Parker , Isa , Wren | 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟲
somewhere in the wilderness

"Seriously?" Mari groaned, kicking a bush. "How the fuck are there no fucking berries?"

Van sighed. "The birds could be picking them off."

"Or mice," Akilah added.

"I'd eat the crap out of a mouse right now," Van muttered.

"Ew," Mari and Akilah said in unison. "Gross."

"You know, some animals survive by eating their own vomit," Lottie chimed in, casually dropping the disgusting fact.

Van made a face. "Okay, thanks for that image, Lott."

Mari smirked and turned to Lottie. "Did dead cabin guy tell you that, or do you guys just chat about blood and stuff?"

"No," she said, standing up. "We mostly talk about how Danny Mears dumped you for his own cousin."

Mari opened her mouth to respond, but Lottie was already walking past her.

Parker shot her girlfriend a glare and gave her a light shove. "What the fuck was that?"

Van and Akilah exchanged a look before quietly slipping away, giving Parker and Mari some space.

Mari huffed, folding her arms. "She was like, possessed the other night. It was weird as shit."

Parker's expression hardened. "What about me? Was my episode 'weird as shit?'" she asked, crossing her arms.

Mari sighed, immediately regretting her words. "No, I—"

"I don't have time for this," Parker interrupted, turning on her heel and walking toward Lottie and Van.

"Trouble in paradise?" Van teased as Parker approached, earning an eye roll from the cheerleader. "Just ignore Mari, she hasn't taken a shit in like two weeks."

Parker didn't laugh. "Mari acted like a total bitch to Lottie. That's not something I'm just gonna ignore."

"Aww," Lottie says, nudging Parker. "You care about me!"

Parker shoved her sister away. "Not anymore."

Van chuckled at the exchange, but Parker's attention drifted past them. Her gaze landed on Mari who was a few feet away, laughing at something Akilah had said. The sight twisted something in Parker's chest—jealousy, anger, something in between.

Van followed Parker's line of sight. "Who do you wanna punch? Mari or Akilah?"

"Both," Parker muttered. She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I don't know how Mari could even say that around me."

"To be fair, she's always kind of a bitch to everyone," Lottie pointed out.

Parker folded her arms, frowning. "Well, that's not my Mari."

Van sighed. "Look, Mari loves you. I don't think she'd purposely say something to hurt you. Don't take it to heart."

"Whatever," Parker muttered, turning on her heel and heading back toward the cabin.

Isa and Natalie were on the porch, preparing to go hunting, when Parker stormed past them and into the cabin without a word. They exchanged confused glances before Isa leaned inside.

"What's got you so pissed off?" she asked.

"Mari," Parker answered curtly.

Isa snorted. "That's a first."

Parker shot her a glare, but before she could say anything, Natalie nudged Isa. "Come on," she said, slinging the rifle over her shoulder.

Isa and Natalie disappeared into the forest, searching for something to keep them from starving. The only thing keeping Isa motivated to keep up the hunt was the promise of making out with Natalie in the plane afterward.

———

Natalie was straddling Isa, her fingers weaving through Isa's dark hair as they kissed. She tugged on it lightly, drawing a soft moan from Isa. They shifted positions in the plane, lying down now, with Natalie still on top. Her hands drifted to Isa's waist, but Isa suddenly pulled away.

"Wait," Isa breathed, trying to steady herself.

Natalie smiled knowingly. "It's fine, we don't have to."

"No," Isa said quickly, shaking her head. "I want to. I've just never done this before."

"What, have sex with a girl?" Natalie asks, tilting her head. "Neither have I. But we can figure it out." She laughed, trying to ease the tension.

Isa didn't join in. She shook her head again, more firmly this time. "I've never had sex with anyone."

Natalie's expression softened. "It's okay." She rolled off Isa, settling beside her. "We can wait until you're ready. Besides, we should probably head back anyway."

Isa turned to look at her. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for anything," Natalie assured her. "If you're not ready, that's fine. I don't care. I just want you to be comfortable. No pressure, ever."

Isa shifted closer, tucking her face into the crook of Natalie's neck. "I love you, Nat."

Natalie smiled, wrapping her arms around Isa. "I love you too."

They lay there in a peaceful silence, Isa's breath warm against Natalie's skin.

