doomsday. ( yellowjackets )

soixante-seize.

xxx.

chapter soixante-seize.
chapter seventy six.

1997.

xxx.

            " Oh, my God, Tara, are you sick? " Akilah's voice was the first one to break above a whisper, her brows drawn together as she moved towards the blonde, hand extended out to hover over her shoulder.

Natalie had already been sulking off to her tent, planning to get as far away as possible, to forget what had just happened and what would have to happen eventually; however, she was still within earshot and heard Akilah. Natalie was quick to whip around, and within seconds, she was right behind Akilah, walking up to Tara. Her eyes, previously reddened by frustration and hurt, narrowed in concern as she looked over Tara.

" I'm fine. " Tara muttered, reaching for Travis's hand behind her to pull herself back up to stand, dragging the back of her other hand across her mouth.

" She's pregnant. "

Tara's eyes, as well as quite literally every single pair, instantly shot over to Shauna. The brunette stood, her fists crossed over her chest, holding on to the sides of her flannel like she was physically restraining herself. The joy of getting the outcome she wanted, she fought for with the trial was short lived, the feeling of control and power too short to be relished as it all crumbled within seconds because of Tara.

" You are, aren't you? " She spoke again, the accusation short and sharp, jagged as it cut through the air between them.

Tara still remained silent, simply staring back at Shauna, unwilling to break the growing heat and harshness of her gaze. Tara didn't need to respond, so she wasn't going to. Instead, she ignored Akilah and Natalie's concern, and watched the festering happening under Shauna's surface. She could practically see the anger and the anguish of a memory that would never really leave her constant thoughts rise to her skin.

If being pregnant in the Wilderness didn't kill her, Shauna would. Her silence wasn't helping Tara reassure herself that Shauna wasn't going to lunge over at her.

Instead of replying to the question that needn't not be answered, Tara simply turned her back on the group and began walking towards the perimeter of the camp, to the trees.

" Tara, wait— " She heard Travis call to her softly, but her hand left his grasp, barely gesturing it to tell him to leave her be.

He listened, or so she thought he did, as Tara was able to quickly maneuver through the trees to get away from the group and their no doubt endlessly propelling questions and prodding. As soon as she passed a particularly thick tree, Tara let out a small breath of relief, resting her back against the bark. She held her hands to her face as she pressed her head into the tree too, trying to stop her brain for two seconds before she heard the crunching of footsteps approaching.

" Travis, please, I just need a minute. " Tara tried to dismiss him, but she didn't hear him leave. She didn't hear him move at all, not a step closer to her, which made her realize that it wasn't Travis at all. Tara didn't even turn to look at who it actually was, she just kept staring ahead at the trees, whom were quiet for once. Her shoulders pulled forward as she asked, " What do you want, Nat? "