𝕮𝖎𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖞𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 - Teen timeline

𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝕿𝖜𝖔

Veronica stands beside Natalie, the group had been discussing Mari.
More importantly, how Mari hadn't returned since last night.
"If she was waiting until sunrise, she would have been back by now,"
Natalie shrugs, "She could be...asleep somewhere?"
Akilah furrows her brows, "Could anyone sleep after hearing those sounds?"
Van nods from her spot beside Taissa, "For real, like, what if those sounds were something eating. Mari?"
Veronica shakes her head slightly, "I doubt it."
"Really," Van deadpans, "You doubt it?"
Veronica shrugs, "We would have heard Mari's screams. Those screams didn't even sound humane last night."

"Shauna," Taissa calls as the brunette makes her way close to the group. "Mari didn't come home last night. Any insight here?"
Shauna shakes her head, "I don't know,"
"Where even were you just now?"
"Jesus, we don't have time for this," Natalie interrupts, "I'm gonna find Mari. Is anyone else in?"
Misty is quick to shoot her hand up in the air, raising from her seat.
Natalie stares at Misty for a moment before redirecting her attention.
"Shauna. You're coming with me,"
"I'm not looking for her. Fuck Mari," Shauna spits before storming into her shelter.
Natalie sighs, grabbing her bag.
"I'm coming too, Nat," Misty approaches the bleach blonde before she can protest.
Natalie squeezes her eyes shut in annoyance for a second before she looks over to her girlfriend.
"Ronnie?"

Veronica opens her mouth to agree, but Taissa cuts her off.
"Vee is going to help Van and I." she looks at Veronica, "Right, Vee?"
Natalie sends Taissa a glare, Veronica shrugs, "Fuck it. Lets do it."
Natalie lets out a small groan, but Veronica just stands and kisses Natalie's cheek.
"Be safe. See you soon."
Natalie nods, "Bye, Ronnie. If I'm not back soon it's because Misty talked my ear off to death."
Veronica lets out a small laugh, watching as Misty and Natalie wander off.

Veronica turns to Taissa and Van, the trio is ready to head off but Travis stops them.
"Hey, uh if you guys are looking for Mari, I still know the woods really well. It should make it easier. So, mind if I come with you?"
"Yeah," Van nods.
"You guys go up and ahead," Lottie interrupts, "I need Travis for something,"
The three girls all share a look but listen to Lottie and begin making their way through the woods.

~~~

The three girls wander through the woods, each taking their turn yelling out Mari's name in hope of finding her.
"Mari!" Veronica yells, looking around the forest surrounding her.
Taissa follows after her, calling her name another couple times.
"Mari!" Van shouts before glancing over both her shoulders, "Here piggy, piggy,"
Taissa smacks Van's shoulder, "She could be dead,"
"Well than she won't be offended," Van replies, earning a small laugh from Veronica.
"And if she's dead-"
"If she's dead, Natalie's fucked," Taissa states bluntly, "God, she boned that so hard,"
"She couldn't have known Mari would throw a temper tantrum and storm away," Veronica is quick to defend. "Besides, if anything it was Shauna starting shit. I mean, spitting in her food? It was totally uncalled for."
Taissa scoffs, "Yeah well, Shauna's been through hell and back."
"I'm not saying she hasn't," Veronica looks at her best friend, "But it's bullshit that you make excuses for her when some of her actions are uncalled for. Just because Shauna is miserable does not mean she gets to make life hell for everyone else. As for Natalie, it's not like she is a pro leader. She didn't ask for this shit. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have all the responsibility thrust upon you like that."

"You're only saying that because she's your girlfriend," Taissa scoffs again.
Veronica rolls her eyes, "Oh please. Like you wouldn't defend Van."
Van snickers, "Yeah, Tai. Are you saying you wouldn't go all lawyer mode to defend me?"
Taissa groans, "You two are impossible."
"No," Veronica shrugs, "I'm just being honest."

Taissa shakes her head, "Back to the point. It's not just what happened last night."
"Then what is it?"
"Lets not forget how she didn't even let us try and look for Coach," Taissa glances around, "What kind of message does that send?"
Veronica feels her stomach churn and her head spin at the mention of Coach. She clenches her hands into a tight fist, tight enough she can feel blood begin to seep under her fingernails.
Van bites the inside of her cheek, "Yeah, well. She never wanted to believe he did it."
"I get that, but...who else could it have been?"
The question lingers like a stab in the stomach for Veronica.
She had been trying to think of what or who else it could have been that started the fire, but nothing seemed more plausible than Coach burning down the cabin.
Veronica, like Natalie, didn't want to believe.
She really wanted to believe any other possibility, but she couldn't force herself to.