became clear that one of them was becoming the face of the children more than the other; that one of them was being given more responsibilities and status than the other, and that one of them would become the heir of the Family, not the other. The one to get all of these things was Ezra. Control was the only thing that masked the layers of psychological and physical trauma that every child grew up with, some more neglected — or targeted — than others. With Ezra stepping forward and Hayden being ushered to the background, his relevance diminished and his resentment grew. He'd try to find faults in everything the appointed heir did; he'd plot, alone, ways to sabotage his brother, and tried even to manipulate his other siblings, but some either feared Ezra more than they respected Hayden, or knew him too well to believe he was on their side. Their younger siblings rarely got fractions of the responsibilities and perks he still had left, but they would always feel like scraps to him. Years later, it would all end: the authorities brought down The Family, rescuing the younger members and placing the other ones under scrutiny. They were deemed victims, Hayden among them, then left to fend off for themselves with a new life in the real world. While inside the cult, Hayden felt like he could do anything without consequences from people deemed beneath him, and within a day, he'd been thrown down the food chain until he was practically at the bottom. With Ezra retreating into a different identity and a new life, Hayden seized the opportunity to rebuild what was left of the people devoted to the Family's apocalyptic goals. His chance to be the true heir is here, and he'll make sure no one ever gets in the way. PERSONALITY. Half-charismatic, half-forgettable. Wants to get to know you, but you probably won't get to know him. Will do anything to convince you that he's A Nice Guy. Kind voice, bright smile. Quick to resent people, slow to forgive. Very judgmental, not vocal about it. Believes in retribution over justice. Is eternally dedicated to The Family because he doesn't know anything else. 50% of his personality is proving that he's better than Ezra. POWERS. Enhanced strength — Enough to fight off multiple people at once. He uses it with some frequency, but also tries to keep it discreet. Limited telepathy — Can interact with his siblings from anywhere in the world, provided they don't shut him out. He rarely does this anymore. The Force — The name given to what is technically telekinesis, sort of, though it's actually an invisible force that he generates and controls when it's made 'physical' or not. It can pass through walls, for example, or it can break through them; move or crush objects, pull in or push them out. Force fields, beams that can pierce through anything provided he focuses enough, etc. You can't see it, but you'll know when it's happening. FAMILY. Eve. Mother and Father's greatest disappointment. She'll never get over it. Graham. Each time he dies, a new body pops up. All of his siblings have killed him at least once. Izzy. Manipulates emotions, is manipulative in her own right. She's enjoying the wealth she earned as a trophy wife. Jamie. Phases through walls. She's just as adept at phasing out of everyone's lives. Jem. Is the only one who can hop to different dimensions at will. Probably won't be visiting any time soon. Norman. Changed his name to start a new life. Can summon and become an eldritch abomination. Oliver. He can change his skin into anything. Somehow managed to maintain some trace of innocence. Sean. Can disintegrate matter. He could try disintegrating his mommy and daddy issues, too. NOTES. Any notes about Hayden go here.

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