pumpkin jack. chapter one.

pumpkin jack

pumpkin jack was a homeless man. he rode trains and sometimes buses, to get from place to place, where he might work odd jobs or do some menial task for money to buy food and other essentials. he almost always travelled alone.

there were rumours about him. no one knew what was the exact truth. but the truth was, he had a wife at home. in tennessee. had, being the operative word. because one night in a fit of desperation and rage, he had killed her with his own hands. the truth was pumpkin jack has been on the run for 23 years. riding trains, and sometimes buses.

no one else who lived this way, riding rails, knew him to be a cruel man. he had a reputation for helping other homeless people when he could. but inside a fire burned so hot, that anyone who dared to come near would eventually succumb to the heat, and leave. or worse. as experienced by his dear wife, Genevieve. Genny did however have a reputation for being a cruel woman. she often berated her husband. chastised him infront of peers. she would emasculate him whenever possible. often telling him he was inferior.

so it had come to pass that one sombre rainy night, she had pushed his last remaining button, and he snapped. unable to fess up to the crime, to face any time he might do, he went on the lam, leaving behind his entire life. along with his dead wife.

but ooohhh how she haunted him by day, and never let him rest at night. he was constantly awake, with a chattering mind. a brain unable to stop thinking. he did live in a prison. a prison of mental health. a prison of homelessness and despair. a crown of thorns for a guilty man. one might be forigiven to feel sorry for pumpkin jack, not his real name. one might be understood for hating him as well.

but once, there was a woman who loved him. she knew everything about him, and loved him still, for better or worse. but you see, pumpkin jack was cursed. and he ended up being the death of her as well. though not by his own hands. by his own reckless wanton behaviour perhaps.

this is a tale of woe, featuring crimes of passion, and misdeeds of spirits. it is a tragedy. inspired by all hallows eve, and a darkened night upon us.

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