Nature’s Wrath: Part XXVI
A/N: Onto season three! If you’ve been reading the adult timeline, you’ll know Mari lives. So… I wanna hear your theories on who pit girl is gonna be. Also, be warned, this is a LONG chapter.
The sound of panting and footsteps on dirt is heard as Mari Ibarra runs through the woods. Anima sounds can be heard as she traverses the messy ground.
She stops for a moment, turning around to look behind her for a second, before quickly booking it and hiding behind a tree.
She holds her breath as two girls search for her. When the coast is clear, she runs back out, only to be tackled by Shauna.
“What the fuck, Shipman?!” Shouts Mari as she’s pinned to the ground on her back, her hand clenched tightly around… something.
Mari manages to throw the girl off her, crawling backwards before she’s pinned once more, this time on her stomach.
Her hand is still grasping whatever it is she’s holding tightly, keeping it away from Shauna. “Get off me, gaywad!” Mari groans, and elbows Shauna off her once more.
She tries to crawl away again, but Shauna pins her again, trying to take what she’s holding. “Let go it!” Shauna says through gritted teeth, grabbing at her hand.
Mari switches the object from one hand to the other, before Shauna grabs ahold of her wrist and bites down—hard—on her hand. Mari screams in pain.
Natalie, Van, and Taissa all run over and pry the girls away from each other. Mari holds her bleeding hand. “You all saw that right?” Mari asks, breathing heavily.
“You know the rules, Mari. You get tagged, you give it up.” Nat reminds her. Mari looks around for a moment, Van is smirking beside her.
Mari holds her hands up, revealing… nothing. “I don’t have it.” Mari states. Taissa and Shauna look at each other, before the latter mutters “Shit.”
In the distance, Misty is seen watching them. Shauna starts chasing after them. “It’s fucking Quigley!” Shauna shouts as she runs after the glasses-wearing girl.
Taissa points an accusatory finger at Van. “You knew!” She gasp, before running off after Misty and Shauna. Van and Mari grin at each other, and high five, before running after them.
As Misty gets closer to the goal, she’s tackled. She throws the bone towards the goal right as Sean leaps forward to catch it.
Gen is right behind him as Sean falls to the ground. He tosses it to her, and she makes it to the goal. The team consisting of Sean, Gen, Van, Misty, Mari, and Akilah, has won.
All the girls (and the guy) start cheering. Sean and Misty get up to join the rest of the team. Mari is the last to join, and walks backwards to rub some salt in Shauna’d wound.
She holds up a backwards L to her forehead. “Sike! I was just decoy, biatch!” She smirks, and Shauna rolls her eyes.
“That’s backwards, moron.” Shauna replies. Mari drops her smirk, and looks down at her hands, before starting the “Buzz, buzz, buzz!” Cheer.
I suppose I should explain.
Spring has arrived. Yippee!!! But it’s not without its challenges. With the cabin gone, we needed shelter. So… we managed to build huts out of various sticks and logs. Natalie and I share a hut.
We created capture the bone for… entertainment, obviously. It’s a mix of tag and capture the flag. Only… no flags, just the bone necklace Lottie made for me before Taissa’s expedition. The expedition that I try not to think about.
Winners get treated like royalty tonight, while the losing team are basically their servants.
A lot has changed since winter. We all look different. My mullet is long and overgrown now, and matted in some places. I look older. Sun burnt. Shauna’s about the same as me in the face. Gaunt and grim, the two of us.
Natalie’s brown roots have grown in a lot, and she’s much more tan. Mari doesn’t look much different. Her hair’s a bit messier and longer. Maybe a little more tired around the eyes.
Taissa’s hair is a little longer. Van’s is too. And Lottie’s. Everyone’s really. Especially Travis. His hair has grown a lot.
My hair is probably the worst of them all. I wouldn’t be surprised if a bird mistook it for a nest.
So… here I am. In front of the water of the lake, staring down at my reflection, scissors in hand. Right as i’m about to start chopping away at my mess of a mullet, I hear Natalie’s voice behind me. “Hey, let me!” She shouts as she jogs over to me.
I turn around and quirk an eyebrow at her, before handing her the scissors skeptically once she’s close enough.
She looks at me expectantly. “…what?” I ask, and she chuckles, and gestures for me to get down. “On your knees.” She orders.
I chuckle, and lower down to my knees. “Don’t have to tell me twice.” Natalie rolls her eyes at me, before running her hand through my hair for a moment, before starting to cut away.
“S’just easier for me if you’re like this…” She mumbles, the tip of her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth as she focuses.
I sigh contently as she works on my hair, letting myself ease into her touch. It’s nice. Ever since i’ve been crowned antler king, we haven’t gotten much time to ourselves. I’m so busy now.
I haven’t really spoken to Mari or Lottie much. No time to. I’d like to, though. “You’re doing it again, princess.” Nat chuckles softly. I roll my eyes at the nickname.
