This is a follow-up on a post done a while ago, more of a backstory for the Mister Jenkins character in the story found in the above link.
Decades ago, in the small town of Wraithmoor, Thomas Jenkins lived a humble and content life. He had always been fascinated by the intricate dance between light and shadows, and he possessed an uncanny ability to manipulate them. In his early years, he traveled the world, performing as an illusionist, using his talents to amaze audiences with dazzling displays of light and darkness. But eventually, he grew weary of the limelight and returned to Wraithmoor to live a quiet life.
Thomas found solace working as a lollipop man, guiding the town’s children safely across the busy streets near Oakwood Primary School. He had become an indispensable part of the community, a kindhearted and trustworthy figure who brought joy and laughter to everyone he encountered. The children adored him, and he cherished the role he played in their lives.
Unbeknownst to Thomas, his unique abilities were coveted by a secret society of occultists, The Order of the Umbra. The group believed that they could harness Thomas’s powers to unlock the hidden secrets of the universe, which would grant them unimaginable wealth and influence. When they approached Thomas with the proposition to join their ranks, he refused, disgusted by their twisted aspirations and fearing the potential harm his powers could cause in the wrong hands.
Enraged by his rejection, The Order of the Umbra devised a devious plan to ensure they could benefit from his abilities without his cooperation. They forged an enchanted artifact, a lollipop sign imbued with a potent curse, and planted it within Thomas’s belongings. Unaware of the item’s malicious properties, he unwittingly used it during his duties.
In time, the curse began to warp Thomas’s soul, corrupting his once-noble spirit and transforming him into a sinister vessel for the Order’s dark ambitions. The shadows that once danced and played at his command now whispered vile secrets and enticed him with the promise of unlimited power. Thomas struggled against the curse, but his resistance only fueled the transformation.
It was during this tumultuous period that tragedy struck. A terrible accident took place at the school crossing, claiming the lives of several children, and Thomas, being the unfortunate witness, was left heartbroken. Wracked with guilt, he became reclusive, seeking solace in the only place that brought him comfort – the playground. One fateful evening, Thomas succumbed to the curse entirely, and the shadows swallowed him whole, leaving behind an empty shell of the man he once was.
Now, as a vengeful spirit, Thomas Jenkins – once the kindly lollipop man – haunts the playground, his soul corrupted by the artifact’s curse, his powers twisted to serve the dark machinations of The Order of the Umbra. He exists in a constant state of torment, a prisoner of the shadows that have become his curse and his identity.
MADD FICTIONAL 