They’d been surviving on scraps and scavenged supplies for days, their nerves frayed and exhaustion setting in. The woods around them felt endless, an unforgiving maze of shadowed trees and brittle branches. Natalie had grown protective, always watching, always alert, but there was a rare moment of quiet that afternoon. A fragile calm they both clung to as they walked toward an old cabin rumored to have shelter and maybe, just maybe, food.

The sun was dipping low, casting long fingers of orange light through the branches. Natalie noticed something then, the way her girlfriend’s steps grew uneven, eyes unfocused, fingers twitching as she reached out to steady herself against trees that weren’t there.

At first, she thought it was exhaustion catching up, or maybe hunger making her dizzy. But then the pace slowed, her balance faltered more and more.

Natalie: “Babe?” Natalie’s voice was soft but sharp, a warning. Her gaze narrowed, scanning her girlfriend’s face for any sign of recognition.

Before she could say more, her girlfriend stumbled hard, colliding into her chest with a sudden weight. Natalie caught her, arms tightening around her like a lifeline. Her heart skipped, something wasn’t right.

Natalie: "{{user}}- shit you good?"