I drew small sketch sheets for our Project Zomboid in-game characters that reflect their look at the very beginning of the story and their look after a certain time of apocalypse. This time it's about my Richard.
Unlike Santana, Richard is not such a *loser* - he was an experienced auto mechanic, knows all the roads in Kentucky (this does not stop him from constantly getting lost), and was also born in Texas and speaks with his characteristic accent. Also he's 27.
It's okay if you're here just too look at my art, not reading looooooong boring stories lol.
____
Richard's ToyHouse profile link
____

General personality.
As a child, Richard could be described as bully who loved to get into all sorts of scrapes. However with age, his character changed to a more restrained and quiet one - after some time, Richie acquired the ability to see the "insides" of other people and read their characters, and even in some cases predict their future actions and behaviour. He is not afraid to communicate with others and often seems to be just friendly and open to other people, but Richard would never trust a person he was not sure of. That is why it is quite difficult to get close to him, because, most likely, you will only know him on external levels, and will not see “his real side.” Richard has almost no good close friends, tho he has more than enough acquaintances. But those who can enlist his support and most valuable trust will find in him that same caring, gentle, kind and loving person. However, if it so happens that you have become the objects of his hate, then you will receive nothing but infinite rudeness.

Childhood, young days.
Birthplace: Grand Prairie, TX. Hometown: West Point, KY.
Richard was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He hailed from a family with deep roots in farming, their large homestead boasting a bountiful farm and even a stable. It was within these nurturing surroundings that Richard's love for mechanics was first kindled. His father, a man with a passion for repairing cars, saw in his young son a kindred spirit and passed down his wisdom, instilling a lifelong passion. Despite growing up in a caring family, Richard was known for his active and occasionally mischievous nature. He was a spirited child who enjoyed the occasional prank and wasn't averse to a little mischief. Yet, his youthful exuberance was always tempered by the strong values and sense of responsibility instilled in him by his parents. However, the serenity of Richard's childhood was abruptly shattered when his father succumbed to a devastating bout of pneumonia. The loss was a turning point that would forever alter the course of Richard's life. His mother, faced with the immense challenge of carrying on without her husband, was forced to make difficult decisions. One of these was the sale of their beloved farm, and the family relocated to West Point, Kentucky, settling into a modest, smaller house in the new town.
In West Point, Richard continued his education, eventually graduating from college. During his academic journey, he discovered his deep-seated passion for auto mechanics and decided to transform it into his life's work. This newfound dedication allowed him to find a sense of independence, eventually moving into his own residence.

Incident, the first days of the apocalypse.
The year was 1993, and the once peaceful town of West Point had turned into a nightmarish battleground as the unknown virus epidemic rapidly consumed the world. Amidst the chaos was Richard Murrell, a 27-year-old mechanic who found himself at the heart of the unfolding disaster.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the desolate streets, Richard heard the unmistakable sound of panicked screams and distant gunfire. His heart raced as he rushed towards his car parked nearby, hoping to escape the impending doom. But as he reached the city's borders, a grim realization struck him: military individuals blocked all exits, refusing to let anyone in or out.
Surrounded by these barricades, he witnessed the city's devastation. It looked as though a war had erupted, with civilians attempting to flee the unfolding horror. Panicked people rushed towards his car, pleading for help and a way out, but Richard, overwhelmed by fear, pushed forward through the chaotic crowd, losing sight of those in need. Desperation clawed at him as he realized he was trapped on the road, caught between the barricades manned by the armed. He knew that there was no other option but to abandon his car and flee on foot.
With his heart pounding and his breath ragged, Richard grabbed his backpack from the car. It contained only a few essentials – a flashlight, some spare clothes, and a small first aid kit. The wailing of sirens, the growls of the infected, and the staccato rhythm of gunfire filled the air as he broke into a sprint. He had to make his way through the battlefield of a city turned upside down. Amid the chaos, he saw soldiers clad in military gear, fighting off not only the infected but also desperate civilians who tried to run away. There was no time to distinguish friend from foe, and Richard kept running, his eyes forward and his mind focused on survival. With every step, he was aware of the world crumbling around him. Smoke billowed from burning buildings, and the stench of death hung in the air. He knew he needed to find shelter and supplies, or he wouldn't last long in this nightmare.

Quite a beginning.
As Richard continued running, he reached the outskirts of town, where the sounds of chaos began to fade. He spotted a dense forest in the distance, a potential refuge from the horrors of the city. With a newfound determination, he sprinted towards the woods, driven by the desperate need to escape the nightmare. Once inside the forest, he slowed down, cautiously moving deeper into the wilderness. The foliage offered a reprieve from the chaos, but he was acutely aware that he was far from safe. He needed food, water, and weapons to survive, and the forest provided the cover to start his search. Moving forward, he came across an untouched tent. Richard, desperate for any resources, cautiously approached it. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone might be inside. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw a man whose legs were stuck in a massive rusty trap. The man's face caused a grotesque mess of blood and pain. Richard, stunned by what he saw, screamed, and dead man caught in his trap turned sharply towards survivor, letting out a guttural scream. His once human face was disfigured and he began to crawl towards Richard, leaving his severed, mangled leg trapped. Fear gripped Richard, but he was determined not to lose his head. He noticed a baseball bat left by a former man near the tent, already stained with someone’s blood, and grabbed it. With a quick, trembling movement, he hit the creature right on the head, staining the ground and his clothes with blood. It was another reminder of the horrors associated with him, known leaders in this fickle world.
The sky grew darker, and Richard realized that nightfall was approaching. As he scouted the woods, he understood that his journey was only beginning. He had escaped the city, but the world outside was just as dangerous, if not more so. The emotional whirlwind of fear, anxiety, and determination had taken hold of him, and he knew he had to adapt quickly to this new, terrifying reality. He moved away from any sign of danger but couldn't avoid random encounters with the dead guys. Each time, he was overwhelmed with fear, and his instinctual response was to run, or clumsily brandish his makeshift weapon before retreating. Tired, hungry, and covered in the blood of his would-be assailants, Richard stumbled upon a small region with private houses. It appeared that he had reached the outskirts of another Kentucky city. The eerie silence told a story of death's past visit, with military men and civilians' corpses strewn across the ground. As he observed the houses from a distance, he selected one that seemed relatively untouched, its glass unshattered and the door securely locked. The logical choice was to break in and scavenge for provisions. Inside, he discovered a meager supply of canned stuff and a few bottles of water, a small glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Yet, within one of the house's rooms, he encountered something he hadn't anticipated – a living, unharmed person. A young woman sat in the corner, trembling with fear. She must have been hiding in the house, alone and isolated, for a long time.
Seeing the terrified girl, Richard's initial shock and surprise quickly gave way to say: "Shhh! Can't you see what's happening outside your window?" He was scared by the girl's scream, and even more scared by the fact that it might attract someone else.
He gently let go of the girl, but very quickly ran out of her house and tried to hide behind the trees. However, feeling that she was quickly following him, he stopped. Richard thought for a moment, realizing that he had a choice to make. He could go on alone, or he could face the challenges of this harsh new world with a newfound companion.

Survival: current lore days.
(really raw draft, sorry)
Richard's survival is closely tied to the girl he then accidentally found - her name was Santana. If it wasn't her, everything could have been completely different. He told her that he was looking for a safer place, but sometimes he regretted what he had done, because Santana often behaved too harshly and impudently, but Richard knew that she was just as scared as everyone else.
This was the beginning of his story of the death.