After a while, Isa broke the quiet. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?" Natalie hummed, eyes half closed.

"I know our plane crashed, and we're basically starving, but, do you like it out here?" Isa hesitated. "I mean, we don't have to pretend to be anybody or follow any stupid rules. We can just be ourselves without worrying about judgment."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Their situation was shitty, but the freedom was intoxicating. Isa hadn't felt this free in years. Maybe she never would again.

Natalie was quiet for a long moment before answering. "I don't know. I've never thought about it like that. Maybe if we had a lifetime supply of food and a shower, I wouldn't mind."

They stayed there a little longer, soaking in each other's presence. But as the sun dipped lower, they finally stood, fingers laced together as they headed back to the cabin. Neither of them cared about hiding anymore.

The moment they returned to the cabin, the girls whistled and laughed.

"Natalie and Isa sittin' in a tree," Laura Lee sings, grinning. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"I think they're doing a bit more than kissing," Lottie added with a smirk.

"Hey, Nat, what exactly are you and Isa hunting for out there, anyway?" Mari asks.

"I hear it's beaver season!" Van chimes in.

Natalie flipped them off. "Sit and spit, assholes."

"Is this why we don't have any food?" Jackie calls from the porch, arms crossed. "Because you've been too busy running for the mayor of pound town?"

Natalie doesn't even hesitate. "Uh, go fuck yourself?"

Jackie scoffs. "I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Nat's always down for a good time, right?"

"I can't magically conjure a deer, Jackie," Natalie snaps. "But keep talking shit, I'll find something to shoot."

"Oh wow, you're so tough."

"I'm not scared of you, burnout."

"No, you're jealous," Natalie fires back, her voice tight, on the verge of cracking. "Because you're an uptight, prudish little bitch."

"Hey!" Taissa shouts, stepping between them and shoving Natalie back. "Knock it off, both of you."

Natalie spins on her heel and storms off, Isa follows. She finds Natalie slumped against the side of the porch and silently joins her, setting the rifle down beside them.

"You okay?" Isa asks.

"Jackie's a bitch," Natalie mutters. "She does nothing but sit on her ass all day, and she has the nerve to act like we don't do anything?"

"If I were you, I would've knocked her teeth out," Isa says, making Natalie chuckle softly. "The shit she said about you really pissed me off."

"You could still go punch her," Natalie jokes.

Isa shakes her head. "Pretty sure Shauna would gouge my eyes out for touching Jackie."

Natalie lets out a disbelieving laugh. "What?"

"Come on," Isa says. "Have you seen the way they are with each other?"

Natalie raises an eyebrow. "When did you get so observant?"

"Back home, I actually had a life. Here, I have nothing but time. I notice things." Isa shrugs. "Like, I'm pretty sure Tai and Van are a thing, so are Parker and Mari, Wren has the hots for Travis, Lottie and Laura Lee are pining over each other, and Shauna wants to either kiss Jackie or kill her. It alternates."

Natalie stares at her, slightly impressed. "Wow, I didn't know you were such a stalker."

Isa laughs and shoves Natalie lightly. "Shut up!"

Before Natalie can respond, Javi rounds the corner and hesitates when he sees them.

Natalie stands, grabbing the rifle and slinging it over her shoulder. "I'll go put the gun away."

Javi settles beside his sister. "What made you want to tell everyone now?"

Isa shrugs. "They were gonna find out sooner or later. And I love Natalie. I don't want to hide that." She glances at him. "How did Travis react?"

"He was just surprised," Javi says with a small shrug. "He didn't really care enough to make a scene."

They sit in silence for a moment before Javi speaks again.

"Do you think we're gonna die out here?"

Isa looks at her little brother, her expression softening. "I don't know. I hope not. I don't want to leave mom all alone."

"I'm sorry. It's my fault the séance ended how it did."

"No, it's not your fault," Isa says, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Lottie and Parker have been acting weird for weeks. You didn't do anything. No one else blames you, Javi."

There was another beat of silence. Then Isa nudges him.

"You wanna learn how to shoot?"

Javi smiles. "Yeah."

"Come on, you're gonna learn from a professional."

Javi snorts. "You're not a professional."

"I'm a hunter, aren't I?"

"Still not a professional."

