Lost - Changing Fate

[JB Sawyer]

16
Leave The Memories Alone

“No chance in hell Hunter, no way,” Charlotte said, looking Hunter firmly in the eye before getting up out of her chair and folding her arms.

“It wasn’t a request Charlotte,” Hunter replied blankly.
“I don’t care if it was a request or not,” she cried, “I’m not going to be dragged into your murders. You might find it easy enough to kill a man just because he may have seen you, but I can’t.”
“Charlotte,” Desmond interrupted, “Please just calm down.”
“Did you just hear what he just said?” she shouted, “He wants us to help him kill someone. Kill! And you want to hear him out?”
“Please can you just sit down,” Hunter sighed, his face expressionless, “I don’t have time for women having a moral screeching fit. I’ve just crashed in a god damn plane, do you hear me whinging and moaning?”
“No, I hear you playing some guilt trip and trying to get us to kill an innocent man!” Charlotte yelled back, slight tears welling up in the corner of her eyes.
“And if we don’t do it then I’m a dead man. So who’s blood do you want on your hand Miss Lewis? Mine or some stranger that you’ve never met,” Hunter asked, staring intently at Charlotte who refrained to back down.
“I don’t want any blood on my hands Hunter! Not again…”

“Could everybody please take your seats,” came the voice over the speaker system. There was a loud rumble as the group of a dozen or so people picked up their glasses from nearby tables and broke away from their conversations. Chairs scraped across the floor as they all, one by one, eventually took their seats. The chairs were organised in a straightforward row, stretching across the width of a small army sports hall. As everyone settled down, a partly Asian looking man with short black hair man took his place at the head of the hall, just in front of the audience.
“Thank you all for coming,” he started, “Though I didn’t really expect anyone to miss this opportunity,” he smiled and there was a light murmur of polite laughs. “I’d like to welcome you to the Dharma Initiative recruitment programme.” Again there were polite claps. “My name is Dr. Marvin Candle and I’m pleased to say that we at the Dharma Initiative have read all of your application forms thoroughly. Sadly we only have positions open for two of you.” A couple of people shuffled nervously in their seats. “For those of you who have missed out this time please do not despair, for we shall keep all your applications and contact you immediately when another position opens within the company.”
“Alright mate, can you hurry it up,” came a disgruntled yell from one of the far sides of the row. The owner of the yell, a small man in a leather jacket and jeans hiding behind sunglasses, shuffled in his chair and pushed the sunglasses further up his nose when the majority of the row turned to look disapprovingly at him.
“Very well then,” said Candle, refusing to be put off his stride, “The two people that the Dharma Initiative has chosen to work with us on the Island are Mr. Desmond David Hume and Miss Charlotte Staples Lewis; if you could both please come up.”
Desmond and Charlotte stood up out of their seats and shuffled slightly embarrassed to the front of the hall.
“Bollocks!” came the voice again, and the man bounced up out of his seat, “You chose a woman over me?”
“I’m sorry sir, but the Dharma Initiative doesn’t look too kindly on people who have a history with drugs,” Candle replied.
“Well screw the Dharma Initiative. I don’t need you. You think I need you lot? Charlie Pace doesn’t need anybody!” He stormed out of the hall, slamming the steel doors on his way out. The rest of the crowd and the three people at the front looked at him as he left, before turning their attention away from the door and back to the trio.
“Well moving on,” said Candle with a half smile, “The Dharma Initiative are pleased to welcome Mr. Hume and Miss. Lewis. As you both know we will be transporting you to a beautiful location where you will be given your job and location details upon arrival. Congratulations.” Candle shook both of their hands while the audience applauded.
“Guess this means I can finally work up a decent tan,” smiled Charlotte.
“Aye,” laughed Desmond.

“Listen Charlotte,” despaired Desmond, “No one is asking you to murder anybody. I’m sure Hunter has a plan to keep you out of danger.”
“My dear Desmond,” laughed Hunter, “You give me far too much credit and this Island not enough. There’s no way of staying out of danger on this Island. I’m pretty sure the new arrivals will soon figure that out too.”
“How many of them were on the plane brother?” asked Desmond, trying to change the subject and get some reprieve from the two people arguing either side of him.
“Couldn’t tell you to be honest; I’d guess around three hundred were on board but I wouldn’t count on any more than 50 survivors. The cockpit broke off in front of me in mid-air, so I don’t really hold much hope for the people on there,” Hunter answered.
“To be honest brother, I wouldn’t really have held much hope for you or anybody on that plane surviving a plane crash,” said Desmond.
“Desmond you know this Island as well as I do. You know what it can do. Do a few dozen people surviving a plane crash really surprise you that much?”
“I never said it did,” Desmond smiled, “I’m just saying you should hold more hope for some people.”
“Desmond, my hope died the moment that Benjamin Linus put me on his wanted list.”
“And I think it’s safe to say that poor man’s hope died the moment you slit his throat,” scowled Charlotte.
“Listen Red,” Hunter snapped, obviously becoming increasingly exasperated, “I’ve given my reasons, if you want to label me a murderer then please feel free but don’t try and do it as some screwed up guilt trip.”
“Hell if the label fits,” she scoffed.
Hunter stood out of his chair and moved his face close to hers. “I don’t expect sympathy. I don’t expect acceptance. What I do expect is trust. You know my reasons, it’s kill or be killed Charlotte. I know which decision I make. And I think you know which one you would make too.”

