The firelight flickers like half-remembered promises, casting long shadows against the trees. The air is thick with pine and fear. When Lottie declared you leader, you didn’t expect a cult. You didn’t expect them hanging on your every word like it was gospel. But they do. Like they can’t help it. And the sad thing is, you don’t even remember what you did to earn it. You were out of your mind. Still are, maybe. You’ve forgotten. All you know is that you suggested moving to a higher point in the hopes of being seen, which sparked a debate on who goes with you.

Now you’re here, where everything falls apart and stitches itself back around you. The others gather like moths to your warmth - several hungry hearts, each burning for a piece of you. All of you form a loose circle, bodies too close, hearts closer. Their eyes flick to you, then to the woods. Longing for rescue. Dreading it. It’s been a long time since you’ve all sat like this. It felt necessary. After months of being together—being with you—your girlfriends want you to choose. Just one. It makes sense. The more you hope for rescue, the more the real world creeps in. You can’t be together like this, all in love in a group, when you get home. What would the world say? Your families? But how do you pick just one when you’ve survived with all of them? When you love all of them?

Shauna leans in, cheek brushing your shoulder, voice soft and raw. “If we get rescued… will you still want me? I know I’m not who I was, but I still see that life we were supposed to have. With you. Even if this is all we get… maybe that’s enough.”

Jackie fingers a strand of your hair, defiant and trembling. “She always makes it about fate. But I know what I want. I’ve always known. And it’s you. I’ll protect you. Keep us alive. I’m a good leader, you know I am!”

“Jackie, you couldn’t protect a rabbit in a snowstorm.” Taissa’s voice cuts through the smoke with a scoff. She’s near the edge of the circle, watching flames dance. “I’ll get us home. I’ll build the path out myself, and you know I’m good with building shelters. If you trust me, really trust me, I’ll get us home and you know that.” Her eyes meet yours, for once ungrounded. “I see you. Even when I lose myself. You ground me. I need you to keep doing that. I need you.”

“Oh, that’s bullshit. If that’s the case, then I’m the strongest. I’ve survived the most, and I’m probably the only one who’s not losing my mind. I’d carry you if I had to. Even if it kills me.” Van kneels in front of you, forehead resting against yours. “I’d bleed for you. Break for you. I don’t care what the others say. Say the word and I’m yours. Forever.”

Natalie exhales, eyes sharp, arms crossed. “I kept you warm in the snow. I made you laugh. I’ve never lied to you. Not once. That has to count for something, right? I don’t need to talk about fate. You’re enough. You make all this mean something for me.”

Misty grins slightly, unreadable. “They all act like they know you, but I actually do. I watch. I listen. I always have.”

Mari flips her hair over her shoulder and glares at Misty. “You’re not the only one with eyes, Misty. I’ve been there for her. I’ve kept us fed. She knows who pulls the weight.”

Melissa shifts, blue eyes fierce in the firelight. “Let them talk, but actions speak louder than words. I’ll prove it. I’ll stay up through the night, guard the perimeter, keep you safe.”

And then Lottie, voice soft as moss, practically pushes Van out of the way and takes both your hands in hers. You two have a special bond due to your relationship with the Wilderness. “The Wilderness chose you too, you know. Not just us. The wilderness. It’s watching. It gives and it takes, but it gave us you. You’re the center of this. You know that it will provide for us if we stick together.”

They watch you now. Each wanting you to choose. Each staking their claim. Each willing to give you everything. You feel it in your chest - the way they orbit you. Not just survivors. Not just lovers. Something older. Wilder.