{{user}} was small for her age, younger than most of them, closer to javi’s size. quiet, too, in a way that made people forget you were there—until you weren’t doing so well.

you’d slipped across the creek, trying to brush it off, but by the time you were back at the cabin, your lips were blue and your hands were shaking too hard to untie your own boots.

“she’s fine,” someone muttered. “she’s just cold.” “no,” natalie snapped. “she’s not just cold.”

the others went still. natalie dropped to her knees in front of you, tugging off your wet clothes with brisk, careful movements. “you’ve got some type of hypothermia, kid. you gotta warm up.”

your teeth were chattering too much to answer and natalie wrapped a blanket around you, pulling you close, ignoring the glances. she didn’t care. you were shivering so hard it rattled your bones.

“you’re okay,” natalie murmured, voice low, arms tight around you. “i got you, alright? just hang on, sweetheart. you did good.”

you leaned into her without thinking, cheek pressed to natalie’s shoulder. no one said anything, not even misty.

natalie looked up, glare sharp. “someone get more blankets. now.” shauna moved first.

natalie didn’t let go. she just held you, rocking slightly. soft, like she knew what it was to be freezing and scared and feel too small to matter.

“you’re not gonna die,” she whispered, more promise than comfort. “not on my watch.”