doomsday. ( yellowjackets )

cinquante-sept.

xxx.

chapter cinquante-sept.
chapter fifty seven.

2021.

xxx.

" Well, fuck, I didn't have to go to the class reunion, you're all fucking here. " Alex commented as she looked up from Anja, who sat around the dry fire pit with Tara, her attention turned to Lottie, who was now accompanied by Natalie of all people. " When did you get here? "

" It's wonderful, isn't it? That we've all found each other again after such a tragedy? " Lottie smiled gracefully, making the other three women exchange flat looks with one another. The Matthews woman clasped her hands together before vaguely elaborating, " My people had been keeping an eye on Natalie for a while, since Travis..to keep her from doing something she'd regret. "

That comment made Natalie turn away, ashamed, while Tara and Alex simply looked to each other. Lottie made an apologetic smile and gestured to the blonde as she added, " I would've extended the same courtesy to you, of course, but we had no information about your whereabouts. "

" Yeah, that was kind of the point. " Tara murmured under her breath, letting out a sigh as she ran her hands over her face, pulling Anja closer to herself. " We aren't here for a reunion, this isn't some fun get together. "

" What is it exactly, Tara? Why are you all here? " Lottie questioned, her tone getting to that philosophical sound that made Tara instantly clench her jaw in response. " I think that you've all been brought here for a reason— "

" Yeah, Lottie, the reason is that Travis is— " Tara broke her sentence quickly enough to cover the child's ears tightly before continuing in a heated voice, " dead. Alex is here because I told her I was here, and you basically just admitted to kidnapping Natalie. We aren't here because of fate, we're here because of you doing things you shouldn't have, what a surprise. "

Alex made a face like she didn't totally agree with that, but she didn't confront Tara with that; a grieving woman was not the person she wanted to try and talk back to, let alone Tara of all people. She glanced at Natalie briefly, but the other brunette didn't even blink at that, staring at Lottie as she took in what Tara said.

" Things you shouldn't have done? " She repeated, catching the other two women's attention then, her face screwing up in accusation, " Did you have something to do with Travis? "

" Can we not talk about this right now? " Tara asked, squeezing her daughter's arms as she made a pointed gesture between Natalie and Lottie, " Or at all, preferably. "

" Here, uh, I'll stay with Tara and Anja, you guys go..catch up. I'm sure you need it. " Alex offered, meeting Lottie's eyes, who gave her an appreciate smile that Alex only met with a firm nod. She watched as Lottie guided Natalie away, waiting until they were both out of sight for her to turn back to Tara and Anja.

Alex also needed to 'catch up' with Lottie, but she was putting it off for as long as she possibly could, not in any hurry to speak with a woman she helped put in a psychiatric unit 25 years ago. Plus, she knew Tara was in a fragile state, she didn't want to leave her alone in a place full of strangers. She could wait to talk to Lottie. She didn't want to talk to her about Travis, or the Wilderness, since it was already clearly on everyone's minds, so she just sat in silence as she watched Anja pick up a stick, drawing in the dirt.