doomsday. ( yellowjackets )

soixante-dix sept.

xxx.

chapter soixante-dix sept.
chapter seventy seven

1997.

xxx.

Winter was approaching again, quickly. Months have passed since the trial and failed execution of Coach Scott. Sam was still nowhere to be found, which was probably for the best. Some of them theorized she was still sneaking around out there, but Natalie was choosing to believe that something else had killed her before the group could; it was, unfortunately, a much more peaceful outcome in her eyes.

Days got shorter, night fell faster, leaving little daylight for their crops. The warm summer breeze had started to chill in the evenings, causing them to bring out their colder garb even sooner than any of them anticipated. It wasn't discussed freely that they were coming upon a second winter. No one wanted to talk about it, to think about the morbid reality that 'rescue' seemed more and more like a pipe dream with every day that passed.

The dynamic at camp had shifted, similarly to the temperatures growing cooler and the leaves starting to brown. Natalie and Theo were both outcasted, ostracized; not in actions but in awkward looks cast towards them by the others— in the way that Mari would only spare glances at Natalie when she thought no one was looking, and Lottie attempted conversations with Theo only to be shut down immediately. It was clear that the group no longer saw Natalie as their leader; she had put her own interests and feelings first with Coach Scott and Sam, effectively pulling all responsibility that rested on her helm.

However, that meant that someone else had to be in charge. It wasn't said out loud, but it was known. The group was split when it came to decisions and discussions, uncertain of who to look to for permission or guidance. Eyes like Melissa and Gen found Shauna, others, like Van, Mari, and Misty, found Alex.

It was a growing tension that worsened every single day. While what Alex had done to Coach Scott scared most of them, or angered some of them (Theo), it only pissed Shauna off. When someone would ask a question, Shauna would answer almost instantly— sharp and direct, usually followed by the expectancy that whoever it was would take her answer as gospel, as they did with Lottie.

And Alex would always reply slower, an entire beat after Shauna, as if to tell her that they weren't waiting for her answer.

Another..uneasy topic of conversation was Tara. After her secret had been spilled, quite literally, she didn't have a moment of peace. It was like being pregnant suddenly put her on a pedestal, one even worse than Shauna had been. It had been Lottie's insistence, no doubt because she felt they failed Shauna's son, and therefore failed the Wilderness, resulting in his stillborn death. Lottie couldn't let It down a second time, which meant Tara was on the wrong end of a very, very short stick.

Lottie made sure that Tara didn't participate in normal tasks, like cooking breakfast or helping take down their clean clothes, or gathering firewood. Sometimes, even if the blonde so much as breathed too hard, she would give her a worrisome look and offer to make her 'tea', which Tara always refused after the situation with Travis. She could no longer hide herself away from the rest of them out of anger, since Lottie was always lurking around, keeping an eye on her. At first, Tara didn't know why, but eventually she guessed it was so Lottie could make sure she didn't do anything to hurt herself or the baby.