August Thrombey

August Thrombey is a teen residing in Sunset Ridge, Colorado. He is first introduced in *Grinded*, as the love interest for protagonist Freddie Blackwell. He reappears in the sequel, *Grinded Part II*.

He is a very caring and loveable person, being able to get along well with almost anyone. August is also shown to be quite observant on several occassions, having a watchful eye unbeknownst to those around him.

In the original story, he was introduced as the crush of Freddie and the best friend of Thomas Strode. He later was one of the four survivors of the Sunset Ridge Massacre, being the one to put an end to the murders.

Initially introduced as having feelings for Freddie, August later becomes emotionally withdrawn. He fears letting himself love anyone again, out of trauma. His friendship with Thomas becomes more complex when August eventually finds himself catching feelings for his best friend, but refuses to make a move.

In *Grinded Part II*, he has moved to New York for university, and for summer break, he decides to go out to Los Angeles to reunite with his friends, and fellow survivors, Sophie Dlamini and Thomas. But his arrival brings about the rise of a new serial killer that begins targetting them.

## Biography

### Early life

August was born in 2001, in Sunset Ridge, Colorado. When he began pre-school, August met Thomas Strode, and the two quickly became very good friends. While August was growing up, he discovered he was gay but kept it to himself, not wanting to be ridiculed for it. He did eventually tell his parents, who were extremely supportive, as was Thomas.

August began attending Sunset Ridge High School in 2015, alongside Thomas where he eventually met Freddie Blackwell.

### The Sunset Ridge Murders

August is a teen that attends Sunset Ridge High School. He is a caring, loveable, and trustworthy person that is constantly looking out for everyone he loves. He wants for him and Freddie to take their relationship to the next level and become official, but is anxious about doing so, fearing he may be rejected.

The morning after the murder of Michael LeBeck, August arrives at Freddie's house, both boys very happy to see each other. They make initial awkward conversation before theorizing what was the cause of the police sirens that morning. They soon walk past the park and find out that a body has been found, shocking both of them. They watch for a little while longer as Yun-Jin Park reports on the scene.

August and Freddie eventually get to school and see its become a circus, the campus filled with news vans and cop cars. They make their way over to their friends: Lily Mason, Sophie Dlamini, and Lily's boyfriend, Marcus Winters. Lily tells the two teens that the victim went to their school and that the police are doing a townwide investigation to find the murderer. She then reveals the identity, before asking August if he's okay as he and Michael had a small fling in the past. August is adamant that he's fine and that it was nothing more than a quick experimental fling. The bell rings shortly after and August heads off to class with Thomas.

Throughout the school day, August and his friends discuss what happened during their interviews, with August surprised at the cops asking him if he was aware of the crushes Quentin and Michael had on him at some point. He starts to wonder if he and his friends are indeed the main targets, but doesn't fully voice his concerns. His relationship with Freddie continues to grow as they flirt more with each other and become more intimate.

The following day, August is at his locker in school, still not completely processing the fact that Paul was murdered the night before. He is approached by Freddie, with the two making official plans to go on their first date, with Freddie finally kissing him before they part ways for class. Later on through the day, when Principal. St John announces classes to be suspended immediately, August and his friends make plans to hang out at Lily's house that night.

Later that night, August is horrified to learn that Thomas was attacked, but not killed. He becomes adamant on sticking close by his best friend. He also tells Freddie that he's ready for them to actually have sex, much to Freddie's joy. When the group gets to Lily's house, August and Freddie head off to Lily's bedroom for some privacy. However, they don't get far, when Lily comes in and tells August to have a talk with Thomas, who's out smoking after an argument between the two. August agrees, kissing Freddie and telling him to get himself ready for August when he gets back.

He is unsuccessful at trying to find Thomas, only coming across Sophie when he comes back into the house. When Quentin comes back in through the front door, August tries to keep the situation calm as the other two grow suspicious of one another. They're then suddenly attacked by Blank Face, and August runs up the stairs and hides in Lily's room, listening to the horror unfold downstairs.