They stand, and Isa playfully smacks the back of Javi's head. He chuckles, shoving her back as they walk off together.

———

Wren stepped into the cabin, heading for the axe to chop more wood, when she noticed Travis sitting at the table, staring into space.

"Hey, are you dead over there?" she asked, chuckling softly.

"Huh?" Travis blinked, snapping out of it.

Wren laughed and sat down across from him. "Are you okay?"

Travis shrugged. "I finished my chores, so now I'm just sitting here."

"You should still find something to do."

"I already did my part," he said simply.

Wren rolled her eyes and grabbed his wrist, tugging him up from his seat. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" he asked, not resisting as she pulled him along.

"You're gonna chop wood," she told him, snatching the axe on her way out.

Once they reached the chopping block, Wren handed Travis the axe and set a log in place.

"Okay, so—"

"I know what to do," Travis cut her off.

He lifted the axe and swung, only managing to chip off a small piece of the log. Wren clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.

"Shut up," Travis muttered.

"First off, spread your legs, they're too close together," Wren instructed, tapping his legs with her shoe. "Second, that's not how you hold an axe."

She reached out, adjusting his grip, one hand sliding further up the handle and the other a bit lower. Travis glanced at her for a moment before shifting his focus back to the axe.

"Try again," Wren said, stepping back.

Travis lifted the axe and swung. This time, the log split cleanly in half.

Wren clapped, chuckling. "Finally!"

"Shut up," Travis said, fighting a grin. "This shit's easy, I didn't need a tutorial."

Wren gave him a look. "You kind of did."

Travis swung the axe onto the chopping block and walked away, turning his body to flip her off.

"You're welcome!" Wren called after him.

She laughed, shaking her head and yanked the axe out of the chopping block.

"What's up with you and Travis?" Natalie asked from her spot on the porch.

"Nothing," Wren said, placing another log on the block and splitting it in half.

Natalie smirked. "We shared a womb for nine months. I can tell when you like a guy."

"Fine," Wren admitted. "I like him. So what? It's not a crime."

Natalie shot her a pointed look. "It is if you already have a boyfriend."

Wren sighed. "Travis is different than Ryder. Ryder is nice, but boring. Travis—"

"Pointed a gun at you?" Natalie interrupted. "Why do you like him?"

"I already forgave him for that. And I don't know why you're getting so worked up about this."

"Because he's an asshole!" Natalie snapped.

"My god, you're annoying!" Wren groaned. "Just shut the fuck up! I don't talk shit about Isa, so I don't know why you're talking shit about Travis."

"Isa isn't an asshole!" Natalie yelled.

"Then why'd she ignore you for weeks? You were so depressed about it, it was honestly pathetic."

"Fuck you." Natalie spat.

She stormed off, leaving Wren to keep chopping wood. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, but she didn't look up. She knew she shouldn't have said that, but it was too late to take it back now.

———

Days had passed since that shit show, and the Scatorccio twins still weren't speaking. Every time Wren tried to apologize, Natalie would come up with some excuse to leave. Eventually, Wren just stopped trying.

To avoid her sister altogether, Natalie had started extending her and Isa's hunting trips. After yet another unsuccessful day, the couple ended up at the plane, lying shirtless together, Natalie on top of Isa. Her knee was pressed between Isa's legs as they made out.

"Wait," Isa breathed.

"Are you okay?" Natalie asked, pulling her hand away.

Isa nodded. "I am. I'm just a little nervous."

"We can pick this up when you're not nervous," Natalie said, sitting up.

"No, I want you right now." Isa's voice was firm, catching Natalie off guard. "I need you, Nat."

Natalie smiled. "If you want me to stop, just tell me, okay?"

Isa nodded, and they resumed kissing. Natalie had started sliding Isa's jeans down when they heard rustling coming from the bushes outside. They immediately broke apart, turning toward the sound.

"Isa," Natalie said softly. "Get the gun."

They hurriedly pulled their shirts back on. Isa grabbed the rifle, and they crept off the plane. That's when they saw a deer. But something was wrong. Its antlers were all bloody.

Isa lined up her shot and fired, and the deer collapsed. Her and Natalie tied it to a branch and carried it back to the cabin.

"Oh my god, meat!" Van shouted. "Fuck yeah!"

