The Story of Umbra Shade

[MoonTide]

(( This is a post for Umbra Shade. As he is my alt, I figured it'd be easier just to post under here. For all purposes of reading, it is from a diary kept by Umbra Shadow, a SJS Alumni, who is Umbra Shade's father. While not all the details of this would be known to his friends, I'm sure some of it would have come up now and then while talking, if anyone was asking about his childhood, or even how he became a warshade. I'll keep adding to this. Any typoes, questions, whatnot, please message me. ))

The Story of Umbra Shade

June 15, 1991

My son was born today. We named him Lewis, after my grandfather who helped me so much when I was younger. However, he is sickly, and the doctors are unsure as to why. They said he is in no danger of dying, but still, it tears at our hearts. With all this power I have, the power to crush any fool who would stand in my way, I am powerless to help him.

My wife, Kim, is likewise sick. We were told before, when she found out she was pregnant, that she had some sort of problem, but it shouldn't be anything to worry about. Well, I'm worrying about it now. The lives of both of them swing in the breeze, and it feels like a storm is coming.

Not really knowing what else to do, I will continue to write my thoughts here, in hopes that one day Lewis will read it, and know what his first days were like.

(signed) Derrick “Umbra Shadow” Sinclair

June 16, 1991

It is late. I am tired, but it seems I have forgotten how to sleep. My son is doing better, he's off all the machines, but still being watched over closely. My wife, however, continues to fade. She was out ever since shortly after Lewis was born. She was able to hold him for a few seconds before she passed out. I fear for her.

(unsigned)

June 18, 1991

I am not one to take bad news very well. I guess that's why when they told me she died, I got so angry I had to be sedated. I'm calmer now, cause of the drugs or just accepting that she's gone, I don't know which. Now, I'm left with a son, and no mother to him. They told me he's still doing well, but will likely be sickly his whole life. I am at a loss on what to do.

I am a “hero” after all, and I have responsibilities to the city just as I have to him. I am torn. It wasn't supposed to be like this!

I guess I'm just freaking out as any new dad does. I have friends, I'm sure something will work out. As for me, I'll be fine – someday.

(signed) Derrerk
June 23, 1991

It's been a few days since the funeral. It's still strange to come home and she's not there. I think it'll be like that for a while. Because of the nature of my work, Lewis has been placed with a sort of foster family. It's not like I gave up him, no I wouldn't be able to do that. It's a service that families around the area do for the city. They take in children, even newborns like my son, and help take care of them. With being a hero, it's not a 9-5 job. I met with them before I agreed. They are a great family, and have two kids of their own, one 13, and one 7.

I think this will work out great. From what I see from their own children, they are good parents. I don't know the first thing, myself. I think if I even tried to take care of him alone, he really would end up in a foster home.

I buy stuff for him, diapers, bottles, all the “baby” things that are needed. In return, I will be able to come over, spend time with him, and all that stuff. He's still a little sickly, but stable, at least.

Son, if you do ever read this, I hope you understand why I still have to do what I do. Don't think of this as me giving you up, think of it as me giving you something good.

June 15, 1992

Man, it's been a while since I recorded anything in here. Today is Lewis's first birthday. He's been doing well, and thinking of it reminded me of this. The set up I described before is still the same. It's been working great. I get to watch my boy grow, knowing he is safe and well taken care of. They get to have the joy of a new baby without really having one.

That reminds, it's also been almost a year since Kim died. I still think about her often. I think she would be pleased with how things have turned out. Or maybe I just want to think that, I don't know.

Well, after thinking of what else to write for over an hour now, it's time to go. I guess I'm not as good at this as I thought I would be.