In Lily's room, he finds no sign of Freddie, but sees the shower to be broken with signs of blood on the walls. He attempts at trying to get out onto the roof, via Lily's window, and spies Lily getting out of Marcus' car. He tries to warn her but fails to do so. When he climbs back inside, he glances out of the smashed window at the top stairs, seeing Lily's body on the concrete below. He attempts to flee but is stopped by Thomas, who is bloodied and terrified. August is weary of Thomas, thinking he may be the killer, until Thomas is stabbed by Blank Face, who reveals themself to be Freddie.

After Freddie divulges his motive with August, the two have a brutal fight that wounds them both a great deal. Sophie reappears and tries to help before she is quickly overpowered by Freddie. When Freddie goes to finish off August, Sarah is there, demanding him to stand down. August watches in horror as Freddie reveals the sheriff's gun, shooting her. Thomas then tackles Freddie, knocking the gun free. While Thomas grabs the gun, August reaches for Freddie's knife, and after Thomas shoots him in the chest, August is the one to officially kill him with two deep stabs to the heart.

Later that night, August wakes up in a room at Sunset Ridge Memorial Hospital, where he hears a news report detailing the events that had just taken place. Overwhelmed, August thinks of Freddie as he sheds a few tears. A knock at the door is almost enough to trigger an anxiety attack, but he's relieved to see it's only Sarah, there to check up on him. But the peace doesn't last as Jasmine Blackwell, Freddie's mother, rushes into the room in a devastated and manic state, blaming August for taking away her son. Sarah manages to remove her as August sobs to himself, the guilt of everything weighing down on him.

### The Los Angeles Murders

In 2021, three years after the killings and August has since moved to New York for college, where he is roommates with Miles L. Ray, who he met at the start of his studying for his psychology degree. After jolting awake from a nightmare of Freddie, he takes a glance at his phone and sees several texts from Sophie, all urging him to go to Los Angeles for a little bit over the summer. He isn't too keen on reuniting with his friends, especially Thomas, feeling things may have grown distant and awkward between them. Miles comes in, checking up on August as per usual. He then encourages August to go see his friends, claiming it'd do him a world of good. When Miles leaves, August mulls over the idea before deciding to call Sophie, agreeing to the trip.

August gets to LA two days later and heads to Thomas's apartment, filled with anxious anticipation. It's been months since they've seen each other and August isn't sure if there is any blood in the water. Thomas's roommate and close friend, David Evans, happily greets August. As David gives August questions while making a pot of coffee, August takes a glance around the apartment; still unchanged. Thomas joins them shortly after the coffee is finished, and August is almost frozen in place. A warm smile breaks out on his face and they hug, taking a minute to embrace each others company. August then tries to address what happened between them when they're interrupted by a returning David, who states Sophie is becoming impatient with waiting. August takes the joint that Thomas hands him and the three head outside to find Reese Rivers waiting. August is visibly confused and turned off by Reese and the remarks he makes towards him. David keeps things calm between them and pulls Thomas away, giving August a chance to ask for the details. Thomas states they slept together, making it clear that it was nothing more than sex with someone he'd regretted doing it with. August is slightly hurt but doesn't let his feelings linger, knowing nothing concrete was between them.

As they get closer to the gallery, August flicks his joint away as Thomas takes his hand and promises him that everything will be okay. August nods, knowing he can trust Thomas, and lets himself by led inside. He can feel the stares of people recognising him, keeping himself close to Thomas. They find David talking with Carly Blake, when Sophie rushes over and pulls August and Thomas into a hug. They stay like that for a prolonged moment, making August realise how much he'd really missed being around his friends. She introduces him to Carly, her assistant, Luis Dominguez, an aspiring journalist and writer, and Alanda Laurent, Sophie's girlfriend. After the introductions, August expresses his admiration for Sophie and how proud he is of her. He then asks to see her piece that's causing all the chatter, but notices the look Alanda gives Sophie. Sophie brushes it off and leads August to it, but when he sees the partially covered mask of Blank Face, he almost freaks out and demands to know what Sophie is doing. She defends her choices for painting the mask, but it's been her own form of therapy.