"Oh, thank you, Lord!" Laura Lee added.

"Whoa, that thing is gnarly," Van said, catching sight of the deer's antlers.

"It's like Freddy Krueger and Bambi had a baby," Akilah muttered.

"I'm not eating that," Javi said.

"Guys, relax. Deer shed their antlers every season, this is normal," Ben assured them. "Shauna, do the honors?"

Shauna pulled a knife from her backpack and sliced the deer's stomach open, only for maggots to spill out. Some of the girls gagged and turned away in disgust.

"That normal too, Coach?" Jackie asked dryly.

"We cannot keep fucking doing this, you guys!" Taissa snapped. "What happens when winter gets here? We fucking starve to death or freeze? We can't count on getting rescued anymore—we all know that's not gonna happen! We have to save ourselves. That's why I'm gonna go find help. I'm leaving in the morning. Come with me if you want to get out of this hellhole."

With that, she stormed into the cabin.

Isa sighed, crossing her arms. "She does make a compelling argument."

Natalie turned to her instantly. "Oh, you cannot be serious."

Isa pulled her away from the group so they could talk privately.

"Tai will probably need a hunter," Isa reasoned.

But Natalie wasn't having it. "No. What you're thinking is fucking stupid!" she snapped. "I don't want you to go."

"Why the fuck not?!" Isa shot back.

"Because I'll—" Natalie stopped herself. She exhaled sharply, looking away before finally admitting, "I think I might miss you. And I know that's a fucking selfish reason, but I don't care. I love you and I'll miss you."

Isa's expression softened. "Yeah, okay, I won't go."

Wren rounded the corner of the porch and spotted Travis standing near the edge, staring off into the forest with his hands stuffed into his jeans pockets.

"Hey," Wren said, breaking his trance. "So, uh, are you gonna go with Tai?"

Travis shrugged. "Well, not to sound like a sexist tool, but I feel like they need a guy with them."

Wren laughed. "I'm sure you can overcome the sexist part with a little effort."

Travis chuckled, shaking his head. "So, are you going with them?"

"No," Wren lied, even though she had already made up her mind. Nothing was going to convince her to stay, not Travis, and certainly not Natalie. "I'm not that much of an idiot."

Travis raised an eyebrow. "Are you calling me an idiot then?"

Wren nodded. "Maybe."

Silence settled between them. Wren tried to play it cool, but the truth was, she really didn't want Travis to go.

After a moment, she blurted out, "Travis, I don't want you to go."

Travis frowned, confused. "What? Why do you care if I go or not?"

"Because."

"I don't think 'because' is an answer."

"Because I fucking like you!" Wren snapped.

Travis froze, completely caught off guard. He opened his mouth but no words came out. His brain scrambled for a response, yet all he managed was a dumbfounded, "Oh."

Wren's stomach twisted with regret. She could feel the tears burning at the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry, that was stupid. Forget I said anything."

She turned quickly, ready to walk away, but Travis reached out, grabbing her wrist.

"Wait," he said. "Um, it wasn't stupid."

Wren hesitated. "It wasn't?"

He shook his head. "If you don't want me to go, then I won't."

Before she could think twice, Wren threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Travis stiffened for a second, startled, but then he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, holding her just as tightly.

Inside the cabin, Mari sat with Akilah, both of them already set on going with Taissa. Parker entered, and Akilah glanced between the two before excusing herself.

Finally, Parker broke the silence. "I don't want you to go."

"I thought you were pissed at me," Mari said.

"I still am. I hate how you talked to Lottie, I hate how you're a bitch to everyone who isn't me, I hate how close you've gotten with Akilah—"

Mari cut her off. "Do you hate me?"

Parker hesitated before shaking her head. She couldn't hate Mari, no matter how much she wanted to. "I love you. You can't go."

Mari sighed. She had already made up her mind. "Parker, we're starving, and you're off your meds. I have to go. For you."

"Please," Parker whispered, voice cracking. "Something bad is gonna happen."

Mari stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Promise you'll come back in one piece?" Parker asked.

Mari rested her chin on Parker's shoulder, closing her eyes. "I promise."

—————————————————————————
alex's corner!
HAPPY YELLOWJACKETS S3 RELEASE DAY