The submarine shuddered and jolted stirring both Desmond and Charlotte from their sleep. They both slipped out of their squashed beds inside a cramped cabin and a jolly looking man met them in the doorway.
“End of the line,” he grinned, and beckoned upwards towards the entrance of the submarine and the shining sunshine. Desmond gave the man a polite nod and clambered up the ladder. Charlotte smiled nervously as the man grinned again and went off to continue whatever business he had aboard the sub. She put one foot on the bottom rung of the ladder and took a deep breath, before checking that no one was around to look up her skirt and climbing the ladder to the blue skies.
Charlotte poked her head up out of the opening and was greeted by a fresh breeze that washed over her. She noted that Desmond was already stood on the start of the flimsy looking pier, a trio of men stood in front of him. She pulled herself up out of the entrance and steadied herself on the pier.
“Good thing I’m wearing sensible shoes,” she said to herself, before hastily walking to the front of the pier to join Desmond.
“Good to see you managed to make your way out,” a small man with short hair and large blue-green eyes.
“Thanks,” Charlotte muttered, not sure if the man was trying to be friendly or crack a sarcastic joke.
“Well I guess I should introduce myself,” the man said with a large smile crossing his lips, “My name is Benjamin Linus and I would like to warmly welcome you to the Island.” He extended his right hand and Desmond shook it. Charlotte looked at it slightly warily, before telling herself to calm down and proceeded to shake Benjamin’s hand.
“Pleasure to be here brother,” Desmond said, an obvious attempt to all at trying to be polite rather than sincere.
“As much as I can tell you don’t truly mean that at the moment,” smiled Ben, “I can assure you that by the end of your tenure here you will most certainly have more feeling behind that statement.” Again, both Desmond and Charlotte smiled uncomfortably.
“Well I can tell you’re both eager to see where you’re stationed,” said the man to Ben’s right, who both Desmond and Charlotte already knew to be Dr. Marvin Candle. “Well Tom here,” he motioned to a rather large man on his right, “Has happily obliged to take you to you’re station and give you a brief about what you’re jobs will be on the way.”
“I didn’t oblige,” said Tom in a hearty voice and a southern accent, “They’re forcing me to do this.” He then broke into a broad grin. Again, both Desmond and Charlotte smiled uncomfortably.
“Well I guess all I have to say now is good luck,” smiled Ben, “We’ve no doubt you’re the perfect candidates for the job and the Island will undoubtedly profit from your work. Just make sure you do exactly as the job descriptions say; it shouldn’t be too hard you’re just staring at television screens all day,” he chuckled, “So goodbye for now Mr. Hume and Miss. Lewis, and good luck.”
Desmond and Charlotte shared an uneasy glance before following Tom to a parked VW van. Desmond raised an eyebrow at Tom, a wry smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth.
“We like retro here,” laughed Tom.

“Listen brother,” said Desmond, running his hand through his hair, “You do know that this isn’t as easy as you’re making out for us right?”
“I never said it would be easy,” said Hunter, “I just said it was necessary.”
“But is killing anyone ever really necessary?” asked Desmond, trying to get his point across without being as vocally negative as Charlotte.
“Yes,” answered Hunter bluntly, “Anyone that says killing can never be necessary or deserved is too far up their own asses.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Look Hunter,” said Desmond, “I just don’t think we can go through with this. This is murder brother. Murder. You know; illegal in pretty much every country in the world.”
“Yet how often does it happen?” said Hunter, who was holding something in his jean pocket.
“Doing something a lot doesn’t make it right though brother,” sighed Desmond.
“Of course it doesn’t,” snapped Hunter, “Do you take me for a god damn idiot?”
“No,” sniped Charlotte, “I take you as a murderer.”
“Haven’t we already been through this?” groaned Hunter.
“Yes we have,” snapped Charlotte, “You’re a murderer and we don’t want to join you in holding that distinction.”
“Looks like the past 6 years in here have caused you a wee bit of amnesia,” said Hunter, “You both already have.”

