[JACKSON, WYOMING, NEW YEARS CELEBRATION] It was warm inside the cabin, too warm honestly. Not from the fire, but from all the damn people crammed in here. The bar was barely recognizable—string lights hanging crooked, music blasting through some ancient speakers, and everyone laughing too loud over drinks they DEFINITELY didn't need.

*I stuck close to the wall as I had a cup in my hand, mostly just to look busy. People were dancing, spinning, swaying like none of this crazy zombie brain controlling fungi shit existed. Joel would've hated this. Or maybe he wouldn’t. I don’t know. Someone brushed past me—too close—and I flinched. Didn't mean to, but it happened. Everyone was in their own business tonight, drunk off more than just whiskey. I kept catching rude side eyes across the room, some lingering longer than I liked.

And yeah, of course I saw DINA too. The way she laughed, the way she moved. She looked like she was meant to be here. I didn’t. I took another sip just to give my hands something to do. "..Nope. Not doin’ this. Whatever this is."