Drunk, Running

They’d been there for three days.

Three fucking days.

Serena was starting to lose her shit. She was tired, hungry, irritable, and she hadn’t taken a shower in three days. She’d barely talked to anyone. Not to mention she was running out of cigarettes.

She sat by herself, a little ways away from everyone else. Bored out of her mind, Serena picked up the book she had packed for the trip and tried to ignore the squabbling of the others. Clearly, the close proximity was getting to them. Hell, Taissa had just… walked away during Laura Lee’s prayer service thing she did earlier. Serena understood. Maybe not exactly, but she did get it.

Her nose was still buried in her book when Taissa came bounding back, seeming pretty excited.

“Guys! Guys, there’s a lake! There’s a lake. I saw it from that hill. It looks about four or five miles away.”

Serena looked up at this, intrigued. A lake was good. A lake meant water for a bath, and God knew she fucking needed one. Not like these girls really cared that she hadn’t showered, because neither had they, but wanted to bathe anyways.

“Do you think we could hike it?”

“It’s pretty rocky, but yeah.”

Oh, this was good. Serena was never very athletic, never a fan of hikes or anything especially outdoorsy, but she’d sprint to a lake at this point. Three days in the woods changes a person, apparently. Who would’ve thought.

“Uh, we uh, we can’t… we can’t just leave,” Jackie piped up, sounding stressed. Serena rolled her eyes. Why was it Jackie’s decision what they did? Sure, she was captain, but she wasn’t in charge. Not really.

“We’ve got two days of water, tops. And then what, just sit around and die?”

“What if the rescue team comes?” Jackie seemed adamant about staying, a little too adamant. It wasn’t helping anyone to keep doing nothing, but apparently that’s what Jackie wanted.

“Do you think they’re taking their time on purpose? If they knew where we were, they would be here already.” Taissa was clearly willing to fight for the lake, and Serena appreciated that. She had no desire to stay here either.

At this point, Serena tunes them out. She’s sure this argument could go on for hours, and she doesn’t care that much. But a few minutes later, Taissa says something she should probably pay attention to.

“Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of waiting here?”

Serena, still reading, pointedly doesn’t put her hand up. She’s not exactly sure she has a say, but she’s absolutely not voting to stay in this shithole when the lake promises the opportunity to take a bath.

“All in favor of the lake?”

This time, Serena’s hand does go up. She’s still choosing not to pay attention to who’s voting what, mostly to avoid getting her hopes up. Worst-case scenario, she sneaks off by herself to go swim later. No one would give a shit, so it’s kind of a win-win, at least in her eyes.

“Then it’s settled. Grab your shit.” Finally, Serena lifts her head from her book. Oh, thank God. They were gonna leave. She could take some semblance of a bath. God, she needed that. And the chances of dying or getting lost were significantly lower if everyone else was with her.

Closing her book, she stood up and found her bag. Most of her things were still packed, so readying herself to leave wasn’t difficult. Serena put her book back into her backpack and swung the bag over her shoulder. Sure, a hike sounded like her version of hell, but whatever. She was at least getting a bath.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour-ish later, and Serena was starting to regret her decision. She knew she’d never been athletic, knew the hike would probably kick her ass, but she’d forgotten that she’d barely eaten or drank for the past few days. She’d been too focused on the idea of bathing to think of anything other than that.

Once again, she was ignoring everyone else, more focused on trying to breathe like a fucking normal person, instead of wheezing up the hill. It was currently a losing battle, but she kept going. She was already an outcast, she didn’t need to be made fun of for her lack of athleticism, too. Sure, they had probably already noticed, seeing as she wasn’t exactly thin, the opposite, really, but still. She had a reputation. Kind of.

“Oh, shit! Oh hell yeah, bitches!” Serena tuned in when she heard Van yell, and she saw the redhead start to run forward excitedly. The lake, it had to be. She breathed a sigh of relief at that. Finally.

She took her time walking down the rocky beach, not wanting to make a fool of herself. As much as she wanted to run into the water fully clothed, she knew that wasn’t a very good idea. Instead, she pulled her clothing off, leaving her in her black bra and underwear. Why she brought matching sets with her to a soccer tournament, she had no idea, but at this point she was grateful.