August finds the painting to be exploitative but before the dispute gets bigger, they're interrupted by Chai Hardin, another artist and one of Sophie's inspirations. August introduces himself, blushing at the light flirting Chai gives him while liking the possessive jealous flicker in Thomas's eyes. When Chai leaves, August chuckles at Thomas's sudden worries over Chai getting in on his territory. August then returns back to Sophie's painting, calling it well done, but wished he'd been told of it prior to seeing it. He asks if she's happy and when she says yes, August considers the possibility that maybe now is the time for himself to heal and let go of the past.

After Sophie takes him on a tour through the event, August notices Thomas and Luis talking, when Luis seemingly hurries off awkwardly. He wanders over and asks Thomas what happened, but his interest dips when he's told it was to do with Nichole Peterson, an artist that has a grudge against Luis. They start walking through the exhibits and it doesn't take them long to circle back to the topic of sex, specifically the sex they had the last time August came to the city. Thomas expresses his hurt feelings and August listens silently, feeling his own guilt eating away at him. August admits that he's simply scared of going any further due to the trauma from Freddie, fearing Thomas will only get hurt because of him. Someone calling Thomas's name distracts them both and August turns to find a man rushing over to them. He introduces himself as Tyler Montoya before giving them a heads up that Sophie and the rest of the group are waiting to head to the Mudhole for drinks. Thomas asks if August is feeling up to it, and August agrees, so they head out with their friends.

Later that night, he is at the Mudhole with Thomas, Sophie, Carly, Luis, and David. Sophie tries passing off the next round to August but Thomas offers to get it. After a few minutes, August is startled as Luis and David jump up, rushing over to the bar; upon turning, August watches in confusion as Thomas punches the bartender, who August recognises to be Reese. Thomas is brought back to the table by David, and August and the others are quick to find out what happened. Thomas throws a drink back before briefly telling them, not wanting to linger on it. The night progresses and August and Thomas have took up the edge of the booth for themselves and are in the middle of having a very suggestive conversation when Ben, Thomas's boss, interrupts them. He berates Thomas and demands him to apologise to Reese tomorrow, before returning to the bar back.

The following morning and the news of Reese's murder has hit the city, with August watching a report anxiously. He can't believe something like this has happened again. Thomas comes in from being interviewed by the police. August is quick to point out the clear connection between Reese and them and their past, but Thomas remains calm and collected, promising that Reese had more enemies than friends. August isn't buying it, however, and is about to challenge Thomas's promises when David comes in, surprising them both. David explains where he was last night, but August remains wary, until the Grindr notification spooks him. Thomas tells them that Sophie is outside and leads August out with him. Once outside, they find Sophie waiting impatiently for them. She makes sure they're both okay. August then expresses his thoughts that it can't be a coincidence, but Sophie questions him, believing him to be fearmongering. August scoffs in disbelief, but Thomas detains the situation from spiralling, with Sophie inviting them to her studio, so long as August doesn't mention his wild theories.

Arriving at Sophie's studio, August notices how quiet and deserted it seems, making a remark about it. His worries aren't lifted, though, when Sophie confirms that the studio is normally this quiet, since the warehouse is pretty rundown. They then hear a noise and go to investigate, only to run into Carly and Alanda. August spies Sophie's space behind the two women and takes a look around. Carly probes if he's okay but August is almost blunt, telling her that he's fine. Sophie excuses herself to go let Luis inside, while August continues looking into Sophie's sketches, ignoring Carly's light warnings. He finds a one with the Blank Face mask, with Alanda coming up behind him and mentioning how difficult it's been for Sophie. The conversation esculates when Alanda insinuates August's pivot for attention, much to Sophie's detriment. August storms off, angry and upset, feeling like everyone is judging him for what's happened to them.

