Jack Whitlock

## The Beginning

In the vast expanse of the unforgiving Mexican desert, where the sun blazed relentlessly on July 6th, 1854, the story of Jack Whitlock was etched into the scorching sands. Born to Julio and Maria Whitlock, Jack's life began on their small, dusty ranch, a world away from the bustling city life he would later encounter. From the very beginning, Jack's existence was a tale of stark contrasts, a chiaroscuro of love and cruelty. His father, Julio, was the cornerstone of love and guidance in his life. Together, they toiled under the unrelenting sun, learning the delicate art of cultivating crops in the arid wasteland. But Julio's lessons transcended the realm of agriculture; he cared for Jack's tender emotions, providing the warmth and unwavering support that the harsh desert could not. In Julio, Jack found a source of strength, a mentor, and a father who nurtured his spirit. However, in stark contrast to Julio's benevolence, Jack's mother, Maria, harbored an insidious and unexplainable hatred for him. Her approval remained an enigmatic puzzle, always out of reach. Instead of love, she bestowed upon Jack cruelty, subjecting him to the cruelest forms of physical and emotional abuse, her malevolent will casting a long, dark shadow over his early years. Young Jack lived in perpetual fear, dreading the possibility that his mother's malice might one day escalate to the unthinkable—murder. In the midst of this turbulent upbringing, Jack clung to the refuge provided by his father's teachings. Julio not only shared the wisdom of agriculture but also the art of self-defense, instilling in Jack the invaluable skills needed to protect himself in a world that seemed intent on his destruction. These lessons became the bedrock upon which Jack's resilience was built, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tempestuous existence. As Jack reached the tender age of 12, the dark hand of tragedy descended upon his family. Julio embarked on a routine journey to a nearby town, his goal simple: to procure supplies that would sustain their modest life on the ranch. Little did he know that this fateful trip would alter the course of his son's life forever. Julio unwittingly became embroiled in a bitter rivalry with a ruthless gang known as 'The Djlaos.' In a cruel twist of fate, Jack, in his relentless search for his father, arrived in the town just in time to witness the brutal murder of the man he loved most in this world. The memory of that fateful day was seared into Jack's young mind, etching an indelible scar of pain and anger. It was a moment that kindled an unquenchable thirst for vengeance, a burning desire to avenge his father's untimely demise. Jack's life was now consumed by thoughts of retribution. He immersed himself in the relentless pursuit of 'The Djlaos,' his mission of vengeance taking precedence over all else. His relentless drive to uncover the truth about his father's murderers pushed him to new heights. By the age of 15, Jack had honed his research skills to a razor's edge. His tenacity was unmatched as he delved deep into the shadowy world of 'The Djlaos.' He became a master of gathering information, poring over newspapers for any trace of their whereabouts. He meticulously tracked their movements, hyper-fixating on every detail, no matter how obscure, that might bring him one step closer to his elusive prey. In his pursuit of justice, Jack's obsession became a formidable force. He was not content with vengeance alone; he sought to dismantle the very foundations of 'The Djlaos,' to tear apart the web of crime and corruption that had ensnared his father. Little did he know that his relentless quest would lead him down a path marked by bloodshed, treachery, and secrets hidden in the darkest corners of Mexico's underworld.

## Revenge

Jack's relentless pursuit of justice culminated in a moment of revelation when, at the tender age of 16, he stumbled upon a newspaper article that would change the course of his life. The ink on the page told a story that both haunted his nightmares and fueled his unwavering determination. It was the news that Juan Andrés Franco, his father's cold-blooded murderer, had enlisted in the army and was preparing to fight for their nation. This revelation was the spark that ignited a relentless fire within Jack's soul. His decision to join the army was not solely driven by the noble cause of defending his homeland. No, for Jack, this was a mission of personal retribution. He was determined not only to protect his nation but to confront the very man who had torn his family asunder. As he donned the uniform and embarked on the path of a soldier, Jack immersed himself in rigorous training. He was a force to be reckoned with, fueled by a potent combination of intelligence and unwavering purpose. Jack understood that if he were to locate and confront Franco, he needed to be at the pinnacle of his capabilities. The day of reckoning finally arrived when Jack, now 17, found himself standing on the battlefield. The cacophony of war surrounded him, the air filled with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the deafening roar of artillery. And there, amidst the chaos and the swirling maelstrom of violence, he saw him—Juan Andrés Franco. The past, the grief, and the burning anger converged into a singular, searing moment. Franco, distracted by the relentless chaos of battle and the whizzing bullets that threatened to claim lives at every turn, remained oblivious to the vengeful presence drawing nearer. With unbridled fire in his eyes and a heart consumed by vengeance, Jack Whitlock lunged at Franco. Their confrontation was nothing short of cataclysmic, an explosive clash of emotions and violence that reverberated through the annals of time. In that fleeting, chaotic moment on the battlefield, Jack seized the opportunity that fate had laid before him. He fought with a ferocity that could only be born from years of pent-up anger and inconsolable loss. Every swing of his weapon, every calculated strike, bore the weight of his family's shattered dreams and the echoes of his father's cries. In the end, Jack exacted his revenge with a brutality that matched the depth of his pain. The vendetta that had haunted his existence was finally brought to its gruesome conclusion. Juan Andrés Franco, the man responsible for the agonizing void in Jack's heart, was no more. But with his mission complete, Jack found himself at a crossroads. He stood on the battlefield, the echoes of violence fading into the chilling embrace of silence. He realized that he could never return home; there was nothing left for him there but memories of a painful past. Instead, he embarked on a journey—a journey that led him across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean to the enchanting city of Paris, France. Paris, a city of culture, history, and secrets, beckoned to him like a siren's call, promising both refuge and revelation in equal measure. Little did Jack know that his sojourn in the City of Light would not only lead him into the depths of darkness but also toward an unexpected destiny—one that would transform him into a figure of shadowy retribution and plunge him into a clandestine world where justice and vengeance blurred into obscurity.