“Why do you reckon they don’t let us see these people in person?” asked Charlotte through a mouthful of cereal.
“Probably because if we did that then it’d endanger our job and their jobs; and the world needs jobs to not be endangered,” answered Desmond, catching a slice of toast as it popped up out of the toaster.
“Yeah but don’t you think it’s a little–” Charlotte went to reply, but was interrupted by a crashing that reverberated throughout the entire Pearl hatch. The hammering caused Charlotte to jump, dropping the cereal bowl and it shattered on the floor.
“What the hell is that?” she screamed.
“Sounds like someone who couldn’t find the doorbell,” replied Desmond, heading to the stairs that led to the hidden entrance of the station.
“You’re actually going up there to see what that is?” Charlotte asked bewildered, grabbing hold of Desmond by the arm.
“Relax,” said Desmond, “It’s the hidden entrance, if it was one of the bears or…” he paused momentarily, “The other thing, then it would have been in here no problem. It’s just someone that obviously wants to get in here a little too bad.”
“Still,” Charlotte said, her eyes still filled with fear, picking up a bottle, “Take this just in case.”
Desmond looked at the bottle bemused, “In case it’s just a mad partier that wants to get in?”
Charlotte scowled at Desmond, “To hit him with in case he’s dangerous.”
“And waste the Scotch?” Desmond laughed, “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Desmond continued up the stairs towards the hidden entrance to the Pearl Station. The entrance was only hidden by some rather pathetic layers of foliage but as far as both Desmond and Charlotte knew the pathetic foliage had served its purpose well over the years. Charlotte followed Desmond a little further back, clutching tight onto the bottle causing the knuckles of her right hand to go white. Desmond came to the top of the stairs and pressed his ear to the metal of the door. He could hear heavy breathing from the other side. “Hello? Please I know you’re in there. Just open the door,” came a voice, clearly out of breath and panic shaking its tones.
“Who are you?” Desmond shouted through the door.
“I’ll tell you when I’m inside pal; there isn’t much time at the moment. Please just open the door.”
Desmond put his hands on the large wheel that acted as the handle and started to turn. Again, Charlotte grabbed his arm. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m opening the door,” replied Desmond, and turned the wheel fully, straining as the wheel occasionally locked due to its age and basic lack of use. The door clicked and swung open a little. Desmond went to push it open a little bit further but a man stormed through before he had the chance. He caused Desmond to stumble at the top of the stairs as he ran past him, and breezed past Charlotte. He was wearing a tattered shirt and jeans, and his long blond hair was wild and stuck to his forehead and over his eyes with sweat. He was grasping something in his right hand. “Shut the damn door!” he yelled.
Desmond swung the door shut and spun the wheel, sealing it. Both Desmond and Charlotte looked at each other with confusion and fear before following the man into the hatch. They arrived to find him wielding a gun.
Desmond and Charlotte stopped dead, their eyes widening as they focused on the rifle that the man held, noticing that it had been taking from their very own armoury. The man caught their look.
“Easy,” he smiled, “This ain’t for you.” He turned and focused on one of the cameras in one of the ceiling corners. He took aim and fired twice. A shower of sparks fell from the camera as it whirred and blew smoke. He then reached up and using the butt of the gun smashed the camera from its stand. “Are there any more of these in here?” he turned, and asked Desmond.
“There’s one in the bedrooms and another in the kitchen area brother,” Desmond replied, shocked by the sudden renovator that had burst into the hatch.
“Cool,” the man said, starting towards the bedrooms, before stopping and turning to the two people who stood staring at him. “I’m Hunter,” and he extended his hand.