August finds a bathroom and takes a moment to compose himself and calm down, the words of Alanda still replaying in his head. After ignoring the faint sound of a door opening, August perks up at the sound of metallic screeching. He peers out of the bathroom, finding the fire exit door slightly ajar. Unnerved, August goes to return to his friends when he bumps into Thomas, scaring both of them. August is quick to express the guilt he's burdened with, feeling responsible, but Thomas reassures him that that itsn't the case. Noticing that August is still upset, Thomas offers him the chance for just the two of them to do something tonight, which August agrees to before they decide its time to return to their friends.

Hours later, when the sun has set, and August and Thomas are at a cannabis cafe near the Santa Monica Pierre, both of them finishing smoking just as their drinks arrive. After filling Thomas in on his college experience, August apologises and goes on to explain his reasoning behind ghosting Thomas. August is then taken aback when Thomas confesses that he's been in love with August for years, but that he just wasn't made aware of it. When Thomas then asks where they go next, August tells him they'll figure it out together. Then, a sudden flurry of sirens races by the windows, catching their attention. August feels his stomach sink as he stares at Thomas with worrisome eyes.

He and Thomas promptly return to Thomas's apartment, finding a bewildered David, who is quick to fill them in on the murder of Chai. August feels his stomach twist with cruel familiarity. His personal thoughts that it isn't a coincidence are the only thing on his mind. He waits until David leaves to go for a cigarette before he voices his theory to Thomas; but when he is met with disbelief, August excuses himself for some air. After a few minutes of clearing his head, August starts to head back through the apartment complex, when he suddenly collides with a frightened and slightly injured Thomas, horrifying August. A neighbor calls the police as Thomas tearfully tells August that it was Blank Face who attacked him, confirming his worst fears.

It doesn't take long for paramedics, police and journalists to descend onto the scene, as August stays with Thomas while he is tended to. They're joined by a horrified Sophie, who is thankful their both okay. She suggests they stay with her, but August is quick to question if its a good idea, bringing up Alanda into the fray. The comment annoys Sophie, but August sticks to his guns, not wanting to be around people that already don't like him. He is frustrated further when Alanda shows up and isn't afraid to ask her where she's been. It causes more tension between them and when Sophie sends Alanda away to wait with David, she scolds August for his attitude. But he doesn't back down, calling out the convenience in Alanda's timing. He's glad when Thomas has his back and brings up the Grindr messages, adding fuel to August's belief that its happening again.

Two days on from Chais murder and Thomas's attack, and August is heavily consdering leaving the city and returning to New York. He gets out of the shower when he overhears David talking with Luis, deciding to listen in. But he becomes slightly hurt when its obvious they're talking about him; David expresses his worry over August being here. August then makes his presence known and shuts David down when he tries to apologise, believing him to be right anyways. Luis tries his best to offer his support just as Thomas arrives. August knows something isn't 100% and Thomas reveals Detective Mayfield behind him, wanting to speak to the survivors downtown. August is hesitant but knows he has to, and goes with Thomas and Mayfield to collect Sophie.

August, Thomas and Sophie are at the precinct as they're underway in an interview with Mayfield. August picks up on the pointed tone and general dislike on the detective's face when he addresses them, causing the room to become tight and uncomfortable. Mayfield insinuates the idea that maybe August is behind it, which sticks with August and plays on his mind. After the questioning, the three head outside and Sophie brings up another event she has to attend, inviting both August and Thomas. August wants to disappear which leads to another disagreement between him and Sophie, ending with Sophie walking off as Thomas comforts August.

They return to the apartment where Thomas hops into the shower, leaving August to watch another report of the recent murders. The words of Mayfield bounce in his head as David comes through the front door, explaining how he was at the Mudhole. August barely pays him any mind, too much on his plate already. Thomas comes back into the room, albeit half naked with a towel around his waist, causing August to perk up. David teases the clear sexual tension between them before he heads into the bathroom. Thomas flirts a little with August; he goes back to the bedroom to change into something more decent, while August is left alone again. A buzz from the kitchen gets his attention and upon investigating, he finds a Grindr message on David's phone. Curiosity gets the best of him and he checks, becoming worried when its from someone that David had apparently stood up on Wednesday, the same night Chai was killed. August immediately becomes wracked with paranoia. He puts the phone back just in time as David returns looking for it. August keeps his cool and points at it, but becomes unnerved when David slyly glances over his shoulder on his way back out.

