Taissa sat downstairs in the cabin, fire warming the space and painting glowy streaks and shadows on the far wall. The outside was cold, but near the fire, it was alright. Everyone was eating and talking, strewn about the space. Taissa herself was sitting at the table, eating her share of the bear meat.

However, Van sat alone by the fire, not really looking at anything, seeming tired. She hadn't eaten, or moved much. In the past months, everything was more real than it had been. Shauna had lost her baby, and Lottie was close to death upstairs. Things were strained, but it wasn't like Van to be this quiet.

The Van she knew was loud and vivacious, at the very least, sarcastic and funny. But she seemed...exhausted. Like she couldn't put in the effort to even spare a glance in Taissa's direction. She tried not to worry much. This life would take a toll on them all, and bad days were inevitable. Tai was also the impromptu rock around the place, keeping everything in line. She didn't have the time to focus on Van as much as she used to. It was small touches when she could spare them, sleeping bags intertwining, the occasional hand holding when they were near enough.

Still, the absence was making her worry now. It wasn't like any of them to not eat when they had the opportunity. Especially not Van, who'd taken the loss of food harder than most, seeing as she'd built so much muscle. No, she wasn't that same person. Something was wrong with Van, and she hated that her full attention couldn't go to it.