Melodrama

Lottie's condition wasn’t improving. Misty was doing her best at keeping an eye on it. Due to Lottie’s injuries, she had started sleeping in the attic beside her. Misty didn’t mind taking care of her, but unfortunately, she had to deal with Mari’s constant brattiness and holier-than-thou presence.

She didn’t know who crowned Mari as Nurse assistant, especially if she was awful at it and only complained the whole time. 

It didn’t bother her to spend more time with Lottie, but on top of all that Misty had to deal with Crystal’s..? She didn’t even know what was going on with her. Surely she’d be able to understand why Misty was so keen on helping everyone as much as she could, but no, Crystal was just pouting because she was bored and Misty wasn’t around to indulge in conversation. 

It’s not that Misty wasn’t bored as well, Lottie had gone silent, likely because it hurt too much to speak. She always tried to get words out and they only ended up sounding garbled and unintelligible. It was difficult to look at, even for someone like Misty. She made it clear and let Lottie know that overexerting herself would only do more damage. She didn’t sugarcoat it. 

Misty wasn’t trying to induce fear. Lottie really was in bad shape, and she wasn’t about to give the others false expectations like Lottie had been doing before. She was trying her hardest to keep Lottie alive. Misty wouldn’t be able to live with herself if another death happened on her watch. 

She didn’t know why Crystal didn’t understand this. Crystal saw how Misty felt about the things she was at fault for. She didn’t know how to explain it, guilt wasn’t really the right word, but the reality was hitting her harder than it had before. Crystal awakened a soft spot within Misty.

Was it worth it to lose so many lives to trigger the path of events that would eventually lead her to Crystal? Without a doubt, yes. That didn’t mean she was happy about what was lost. 

For a short while she got to play God. It wasn’t what it seemed to be. If only her impulsiveness and lack of moral compass didn’t possess her mind, she’d be satisfied, and aside from meeting Crystal, perhaps it wouldn’t have all been for nothing. 

Misty and Mari were currently tending to Lottie. As of now, she wasn’t even strong enough to release toxins from her body. They had to hoist her up, pull her pants down, and hold a bowl over her crotch. Doing this certainly wasn’t as agitating as Mari made it out to be. It was nice to think about how much of a hypocrite Mari was. She’d given Lottie constant praise, followed her mindset, and basically lived up her ass, but complained about helping her when she needed it the most. 

“Okay, alright, we got you.” Misty confided as Lottie groaned in pain. “Just try to relax, and let it go.” She felt an odd nostalgia from when she helped Coach at the beginning who hadn’t yet gotten used to not having a leg.

“Yeah, Lottie, good!” Misty encouraged Lottie as she was finally able to start urinating. She looked down at the bowl noticing abnormality, “Oh, th-there’s blood.” She stated, pausing for a moment and grunting as Mari shifted more of Lottie’s weight onto her, “It could be an infection-,” she groaned as she and Mari carried her back to the mattress, “- in her kidneys.” 

“Ugh, it stinks,” Mari whined, 

“Yeah, Shauna kicked her pretty hard,” Misty spoke, brushing off Mari’s complaint.

“Then maybe Shauna should be doing this.”

Mari stood uselessly behind the two of them as Misty soothed Lottie back to comfort - or the closest thing to it. 

“God, it's making my eyes water.”

“Oh, my God. Would you shut up about the pee? God. She is in danger, here. And after everything that she's done for us…” Misty trailed off, pausing for a moment, “But no, you have to be a little brat, just like you always are. You know what? If you're so grossed out by it, just take it downstairs and empty it.” 

What Misty said apparently stirred something inside of Mari, because for once she actually listened to her. 

Now left alone with Lottie, the silence was no longer abandoned. It was nice. Misty dabbed her face with a wet cloth, wiping away the sweat and dirt. She loved taking care of people. Maybe it was her neediness or just another one of her mere attempts to be adored, but it wasn’t as riveting as it used to be. 

Misty took care of Crystal, and Crystal took care of her. Misty needed Crystal, and she adored her. For once it was reciprocated. Too bad they were stuck out here plucking the strings of human depravity anticipating for them to snap. 

It was all Misty's indictment. 

She felt like her soul had been detached from her body, and that she was walking it like a dog attached to a noose leash. She was exhausted. Most of all, she was confused. Her brain didn’t feel like her brain anymore. Perhaps it was a good thing she told Crystal her deepest secret, the revelations she had been having after this newfound tension really made her reevaluate some of her decisions and thought processes. 

