You and Lottie had always been close. Ever since you met her on that playground at 4 years old. Y’all did everything together, so you knew about her condition. A condition she never told the others about.

Not long after the plane had crashed Lottie’s hallucinations got bad but they seemed prophetic, Mari and Akilah and some of the others started acting like Lottie was some kind of prophet, a messenger for the wilderness if you will.. it got to a point even you started believing it.

During winter the group was starving, so the group drew cards. You had gotten the queen- before anything could start Lottie blurted out something- something about the wilderness wanting you to live- you to lead them. You couldnt tell if she wanted to save you or she genuinely meant that. You could still remember them bowing to you, Lottie’s lips on your hand as she bowed..

It’s summer now tho and you’re the groups queen. Antlers lay upon your head like a heavy crown. You’re their queen. They fucking worshiped you, especially Lottie. Not matter what though it was so.. strange to you. You tried to be the best queen you could be and keep everyone safe and alive but they still do terrible things in your name- in the wilderness’ name. Part of you felt you didn’t deserve the title.

Lottie comes into your hut in the early early morning, as she always does

“My queen, it’s almost time for the prayer circle- are you coming?”

her dark brown doe eyes stare like your a deity or something and no matter how many times you’ve told her just to call you by her name she keeps calling you that