Chapter 1 - Life's A Bitch, and Then It Get's Worse
Most people had called her fortunate her entire life... gifted…blessed even... Privileged was often the word used in polite company - spoiled and pampered were the ones used in less polite company. But these past few months, she hardly felt privileged, spoiled, pampered, or whatever other name she'd been called. But little did she realize how wrong she was – she had been so spoiled these past months since the world as she knew it evaporated. She looked to her constant companions as they continued to lead her and protect her.
"Eris, you must hurry..." the younger woman was urged on by the authoritative man and woman; one running ahead, the other running behind... sandwiching her in between. "You must go... do not stop...we are almost there" the urging continued on as they ran through the southern Georgia woods.
Eris had serious doubts as to the validity of their statements as she continued wiping off the sweat that continued to pour into her eyes. She had never in her life experienced the burning sensation of sweating so much that it actually drips down into your eyes and stings like salt water at the beach. She had always considered herself to be in excellent physical shape - all determined in the climate controlled environment of the well-appointed gymnasium. But this heat and humidity - this wasn't anything she was familiar with. Her only bonus was the lower elevation - she could breathe so much better. She didn't even want to consider all the bugs and ticks - they could get in places... well her gynecologist would have had a hard time finding some of those bastards.
Giles finally motioned for her to stop and Chantal rested a firm hand at her back as she tried to get her breathing back under control. They'd finally reached another tiny town, but this time without their vehicle and only the supplies they had on their backs. Giles, motioned for her to remain silent and as always, Eris obeyed. She knew automatically that Giles would find them safety and shelter in this small town. She had complete faith in him – she had her entire life and he'd never once let her down.
It was night and they slowly made their way along the back alleys of the town watching out for both the walking dead and alive. They'd learned that both were dangerous. Giles would round a corner making sure it was clear before motioning for Eris and Chantal to follow quickly behind. After weeks and weeks of this, Eris was familiar with the drill. She followed in quick, precise, military movements as Giles lead the way. Eris no longer even bothered thinking of her old life…. It was a waste of time.
"Move Eris, Allez. Vite…." Chantal whispered from behind as they silently passed what looked to be an old western saloon. Eris stole a glance at the sign – Hatlands. Appropriate, she thought as images of old movie westerns filled her mind. Suddenly, shots were fired and Giles and Chantal shoved Eris into the saloon and quickly followed her, guns drawn. It was there bad luck that it happened to be where the shots originated.
"Put yer guns down" came the stern command. Eris, Giles and Chantal looked around the dusty old saloon and saw a recently shot man bleeding out on the wooden floor and three armed men, one dressed as a sheriff. Giles had learned to take nothing for granted by now and the sheriff outfit meant less than nothing.
"I don't think so, not until you put yours down," Giles said as Chantal backed him up, both covering Eris who was standing there not knowing what to do.
Eris looked at the three men in front of her and back at Chantal and Giles and then at the bloody man lying on the floor. She felt the exhaustion take over as the nausea welled up…the blood pooling on the wooden floor...she was having difficulty focusing on anything other than the sickly metallic stench of the blood that permeated around her…, "Giles, no more s'il vous plait?" and everything finally got the better of her. Eris crumpled to the floor.
It was only by the grace of the god that the men in front of them did not shoot them… did not shoot her, Giles thought. Giles would have that discussion with her later – about the necessity of being strong in the face of adversity. This was something she could not afford to ever do again.
When the elderly man rushed to Eris' aid, Giles took that opportunity to judge their measure…one of his many skills, and ascertained that these were not the true perpetrators here. Chantal observed the concerned look on the Asian's face and came up with the same conclusion. With an imperceptible nod to Giles, they both put their weapons down… immediately de-escalating the situation.
After Hershel assisted Eris to a chair and brought her back to consciousness, Giles and Chantal appreciated the gentle coaxing tone the elderly man used with Eris. Glenn was the one who brought her a glass of water and a small glass of whiskey as introductions were made. The sheriff was Rick Grimes, the elderly man was a doctor, name of Hershel Greene and the Asian was Glenn.
"I'm Giles, this is Chantal, and our companion with the standing problem is Eris," Giles introduced the threesome, but earned an annoyed glare from Eris for the less than flattering introduction. The others only chuckled. "Our vehicle became stranded and we've been looking for a safe place… as I'm sure you are" Giles made the most obvious assumption and Rick did not correct.
It was during their introductions, that the friends of the dead men (they'd learned there was another man dead behind the bar) came looking for their brethren. Rick tried to negotiate with the men who stood outside… to explain that it was self-defense to no avail. Giles and Chantal protected Eris as more shots were fired into the bar.
"I have to be real honest with you ," Rick told them in a whisper so their attackers couldn't determine their position. "You three have walked smack into a mess that ain't yers and I apologize right now fer that. And I also know I have no right to ask for your help, but I'm going to do it just the same.. I really don't think these people are the type to let bygones be bygones, so I have to ask…. Will you help?" the Sheriff bored his searing eyes into Giles.