When Thomas returns, August initially decides to stay quiet but his worry is picked up on quickly. Thomas elicits an answer from him, and at first, August is frustrated at Thomas's apprehension. David bounces back into the room and Thomas questions his plans for the evening in a nonchalant way, much to August's happiness. David hints at another hook-up before returning to his bedroom. August suggests going to the event, thinking it's a chance to actually prove if David is the killer or not.

August and Thomas arrive at the event only to have trouble finding Sophie. Already plagued with worry, August's stress hits an all time high when he spots Mayfield slinking around the event, giving Thomas a heads-up; he then speculates that Mayfield being the killer could be a very real possibility. August is then startled by Nichole from behind him, who is trying to worm her way into the conversation. He doesn't have time for her and bluntly tells her to give him space, causing her to walk off. Thomas suggests asking Luis for help but August shuts the idea down, believing they can only trust each other and Sophie. He then tells Thomas to look around for Sophie, like he's going to do.

As he looks through the event, August spies Tyler and decides to see if he'll know where Sophie is, but when his face twists and he hurries off, August realises that more people are starting to look at him as the root cause of everything happening. A text from a blocked number distracts him long enough, asking August if he's ready for some fun. Knowing its the killer when another message hints at them having Sophie and so he rushes to find Thomas, he reveals he knows where Sophie is.

The duo get to the warehouse and August becomes instilled with unsettling dread as he begins to believe this is where it all ends. Both of them attempt to call Sophie but they're met with no answer. August knows something is off and begins mulling on the idea of calling Mayfield until a voice startles them. When Thomas states that it sounded like David, August reluctantly follows as they go to investigate. A sinister text from Sophie's phone causes them to freeze as the power turns off all around them. August clutches onto Thomas as they frantically look for weapons. A metallic screeching catches their attention and they look over to find Blank Face emerging from behind a piece of draped cloth, dragging their knife along a railing.

Grabbing an etching needle, August warns them to stay back. But the killer charges at them as they try to take swipes at both boys. August manages to save Thomas from a fatal stab and then gets his own lick in, stabbing the killer. He gets kicked back before Thomas urges him to run. They sprint through the corridors, finding a door that's jammed. August tries kicking it but both of them scream when its opened from the other side, revealing the killer. Thomas pushes August out of the way, catching a knife in the chest. August screams as he tries to help which results in a brutal scuffle between him and the killer. Thomas reaches out and manages to buy August some time to run, leaving Thomas behind as his screams fill up the corridor behind him.

Turning a corner, he then tries feeling for his phone but realises it must've dropped during the fighting. A sudden faint voice startles him and so he hides himself away and watches as the voice grows closer, revealing David. He is reluctant at first, wondering why he would be here. Eventually, August steps out and demands to know why David is there. David explains he's there to meet Ivan just as another distant cry silences them; August believes it could be Sophie and races off to it. But when they get there, they find Ivan. August is quick to try and help when Ivan accuses David of being the killer. August, now not knowing what to think or who to believe, backs away from them both as he tries to figure out the truth. David is swiftly stabbed through the back of the throat as August stands there horrified, the horrific truth dawning upon him; there are two killers, one of them being Ivan.

Now face to face with them, August grips his needle as Ivan makes a remark over Thomas. August snaps at him to keep Thomas's name out of his mouth, all the while he tries coming up with a way out when he notices a clunky spool of wire by the desk. Not wasting anytime, he shoves the masked killer into the spool before stabbing Ivan in the palm with the needle before taking a chance to run. It doesn't take Ivan long, however, to catch up to him and cut him off. After another struggle, August makes distance enough for him to find Sophie. He helps her up and tries moving when Ivan stops them once again, twirling his knife. The masked killer springs up from behind them and Sophie tearfully asks if it is Alanda, and August watches intently to see if his own doubts were true. But they're both stunned when its revealed to be Nichole, bloodied smile and all.

