The Strained

The antagonist of the first part of the Crossed Boundaries series, a saw blade axe wielding serial killer infamously known for murdering half of the population of the fictional town; Blood Creek, Tennessee. The character itself is portrayed by Jake Merritt, the lead singer and song artist of Isolated Ataraxia, and who is the co-author of the series. However, the sequel: The Waters We Lie Low, The Strained becomes the protagonist of the story, his appearance only being within the two entries, regardless, he stays true as a fan-favorite.

“...later. The graffitied name had been displayed upon the restaurants front door. The Strained.”

The Strained

The cruel saw blade axe wielding antagonist of Crossed Boundaries, despite being only seen through the original and the sequel, he is a definite fan-favorite to a majority of viewers. The character is portrayed by the co-author and modeler Jake Merritt; who is also the lead singer and song artist of Isolated Ataraxia.

“...quiet pathetic. The clippings shown multiple black and white pictures of the painted mural. He had gave himself his own name. The Strained.”

Emma Horley

The antagonist of the Crossed Boundaries’ sequel: The Waters We Lie Low, and the daughter of Michael Horley. After the disappearance of her father, Emma was forced to live with relatives. Upon finding out the person responsible for the Blood Creek fire was never found, which was the presumed location of her father’s death, she set out to find The Strained and exact her revenge.
Although it is difficult to determine Emma’s role as an antagonist since she technically isn’t bad, the second part is through The Strained’s point of view.

“It’s all right there, and they mentioned her name as well, in the paper’s text, it read Emma Horley.”

Crossed Boundaries

A four-part tetralogy horror franchise that follows the disturbing lives of the four protagonists, the audience watches as their stories intertwine and unfold into utter chaos and tragedy.

“Crossed Boundaries just might be the best read yet!”

Michael Horley

The protagonist of the first part of the Crossed Boundaries series, Michael Horley was born and raised in Follesville, Ohio, settling down in his hometown with his daughter and deaf spouse at the young age of twenty-four. He receives a phone call that begs him to quickly travel to Georgia due to ‘business’ that needs attended to, leaving his family for a road trip, he is forced to stop at the rural home of the Merritt family due to engine troubles, thus kicking off the story’s first part.

“Michael Horley, that little bitch is gonna have to grow up without a daddy.”