“Doing what?” I ask, pouting slightly as Nat snips another lock of hair away. “Spacing out. Staring into the abyss.” She replies matter-of-factly.
Eventually, Nat stops, and drops the scissors to the ground. She cups my cheeks and forces my head up to look at her. “You look… good.” She sighs. I roll my eyes again.
“Good? That’s all you can think of?” I complain, and she scoffs. “Alright, have it your way. You look so smokin’ hot, I might just do you right here, right now.” Natalie states. I smirk, and snake my around around her waist as I look up at her.
“That a serious offer, or…?” I quirk an eyebrow at her, and she groans and lightly smacks my face. “Be quiet, you horny bastard.” She grumbles, before leaning down and pressing her lips to mine.
I kiss her back eagerly, before rising to my feet, my lips never leaving hers.
Eventually, we have to pull away. “Hey, dummies! The summer siesta festival thingy is starting!” Mari shouts from afar, and I groan, and let go of Nat and grab the scissors off the ground. I tuck the scissors into my pocket, and Nat grabs my hand as we walk.
Once we reach Mari, I stop and look her up and down. She looks good. Ugh. Wish I didn’t think that about her. I pull my hand away from Nat’s and brush off my shirt. “It’s the summer SOLSTICE festival, Mar.” I correct, and Mari rolls her eyes, before walking off ahead of us.
I chuckle and grab Nat’s hand again, letting her lead the way.
Once i’m there, I see Shauna walking off to her hut while everyone else is gathered by Van.
I roll my eyes and follow after her. “Aren’t you coming?” I ask, and she turns around slowly to face me.
“I’m good.” She states, looking unamused, before turning back around.
“Wait!” I stop her, and she turns around again, tucking her hands into her pockets as she glares at me. “Van’s worked really hard on this. That’s all.” I state.
“So are you asking me if I wanna go, or are you telling me I have to?” She replies. My lips press into a thin line, and I walk closer to her.
“I thought we didn’t hate each other anymore. What the fuck is your problem? I was just checking in.” Shauna rolls her eyes at that.
“And I deeply appreciate it, my king.” Shauna replies, her tone positively dripping in sarcasm. I don’t have the time to deal with her right now, so I just walk away.
“Welcome to the first annual summer solstice festival!” Van announces, holding her arms out. Everyone cheers and claps. She’s in a fancy outfit, wearing a leather cape adorned with colorful tassles. “Before we get started, congratulations to the winners of capture the bone, a name I still think we should consider workshopping further!” Van says with a smile.
“Spread that V, dot that I, roll that C T O R Y!” Misty and the rest of the winning team cheer, and Van does a little dance as she does. Taissa boos them.
“Per our wager, I hope the rest of you enjoy being our servants for the day. Now let’s get started, shall we?” Van begins.
“Previously, on… the Yellowjackets.” Everyone cheers. “On the verge of making history by sweeping nationals without giving up, a single goal, thanks mostly to the raddest goalkeeper in the history of the sport…” Everyone boos her, Sean being the loudest, before laughing.
They all start throwing pine cones at her, and she blocks every one.
She catches one, and tosses it into the air before catching it again. “Our heroes…” She pauses. “No… our SHEroes, were robbed of fame and fortune by the cruel hand of fate! And bu mechanical failure, or possibly pilot error. Unclear.” Van holds her hands up.
“But! No mere plane crash could keep our intrepid girls—and a few dudes—down. No, they rose to this new challenge like the champions they were always meant to be…” Van continues on her storytelling, but Sean’s mind is elsewhere.
He keeps looking over at Shauna, a concerned expression on his face. She’s different. More irritable. She has this feud going with Mari. It’s definitely put Sean to work a lot, having to deal with their bickering so much.
Sean, Gen, Taissa, Van, and Natalie are meeting in Natalie and Sean’s shared cabin.
Misty approaches the entrance. “Are you guys meeting now? Do you want me to, um, take minutes?” Misty asks with a smile, and Sean looks back and shakes his head.
“Nah, goggles, go enjoy your day, you’ve earned it.” He replies, and Misty smiles and nods, before walking off. “Bye, Misty!” Van calls out to her as she walks away, which earns her a smack from Tai.
Sean exhales. “Alright… who’s going first?” He asks. Nobody speaks up. He groans. “Alright, thanks for making my job easy. Nat, Gen. Hunting? How goes it?” Sean quirks an eyebrow at the two girls.
“Good. The deer are running like crazy in the north valley.” Gen states. Tai looks at her and asks “Have you seen anything while you’re out there?”
“Like murderous pyromaniacs?” Van pitches in. Sean looks at Nat and Gen expectantly. Nat’s lips press into a thin line. Gen shakes her head.
Eventually, the meet concludes. Right as Sean is about to leave, he’s held back by Taissa. “Hey, Sean… can we talk?” She asks, and Sean gestures for her to continue. “This thing between Shauna and Mari…” Taissa begins, and Sean sighs.