Misty sighed and made her way back downstairs. Everyone immediately turned their heads to look at her, as if expecting any news or updates on Lottie’s condition when there weren’t any. Crystal's eyes prodded at her like she knew how exhausted she was. 

Misty saw Crystal whisper something to Natalie, to which nodded got up from her spot beside Coach, and tip-toed up the stairs. 

Crystal linked her arm to Misty’s, “You need to rest.” She said, stern, yet soft. Crystal sat beside Ben and playfully shoved Misty on the ground, situating her back and neck between her legs. 

“I’m too tired to sleep.” Misty refused, yawning mid-sentence. Crystal ignored her and removed Misty’s glasses from her face, sitting them beside her. 

“At least try,” Crystal pleaded, massaging Misty’s scalp, recalling how much Misty loved when she’d play with her hair. When she told Crystal that, it was a little thing she had been doing ever since. 

Misty loved her hair but hated when people would touch it. The kids who used to tease her back in Wistayok would pull at the ties in her hair when she wore it up, and tug on it when she wore it down.

So really when she said she loved having people play with her hair, she only truly meant Crystal. 

Crystal's legs squeezing her served as a weighted blanket of warmth that easily helped her drift off to sleep. Of course, she couldn’t sleep long, Natalie couldn’t stay up there forever, plus it was her responsibility.

The entire team’s fate fell onto her. At first, it was empowering, but now she felt this fierce protectiveness over them. None of them would be in this hopeless situation if it weren’t for her. She couldn’t just stand by waiting for more bad things to happen, no, she was going to be that shield that they needed.

Misty wasn’t a dreamer like Crystal was. She lived her life in delusion, it was just easier that way. However, those invisible walls were beginning to break. She didn’t need the delusions anymore, the purpose they served had dissipated. 

Sometimes all you need is someone.

Misty was awakened from her short nap by Mari who was appearing to be seeing something jarring enough to make her irrationally scream hysterics. 

“There’s no one there!” Taissa exclaimed,

Mari looked around, “There was blood dripping on the floor, you heard it!”

Van sighed, “It's hunger, Mari. It’s just the hunger.”

Misty looked at Crystal confused, “Where’re my glasses?” 

Crystal picked them up from where she was previously sitting, “Here.” 

Misty took them, tilting her head towards Crystal gratefully before putting them on. Her stomach churned, aching from the lack of food. Crystal heard it.

“Van found Jackie’s belt, we think it might have some protein..?” 

Misty sat back down, feeling lightheaded, “I suppose it’s better than nothing.” She smiled sardonically. 

Crystal disappeared for a moment and came back with two bowls in her hands, one for her, and one for Misty.

She quietly thanked her and drank the “soup” beside Crystal. Misty took the place where Ben was sitting before. Crystal and Misty’s shoulders brushed against each other as they drank from the matching bowls. 

The soup didn’t do much to alleviate the hunger, but it did give her stomach something to hold on to. The warmth was helpful too. Misty felt cozy beside Crystal, and because of that, she felt her eyes begin to droop again, but she had to check on Lottie soon, so she couldn’t allow herself to go to sleep. 

“I wonder if our parents think we are dead.” Crystal wondered out loud.

This shook Misty out of her sleepy state, “My mom must be celebrating.” She said slowly, not quite recognizing the words coming out of her mouth due to her fatigued state. 

Crystal looked at her concerned, “Do you not get along with your mom?” Crystal asked, eyes shining with innocence.

“She’s not too different from the upperclassmen at Wistayok,” Misty replied, figuring it was too late to backtrack.

Crystal paused, looking at the floor, seemingly pondering about something, “And your dad?” 

“I’m not sure, he disappeared a month before we left for Nationals, I think my mom did something to him,” Misty said offhandedly as if it was a common occurrence that happened in other teenage girls' lives. 

Misty didn’t think her mother did something to her father, she knew it. Her behavior was the only evidence she had, but she knew better than to push it.

Misty turned to face Crystal, resting her hand on Crystal’s knee, “Sometimes my mom is like, really nice to me, and I don’t know why, but then it’s like a switch is flipped and she treats me like a freak again.” 

Crystal looked at her with pity, something Misty didn’t really care for, “I think it’s because she sees too much of herself in me.” 

