Rose "Bernie - " Sanchez

Rose Sanchez is the second main character in *Heart* and the Stacey Monners Trilogy.

Rose has been Stacey's best friend since they were eleven. Well, Stacey eleven, Rose ten, because Rose is born in April and Stacey in March. During the flashback scene in *Heart* when Stacey and Rose are preparing for Ava's birthday party, Rose goes up to her room and opens the attic to look at the pistol that her cousin gave her. This was for protection, because he was aware that his other cousin (who is Ray Rodrigo) is going to try to kill Rose. Ray is at first unsuccessful, and then is, when he orchestrates the car accident which kills her. Ray works with an organization that oversees regligious groups, but doesn't actually subscribe to the religion. However, ironically, the beliefs of the religion begin to influence him.

This is because, although the religions are fabricated, they are based on the concept of gods and loosely trail the real life events etc. relating to The Silent, which up until this moment, are known to exist due to government documents, etc. that not everyone is aware of, but Ray is. As the Silent become more apparent tp everyone, Ray begins to make connections with the Silent, almost convincing *himself* that the religions are real. This is due to the fact that he was raised religious, and even though he shunned it, hence making an arc where he strives to damn the very people who believe in it, he almost falls to it again due to the brainwashing that he received as a child, even though Ray is painted as a very intelligent person.

## Background

Stacey and Rose are both Michigan natives, which is a concept that lends to their choice of going to Central Michigan University, an actual university located in the state of Michigan. The author was born in Michigan and this lends to ideas in *Heart* as well as other stories. In fact in *Heart,* when Stacey comes home for Christmas break, she goes on a walk with a friend, and they talk about Wendigoes, a Native American mythological creature that is often described as living in Michigan, in various creepypastas and online stories.

Rose is more outgoing than Stacey, but they share similar interests. Her main role in the story is to act as a motivation for Stacey in her arc; however the author wishes to personify her more. The issue itself of making characters more than just a plot device is something the author wants to solve. Rose grew up in a Catholic household, and went to mass most Sundays; Stacey wasn't raised religious but would often join her, as they communed at ate brunch afterward with Rose's family and Catholic family.

Being born in April as an Aires, Rose is a bit fiery and spontaneous, as the author tends to reflect birth dates in personalities.

## Plot

Author notes: Instead of having it where the FBI killed Rose (in order to depress Stacey) and is covering it up, it could be an accident done with something related to the organization that Ray Rodrigo is apart of, or religion--but the reader doesn't know it's an accident or that the government's *real* role, which is actually just to step in and investigate happenings related to Ray Rodrigo's religion/organization, not to cause the death itself. The school as well wants to keep it under wraps to protect themselves, but they didn't cause it.

Another idea is to expand upon Ray and other of Rose's family in *Heart's Hand,* etc. so as not to stereotype hispanics as being apart of an undercover gang.