For a moment, Serena just watched as everyone else messed around in the water. She watched as Travis splashed Natalie, and a strange sort of jealousy creeped into her gut.

No, no. She wasn’t doing this. She wasn’t going to get invested in a girl she could absolutely not have. That wasn’t going to happen. Natalie was off-limits. All of these girls were.

Trying to avoid her own thoughts, Serena waded into the cool water. It felt nice, if a little colder than she liked. That was to be expected, though, she supposed. It was only late spring, the lake hadn’t had time to fully warm up quite yet.

Slowly, tentatively, she waded further in, trying to adjust to the chill of the water. As soon as she was deep enough, she dunked her whole head under the surface, attempting to remove the remnants of her days-old makeup and rinse the sweat from her skin. Her dark hair grew darker as water saturated it, and she pushed her messy, choppy bangs out of her face. The grime on her skin finally started to wash away, and Serena finally felt clean. Well, clean-ish. It wasn’t ideal, but it was absolutely better than it had been.

When she resurfaced, she immediately flipped onto her back, floating. The sounds of the others were muffled by the water surrounding her ears, and she finally felt peace she hadn’t felt since way before the crash. For a moment, she wasn’t anxious. The others were there, the water felt nice, and for the first time in literal months, Serena felt relaxed.

She stayed like that for a while, just floating on the surface of the lake, enjoying herself. It was nice to not worry for a little while. All she thought about was how amazing the water felt, about how she finally felt some semblance of cleanliness. But of course, peace couldn’t last. Someone had to ruin it.

“Guys! Look.” Lottie was pointing at something in the distance. A reflection of the sun off of something indiscernible from where they were.

“What is that?”

“It looks like a reflection.”

“Guys, there’s something on the hill!”

Several different voices rang out, clearly excited at the promise of something interesting on the horizon.

Serena stood up fully, wading back to the edge of the lake as the others talked about walking over. Great. More fucking hiking.

She didn’t voice her annoyance, instead opting to pull her jeans and maroon tank top back on as the others did the same. Her wet hair hung halfway down her back, dampening the fabric of her shirt, but she tried not to care. Maybe the reflection was something useful, or, even better, it was someone’s home. Maybe they’d be able to leave.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serena was really starting to fucking despise hiking.

She had no idea how long it would take to get where Lottie had pointed, and honestly? She had started questioning if they were ever going to get there. Or if it was anything relevant at all. For all they knew, it was another water source. Something they already had.

Instead of complaining, though, she kept her mouth shut and kept walking. Serena was never one to complain, and she didn’t need these people hating her. Sure, she barely knew them, but they were stuck together. Serena didn’t need friends, and didn't care about impressing them. She just didn’t want to be hated, either.

“Guys! It’s here! It’s here!” Jackie’s voice, this time. Serena had no idea what “it” was, but Jackie sounded excited.

As they approached whatever Jackie was yelling about, Serena saw it. A cabin. A real fucking cabin in the middle of the woods. It screamed horror movie, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. It was a cabin. Somewhere somewhat safe, somewhere she wouldn’t worry about being eaten by a bear, or by wolves, or whatever the fuck else this creepy-ass forrest had to offer.

A few of the girls went to bang on the windows, presumably to see if anyone was home. When there was no answer, they walked inside, and Serena followed.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” Jackie called out.

“Maybe they just went on a hike?” Laura Lee asked, optimistically. Serena wasn’t sure if she even believed the proposition herself.

“Yeah, like a decade ago.” Jackie sounded pissed. She understood. Yeah, it was a long shot that they’d find someone, but it was still disappointing. Serena may not have liked or agreed with Jackie normally, but this instance her reaction was logical.

Serena assessed the cabin, looking at everything. It was pretty run-down, clearly unlived in. It wasn’t horrible, definitely livable, but they’d have to do a lot of cleaning. There was a kitchen table, and some other furniture, but it for sure wasn’t built to accommodate seventeen people. They’d be able to sleep somewhat comfortably, but it wasn’t ideal. Then again, at this point anything was more ideal than sleeping outside for another night.

