Helter Sketler

Claire was quick to adjust to the new reality, despite the fatigue of recent events. Or so it seemed recent. Unaware of how much time had passed since she was taken up by the fog, the memories still lingered like it was yesterday. Maybe it was. Who knew? Regardless, Claire continued to carry any ounce of hope for an escape, just like she did in Raccoon City. Though she was joyful to have found her brother and close friend, she wished it was under better circumstances, away from trorture. She was in college, just looking for her brother when the presumably worst could’ve happened, but what was worse? A zombie apocalypse or an endless loop of trials, fighting for your life. Claire didn’t understand how it all went down to begin with, one second she was hand in hand with Leon and Sherry, leaving the life they knew behind, the next becoming engulfed into a mist. Sherry– she had to find a way out for her.

Then there was the Leon situation, as Jill put it when she voiced her troubles one day. Claire noticed the slight distance the ex rookie officer took as soon as they got there, interactions to a minimum. At first, Claire didn’t think much of it, assuming the rookie just wanted space. She understood that much, she couldn’t imagine what he must have going on in his head. It worried her, but she kept from intruding. In fact, she kept herself busy with the entity, often going on small walks or investigations with other survivors in attempts of finding their way out. Claire had found herself somewhat more knowledgeable about the entity and her surroundings, even if she still had more questions than answers, it was somewhat a win. She’d take anything she could get at that point, having felt as if she spent an eternity there already.

Post trial, Claire was usually tired, depending on how it went. Harder ones had her beaten down, both physically and emotionally. Dying or seeing her teammates die before her was rough as is, but constantly? It made her seem like a failure if she couldn’t get everyone other than herself out of the enemy’s grasp. This trial was successful, by any means. Claire stayed behind to make sure they all made it past the gates, at the cost of her life. The seemingly endless nothingness after death was draining enough. Even after falling victim to the entity’s hand multiple times, there was no getting used to it, whatever feeling it was. Processing it alone was difficult, how do you process temporary death? You don’t.

So instead of speaking to the others, Claire sat alone and silent. Processing the worst, letting her wounds heal before she would go back to the group. Staring off into the fire, picking off the grass beneath her, Claire barely noticed anyone walking up on her. Luckily, it was a familiar face, but one she didn’t expect to see.

“Have at it.” Claire nodded, shifting in her spot to look a little less exhausted. “How’ve you been?”