Melodrama

Misty had the kind of look that screamed at you. It was a scream of all the times she had bit her tongue, all the times she had swallowed her words. Misty was nothing if not a warning. Right when you think she’s crossed the line, you realize she hasn’t even come close, and that you may be in way over your head. To Misty, everyone was a bargaining chip. She saw opportunities in everyone for information that could help her get 10 steps ahead. This wasn’t harmless information. It was the kind that she could and would use against you. The kind Crystal knew meant danger. 

That look shouldn't be so exciting. 

So when Misty ordered her to go find Coach Scott, she was hopelessly devoted to following through with it. Crystal didn't know what Misty’s plan was, she didn't know what she would see once she walked through those doors. If Crystal played Misty’s game safely, perhaps she would be. She trusted Misty. Maybe it was her naive heart or her foolishness, but how could Crystal ever say no to her?

Crystal came through with Ben. The directions led her to a cave. She had explained the situation to him on the way back to the cabin. She let him know just how urgent the situation was, and that there was no time for questioning. 

He had many questions, unsurprisingly, and Crystal wished she had answers to give him, but she was just as clueless as he was. 

“You do realize that you should probably watch out for Misty right?” He told Crystal,

“I am watching out for her! That’s why I came looking for you.”

Ben grunted, probably sore from walking with only makeshift crutches as assistance, “No-, I meant- you understand that Misty isn't really, I don't know, sane?”

Crystal looked at him offended, “Are any of us sane? Maybe Misty just doesn't know how to hide it as most of you can.”

A look of awareness came across his face, although it was difficult to read from the lack of light outside. 

Coach seemed to notice that it was getting darker as well, Crystal heard him painfully speed up his movements. Crystal tried not to walk too fast in front of him to accommodate, but they were just starting to see the cabin in the distance so she wasn't worried as much as she was before.

Crystal couldn't hear any shouting or rustling, which must be a good sign. The two walked inside to be met with the sight of Misty’s palm widespread on the tree stump with her other hand gripping an ax. All the others stood around her, watching with hungry eyes.

“What the hell?” Ben exclaimed, immediately making his way to the circle.

Crystal went to stand behind Misty, snatching the ax away from her grasp, “When you said you had a plan, I didn't know that plan included you chopping your hand off.” she hissed quietly.

“Not my hand, just a finger.”

Coach’s eyes scanned around the room, “Okay, someone tell me, what the fuck is happening!?”

Mari walked over, on the prowl for a confrontation, “We are gonna either chop Misty’s fingers off or draw cards to see who gets eaten. Whoever drew the Queen of Hearts-,” She paused to look at Natalie, “Gets eaten.”

He looked at Crystal for confrontation, as if she just didn't explain the whole ordeal to him fifteen minutes ago. She looked back to say, yes, she is being legit.

Coach’s mouth parted in what Crystal presumed to be shock, “You’ve all lost it. I’ve gone the longest without eating, and not once did I think it to be appropriate for me to kill one of you.”

“Appropriate? If we don't do something, then we are all doomed.” Gen remarked, glaring at him.

Van nodded, “No, she’s right. We have to do something.” she declared whilst looking down. 

Crystal gazed over to Misty, not really knowing what to say. Misty met her eyes with tears she appeared to be holding back. 

“It’s just one finger, it’s not like I'm chopping my whole hand off.” Misty laughed like it was another one of her jokes. It was not a joke. It didn't even come close to being a joke, or even funny in any sense.

Ben had nothing to say to that. It was better than the fucked up game of Russian roulette they had originally planned. However, Crystal couldn't oblige.

“Do my fingers.” She suggested shakily, yet urgent.

Misty gaped at her in disbelief, “No! We already agreed that it's going to be my finger.”

“Well, my fingers are longer!” Crystal bargained, holding out her hand for everyone to see.

Misty glared at her and took her hand, leading her to the other room, “We’ll be right back!” She said cheerfully.

She brought Crystal into a corner and scrutinized her, “What the hell are you doing?!”

“You aren't actually considering this, are you?” Crystal said, incredulously glaring at Misty.

“Crystal, we are out of options here, it’s better than someone dying!”

Crystal huffed, “Why you?!”

Misty regarded Crystal with a blank look. Crystal peeked behind her shoulder to look at the others and Misty averted her gaze to the floor.

“You already know why,” Misty said quietly.

She had strolled through Crystal’s dreams, and if Misty didn't do something about her teammates’ hunger, Crystal may not ever get the chance to make them come true. Everyone would fall down the rabbit hole, everyone would turn against each other, and it would all be Misty’s undoing. She couldn't let that happen. This was Misty’s problem, and it was her responsibility to fix it. She had to try.

Crystal opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find the right words.

“You don't have to say anything. There is nothing you can do to stop me.” Misty told her and then turned back to make her way back to the main room.

