Jane Ann Kiramman

## The Beginning

Born in the summer of 1873, Jane-Ann shared her upbringing with her older brother, Jack, on their family ranch. Their parents, Jackson and Mary-Ann LaFontaine were sure to raise their children with a sense of hard work, responsibility, and a deep connection to the family’s history. Jackson, playing a pivotal role in instilling a strong work ethic as well as ensuring they valued their family ranch and the history it held.

As the siblings grew older, he gradually entrusted them with more responsibilities around the ranch, teaching them the intricacies of caring for the land and the animals. Equally important was the connection to their family's history, a legacy passed down by Jackson. He shared stories of their great grandfather, who had claimed the land next to the river and built the family house with his own hands. These stories served as a reminder of the sacrifices and hard work that went into establishing their home and the importance of preserving their heritage.

The ranch, with its prime location and diligent management by the LaFontaine family, prospered over the years. As more people settled in the area and towns sprang up, the LaFontaine ranch became a vital supplier of food and resources to the growing community. The family played a crucial role in the development of the region, contributing not only to their own livelihood but also to the well-being of the settlers and the neighboring town.

## Love and Loss

As time continued to pass, the landscape around Jane-Ann's family ranch evolved with the emergence of more civilization. Jackson, recognizing the changing times and perhaps foreseeing the benefits of alliances within the community, introduced Jane-Ann to a local young man named Cole Mikaelson. Cole, the owner of a neighbouring farm, quickly became an integral part of Jane-Ann's life.

The connection between Jane-Ann and Cole grew stronger, and at the tender age of 17, they decided to marry. This union marked not only the joining of two individuals in matrimony but also the merging of the LaFontaine Ranch and Mikaelson Farm. The consolidation of their lands and businesses brought about a synergy that strengthened both families' positions in the community.

However, a tragic incident cast a dark shadow over the LaFontaine Ranch and the newly merged Mikaelson Farm. While out hunting with Jane's father, Cole fell victim to a grizzly bear attack, sustaining severe and extensive injuries. Despite being conscious, Cole was unable to communicate, and his wounds were beyond the point of medical intervention.

As Jane and her mother desperately tried to administer aid, Jack rushed to fetch a doctor. The grim reality, however, was that Cole's injuries were too grave for any medical professional to remedy. The LaFontaine family faced the agonising realisation that Cole was not only beyond help but also suffering immensely.

Faced with this unbearable situation, Jackson, recognizing the inevitable, made the painful decision to end Cole's suffering. He ordered the women to step away, knowing that a single gunshot was the only means to bring an end to the young man's agony. Jane, for the first time in her life, defied her family's wishes. She resisted her mother's attempts to lead her away, screaming and fighting against the logical understanding that this was the only course of action.

The gunshot echoed through the air, signaling the tragic conclusion to Cole's life. Jane, overwhelmed by grief and the traumatic experience, collapsed into her mother's arms. The LaFontaine family, once united in the toil and triumphs of ranch life, now faced the harsh reality of loss and the painful consequences of the untamed wilderness that surrounded their home. The event would leave an indelible mark on Jane and her family, shaping their lives in ways they could never have anticipated.

## Legacy and Tragedy

As the years passed, the LaFontaine Ranch faced the challenges of a changing society. The expansion of government branches into the region brought with it fluctuating land taxes and economic uncertainties. The family found themselves struggling to break even, and the once-thriving ranch now teetered on the edge of financial instability.

During these hard times, the LaFontaines encountered a wealthy businessman from the East named Mr. Fisher. Known for acquiring large portions of land and businesses throughout the area, Mr. Fisher presented himself as a solution to LaFontaine's financial woes. He offered to buy a portion of their land, providing the family with the funds needed to cover their taxes and settle their debts. Jackson, however, staunchly refused Mr. Fisher's offer.

Moreover, Jackson was aware of rumors circulating about other ranches and businesses in the area that had accepted Mr. Fisher's assistance, only to find themselves losing ownership entirely. Despite the financial strain, Jackson prioritized the preservation of the family legacy and the integrity of the LaFontaine Ranch. Little did they know that their decision would shape the course of their family's future and the destiny of the LaFontaine Ranch in the ever-changing landscape of the expanding West.