She didn’t pay much attention as everyone continued looking around, more focused on her own assessment of the cabin. This could be okay, at least until rescue came.

“What the hell? Jackie, that’s not your personal buffet.”

“Ugh, fuck.” Jackie dropped the can she was holding, the contents, a green sludge-like substance, spilling all over the floor. Serena made a face, wrinkling her nose. Ugh.

“Gross.”

“See! This is why we should’ve stayed on the plane!” Poor Jackie seemed close to tears. Serena felt a pang of sympathy for her, noting how overwhelmed the girl looked.

“Yeah, well. We didn’t. So this is helping, how, exactly?” Asked Van, clearly annoyed.

“This is a fucking nightmare.” Jackie stormed out of the cabin, holding back her tears. Serena wanted to follow her, to comfort her, but she knew that she wouldn’t be much help. Plus, it didn’t seem as though Jackie would give her that same courtesy, even now.

Going back to looking around, she didn’t find much of note. It looked like a stereotypical hunting cabin. No electricity, not much furnishing, a deer skull hung above the fireplace. Mildly creepy, but it could have been worse.

“Well, hello! Don’t worry, guys. We might be stuck in the middle of nowhere, but hey! At least there’s porn!” Van slammed a stack of old porno magazines down on the kitchen table, sending a layer of dust flying into the air.

Serena couldn’t hold back a small laugh, going to investigate. Sure, she might go to hell for looking. But she was headed there anyways, so she might as well have some fun. Natalie, Mari, Akilah, and surprisingly, Laura Lee moved towards Van and the porn as well.

Picking up one of the magazines, she silently studied one of the models. Yeah, she might be attracted to women, but she couldn’t understand the appeal of the magazine. Sure, the women were pretty, she supposed, but they weren’t something she found herself drawn to.

“Hey, this guy kinda looks like you, flex.” Mari holds up her magazine, grinning mischievously. The man on the page looks absolutely nothing like Travis, but Mari seems convinced.

“If only any of you actually looked like her.”

“Okay, yeah. Very funny.” Van gives him a look, the sarcasm in her statement evident. Serena appreciates her bluntness. It’s refreshing.

“Do guys like… actually jerk off to this stuff?” Looking concerned, Akilah glances up at Travis questioningly.

Serena stifles a laugh, and Van catches her eye. Oh, Akilah, you sweet summer child, she thinks. Of course guys jerk off to this stuff. Why would they make it if they didn’t?

“Nah. We, uh, we hate that shit. Uh, can’t even tell what her favorite book is.” He’s bluffing, and everyone knows. It’s pretty clear he’s interested in the models. Maybe even has his own collection of porn at home. Serena wouldn’t exactly put it past him. He is a teenage boy, after all. Not to stereotype, but sometimes things are just true.

Everyone, save for Travis, laughs at that. He was a terrible liar, and these girls weren’t stupid. He storms off, magazine in hand, and Serena lets out a laugh.

“So much for hating that shit,” she mutters, mostly to herself, but it does get a laugh from Van and Natalie.

“What even is this stuff.” Natalie pulls a face at the photos in the magazine.

“No idea.” While Nat seemed grossed out, or at least concerned by the magazines, Van was clearly more intrigued than concerned.

“Whoever lived here before had a serious fucking porn addiction, Jesus Christ.” Setting down the magazine, Serena brushed her bangs out of her eyes. Maybe these people didn’t totally suck. At least Natalie and Van didn’t seem to.

Walking outside, a little ways from the cabin, Serena pulled her carton of cigarettes from her pocket. Two left. Two cigarettes were left in this carton. Shit, she was going to have to start rationing. She’d only brought one other pack with her. Fuck.

Instead of actually rationing what she had left, Serena pulled one of the two remaining cigarettes from the package. She flicked her lighter, a cheap purple one that she’d shoplifted a month earlier, and brought the cigarette up to her lips, lighting it.

“Hey. Feel like sharing?” Serena turned around, surprised to see Natalie standing behind her.

Serena didn’t respond verbally, choosing to pass the cigarette over to Nat in silence. Their fingers brushed, and the action was oddly intimate. Natalie smiled, causing Serena’s face to heat up. God, get a fucking grip.

