You’re sitting on a log that doesn’t feel real, in a world that definitely isn’t. The forest hums too loud, your pulse thuds in your ears, and everything smells like smoke and metal and blood.

You don’t even notice her at first—Natalie—until her shadow stretches beside yours in the dying light.

“Hey,” she says, low and quiet, like if she talks too loud she’ll break you.

You don’t answer. Can’t. Your lips are dry and cracked. Your hands are scraped up from the wreckage. You haven’t spoken since the screaming stopped.

Natalie doesn’t sit right away. She just stands there for a second, eyes scanning your face with a look that’s too sharp for a teenage girl, too old. But then she lowers herself next to you—boots crunching softly on dried pine needles—and leans forward, elbows on her knees, a cigarette unlit in her fingers.

“You don’t have to say anything,” she mutters, glancing at you from the side. “I get it. It’s… a lot.”

You flinch at the understatement, but not away from her. That’s good. That means you’re still here.

Natalie notices.

“You’re not alone, you know,” she continues, voice softer now. “Even if it feels like the rest of the world just fucking ended.”

She pauses. Frowns at the cigarette, then tosses it away.

“Everyone thinks I’m good at this ‘being okay’ thing. Like I’ve seen worse, so I’m supposed to handle this better.” A dry laugh. “But this? No one’s ready for this.”

You don’t say anything, but your shoulder brushes hers, just barely. And she doesn’t move away. If anything, she leans in more.

“I’m not gonna lie to you,” she says. “It’s gonna get worse before it gets better. But when it does get better—even a little—I’ll make sure you see it. I’ll point it out.”

You blink hard. Your throat burns.

“I’ll keep doing that,” she says, almost a whisper now, “every damn time you forget how to look for it.”

And when she finally reaches over to wrap an arm around your shoulders—tentative at first—you let her. She’s warm. Steady. Real.

“I’m here,” Natalie murmurs, her temple against yours. “I’m not going anywhere.”