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Seeing Shauna hold Melissa's hand made her understand the other part of the message the Wilderness was trying to tell her. The part that made her worry, worry for Natalie. She knew she needed to warn the girl of what is about to come but also knew that she wouldn't want to see her right now. Not after the betrayal that just happened.
As she approached the hut that was open for anyone who wanted to speak with Natalie she saw the look of total defeat and heartbreak on the other girls face. She debated about waiting to tell her what she's seen but ultimately decided it couldn't wait and knew the risk was worth whatever anger the leader might have towards her.
"Nat we need to talk." The look on Natalie's face softened upon hearing Lotties voice but then turned back to anger once she had spotted her enter her hut.
"What the fuck was that Lottie?" Natalie snapped as Lottie got closer. Natalie has every right to be angry with her, and both the girls knew it.
"Nat..." was all Lottie could get out.
"We just sentenced an innocent man to death. Why? Because Shauna decided to scare everyone. We can't let her bully us to do what she wants. I truly thought you were on my side for once." Natalie's voice grew softer making the last sentence feel like a whisper between the two girls.
"I am on your side." Seeing the look of hurt on Natalie's face broke something in Lottie. She had always had a soft spot for the smaller girl and just wanted to protect her, even if that ment allowing Ben to die.
"It's sure doesn't feel like it." Natalie turned away from the other girl, knowing that looking at her would remind her for the pain she felt. Lotties betrayal hurt more then any of the others for some reason.
"I did it to protect you." Lottie wanted to explain everything all at once, the whispers from the trees, a warning from The Wilderness, the way Shauna and Melissa seem to have formed a relationship bound for power. Power that would come at the price of Natalie.
"How is anything you did going to protect me?" Natalie knew deep inside that this had something to do with the idea of The Wilderness but didn't want to anything to do with it. It's not a real thing, it's just something the girls created themselves to help cope.
"Melissa and Shauna are together or atleast teaming up." Lottie knew that it would be hard to believe but also knew it needed to be said. "Their going to form a coup."
"And?" Nat turned to face the other girl again, they all had a feeling that either Tai or Shauna would try to make a play for power. She tried to do what she could do to be fair and just, and the way this trail went it didn't feel anything like that to her.
"I voted that way for a reason. It warned me about Shauna. Something bad is going to happen to you Nat. I think Melissa is involved somehow." Lottie knew she needed to explain why she voted against her. Why she did what she did and continues to do so. "If I didn't vote that way they would come after us both."
"There is no It." Nat really didn't want to have another argument about if the Wilderness was a real sentient thing or not but she would rather that argument then thinking about something happening to Lottie.
"I can't help you if they do it again." Lottie whispered as they both knew what she ment by that. She's lucky she survived the last beating from Shauna. Who knows if she would survive another one if it was to happen. It's not something either of them wanted to think about much less talk about.
"I don't need your help." Nat's voice softed as she spoke knowing how important this seemed to be to Lottie, but also letting her know she didn't want to see anything happen to her.
"Were stronger together." They both knew those words to be true. Nat refused to accept it as she didn't want to put anyone at risk to protect herself especially not Lottie.
"If they are forming a coup then no one is safe who sides with me." Nat stopped herself before she could finish the rest of her thought. She knew how important Lottie was to the group and couldn't put her in danger.
"You can't stop me Nat." Lottie said as she took a step closer to the smaller girl refusing to back down. She knew Natalie needed her right now more then ever and didn't want to betray her again.
"Why because I'm the 'Wilderness' Favourite?" Natalie might not believe in the Wilderness like the smaller girl but she knew Lottie was stubborn and wouldn't back down.
"That, but also you are my favourite." Lottie never spoke those words before, not to Natalie directly atleast. Everyone in the group knew in a way that the girls have a unique connection even if they refused to admit it to themselves.
"I think you might be The Wilderness' real favourite." Natalie knew this would be the best way for her to let Lottie know how she felt in response.
"Then let's be favorites together." Lottie held out her hand to the smaller girl hoping she would understand everything she ment with those words.
Natalie didn't respond with words. She didn't need to, she never needed to when it came to Lottie they could communicate with a glance at times and this was one of those times. When Natalie took Lottie's hand in her own it was all either of them needed to know in that moment.
No matter what was to come over the next however long they lived they would always have each other with them.