He and Sophie are forced to endure their monologues, with August growing repulses by Nichole's extreme homophobia coming to the surface. Ivan instructs Nichole to bring in their contingency plan - Alanda. August is shocked and instilled with more guilt as he meets Alanda's glassy eyes. As Ivan continues to explain his master plan, August manages to discreetly take hold of a heavy duty stapler, hiding it behind his back. At the right time, he hits Ivan in the head with it but Nichole acts quick, lunging towards them. She stabs Sophie and throws her into a stack of plywood that collapses on top of her. He is now faced with Nichole as she bitterly claims he has everything that she deserved. August purposefully riles her up to get her closer, where he then stabs her through the cheek with a chisel before shouting 'Fuck your face, bitch!' and proceeding to grab another needle and shove it into the roof her mouth, killing her.

He then turns to find Ivan on his feet again as he spits out chunks of blood through his teeth. He decides to question Ivan's motives and ends up learning that Ivan has killed before the LA murders began, making August sick to his stomach. Ivan mentions people online having strong feelings against August, revealing it was through them that he found out where August was going to be. Ivan proceeds to then grab him by the hair but August takes advantage of Ivan's cockiness and throws them both to the ground; the knife glides across the floor as they fight to grab it. August manages to shake off Ivan, grabbing some wood and hitting him in the head once again. August riles Ivan up further as he slides two nails between his knuckles and jabs Ivan in the neck, who stumbles back and clutches his bleeding throat. He charges at August a second time but August now has the knife, lodging it deep into Ivan's chest. He watches as Ivan falls back, attempting to grab a piece of cloth. When he hits the ground, the loosened cloth then gives way and causes a machine to drop onto Ivan's head, completely crushing it.

August huffs out a breath as he glances around, unsure of what to do next. The sound of a phone buzzing gets him excited as he races over to Nichole's body where he finds Sophie's phone in her pocket. He doesn't hesitate in calling the police and an ambulance when he looks over to see Sophie and Alanda hobbling through the corridor. He tears up and joins them, helping Sophie as she apologises for Thomas.

Come morning and August is waiting by an ambulance in solemn shock as he tries to process what has happened. He's approached by a bitter Mayfield who has come to loosely apologise for the insinuations he'd made prior. August simply stares at him and nods, not wanting to talk to him at that moment. He watches the detective walk off as Luis joins him. August is blunt, warning Luis if he's there for a story then he can beat it. But Luis more than understanding and is there to offer his support, for whatever they need it for. August smiles lightly, asking for a cigarette which Luis gives and lights for him. Taking a puff, August then starts down the street, wanting to be alone once again.

## Relationships

#### Family

* **Unnamed mother**
* **Unnamed father**

#### Allies

* **Thomas Strode** **†** - Former best friend & love interest
* **Sophie Dlamini** - Close friend
* **Sarah Abbott** - Close friend
* **Marcus Winter** - Friend
* **Quentin Vaughn** **†** - Former friend
* **Lily Mason** **†** - Former friend
* **Michael LeBeck** **†** - Former friend & fling
* **Erica Rhodes** **†**

##### Los Angeles, CA

* **David Evans †** - Former friend
* **Alanda Laurent** - Former enemy turned friend
* **Carly Blake †**
* **Luis Dominguez** - Close Friend
* **Tyler Montoya**

#### Enemies

* **Freddie Blackwell** **†** - Former love interest & attempted killer
* **Paul Beauregard** **†** - Former fling
* **Ivan Cascella †** - Attempted killer
* **Nichole Peterson †** - Attempted killer
* **Reese Rivers †**

## Appearances

* ***Grinded - Appears in 17 of 31 Chapters***
* ***Grinded Part II***