It was true. Misty and her mother were very similar, eerily so. Maybe her mother blamed her father for taking part in her creation, or maybe her mother never even liked him. Either way, Misty didn’t care. They didn’t love her, she didn’t love them.

“Well, in that case, she should adore you, because I think you’re one of a kind.” Crystal admired, “Maybe she’s jealous.”

Misty identified that as a reach, but she’d bite, “Maybe.” She cheekily grinned while wrapping one of her arms around Crystal. 

She then excused herself to go and check up on Lottie. On her way there she caught a suspicious glance of Coach sorting through what seemed to be paper drawings? Maps?. He looked like he was preparing to go.., outside? Misty walked in and shut the door behind her.

“If you’re trying to be secretive you might want to close the door,” Misty announced. Ben let out an annoyed sigh, “It’s none of your business,” he gritted his teeth. “Actually,” Misty walked over to him and snatched the papers from his hands, “It is. Whatever decisions you make have a probable chance of affecting my fellow teammates, so whatever you are planning, you better speak now, or I'll go ahead and tell everyone about your little side quest.”

Ben rolled his eyes, “I think I found the way to the place where Javi was hiding.” He paused, looking like he wanted to tell Misty to just fuck off, “I recognized something in his drawings, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

Misty was unaffected by Coach’s stern tone, “Is that all?”

“Yeah.” He looked at her with confusion, as if he were expecting something else entirely,

“Uh, could you not tell anyone about it yet? I don't want to get anyone's hopes up if I don't find anything.” Coach spoke before getting up from his spot on the bed with the help of his crutches.

A bit uncertain, Misty nodded, shaking off her confusion as to why he would put himself through so much exertion when he could have someone else do it. She made her way back to the stairs, she climbed up only to see Lottie gasping for air and tugging at the jacket wrapped around her chest. 

“Lottie, hey, what’s wrong?” she asked, crouching down. 

“Shhh, Okay, Okay, just try to take a deep breath, like you have us do all the time, Okay? Nice, deep breath in,” Misty guided, doing the deep breaths herself as well, but Lottie was dormant to her request. 

“If I die-,” “No, you’re not gonna-,” 

“Don’t waste my body.” Lottie said, panting, “Promise me.”

Misty panicked, “No, I-, we’re not even going to think about that right now,”

Lottie continued with letting out heavy breaths, it must have been excruciating to get the words out, “Promise,” she said, not bothering to ask. It was more of a demand than a request. 

All Misty could do was nod. It didn’t feel justified to outright say “Yes, Lottie I promise we will eat you if you die,” so she didn’t. 

Lottie eventually fell back asleep. Misty coddled her, holding back tears as she caressed her swollen cheek and patted her skin with the wet cloth.

Satisfied with her check-up, she trailed back downstairs, turning sleeping heads once more, only this time she had news to report. Not the kind they would like.

Akilah rolled over, “Hey, how’s Lottie doing?”

“She’s um-,” Misty stopped, looking around as more attention was drawn to her. She moved to sit down with them.

“She said if-.. if she dies.., she wants us to make use of her,” 

Tears pooled in her eyes, but she managed to hold them back, “To stay alive.” 

Misty spaced out as the others spoke amongst themselves. Somberly, she walked over to where Crystal was laying, and laid beside her. 

“Did- did Lottie really say that?” Crystal asked before yawning.

“Yeah, but we still don’t know for sure if she is gonna die.” Misty clarified, breathing out tiredly. 

Tai sat up abruptly, catching her gaze, “We need to find a way to stay alive. And it can’t be her.” 

Van looked over to her girlfriend, “What do you suggest?” 

–

Misty concluded that this was preposterous. How did she, out of all people, become the most level-headed? Sure, she was starving as well as the others, but she wasn't too far gone to suggest hunting their friends. Even if some of them wouldn't consider Misty a friend, she still cared about all of them. Misty even cared about Mari, despite her brattiness.

None of this was going to happen on her watch. She wanted to scream at them for even bringing the idea up. Really? Playing cards to let the fucking wilderness choose their fate? Nat seemed to have the same idea, but just writing it off as an inevitability. Misty wanted to shake her.

Crystal looked like she was nauseous, she had gone pale in the face and was clinging to Misty's hand for dear life. All of them, aside from Coach, stood in a circle around the makeshift altar, including Javi. Van shuffled the deck of cards nervously. Misty was up first. She sighed in relief after drawing the 8 of diamonds. She made her way over to Akilah. She hadn't the slightest idea as to why she had to be the cardholder, but none of it mattered, because no one was going to die.