Crystal didn't move at first. She was powerless. She couldn't let the others see how hurt she was, so she put on her best-acting face and soon followed behind Misty.

Everybody turned to look at them.

“I’m doing it,” Misty announced. Shauna stepped over the blankets and sheets, picked up the ax, and handed it to her. So many emotions swirled around Misty’s mind, and fear wasn't one of them. This was for her team, she was finally going to be a part of them. They would finally treasure her, truly adore her. 

It wasn't going to be the momentary gratitude they gave her for healing their wounds or being the first to act in a dire situation. They would forever admire her for this act of bravery, maybe even feel like they owed her, but Misty would never ask for anything in return. This was her choice. She was going to become them, and they were going to become her.

Most of all, this was for Crystal.

Misty accepted the ax from Shauna and positioned her hand on the surface once more. Her skin throbbed in anticipation. Misty looked over to Crystal and tried to communicate her devotion through her eyes. Every single person in the room had their gaze on Misty. She had never felt more special.

The silence was deafening until it wasn't. Soft footsteps and grunts of pain sounded above the room. Misty squinted in confusion until she remembered that she had yet to check up on Lottie. She couldn't get anything right, could she?

Misty dropped the ax and walked over to the ladder that led to the attic, already seeing Lottie attempt to climb down. “Lottie, what are you doing!?” She demanded. Misty didn't know if climbing up the ladder to assist would help or make things worse.

Lottie’s bruised, red, and swollen face barely moved as she tried to speak through heavy hurried breaths, “Fire.” she gasped out, gripping the ledge.

It took Misty a second to register what she had said. Once it did, she immediately helped Lottie down as fast and as painlessly as she could. Concerned faces circled them as Misty hoisted Lottie’s arm around her shoulder. “Lottie said there’s a fire!” She said, gesturing for Mari to come to Lottie’s other side and help her carry Lottie out of the cabin.

Van peered through the window and verified that yes, the cabin was indeed on fire. Natalie went to open the door and immediately hissed, crying out that the doorknob was too hot. How could no one have noticed the sudden heat that overcame the room? 

“Everyone, grab what you can!” Misty shouted. She saw how Crystal immediately went for the water bucket, “Crystal! Get the cooking pot!” she added, grunting as she held Lottie up with the help of Mari.

Taissa, with the help of Van, started kicking at the door, eventually grabbing weapons off the walls and plummeting through the door with them. Soon enough the blockage was eradicated and one by one people flew out of the opening with personal belongings and necessities.

Mari, Lottie, and Misty were the first out the door. The three watched as everyone vigorously panicked and ran out of the fire. Misty spotted Crystal with many items, most of which she knew were not mostly hers. Crystal ran up to them, “Misty, I got your suitcase, and I got some of your stuff too, Mari.”

Mari had surprise written all over her face. Of course, Crystal didn't like Mari, and she was sure the feeling was mutual, but she wasn't cruel enough to let her only belongings dissipate within the fire that was currently raging on.

“This is Misty’s fault!” Misty heard. She hadn't been paying attention so she wasn't sure who said it, “She tried to stop the wilderness from making its choice!” Another random girl exclaimed. Why did Misty’s plans always have to backfire? She does a good, selfless thing for once and gets this kind of treatment?

“No! It’s not, Misty was only trying to help.” Natalie criticized, looking around frantically. Everyone had a sense of extreme panic, including Misty. Where were they supposed to go now? She tried to save one life and ended up dooming everyone again.

Misty could not, for the life of her, understand why everybody just now decided to go for her jugular. It’s like they needed someone to blame, and of course, the wilderness could do no wrong in their eyes. 

She always ended up with the short end of the stick. No matter how hard she tried to redeem herself, no matter how much dedication she showed, they were only going to see her as some aloof freak of nature. She was never going to fit in place with them. Misty was always, and forever will be an outsider. 

Parts of the cabin began falling apart like sand, and everyone could do nothing but watch as their only shelter crumbled upon itself. 

Misty looked to her right and saw Lottie laughing while everyone shedded tears at the tragic demolition. She wasn’t quite sure what was going through Lottie’s head at the moment, but considering her head injury, she probably was slightly out of it.

Crystal, on her left, was mesmerized by the flames. Misty didn’t notice any sign of sadness, per se. Crystal seemed as if she was accepting a devastating fate. People were going to die. Misty was going to have even more blood on her hands, but all she could think about was how she not only robbed Crystal of her innocence, but her home as well.

Misty felt like she had corrupted Crystal. She noticed how differently her friend carried herself after their confrontation at the cliff. Maybe Crystal wasn’t even trying to hide it. That feeling felt worse than anything. 

Coach fell to the ground, a blank look on his face, refusing to look at anything but the snow beneath everyone’s feet. 

As for the rest of them, well it wasn’t difficult to see how utterly destroyed they were. 

Lately, Misty had been failing at trying to be ten steps ahead of everything, and now, she had no idea what to do.