## Paris, France

Paris, however, had its own dark side. The winding, cobblestone streets concealed secrets that festered beneath the city's glamorous façade. Gangs and criminal enterprises thrived in the shadows, their nefarious activities casting a pall over the City of Light. It was a place where one had to choose between succumbing to the monsters that lurked in the darkness or becoming a monster themselves. Jack Whitlock chose the latter path. He was drawn into the abyss when he joined 'Le' Mal,' a notorious gang in Paris known for their brutality and ruthlessness. Jack's transformation into a formidable killer was swift, earning him a reputation that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard his name whispered in the darkest corners of the city. In the two years that followed, Jack immersed himself in the violent world of 'Le' Mal.' He proved his mettle in countless confrontations, emerging victorious in battles that often ended in bloodshed. His intelligence, resourcefulness, and sheer tenacity made him one of the gang's most valued members. He became adept at orchestrating brutal killings and covering up their gruesome aftermath, leaving no trace for authorities to follow. Yet, fate had another twist in store for Jack. He received an assignment that would prove to be a turning point in his life, one that would alter his destiny forever. He was tasked with the assassination of a woman known as Saint, a name that sent shudders through the criminal underbelly of Paris. This mission led Jack to Saint Denis, a district where shadows seemed to stretch even longer, and whispers of danger lingered in the air. He walked the cobbled streets, waiting for an opportunity to strike, unaware that his life was about to take an unexpected turn. One fateful night, Jack intervened in a robbery, driven by an innate sense of justice that had never fully extinguished within him. The dimly lit alleyway bore witness to a tense standoff as he confronted a man dressed in black and gold who was in the midst of robbing an innocent bystander. With lightning speed, Jack drew his weapon, ready to thwart the robbery. But as he took aim, he was startled by a presence behind him. He turned to find a woman, also clad in black and gold, standing with an air of unshakable confidence. It was the very woman he had been sent to kill—Saint. She disarmed him effortlessly, her movements a dance of lethal grace. Jack had vastly underestimated her power and wit, and in that moment, he realized that he was outmatched. Their encounter took an unexpected turn. Instead of fulfilling his mission, Jack found himself drawn into a conversation with Saint. He recognized the futility of his task and sensed the formidable force that resided within her. In a daring and life-altering decision, he offered to forsake 'Le' Mal' and leave his violent past behind. With a wry smile, Saint accepted his offer, recognizing the potential within Jack. She saw in him a spark of redemption, a chance to harness his skills for a different purpose. Jack's new journey began as he became a member of 'The Saints,' a clandestine organization that operated in the shadows, seeking justice in ways the world would never understand.

## The Saints

As a member of 'The Saints,' Jack Whitlock continued to hone his lethal skills, but now, his targets were those who truly deserved their fate. He became one of their top assassins, a master of disguise, espionage, and precision kills. His legacy as a ruthless killer was redefined, his actions now guided by a higher purpose.

In the years that followed, Jack's name became synonymous with both fear and justice, a shadowy figure whose existence remained hidden from the world. His journey from the dusty ranches of Mexico to the treacherous alleys of Paris had transformed him into an enigmatic force to be reckoned with, and his legacy as an assassin for 'The Saints' would endure for years to come.

## Character Development

Jack Whitlock is a character made and developed by Alex, Jack will be in the book The Bleeding Dahlia working alongside Saint as he is fourth in command of The Saints.