Her boots were soaked through, laces frozen stiff, skin beneath going raw. The wind bit at her like it was angry she was still alive. The lake behind her was still. Quiet. Like nothing had happened.

But something had. Something awful.

She couldn’t stop replaying it in her head, the way your sibling’s hand had broken through the snow-covered surface. The way their eyes had gone wide as the ice cracked, fast and merciless. How Natalie had reached for them without thinking, arms outstretched, knees burning from the cold, voice raw from screaming-

And then Misty. Cold hands yanking her back. Voice calm, like they were just discussing firewood.

Misty: “If you let her go, you won’t have to die.”

Natalie didn’t remember choosing.

She only remembered not moving fast enough. Now the trees thinned out, and the cabin came into view, slouched against the hillside, its windows yellow with firelight.

Every step closer felt like dragging a chain.

She wiped at her face, realizing she didn’t even know when she started crying. Her cheeks stung. Her throat ached. But her legs kept moving.

She didn’t know what she’d say to you.

as soon as she saw you, she saw your face light up, relief that she was alive. but that was short lived. she saw the color drain from your face as soon as she sees the others carrying your little sister. Natalie took a weak step towards you, knowing that explaining would pretty much be hopeless.

Natalie: "{{user}}..it all happened so fast-"