“The way I see it Des,” Hunter said, turning back to Desmond, “Is you’ve got two options. You come with me, prevent me getting killed, make sure that Benjamin Linus ends up dead, and then join whatever survivors are left in hoping to get off this island. Or you can stay here, wait for every single one of those crash survivors to be killed by Ben’s henchmen, wait for me to be killed by Ben himself, have him find out that I’ve been here, and then wait to be killed yourself. Now we both know how you dislike waiting.” He smiled and turned to look at Charlotte, “That goes for you too Sweetie.”
“You’ve got this all thought out haven’t you brother,” smiled Desmond.
“I wouldn’t be alive if I didn’t,” grinned Hunter.
“Am I the only one that finds it a little bit strange that you two are smiling and laughing when we’re discussing murders?” asked Charlotte, desperation and disbelief in her voice.
“Well if you can’t laugh in the bad times then what hope do you have in the good times?” replied Hunter, taking out a screwed up piece of paper from his pocket.
“What about people like you who don’t laugh at all?” reposed Charlotte, who actually afforded herself a small smile out of the corner of her mouth.
“I’ll laugh my god damn ass off when I can sit down, get drunk and not worry about being captured by a Tom or an Ethan or a bloody Benjamin Linus. And I can only do that with you two.”
Desmond looked at Charlotte, “It’s beginning to look like we’ve got less and less choice in the matter.”
“I know,” replied Charlotte sadly, “Hunter I don’t want to kill an innocent person.”
“Listen Red,” said Hunter leaning forward in his chair, the paper rolled tight in his fist, “I will deal with the Arab, you just have to get me there unharmed and unseen. But when it gets to Benjamin, he must be killed, be it by you, me or Des. He must be killed. And you know as well as I do that if there is one man on the face of this screwed up planet that is undeserving of the term “innocent” it’s Benjamin Linus.” Charlotte nodded slightly. “So do we have a deal?”
Desmond and Charlotte looked at each other before both looking at Hunter. “Deal.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t figure out that you two were the ones being tested,” Hunter said, tying his hair back from his eyes.
“Well it wasn’t that bloody obvious,” laughed Charlotte, punching Hunter in the arm.
He went to pick her up, as he usually did when they pretended to fight, but a loud knocking on the hatch door, the same one that Hunter had burst through eight months previous, stopped him in his tracks.
“Usual routine?” Desmond asked, walking into the main area and starting towards the stairs to the door.
“Yep,” said Hunter and he ran into one of the bedrooms. Charlotte stayed close to the doors to the stairs, hovering as close as she could to the armoury. Desmond opened the door and slowly clambered up the stairs towards the large metal entrance. He placed his ear to the door.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Desmond called.
“You know exactly who we’re here for Mr. Hume,” came the reply, and as Desmond stopped to think of how to reply, he was knocked flying down the stairs as the door blew open, fire bellowing into the stairway. He hit his head hard against the bottom of the stairs and his vision flickered before he fell unconscious. Two men appeared as silhouettes within the smoke, walking through the black fog and down the stairs. They stepped over Desmond and kicked at the door, causing it to swing violently open. One of the men poked his head around the entrance.
“All cl–” he began to say, but a gunshot rang out and a bullet cut through his forehead and buried itself deep into his brain. A shower of blood and bone splattered across the floor and walls. The man slumped down dead.
“Danny?” cried his comrade, jumping out of the entrance and kneeling next to his fallen compatriot.
“Don’t move,” came a shaky voice. He looked up to find Charlotte standing in front of him, a rifle shaking uncontrollably in her hands. Tears were streaming down her face, “Don’t move or I’ll shoot.”
“Not if I shoot first,” said the man gruffly, pulling a handgun from the back of his trousers and aiming it square at Charlotte. A shot rang out throughout the hatch for a second time and Charlotte, realising that her emotions had cost her her life, closed her eyes and welcomed death.
But all she heard was a thump in front of her. She didn’t feel anything, no pain, no white light. She sneaked an eye open, just letting it creep open millimetre by millimetre. She swathe man, with his gun laying limply in his right hand, laying over his partner, a large bullet wound where his heart would be located and blood pouring over his shirt, turning it a complete crimson shade of red. “How?” she murmured under her breath.
“Well that’s what friends are for aren’t they Sweetheart?” came a voice behind her. She spun round and saw Hunter holding a pistol in his right hand, a piece of what looked like paper in his left, and a smile on his face. “Now aren’t you glad I arrived?”
“What is that?” she motioned towards his hand.
“Well you see Red; this is what we call a gun–”
“Not the gun. What’s in your left hand?”
“Oh this,” Hunter said, wavering, “It’s just a photograph.”
“A photograph of whom?” Charlotte pressed.
“Someone who was very close to me before I had to go,” Hunter replied, and if Charlotte had looked closer she would have seen tears forming in the very edges of Hunter’s eyes. She moved in front of him.
“Can I see?” He handed over the photograph, “She’s pretty, what’s her name?”
“Lara,” he replied, “Lara Larunda.”

“We’ll leave some time tomorrow I take it brother?” asked Desmond.
“No, haste is of the essence,” replied Hunter, “We have two hours at the most to get all the stuff ready and prepared. Then we have to go.”
“Fine,” answered Desmond, rolling his eyes, “Nothing can be slowly thought through with you can it?”
“Thinking is overrated,” Hunter smiled, and rolled the photograph around in his hand.
“You’ll find her one day brother,” said Desmond, laying a hand on Hunter’s shoulder.
“I doubt it,” said Hunter with a half-hearted smile, “She’s dead.”

[lost-lover]

