doomsday. ( yellowjackets )

soixante-neuf.

xxx.

chapter soixante-neuf.
chapter sixty nine.

1997.

xxx.

Alex was kind of a genius, if she had to brag. That, or she had enough experience with tracking down Yellowjackets to know that bringing something along that could act as a makeshift shelter in a pinch was a good idea. That was why she and Mari were sitting inside a DIY tent that would pit even a squad of Girl Scouts to shame. It was just a piece of tarp they took from the plane and a few reinforced branches that held it up, just barely taller than their heads, but it worked well enough.

She wasn't all that worried about wolves or other creatures trying to attack them in their sleep, but between her knee and whatever had happened to her out there, Mari's eyes were flickering around the tent, more paranoid than Alex had ever seen her.

" You're okay, Mari, you can stop with the crazy eyes now. " Alex pointed out, relighting the lantern she'd brought, listening to it click, click, click until a flame finally appeared. It might not be been the safest thing inside such a small space of flammable objects, but they survived one fire, right? Plus, it was only going to be on long enough for Alex to examine Mari's leg injury, she planned on turning it off when they slept.

Their legs sat in between one another due to the lack of space, and everytime Alex's knee so much as grazed Mari's, she'd visibly wince. At first, Alex rolled her eyes, bringing the lantern closer to their bodies so she could look at Mari's knee; however, upon the light illuminating her injury, Alex could see why exactly it hurt so badly.

Under the dim, orange glow, Alex and Mari's legs looked relatively similar; tan in complexion, athletic and lean, covered in random scratches and bruises, but Mari's injured one was swollen nearly twice the size. Her kneecap, and even the skin surrounding it was a deep maroon color, bruising nastily.

Still, Alex attempted to make light of the situation in an effort to make Mari feel better, and murmured, " Don't be such a baby, Mar. "

" Fuck you, it hurts. " Mari answered, though she let the words out in a breathy, tense laugh. She watched closely as Alex's fingers drifted to touch her leg, and nearly drew back in fearful anticipation.

Alex lifted her gaze to meet Mari's, insisting quickly, " You remember that time that girl from that one school none of us could pronounce the name of? They had like, Vikings or some shit as their mascot, and she full on slammed into Van and the pole of the goal. "

Not sure she was seeing where that was going, Mari hesitantly nodded in confirmation, causing Alex to continue, " It dislocated Van's shoulder, she made me fix it on the field before the ref could come over and pull her from the game. "

Mari still wore a weary expression, and Alex let out a small exhale. She raised her hand to pat the side of the other girl's face, though paused for a second when she actually looked at her; her eyes were reddened, which, of course, Alex assumed from her sniffles that she'd been crying, but they were almost completely bloodshot and irritated. Alex thought it best to not question her yet on it, though, and simply proceeded with gently smacking her cheek.