Love Restrained | Yellowjackets

chapter thirty four

XXXIV

The attic was weakly lit, shadows dancing across the walls as the sunlight failed to entirely light the room. Lottie laid on a thin improvised bed on the floor, her body still bruised and battered, the movements still painful but getting better.

The muffled sounds of a commotion downstairs had reached her ears these past days, disrupting the usual quiet solitude.

Misty had just entered the attic, her face flushed and breath slightly uneven. She tried to compose herself as she approached Lottie, her eyes betraying a hint of anxiety. Lottie's eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers.

"Misty" She began, her voice low and urgent
"What happened?"

"Hayden's back." Misty broke the news.

"What?" Her eyes filled with concern and confusion. "H-how?"

"We don't know." She just shrugged "She won't talk about it."

Lottie kept looking at her, waiting for more. She knew there was more. Misty hesitated, glancing toward the attic door as if considering how much to reveal. She took a deep breath, the silence between them growing heavy.

"Natalie drew the queen." Misty finally said, her voice trembling slightly "But then... then she showed up."

Lottie's expression darkened, her jaw tightening. "You drew the cards again?"

Misty furrowed her brows, "Yeah, for you." She looked at Lottie like the girl had missed the whole point.

"What?"

"We need you, Lottie"

A heavy silence filled the room as Lottie processed her words. Misty's eyes narrowed slightly, and she took a deep breath.

"Look, I told them what you said to me, how you didn't wanna go to waist..."

"No, Misty. I never.... I never wanted this." Lottie shook her head, her eyes wide. She was incredulous "How could you let them?"

Misty's expression turned slightly patronizing. She wasn't getting why Lottie was apparently mad about it.

"How could I let them?" Misty scoffed "First, nobody died. We actually got one back"

"Yeah but, you were gonna-"

"Lottie..." Misty interrupted her from judging their actions and intentions "You started this. You were the one to first believe in the Wilderness and everything."

Lottie just stared at her. Disbelief in her eyes.

"So you better not start making people feel bad about it now."

"I-" Lottie tried but Misty didn't have anything to say anymore.

"I think it's time for you to come down."

Suddenly, a hush fell over the group gathered downstairs as they saw a familiar figure approaching. Lottie was walking slowly but steadily. Her steps were careful. Misty following behind, giving assistance.

"Lottie." Shauna was the one to break the silence.

"Hi." The girl gave a weak smile.

Mari instantly got up as she saw Lottie, almost running towards her, her arms outstretched. Some of the other girls quickly followed her, their expressions a mix of joy and relief as they went for a group hug.

"We're so happy you are okay."

As they let go of Lottie and Natalie could finally face her, she couldn't help the knot in her stomach. She had been silently carrying the guilt of Lottie's state. And seeing her now, brought a wave of relief, but it also intensified the guilt. But before she could say anything to the girl, Hayden's curiosity got in her way.