CHAPTER 17

Sarah stood in the jungle, the surrounding terrain was littered with broken trees, bodies and debris from the plane. There was no sound, save for the mettalic twings coming from the thing in front of her, nor was there any smell; her senses seemed cut off to the world and all it's beings, all tuned to the monstrosity in front of her - the smoke creature. She felt no fear, nothing but a vague curiousity.
You are in danger. The voice rang through her minds and made her ears hurt - in sounded as hard as steel. She was in no doubt it was the smoke talking to her. Stragly, the idea of the smoke talking didn't bother her at all, nor did it surprise her. She had expected somehow that it could talk since that first meeting on the day of the crash. Danger? She'd figured that out already; she was stood infront of a thing which knocked down trees - if that didn't qualify as danger, she didn't know what did. She said so. A load twang vibrated through her head, followed by a series of metallic crackles - clearly the smoke didn't appriciate her point.
Your troubles come from another source. Weren't they all in danger? The food was running low, and the water situation was worse.
This danger targets you alone. Your curiousity is perilous. "Curiousity about what?" Her voice echoed through the trees, loud in the silence.
"About him." A voice answered. Male. Not the smoke, yet it was familiar.
A body with a broken arm stirred at her feet. As she watched, the figure stood and faced her, she recognised Jack. "He knows you'll find out. Just leave it alone."
"Find out about what?" Sarah asked, not the least effected by a body rising from the dead and talking to her.
Don't listen. The doctor can't be trusted to help with this. Be cautious Sarah. The smoke swirled, blinding the pair of them and then vanishing into the distance. A gunshot rang out and Sarah felt a pain in her abdomen. Blood filled her mouth as she saw Kevin appraoch her smirking, gun in hand. He was handcuffed to a malochany Kate. Jack turned walked away from them both Sarah she died in a pool of her own blood.
Sarah woke screaming at the top of her lungs. She continued for a few moments until she realised it had just been a very real dream. She was still taking deep, calming breaths when her makeshift tent was flapped open to reveal Jack, Ana-Lucia and several other of the plane survivours all staring at her curiously. Sarah felt her face flush; to have a nightmare was one thing but to wake half the beach with it was a humiliation she couldn't stand. The Southerner alone would not let her hear the end of it.
"Are you ok?" Jack asked, entering the tent.
Sarah was embarrased to find herself mentally checking he wasn't a dead body. "Bad dream. Sorry I woke you." She muttered, praying the redness in her cheeks would die down.
"We weren't all asleep." Boone called from outside. She heard his sister reply that she had been. The two began arguing again, Sawyer joined in, telling them to take it somewhere else. Sarah pretended not to hear any of them.
"Dehydration can cause stuff like this. Then again, you probably know that." Said Jack with a smile. She nodded, trying not to remember the dream-Jack.
"Do we have any more water yet?" She asked, remembering the situation with the water thefts.
"Not yet, but a couple of guys went looking for some earlier." Ana-Lucia said, scowling. "After we all agreed to stay on the beach."
"It was Charlie and Nathan, but they should be back by now, r-right?" Mason said from the doorway. "I mean, that thing, it - it's still out there and they've been gone for hours."
Sarah found herself liking the stutterer, despite his rather annoying first impression. He was taking care of the pregnant girl, and in Sarah's book, that was worthy of respect. His remark gave her pause though, remembering all to clearly the smoke from her dream, and the havoc it had been causing in reality.
"Well, maybe they made camp for the night. If they found a water source, they've probably stayed near it, to save walking back in the dark." Said Ana.
Mason still looked nervous, as did several others outside her tent. It seemed like most of their group were now meeting outside her tent. At least they weren't discussing her nightmare, there was also, thankfuly, no sign of Kevin.
"Dude, what if that dinosaur got them?" Said Hurley.
"Dinosaurs are exctint, man." Said a voice she recognised as Michael.
"Well, something's knocking down those trees dude." Replied Hurley.
"But we don't know what." She heard Michael say.
"Besides, if it was that thing, we'd have heard it." Added Jack.
There were a few seconds silence, in which they all seemed to be listening for the tell-tale sounds of the unkown beast in the jungle.
Sarah remained motionless in the tent. She'd still not told anyone what she'd seen on her first day here. They'd probably think she was insane. Maybe I am, she thought. Standing, she exited the tent to join the group outside; she wouldn't be getting back to sleep tonight.
She had a sick feeling in her stomach as she watched Mason go back to the pregnant girl, Claire, who she heard ask after Charlie. Mason replid that he was camping out with Nathan to save walking back in the dark, and would be back at first light. She could tell he was worried; Sarah had always been good at reading people. She continued down the beach, away from the main stream of conversation to the furthest tents where most occupants remained sleeping. Outside one, she heard two people talking in hushed, but angry, voices. She froze as she recognised the tones of both Kevin and Kate.
"Kevin I don't see what the problem is." Said Kate.
"Don't see the problem? God, Kate! If someone finds that case how am I gonna explain it?" Kevin hissed.
Sarah found herself moving closer, further into the shadows, regardless of her dream-warning from Jack, she wanted to knwo what was going on.
"How would they know it's yours? And how would they get it open? It's a silver Hliburton You're being paranoid!"
"They still think I'm a cop Kate, I said as much to Jack! If I was allowed handcuffs, then I'm allowed guns. If they know the truth-" Kevin began, only to be cut off by Kate.
Sarah felt her gut drop. A case full of guns? She knew there was something going on. Her gut dropped further as she remembered the silver case she's seen Sawyer find, and hide, a few days ago. Great, the Southener had a hidden cache of stolen guns. She needed to remember to stay on his good side. Listening, her ears pressed to the canvas tarp, Sarah heard Kate talking.
"Which truth Kev? That I'm a fugitive, that you killed the Marshall who was bringing me in then pretended to be him so that I couldn't leave you? Or that you brought the guy's suitcase full of guns with us on this trip?" Kate was sounding hysterical. "There's alot of lies in this thing. And I hate lying to Jack, you watch me like a hawk whenever I've with him."
"You wanna keep your voice down? We can't tell Jack 'cause he wouldn't listen. He wouldn't believe that I did it for a good reason. It's bad enough that Sarah woman keeps dropping questions to me, I don't need you doubting me too. You think I followed you to Oz and killed that guy to tie you to me? I did it to save you. It's not the first time either, in case you've forgot I saved your ass back in Canada too, Kate. If it wasn't for me you'd be sat in prison now."
Sarah had heard enough. Shaking, she slowly edged herself away from the tent as quietly as she could. She'd got as far as the next tent when she heard Jack call her from the other side of the beach. Losing her head, she ran towards him, trying to put distance between herself and Kevin's tent incase he came out and realised she'd heared his confession. She hoped he wouldn't.
"What were you doing over there?" Jack asked.
"Just getting some air. I can't sleep, remember?" She half-smiled at him, trying to keep her emotions free from her face.
"Directly outside Kevin's tent, huh?" Said Jack. "I know you don't trust him, and I know he can be a pain, but whatever you're hoping to find, it's not there Sarah, the guy's clean."
Sarah nodded, looking slightly apoligetic, not meaning it. She remembered her dream. Jack wouldn't be any help her. Maybe it was a vision?
Suddenly she was grabbed roughly from behind and pulled face-first onto the sand. She tunred to face her attacker and recognised Kevin. "You were listening outside my tent?" He hissed so no-one else would hear.
As people began to mill around them, trying to pull Kevin off her, she hoped the last part of her dream was not about to come true.

