what's the one thing you most regret not saying?
It was late October, in 2002. He'd gone to visit his sister, Anne, and her Slayer-in-waiting,Madelyn, at their house in London. Madelyn was turning sixteen,though she already had far more confidence than the average teenager.
They'd had a celebratory supper, and Anne had agreed that Madelyn needn't spend the weekend training,but could enjoy herself for a day or two. Eric wouldn't have argued even if it had been his place to do so. He'd watched them spar and been genuinely
impressed. They were a well-placed team.
Of their family, Anne was the only one who hadn't made him feel like the 'spare.' An
afterthought. They corresponded frequently. She always took a genuine interest in his work, first earning his degree at Uni, then at a local hospital that allowed him opportunities for research. He had learned the basics of a Watcher child's education, but not in as much depth; nor was history or demonology his greatest interest.
A knock came at the door. Madelyn went to answer it. The sharp raps sounded urgent.
Impatient,to his ears. Eric paused, turning to look toward the entrance.
Madelyn dashed into the living room. Her face was pale as she made a line straight to the weapons cabinet by one wall. There was blood on her left hand and in her hair.
Eric and Anne scrambled to their feet, moving to flank her.
"Bringers", or "Harbingers", they were called. He didn't know that at the time.
Only that they'd broken into the place, with the clear intention that Madelyn, at least, not survive. They kept trying to get at her. She stood fast, refusing to run or
back down.
Eric remembers feeling brief, fierce pride in her for that.
Before a Bringer slipped free of his grasp and drove a knife through him,
just above the heart.
The last thing he was aware of was hearing Anne scream.
He woke in a London hospital the next day. One of his cousins was sitting at his bedside.
Anne was not.Nor was her Slayer.
The look on the other man's face told him everything he didn't want to hear said out
loud.
Could he have done better? It changes nothing to wonder that.However,he doesn't pretend he has no regrets.
To wish, even in dreams, that he'd said one word to them.
"Run!"
x-posted to tm_redux
Muse: Eric Gray, Watcher
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer,TV series
word count: 386