Misty always did think best under pressure.

Akilah drew 7 of Spades.

Van drew Jack of Hearts.

Shauna drew 4 of Diamonds.

Travis drew 8 of Clubs.

Tai drew 6 of Spades.

Melissa drew 3 of Hearts

Javi drew the King of Spades before rushing over to hug Travis.

It was bittersweet.

Misty finally stepped in front of Nat, eyes glued on her shaky hands as she drew the Queen of Hearts.

Everyone gasped as Nat displayed the card for everyone to see. They all acted surprised at something they all agreed to. Misty looked at Nat nervously before stepping back to let Shauna take her place.

Misty looked at Crystal and gave her a shy wink. She backed up against the wall and grabbed the ax, holding it behind her back.

“Turn around,” Shauna said fearfully, tying Jackie's necklace around Nat’s neck before grabbing the knife and holding it to her.

Misty quietly moved beside Crystal, “When it goes down, run out the door and find Coach, I wrote directions on a piece of paper and stuffed it in your pocket when you weren't looking.” she whispered, not bothering to elaborate to ease Crystal’s confusion.

“Wait. Wait. Wait!” Nat breathed shakily, “You’re gonna have to look me in the eye.” She said as she turned around to face Shauna. 

Tears fell down both the girl's cheeks as Shauna placed the knife where it was before. Travis twitched like he was about to interfere but before he had the chance to, Misty took the ax and whipped Shauna in the head with it.

“Are you all insane?!” She exclaimed, grabbing Shauna’s knife and holstering it in her pants. Misty nodded in Crystal’s direction and she ran out the door, obeying Misty’s request. Everybody looked at her, some looked like they had been woken out of a trance, and others were clearly very angry with her.

“We’re all going to die if we don’t do something!” Van shouted painfully, desperation in her tone. Misty’s brain searched for something, anything to buy her more time until Coach and Crystal got back. 

“What would Lottie think?” Misty questioned, looking around in disbelief, “How all of you came to this decision without her input, How you all betrayed her faith in her own name!” she criticized, making eye contact with each person momentarily.

Those words had an impact, she could tell. Misty could even see shame heat some of their faces.

“I don't give a shit what Lottie thinks, we are fucked if we don't find something to eat, Misty!” Tai cut in, distress visible in her demeanor.

Misty gazed over at her incredulously, “And killing solves that? Why not just cut off limbs? It doesn't have the certainty of surviving, but it’s a higher chance than being murdered.”

“Murdered by your own friend.”

Everyone was teary-eyed at this point. Some even appeared to be shocked that Misty was the one to prevent them from doing this. They all saw her as this bloodthirsty freak, and maybe she was, but she had found her humanity. Crystal. Now she had to be that for everyone else.

For once in her life, she thought of someone other than herself. Misty had Crystal to thank for that.

“I’ll sacrifice my fingers. Look, the winter is almost over, and you guys can't kill our best hunter.”

“Really? Fingers? We will all be stuffed,” Mari chimed sarcastically.

“It’s enough for us to survive for a little bit longer,” Misty assured, searching their faces for agreement. She couldn’t tell but she was able to assess the amount of toned down murderous hunger. She clocked that as a good sign.

“Misty, you’ll die,” Nat argued, still trembling from a minute ago when Shauna’s knife was to her neck.

“It’s not like anyone had an issue with death five minutes ago,” Misty stated factually, “It is a possibility, but I'd rather take that chance than watch my friends murder each other.”

“So you want us to cut your fingers off?” Shauna asked, almost like she couldn't believe what Misty was saying.

“I can do it myself.”

“We should only do one finger for now..” Nat said, trying to reason with everyone, “That way we can... Hold out for longer.”

Misty smiled over to Natalie and nodded, “We should wait until Coach Scott and Crystal get back, they deserve to have a say in it.”

“I didn’t even notice they were gone, where the hell are they?” Mari voiced thoughtlessly. Of course, no one noticed Crystal leave. Misty rolled her eyes, “I don’t know but they should be here soon.”

Mari glared, “Right,”. Misty assumed that to be sarcasm, but she couldn't tell. She never was the best at those things. 

They would be back soon. If the odds were in her favor, she wouldn't have to lose a finger, but Misty never was one of luck.