Not long later, the LaFontaine family found themselves in a nightmarish situation as three intruders forced their way into their home on a seemingly quiet evening. The assailants efficiently restrained Jackson, Mar-Ann, Jack, and Jane, tying them to chairs and silencing the siblings with gags to prevent them from speaking. The atmosphere grew tense as the intruders, with a particular focus on a man referred to as Mr. P., made their intentions clear. It was evident that their purpose was to coerce the LaFontaine family into selling their ranch. Parker. maintained a calm demeanor as he addressed the parents, while the other two men menacingly pointed their guns at the heads of Jack and Jane.

When Jackson didn't immediately give them the answer they wanted, it was Parker who responded brutally in a gruesome turn when he suddenly and fatally stabbed Mary-Ann in front of her family. Leaving them to witness the horrific sight of her bleeding to death. The room was filled with a chilling silence, broken only by the anguished cries of Jack and Jane, their voices muffled by the gags as Jackson stared in horrifying silence as his wife took her final breath.

Enraged and grief-stricken, Jackson cried out, threatening Parker, without hesitation, drew a knife across his throat. The patriarch of the LaFontaine family fell victim to the ruthless attack right in front of his children, who could do nothing but scream in horror through their gags. Parker and his accomplices appeared unaffected by the carnage they had caused. Instead, they shifted their attention to the remaining LaFontaine siblings.

Parker, his tone cold and calculated, addressed the siblings, reiterating the initial purpose of their intrusion: the forced sale of the LaFontaine Ranch. He warned that they could accept and walk away or they could join their parents. The threat of violence lingered in the air, and the siblings, still bound and unable to speak, exchanged helpless glances as they grappled with the shock and grief and fear of what was happening.

The LaFontaine Ranch now served as a grim backdrop to a twisted negotiation. The siblings, thrust into a dire situation beyond their control, found themselves compelled to accept the harsh reality that their lives and the fate of the ranch were at the mercy of ruthless strangers. In a desperate bid for survival, the siblings reluctantly agreed to the terms imposed upon them by their assailants.

## Desperate and Grieving

Moreover, Jack and Jane, burdened by grief and seething with anger over the brutal events at the LaFontaine Ranch, sought justice through the local sheriff. However, their hopes were crushed when they discovered that the very fabric of the law had been tainted by corruption woven by the influential Mr. Fisher. The realization that justice could not be attained through official channels left the siblings with a profound sense of helplessness and desperation.

Fueled by grief and a burning desire for vengeance, Jack and Jane decided to take matters into their own hands as they buried their parents. They devised a plan to confront and eliminate Mr. Fisher in revenge, hoping to make him pay for the unspeakable atrocities committed against their family. Unfortunately, their attempt to mete out their own form of justice proved futile, as Mr. Fisher, a shrewd and powerful adversary, thwarted their efforts with more hired guns than the siblings thought he had.

As a dire consequence of their failed attempt to kill Mr. Fisher, warrants were swiftly issued for Jack and Jane's arrest by the corrupt police force. The siblings, with no other choices available to them, fled though soon found themselves in a situation where escape seemed impossible. Jack told his sister to run and unbeknownst to Jane, he would sacrifice his freedom to ensure her escape.

Understanding that going back would likely be a death sentence for both her and Jack, Jane chose to continue fleeing from the law's relentless grasp. Her journey took her southward, seeking refuge in states where the possibility of making quick money and allies to possibly help her brother seemed more plausible.

## A Ruthless Plan

The trauma and tragedy that Jane endured left an indelible mark on her, transforming her into a person fueled by fury and newfound hatred for the broken system that failed to protect her family. The same system that now held her brother as a hostage behind bars. The once law-abiding Jane found herself driven to extremes, convinced that the only way to save her brother and seek justice was to abandon the moral constraints she had adhered to throughout her life.

The pain of loss, the betrayal of a corrupted system, and the haunting memories of her family's tragedy fueled the fire within her, pushing her beyond the boundaries of the life she once knew. With each step she took as an outlaw, her inner morals screamed at her, though she rationalised that the actions she would undertake—actions she never would have considered before—were a necessary evil in rescuing her brother.

In a remarkably short span, Jane underwent a profound transformation, adopting the alias Jane-Ann Mikaelson as she assimilated into a gang with a shared disdain for law and order, known as the Delony Basterds. Her fury and resentment toward the system became a driving force, propelling her into a life she had never imagined. Jane immersed herself in the gang's clandestine activities, channeling her newfound skills to contribute to their agenda and generate funds.