"If you help us get out of here, you are welcome to return to the farm with us," Hershel offered. "We have been relatively safe there." Rick looked at Hershel quizzically as he thought of the old man's earlier mandate for them all to leave. Perhaps they all had a chance?
Giles looked at Chantal who looked back at Giles. Eris was annoyed at how little either looked at her, but knew that her voice mattered little in this decision and she would go along with whatever they thought best - but still, it rankled that they refused to consider she was an intelligent grown woman now. Their decision would always be what was best for Eris, but it still irked. Finally Giles nodded silently that they were in, as men began to move towards the bar.
Giles and Chantal scurried Eris into the corner near Glenn making sure her sidearm was ready. Meanwhile they quickly moved to cover the front door and window and Hershel and Rick had the rear. Soon Giles left Chantal at the front to rush over and discuss a plan to evacuate the bar with Rick, who he'd easily determined was the leader.
The front was clearly blocked so the plan was for Glenn to get to the car while Giles and Chantal covered the front and Rick and Hershel covered the rear. Eris remained in the corner as more shots were fired and struggled to keep her breathing and fear under control. She watched from a protected alcove in at the exit and could tell Glenn hadn't made it to the car. It looked like he had fallen behind the dumpster and Chantal could see the terror in her eyes. Chantal left the window and moved to the door.
"He fell behind the dumpster, I think he's hit," Eris explained to Chantal that Glenn had been unable to get to the car. Chantal left her a minute to speak to Rick who told her which car it was and gave her the extra set of keys. She kissed Eris on the cheek and then made a run for it.
Eris had clamored close to the doorway to see what was happening and was able to watch Chantal serpentine towards the SUV. Shots rang out and Chantal scampered side to side to evade them. Eris heard the shot ring and saw Chantal jerk and then fall down. Eris gasped then cried out as she instinctively ran out the door towards Chantal as tears began running down her face. Rick raced to hold her back and she screamed for Giles.
"Chantal… Giles..it's Chantal." Giles came running across the bar to see what was happening. He saw Chantal lying on her back across the lawn. She was struggling to lift he head up, but Giles could see she was hurt bad. Even worse he saw seven walkers almost right on top of her. Giles raced out onto the open plaza to try and get to Chantal first. He'd only made it 10 yards before he saw one of the walkers bite of her leg and Chantal screamed. Giles raised his pistol and whispered, "j'taime". He kept his promise and shot her in the brain. Giles stood there in shock for a moment as he absorbed he had just shot Chantal. He didn't even hear the other shots or feel the sting under his left rib.
"No… Giles.. No…" Eris screamed at him as he raced back to her, but all he did was wrap her in his arms and stifle her screams.
To Eris' shock Glenn scurried from around the dumpter and made it to the car. It was less than a minute before he pulled it around the back entrance of the bar and Giles stuffed Eris in while continuing to provide cover. Giles then watched in confusion and amazement at these strangers when they came across a young boy with his leg impaled upon a metal fence post. Even though they knew he was with the other gang, they refused to leave him for the walkers, even though Giles would just as soon put a bullet in the boys brain after what had happened to Chantal. Instead he found himself defending them from walkers as they struggled to get theboy and his impaled leg off the fence and into the car - Randall.
Eris rode in the back of the SUV with Giles' arm snugly around her and the bloody prisoner thrown in the back. It was difficult for Eris to even appreciate the bucolic beauty of the farm during the drive as she tried to comprehend their life without Chantal. She knew Giles and Chantal were in love (had been forever) and how much pain he was in after having actually shot her – that he'd had to. 'What kind of world had made that the right thing to do?" she thought, even though deep down she knew it was what Chantal demanded from both of them.
The big Suburban pulled to a stop in front of a large white farmhouse and everyone got out except she and Giles. Giles head lobbed to the side and he was having difficulty staying awake which wasn't like him, Eris knew. He had always been the one to stay awake for days at a time it seemed to keep watch while he insisted she sleep.
"Giles…wake up. We are here." Eris nudged him to let him know they'd arrived. Giles' head fell limply to the side, causing her more concern. "Giles… we are here." She pushed him harder. Still no response.
Her breathe stopped and her heart caught as panic set in. She sought out the elderly man. "Hershel, please help?" Eris screamed as she held Giles in her arms and he fell limply onto her. It was only then that she noticed the pooling of blood on his shirt and on her hands..
"Please help him… he is all I have." she cried.
Hershel looked into the heartbreaking eyes of the young woman who had already lost one person tonight because of his foolishness and may now lose another. "Young lady, I will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen." He grabbed Giles from her and motioned for Rick to help him before he began barking orders to someone named Patricia.
Eris stood helplessly by as Giles was carried from her. Eris found herself covered in blood staring at a bunch of strangers. She had never felt so entirely alone and lost as she had at this moment.