“I don’t like it either. Something’s up with Shauna, and Mari being Mari isn’t helping.” Sean states. Taissa gives him a relieved smile. “Glad you’re not brushing this off. I think you should talk to them.” Tai suggest, and Sean bites his lip and looks off to the side.
“I know my sister, Tai… I know when you should and shouldn’t talk to her. And right now…? I don’t think anyone is getting through to her.” He sighs once more. Tai shrugs. “Well… just saying. Out here? Everything is life or death. Don’t forget what happened to Jackie.” Sean’s jaw clenches at Taissa’s words.
Meanwhile, somewhere further out…
A pyromanic coach has found supplies…
“So, for your solstice dining pleasure or whatever, we have deer soup.” Nat states as the losing team sets down the winning team’s meals. “Also known as braised venison stew, served with our finest vintage of berry wine.” Taissa adds.
Before Shauna sets down Mari’s soup, she spits into it. Mari’s smile falls instantly at the sight. “Bon appétit.” Shauna says, and Mari looks down at her bowl. “What? Aren’t you hungry? Go ahead. Just give me a reason.”
Mari looks at her in disbelief. “What. The. Fuck…? Shauna just spit in my food!” Mari states. Sean groans. “Are you gonna do something about this or what?” Mari asks.
Sean sighs. “Fucking hell, Shauna! Did you spit in the damn soup?!” Sean asks his twin, clearly done with her and Mari’s bullshit.
“What? No! The fact that you would even think I would is insulting.” Sean sees it. The little quiver in her lips. It’s a lie.
“Shauna fucking Shipman, you spat in her soup, I can tell you’re lying.” He glares at her, and Shauna huffs.
Mari stands up, holding her soup, and glares at Shauna. She’s about an inch taller than her, and she’s using that extra inch to her advantage to intimidate the other brunette.
“You should eat.” Shauna reminds her. “I worked hard to make it.” She adds. Mari holds out the bowl beside the two of them, and dumps its contents on the ground.
She drops the bowl, and turns back to Shauna. “I should fucking kick your ass.” Shauna then grabs Mari’s hair and forces her down to the ground.
She smushes Mari’s face into the pile of stew on the ground. “I told you to eat, bitch!” She shouts, and everyone springs into action.
Shauna is pried off of her, and Sean helps Mari up before glaring at his twin. “I am so fucking tired of you two’s bullshit! If you two have even an ounce of fucking respect for me, you’ll listen up!” He shouts. “No more bickering. No more fighting. No. More. Violence. I hear even a snide comment, and i’m sending you two to your huts! You wanna act like children, you’ll get treated like it, so you two are fucking grounded, hear me?!”
Sean has finally snapped, he’s yelling, and obviously pissed off. He exhales, before scoffing. “Tomorrow, since Shauna’s done the worst of it tonight, she’ll be on house arrest. Mari, you’re on thin ice. Do you understand me?” Sean asks, to which he gets no response.
His jaw clenches. “I said…” He begins through gritted teeth. “Do. You. Understand…?” He looks at the two girls with a dangerous expression on his face. Mari nods weakly, and Shauna scoffs, but nods. “Good. Glad that’s settled. Mari, you can have my portion of stew.” He straightens out his cloak.
Everyone besides Mari is gathered around in a half circle, with Lottie in the middle. “On this… shortest night of the year, we gather to honor three souls that have slipped into the darkness that lasts forever.”
“We celebrate their sacrifice. We grieve their loss. And rejoice at the knowledge that they’re still here with us.” Lottie says, as everyone helps light five different lanterns made of newspaper.
They let them all go, and watch as the ascend into the sky. “We know that they are because we can still hear them. Because we can still feel them. Because they haven’t gone.” Lottie explains.
Out of the corner of Sean’s eye, he can see Jackie leaning against a tree. Only this time… she’s not alone. She’s accompanied by Javi, and she’s holding a baby. Sean swallows nervously, and shuts his eyes tightly, muttering things to himself, before he opens his eyes again, only this time they’re gone. He breathes a sigh of relief.
“They’ve just returned to a place that waits for all of us. We call to Javi, now with the wilderness to watch over us.” Lottie says, and everyone repeats the last three words.
“We call to Jackie, now with the wilderness, guide us.” Everyone repeats the last two words.
“We call to the child, now with the wilderness, deliver us.” Everyone besides Sean and Shauna repeat the last two words. Without a word, Shauna leaves.
Suddenly, screaming can be heard in the distance. “Do you hear that?” Asks Akilah, looking at Misty. “Hear what?” Misty looks at her, confused.
Suddenly, the screaming returns, and Misty hears it this time. Everyone does. Sean covers his ears with the end of his stub and his hand.
Coach Scott approaches his deer trap, a soft smirk on his face as he hears the pained moaning of a deer.
However, inside the pit is not a deer. Or an animal at all.