[Beach Crew]

Chapter 18

We might as well be strangers

“It’s just a rash.”

“Are you sure? I imagine there are lots of poisonous animals-”

“Trust me, it’s just a rash. Hives.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. Probably a heat rash.”

Jack sighed as the man finally left him alone - the firelight now illuminating the entire beach. He didn’t mind helping people who were truly injured, like poor Mason had been, but to constantly be dealing with tiny little problems like rashes and headaches - it was beginning to get annoying. What was annoying him the most that evening, however, was the giggling he was constantly hearing. “You’re loving this aren’t you?” he asked, turning to the young woman seated on the sand next to him.

“A little bit,” she answered as she straightened out a curl.

Jack threw Bianca a withering glare but it faltered as they both started to laugh. “I bet you regret tellin’ people you’re a doctor now huh?” she asked. Jack was about to reply but stopped when he heard shouting. He looked up to see several survivors running past him and down the beach towards where he’d left Kevin and Kate.

“What on earth,” he muttered as he struggled to his feet. He heard a cough, and so cradling his injured arm to his chest, he turned and yanked Bianca to her unsteady and injured feet. She grinned at him.

“I love gossip.”

X

Sarah was terrified and rightly so. One minute she’d been spying and the next she’d been tackled to the sand. All she could hear was the shouting of her fellow survivors, and all she could see was feet. Coughing sand out of her mouth, Sarah found herself dragged to her feet and saw Ana Lucia’s worried eyes peering at her. “What the hell is going on here?” Ana snapped, looking from Sarah to Kevin.

“Nothing Ana, it was just a bit of a misunderstanding,” Kevin replied, although his face was grim. More people were arriving, one of which, Sarah noticed to be Jack.

“Misunderstanding?” the doctor didn’t seem convinced but apparently most of the group on the beach was. The surrounding castaways were beginning to disperse after they had gotten the gossip and decided that the situation wasn’t nearly as interesting as they first thought.

Sarah swallowed, wanting to get to the bottom of the situation, “Yeah, Jack, it was just a misunderstanding.”

Ana Lucia growled in annoyance but turned away. If they weren’t going to help themselves then she couldn’t be bothered. She had more concerning things to worry about – like getting rescued.

“Y’know, where I come from a misunderstandin’ is when someone brings me vanilla ice-cream instead o’chocolate,” the three turned to see Bianca looking at them, “What?” she directed at Jack, “I can’t get very far without you. You’re like my crutch.”

The doctor rolled his eyes but turned to look at Sarah and Kevin, “Are you sure I can’t help with anything?” They both shook their heads and so Jack frowned, defeated and set off after Ana Lucia, “Fine, c’mon Bianca, let’s go.”

“Actually, I wanna stay.”

Jack sighed, “Fine, yell when you need me.” They couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

“So, you gonna tell me what’s really goin’ on?” Bianca questioned, all previous teasing missing from her voice.

“Didn’t we just tell you everything was fine?” Kevin snapped. He too wanted to talk to Sarah alone – he wanted to know exactly what she knew and how big of a problem she would be.

Bianca grinned and limped over to where Kevin was standing, “Yeah, but I was talkin’ to Sarah.”

It was at this point Kevin got annoyed and grabbed Bianca by the shoulders, turned her and pushed her in the direction Jack had left in. However, her leg was still unable to fully support and so she stumbled and would have fallen if it weren’t for a strong pair of arms that caught her. “Y’alright Darlin’?”

Bianca looked up and rolled her eyes. Sawyer. They hadn’t spoken to each other since he’d comforted her on the beach the other night. She looked at his face but she noticed that he wasn’t looking at her but at Kevin. He did not look happy. “I’m fine,” she said, not wanting to cause a fight, “It’s Sarah who needs lookin’ after.”