The dichotomy between the values instilled in her by her family and the ruthless persona she was cultivating for the sake of saving her brother became increasingly difficult to reconcile. Jane, burdened by the weight of her dual identity, found herself reluctantly forging connections within the law. These friendships, though unintentional, set off internal conflicts in her resolve even further.

As she made friends within the very system she sought to defy, Jane faced a moral dilemma that tested the foundations of her quest for justice. The internal turmoil grew with each passing day, and the shame she felt after each interaction with the authorities weighed heavily on her conscience.

Caught in the crossfire of conflicting loyalties, struggled to defend the person she was becoming with the one she had been raised to be. The journey to save her brother became a perilous path not only through the criminal underworld but also through the complexities of her own moral compass. The internal conflicts threatened to unravel her resolve daily, and the burden of regret and shame became as formidable an adversary as any she faced.

## The Turning point

A letter arrived with a crushing blow, shattering the fragile hope that had sustained Jane throughout her journey. The news, delivered by an old friend back home, revealed a tragic and irreparable reality. Her brother, the last tether to her family and the reason for her desperate quest, had been killed on the very day they fled. The law, once entrusted with maintaining justice, had become the instrument of their destruction. Mr. Fisher, seizing the opportunity, had claimed their land and obliterated the home that held the echoes of their family history. She had nothing and no one to return to.

The revelation left Jane adrift in a sea of grief and regret. The crimes committed in the pursuit of saving her brother now seemed futile, and the once-clear purpose of her journey dissolved into a void. Everything she thought she knew had crumbled, leaving her stranded in a limbo of sorrow and despair.

Simultaneously, her connections within the law had deepened. Good friends among the lawmen urged her to sever ties with the Delony Basterds. They tried to convince her that a life beyond the shadows was still possible even with the notoriety she had amassed.

Amidst the conflicting alliances and the weight of grief, one individual emerged as a pivotal force in Jane's decision to defect—the Sheriff, Rip Hemlock, who transcended his role as a mere lawman to become a trusted confidant. Their meetings provided solace for Jane, fleeting moments where she could momentarily escape the shadows that enshrouded her existence. Rip's unwavering determination to extricate Jane from the clutches of the Delony Basterds played a crucial role in her internal struggles. He perceived beyond the criminal façade she wore, recognizing the woman burdened by grief, remorse, and the yearning for redemption.

Jane's moment of decision occurred on a day when the gang embarked on a mission to confront law enforcement, riding a four-horse carriage with the intent to gun down any opposing forces. Fate intervened as Jane met with Rip in the city on that very day. Observing the masked faces of the approaching gang riding atop the wagon with malicious intent, she swiftly decided to assist Rip in evading what she termed "the wagon of death."

This pivotal choice set in motion a series of events wherein Jane collaborated with the authorities, eventually leading her to join law enforcement alongside Rip and other cherished allies. However, this decision marked her as a target for nearly every criminal and even those not known to law, subjecting her to numerous near-death encounters orchestrated by her former gang and their associates.

## Something to fight for

As Jane delved deeper into her new role within the law, the challenges she faced became increasingly perilous. The Delony Basterds, feeling betrayed by her defection, pursued her relentlessly. Jane's every step was shadowed by the looming threat of retribution, and the line between hunter and hunted blurred in the twisted dance of justice and revenge. Rip, understanding the gravity of Jane's situation, became not only her mentor but also a steadfast shield against the storm of dangers that assailed her. A profound bond developed between Jane and Rip, forged through shared trials, experiences, and the mutual trust they cultivated.

Jane, while forever marked by the shadows of her past, discovered a renewed sense of purpose and a semblance of tranquillity in the company of those who had stood by her side. However, Jane's conviction in the pursuit of justice was put to the ultimate test one fateful evening when she witnessed Rip teetering on the precipice of darkness. The scene unfolded as a heated confrontation escalated, and the lines between righteousness and ruthless vengeance blurred. Rip, fueled by a potent mix of anger and frustration, found himself dangerously close to killing a man in custody who had wronged them, nearly beating him to death.

The aftermath became a pivotal juncture for Jane and Rip. Confronted with the consequences of their actions, Rip chose to depart, recognizing the need for distance from a path that was sure to lead him behind bars. In contrast, Jane felt compelled to remain, driven by a conviction to redefine justice from within. Jane, understanding the complexities of their shared journey, chose to support Rip in his decision, even in the face of potential criminal consequences, reflected a commitment to a different kind of justice—one that acknowledged the complexities of human nature and sought a balance between moral responsibility and the pursuit of what they believed was right.