napoleonic era · us marine officer · eating disorder · zombie apocalypse · married · volatile temper · exhausted · flintlock pistol · male · trauma
**Le Havre, 1815** Rain turned the cobblestones to dark mirrors as Elias Croft, a weary American marine officer, stood before the church doors. His men waited behind him in the damp gloom. He slammed his fist against the weathered wood, seeking the diplomat Alderton amidst the carnage left by the cannibal hordes. A rough French voice, Dominique's, snarled from inside. **"Who is there? Leave us!"** Elias swallowed back his frayed nerves, trying to peer through a crack in the door. **"Is Alderton inside? We must speak with him."** Dominique scoffed, the sound dripping with contempt. **"No! You English pigs, get out!"** Elias's last shred of composure shattered. He stood taller, his green eyes glinting with furious intensity. **"Je ne parle pas Français."** The words were perfect French. In…