Sawyer raised an eyebrow but walked obligingly to Sarah’s side. She didn’t look at him but her face was flushed and she was covered in sand. Kevin looked much the same. He was about to ask exactly what had happened when – unsurprisingly – the other southerner started talking again.

“So, Kev, why were you in Australia?” he didn’t respond so she continued, “You see I was followin’ up on this story I’ve been coverin’. A girl on the run. It seems lately that she’s gotten some help,” she paused, “Just a shame the trail ran dry.”

Sawyer and Sarah were looking backwards and forwards between Bianca and Kevin now. The girl looked like she was having the time of her life but Kevin looked ready to kill. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talkin’ about,” Kevin snarled.

Bianca’s grin turned hard, “Then you best hope I don’t find my suitcase.”

That’s when everything changed.

X

“Sayid, you should rest. It’s late.”

Sayid smiled kindly at the newly arrived Hispanic woman across from him but held his hand out for the bit of metal he’d made into a makeshift screwdriver. Ana Lucia rolled her eyes but handed him the metal and moved the flashlight closer to the mobile phone. They were attempting to make an SOS beacon. Hurley, who was seated next to them spoke, “Do you think this will work?”

Sayid frowned, “I do not know. It may work from higher ground but at the moment – nothing,” he said, indicating to the signal bar on the device he was crafting.

“It’s worth a shot though?” Ana Lucia suggested, but her voice was less than hopeful.

“Yes, it’s worth a shot. Perhaps a small group of us could go out when it’s daylight to look for open ground?”

Ana Lucia nodded in agreement but Hurley was staring at Sayid incredulously, “You want to go into the jungle with that thing out there. Dude, better you than me!”

“It has to be done,” Sayid responded, but he didn’t look comforted by this thought, “Ana, will you be joining me on the search for a signal?”

The woman, however, was not paying attention to Sayid. She was watching some sort of confrontation further down the beach. A very familiar looking confrontation. The woman with brown hair, Ana recognized as Sarah, was shouting at two arguing men, and another brunette woman who seemed to be trapped between them. “Um,” Ana stood up, still not answering Sayid’s question. Her eyes widened as the trapped woman was pushed to the floor by one of the men, on closer inspection, she could see now that it was Kevin, Kate’s boyfriend.

“Do you think we should help?” Sayid asked, also standing up.

Ana watched Kevin fly backwards as the first man lashed out, “Yeah, I think we should,” and then grabbing Sayid’s arm they set off running down towards the arguing survivors. On the way, they were joined by Jack, they needed all the help they could get.

X

Sawyer frowned, turning from the fallen Kevin to rub his sore knuckles. He wasn’t sure what had happened. One minute he’d been amused at the entire situation, and the next he’d seen things turn ugly when that guy, Kevin, had grabbed Bianca and she’d fallen to the ground. Kevin had hit the floor before Sawyer had even realized he’d swung his fist. Sawyer winced suddenly as he felt a sharp pain on his shin, “Son-of-a-” Sawyer looked down to see a furious looking Bianca glaring up at him, “Did you just hit me?”

Bianca glowered up at him, “I didn’t need your help,” she snapped, “I can take care of myself.”

“An’ that’s why you ended up on the floor?” Sawyer mocked, “Here I am, comin’ to your aid, tryin’ t’do the decent thing an’ all I get is abu-OW!” Bianca hit him again, “Damn it woman! Stop hittin’ me!”

Bianca growled defiantly, “No.”

The argument was about to escalate when Sarah yelled, “Look out,” and Sawyer was tackled to the ground by an enraged Kevin. The fight didn’t last long, however, as Jack, Sayid and Ana arrived on the scene. Sayid grabbed Kevin, Jack grabbed Sawyer and Ana yelled at the pair of them.

“This has got to stop!” Ana Lucia screeched, “We can’t be fighting amongst ourselves, it’s too dangerous!”

“He hit me first,” Kevin snarled.

“Well you shoved her,” Sawyer replied, pointing at Bianca.

Jack rolled his eyes, “Enough! Sawyer, take Bianca back to the medical tent, she’s bleeding,” he paused as Bianca cursed, “Kevin, Sarah – stay here. We’re going to talk. Ana, Sayid – do what you want but we need to be quiet, we’re waking people up.”

Ana Lucia helped Sawyer haul Bianca to her feet and then they limped off towards the medical tent, it was clear her stitches had pulled. Sayid was staying with Jack, it seemed he had a way of getting people to talk. As they walked away Bianca squeezed Sawyer’s hand, “Listen Sawyer, Ana can get me over to the bandages, I need ya t’do somethin’ for me.”

“Why should I do anythin’ f’you?”

“It’s important.”

“Alright, I’m listenin’.”

Bianca sighed, “I need ya t’find my suitcase. I’m serious,” when he raised his eyebrows she continued, “If you wanna get t’the bottom of Kevin an’ Kate I need my suitcase. Please.”

