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It starts getting colder.
Natalie ignores the chill for as long as she can. She doesn't mind the shivers when she comes back to the cabin and sits in front of the fire. The cold that seems to seep deep into her bones when she's out hunting doesn't bother her much. At least, that what she tells herself. What she can't stand is watching everyone around her tremble and huddle for warmth as they gather to eat. Everyone has the same question on their mind, even if they don't say it out loud. Are we going to survive once the winter comes?
Considering for how long Natalie thinks they have been stuck in the wilderness, she estimates they're only in early autumn. She dreams about snow; first delicate snowflakes dusting the ground, overnight blizzards trapping them inside, frozen lakes, nothing but miles of blinding, deadly white. Winter is looming on the horizon and it's horrifying, but they have to make it through those first colder months before anything else.
Back at home Natalie never thought about such trivial things as seasons and weather changing. There were always more important things to worry about. It's crazy to think how their survival hinges on it now. The fact that so much time has passed already might be even crazier, and who knows how much longer they will be stuck in this hell. Well, if we starve, then it's forever.
There is no time for sulking when their lives are basically in Natalie's hands. She doesn't love the fact that she became the hunter, but someone has to carry the rifle if they want to stay alive. Dwelling on it is pointless. Aim, shoot, feast. Focus only on what's important to keep their stomachs somewhat full. Don't get distracted—
"Hey, Nat, wait."
Misty's voice snaps Natalie out of that trance so abruptly she almost walks into the still closed doors. Misty is standing right in front of her with her usual smile that is only slightly unnerving, holding something in her hands. Misty has been an enigma to Nat even before the crash, with her reputation of being the weird freak nobody should pay any attention to. She is rather strange, no doubt about it, but Natalie can't bring herself to hate her. She sees how desperately Misty wants to be a part of a group, and as much as it makes her internally flinch, she gets it. That something that may have started as pity evolved into… something else once Natalie saw Misty take the lead when hell broke loose. Respect, in a sense.
"What?"
"You're not exactly dressed appropriately to the weather."
Natalie can't help but roll her eyes. Of course Misty would say that. She's not actually annoyed, though. "Anything else? I need to leave now if you want dinner tonight."
"You can't get sick out there. Here, let me—" Natalie gets one good look at what Misty is holding before she wraps it around her neck — it's the ugliest scarf Natalie has ever seen. It's that terrible shade of light pink that for some reason reminds Nat of bathroom tiles, the detail of tiny embroidered dogs all over it doesn't help in the slightest. At the same time it's so quintessentially Misty Natalie finds it endearing.
"That's… Thank you." Natalie bites back a snarky comment about how kitschy the scarf is and just takes it. The gentle touch of Misty's hands as she adjusts the scarf to be as snug as possible makes Natalie feel all fuzzy and warm, and if she wants to have a successful hunt, she needs to push the feeling all the way down.
Misty beams at Natalie's words, proud of herself. "It's my favorite. I hid it from everyone, I know, I know it's not right to not share in our situation, but… I guess I knew I would need it eventually. Seriously, you can't catch a cold. Or worse."
"Yeah, uh. I won't. Thank you."
"Take care of yourself. Please."
Natalie catches a glimpse of herself in the reflection on the window. The pink looks ridiculous paired with her dark clothes, it's so far from what she would normally wear, but it is warm and comfortable. It's nice to have someone looking after her, despite everything. Thinking about Misty's smile, Natalie steps outside.