[048] the queen of hearts

                                                                                       The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the fire raging on gently within the fireplace. Courtney stood in front of the fireplace, facing the girls circled around her all eagerly watching her as she shuffled the cards. Courtney was as calm as ever, already having a plan set in place. She knew exactly who she wanted to take out, carefully shuffling the cards so it'd go that way. 

                                                                                     "Obviously, Lottie and Suki are excluded from this one. It's just going to be us playing the game," Courtney announced, handing the cards over to Van when she was finished. "Only one of us will be chosen to be the next sacrifice. And whoever it is, just know that your sacrifice won't be in vain."

                                                                                     The words do little to lift the tension from the group. If anything, that makes them all feel more tense than ever. But nevertheless, they had to carry on with the game. Courtney went first in drawing a card from Van, picking out the Queen of Spades which she held out for the others to see. The next one in line was Misty who grabbed the Eight of Diamonds, gasping in relief as she saw the card. She and Misty share a smile, glad to be excluded from being killed. Courtney didn't want to lose her newfound friend and Misty obviously didn't want to lose Courtney either.

                                                                                 They were determined to protect each other no matter what.

                                                                                  After that, Misty put her card away before she took over from Van and turned to Akilah so she could have her chance. It was so silent within the room that you could hear a pin drop, everyone watching in both fear and anticipation as Akilah drew a card for herself. Would she be safe or would she be food? Courtney already had a feeling she wouldn't, one that'd be proven correct when she ended up with the Seven of Spades which she showed to the others.

                                                                                Van was next, drawing the Jack of Hearts and gripping onto it firmly. Taissa sighed in relief, happy to know that her lover was safe from the knife. Shauna was the next one, pulling out the Four of Diamonds, and Travis grabbed the Ace of Clubs. Misty then moved on to Taissa, the girl drawing the Six of Spades, and she soon went to Melissa who got the Three of Hearts.

                                                                               All eyes were on Javi when it was his turn, the boy grabbing his card which was shown to be the King of Spades. Travis instantly hugged Javi close, the boy practically burrowing himself in his brother's arms. "It's okay," Travis quickly assured the boy, "It's okay, it's okay."

                                                                             After that, it was Natalie's turn. Courtney barely manages to bite back a smile as she watches the blonde practically tremble with fear. Briefly, Natalie looks up to meet Courtney's gaze, seeing how red her eyes were. They seemed to be red with hunger and Natalie quickly looks away, deciding to grab the very card Courtney had been hoping for.

                                                                             Releasing a shaky breath, Natalie reluctantly turned her card around and everyone was able to see the card she had picked out: the Queen of Hearts. The others were shocked by the outcome, some of them even backing away from the circle. Although they had been incredibly hungry, most of them hadn't actually been expecting someone to get chosen. But Courtney eagerly watched as Natalie stepped forward to the center of the circle, seemingly accepting her fate. Even Shauna was shocked, lingering there for a moment before she finally stepped forward and prepared herself (both physically and mentally) for what she had to do.

                                                                           They needed to eat at the end of the day. And if Natalie was going to be their next meal, then so be it.

                                                                          "Turn around," Shauna ordered, unable to meet Natalie's watery gaze.

                                                                            Natalie reluctantly did as she was told, allowing Shauna to put Jackie's necklace on her. Jackie had been wearing it before she died and now, it was Natalie's turn. Shauna then grabbed the hunting knife and Courtney's heart skips a beat, watching everything go according to plan. However, Shauna faltered as she held onto Natalie, seemingly unable to go through with it.

                                                                          "Wait, wait," Natalie suddenly interjects as she turns around, stopping Shauna from going through with the act. Now facing Shauna, she glared at her with tears in her eyes and shaky breaths leaving her lips. "You're gonna have to look me in the eye."

                                                                            It was exactly what Natalie had told her right before Courtney had almost killed her during the night of Doomcoming.

                                                                          Shauna sniffles, raising the blade up to Natalie's throat while Natalie failed at keeping her composure. She was trembling with fear, reminding Courtney of the very rabbits and other animals she mutilated. Her eyes were wide and glossy like a frightened little animal too, trembling at the thought of dying and being eaten just like Jackie.

                                                                          Suddenly, Travis raced forward and tackled Shauna to the ground. Most of the girls stepped back in shock but Mari and Van raced over to where he was, desperate to stop him and carry out with the task at hand. Natalie got up quickly and Courtney locked her eyes on the blonde, Travis shoving Van away and smacking Mari off of him with ease.

                                                                         "Run!" he ordered Natalie with urgency, causing the blonde to make a run for it.

                                                                          But Courtney grabbed a hold of Natalie, yanking her back by her hair. "You're not going anywhere."

                                                                          Natalie tried to fight back, running back and shoving Courtney into the wall. Courtney groaned in pain but she still tried to hold onto Natalie, wrapping an arm around her throat and starting to choke her. But Natalie was a true fighter, biting Courtney's arm hard enough to make her scream in pain before she had no choice but to let her go.

                                                                        "You fucking bitch!" Courtney exclaims as Natalie took off running, looking down at her arm and seeing a new bite mark, a little bit of blood rising up to the surface. The very same blod that now stained Natalie's teeth and her taste buds.