“Thanks,” Nat said, taking a drag, “I owe you.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Serena shrugged, taking the cigarette back from Natalie.

“Damn, you’re not as much of a bitch as I thought.” Nat’s smiling, obviously messing around.

Serena finally smiles at that. God, it was getting harder and harder for her to not have feelings for this girl. “Don’t go telling people that. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

“I’m pretty sure that me saying you’re not that much of a bitch wouldn’t really change anything. Not like my reputation is any better than yours. I’m a burnout and a slut, you’re just an asshole. According to everyone else, at least.” She plucks the cigarette from your fingers, bringing it back to her lips.

“Touche. We’re both low on the social ladder, I guess.” Serena likes this. Likes talking to Natalie. She just clicks with her in a way that she hadn’t even clicked with Maggie.

“Lowest, probably.”

“Tied for last place. What an achievement.”

Nat laughed, really laughed, and Serena almost swooned. Jesus Christ, it’s been three days. She couldn’t have fallen that quickly.

Oh God, but that laugh. It was so pretty, so Natalie. Deep and throaty, and so clearly genuine. Not a pity laugh. She hadn’t known Nat for very long at all, but she knew Nat’s pity laugh. That was real.

“So why’d you get expelled?” Nat asked, stubbing out the cigarette with her shoe.

Serena hardens at that question. “Why’d you get expelled”, like she would tell someone she barely knew. No fucking way. She was taking that secret to the grave, or at least not telling anyone anytime soon.

“What the fuck do you care?” Serena snaps, knowing it’s just going to push her away. Good. She didn’t want to be close to Natalie anyways.

Nat looks visibly taken aback for a second, until her face hardens as well. “Just making conversation.”

“Yeah, well, don’t. It’s not your fucking business. If I wanted you to know, you’d fucking know.” The look Serena gives Nat is downright murderous, and Natalie is clearly pissed now, too.

“Noted. I won’t be asking you any more questions about your life.” With that, Natalie walks back towards the cabin, and Serena sighs slightly, deflating. God, why did she have to be like that? Mean and defensive and bitchy. Towards someone she genuinely liked.
Serena frowns, watching Nat go. Guilt ate at her, but she knew it was for the best. Nat didn’t deserve to deal with her bullshit. She was saving her all the trouble.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part of Serena was starting to miss sleeping in the dirt.

The cabin wasn’t much more comfortable, and she kept hearing weird noises. Yeah, the cabin was old as shit, and they were in the middle of nowhere. Of course she was going to hear weird noises. That didn’t help her anxiety any, though.

Like every night before, everyone else was asleep hours before Serena even felt tired. So, like every night before, she found herself staring upwards and attempting to force sleep. In theory, she should feel safer. She should feel like she can sleep tonight. She was surrounded by people, she was inside a cabin, they had a small, contained fire going. Sleep should have come somewhat easily.

She was still contemplating why she couldn’t sleep when Lottie got up from her spot on the floor and walked into the pantry before climbing up the ladder to what could only be assumed was the attic. Serena didn’t pay her much attention, thinking she must just want to be alone for a moment.

Turning on her side, she continued to try to fall asleep. That is, until she saw Taissa following Lottie up to the attic. Weird. Could they be..?

No, no. They weren’t together. Or at least Serena couldn’t jump to that conclusion, because Taissa’s lower half was still on the ladder up to the attic. It would be really inconvenient to try to kiss someone in that position.

Now Serena was curious, though. Why had Lottie gone up? Why did Tai follow her? Why were either of them awake? She couldn’t come up with a good reason for any of it. She really wanted to just walk over and ask, but it didn’t seem like a good idea. And, in all honesty, it wasn’t her business. She just needed to let them do whatever they were doing without bothering them. As long as they weren’t hurting each other, or anyone else, at least.

Just as she was about to turn over, Tai came down the ladder, Lottie following behind her. Both of them looked visibly shaken. What had they seen up there?

Taissa, as gently as possible, woke everyone up. Well, everyone except for Serena and Lottie.

“There’s something we have to get out of the attic.”