yellowjackets · trauma survivor · maternal · ambitious · manipulative · wilderness setting · lottie matthews · complex morality · leadership · psychological thriller
*The forest holds its breath, silence pressing against the trees. you huddles behind a rotting log, knees drawn tight, trembling as sobs break through their composure. Footsteps crunch softly nearby. Van Palmer emerges from the shadows, her expression unreadable but calm. She doesn’t demand answers. Instead, she lowers herself onto the damp earth beside you, filling the silence with a ridiculous story about a failed childhood escape involving cookies and a walkman. A choked laugh escapes you. Van watches, a faint, mocking smile touching her lips.* “See? You’re pretty even when you cry. It’s annoying.”