                                                                        "No, she's getting away!" Misty exclaimed.

                                                                          Travis rushed to the door, preparing to block it so none of them could chase after her. But Shauna jumped on his back and attacked him. Courtney grabbed a weapon of her own, joining the gang of girls which now held him at knife point to keep him from going far. But soon enough, Taissa took the lead and opened the door - leading them all out to chase after Natalie. A monstrous hunger controlled their movements, fueling them as they chased their meal down while screaming and howling like wolves.

                                                                         In the attic, Suki could hear commotion and shouting but she didn't really know what was going on. She was in and out of sleep, continuing to have visions. It was a little more clearer than before and she saw that the group of people running through the pure white snow happened to be her very own team mates, Courtney at the center with devilish red eyes. Their teeth were sharp and they were carrying all sorts of sharp weapons, howls leaving their lips as they chased after something.

                                                                        No, not something. Someone.

                                                                        The girls continued to run, chasing after Natalie. Although they didn't know where she was, it was as though they were being guided by something. Something much bigger than them. It was the Wilderness. It had to be pleased with them and the game Courtney had made, finally carrying out Its wishes.

                                                                     "Natalie!" Misty exclaimed.

                                                                      Obviously, Natalie wouldn't answer and the group of girls had no choice but to stop - looking around to try and find any sign of Natalie.

                                                                     "I don't hear her," Melissa remarked.

                                                                     "Shh, listen," Shauna orders, deciding to give the Wilderness a chance so it could help them find Natalie.

                                                                       For a brief moment, only silence could be heard. They were looking around them, trying to sense and hear Natalie. They had quickly turned into animals, hungry for their newest prey to devour. And they'd stop at nothing to catch her. Just then, Courtney swears that she can hear footsteps beside her and she grins.

                                                                     "I hear her! Follow me!" Courtney exclaimed, running ahead and leading the others to where Natalie was. "Natalie! Natalie, don't be a fucking coward! Accept your fate!"

                                                                      The others continued to howl and shout as they chased after Natalie, following Courtney's lead. "There she is! She's at the lake!"

                                                                       Eventually, they'd spot Natalie and who appeared to be Javi running towards the lake and they continued to chase after them. They were gaining on them now and in no time, Courtney's plan would finally be complete. Weapons raised and adrenaline pumping through their veins, the group of girls would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

                                                                      Natalie slipped as she ran out onto the lake with Javi beside her, looking back at the others now chasing after her with hunger in their eyes. Javi helped her up to her feet and they continued to run as far as they could before the unthinkable would happen.

                                                                     The ice underneath Javi suddenly cracked and split open, causing him to immediately dive into the freezing cold water underneath.

                                                                   "Javi!" Natalie exclaimed, watching with tears in her eyes.

                                                                   "Stop!" Courtney shouted.

                                                                   "Spread out so the ice doesn't break!" Mari warned.

                                                                    The girls quickly spread out, not wanting to make the ice crack even more. Courtney was careful as she tried to approach Natalie, still intent on fulfilling the hunt they had all started. But Javi was still trying to survive, reaching out for help and failing to hold onto the slippery ice.

                                                                    "Help me!" Javi cried out.

                                                                    Misty rushed over to grab Natalie, holding her back as the others made their way to the hole. Akilah had said something but Courtney could barely make it out. She just watched as Javi continued to struggle in the water, slowly drowning to death as the icy water flooded his lungs and suffocated him from the inside.

                                                                  "Wait! Wait!" Shauna stops her, seeming to have the same idea as Courtney.

                                                                    A tense silence followed as the group watched Javi drown to death in the freezing cold water, guilt and horror washing over them in waves. His movements and suffering soon came to an end, the boy's corpse now holding onto a handful of snow as he slowly sank to the surface.

                                                                  "Grab him," Taissa orders, causing the other girls to go down on their knees and begin dragging Javi's body out of the water. Misty joined in right beside Courtney, both of them using all of their strength to pull him out.

                                                                   Finally, they'd manage to get him out of the water and lie him flat on the ice like a slab of meat on the kitchen counter. Courtney wasn't thrilled about Natalie escaping them. But she was quickly realize that it was never supposed to be her choice. The Wilderness had wanted Javi and It managed to get him, as would be made clear by Misty checking him to see if he was alive. But with no sign of a heartbeat and the fact that he was absolutely motionless... it told Courtney and the others everything they needed to know.

                                                                  Misty shakes her head anyway, letting them know that Javi was dead. While some of them were sad about what happened, most of them could barely hide their joy and excitement over the fact that they wouldn't be going back to the cabin empty handed.

                                                                 "The Wilderness chose!" Courtney declared. "And It is pleased with us."

                                                                  Courtney hadn't been this happy in a long time.

(🌲🔪🦌)

word count: 2011
notes: a little bit on the shorter side but hey we have a messy ass courtney centric chapter so count your blessings lmao. also court absolutely rigged the cards to have natalie set up but either way, the wilderness has the final word and it influenced courtney to come up with the game and have her basically cheat so everything could play out by its design

i really hope that makes sense lmao