X

“Look, Jack, you know I’ve always had a problem with my anger,” Kevin was saying, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Sarah was snooping and it annoyed me.”

Ignoring Sarah’s angry laugh, Sayid interrupted the conversation, “And Bianca?”

Kevin sighed, “I’ll admit that was wrong, she was getting on my nerves. I’m sorry okay?”

“Oh, but when I was getting on your nerves it was fine to attack me?” Sarah snapped, angry now. Jack sighed, this was not getting them anywhere. He couldn’t believe how Kevin was acting. His main worry was Kate, was this how she lived? What if Kevin had been knocking her about? He didn’t have to wonder much longer, however, as Kate emerged groggily from her tent.

“Kevin, just leave it,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Apologize to Sarah and then leave the girl alone. We don’t need any more problems, ok?” she looked worried and stressed. Jack wanted to ask her what was going on but he didn’t dare.

“Fine,” Kevin said, “Sarah, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” With that he disappeared into the tent with Kate leaving Jack, Sayid and Sarah stood on the beach looking very confused.

X

“Can you move more into the light?” Ana asked Bianca as she fiddled with the ‘bandage’ wrapped around the woman’s leg, “I think your stitches may need redoing.”

“Yippee.”

Ana chuckled, “I think, however, it can wait until sun-up. It doesn’t seem too bad,” she picked up a fresh shirt and prepared to wrap it around Bianca’s leg, “So, you wanna tell me what’s going on? Why did you ask Sawyer to find your suitcase?”

“Speakin’ o’which, did he take a flashlight?”

“Like I would know,” Ana responded with a smile, “Now stop changing the subject. If there’s something going on, I need to know.”

Bianca sighed, “I have reason t’believe that Kevin an’ Kate ain’t who they say they are but I need my suitcase t’prove that.”

Ana looked worried but nodded, “How do you know that? What are you?”

“I’m a journalist.”

X

By morning, the atmosphere on the beach had changed. People were a lot more wary of one another now, as though a fight would break out at any second. Jack was not happy and had not slept well. His mind had been too active. All of his thoughts were focused on Kate and Kevin – he wanted to keep her safe. Sighing, he stood and assessed the beach. He had a few jobs to do that morning that included checking on his injured “patients”. Spotting Bianca, who waved cheerfully at him, Jack grabbed his medical bag and headed in her direction.

“Hey, Jack,” he stopped when he heard a voice calling him. Turning, the doctor was met with Ana Lucia and Sayid. They were holding some of mobile phone device between them.

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing to the mobile.

“It could be our chance at a rescue,” Sayid explained, “I’ve made some modifications that could hopefully help us get a signal.”

“A group of us are heading out in the jungle to search for open ground, you up for it?” Ana asked.

“You’re going into the jungle? With that thing out there?” Jack was shocked.

“It’s our only option,” Sayid frowned, “So, are you coming?”

“I can’t. I have people to look after,” Jack frowned, “But be careful ok?”

They nodded.

X

Sawyer approached Bianca at the exact same time as Jack. The doctor was carrying his medical bag whereas Sawyer was dragging a tattered and sticker covered suitcase. The two men looked at each other, nodded and then stood in silence. Bianca rolled her eyes. “Can I help either of you?” she asked pointedly.

“Is this your suitcase?” Sawyer asked first, dumping it in front of her. Bianca’s eyes lit up and she muttered a thanks. As she ripped it open, both Sawyer and Jack were alarmed to see her face fall and then watched as she pulled out a broken laptop.

“Poor thing,” she whispered, placing it gently on the sand. She then began digging through the notes, “Wanna help?” she asked Sawyer.

He peered into her suitcase. There was a small pile of clothing and then the rest was file upon file of notes – most of which had come unfastened. No wonder it had been so heavy. “Er, I’m good thanks. I’ve got things t’do.”

Jack smirked, “Are you going on the jungle walk with Sayid.”

Sawyer glared, “I guess I am. Catch ya later.”

Jack sat down next to Bianca who was now rifling through a file on her lap. It was filled with newspaper clippings, photos and handwritten notes. She raised an eyebrow, “You don’t like him?”

“Do you?”

Bianca shrugged, “He found my suitcase.”

Jack nodded and took advantage of Bianca’s distraction by getting straight to work and re-stitching her knee. She barely even noticed and only winced when he tightened an alcohol soaked shirt around the wound. “What is all that?”

“This? These are my notes from a case I was following. A woman with a seemingly ever changing name who’s on the run for murder,” she pulled out a mug shot, “Look familiar to you?”

Jack gasped, “Kate?!”

X

It was decided that Ana Lucia and Sayid would lead a team of four through the jungle in an attempt to find some signal. Sawyer, Sarah and the siblings, Shannon and Boone, would be joining them. “Alright,” Ana Lucia was saying, “We need to stay together and stay alert. If that thing is out here we need to be our guard. And if you hear it, run.”

“This’ll be fun,” Sawyer whispered to Sarah as they set off after their group. Shannon and Boone brought up the rear and they were arguing already. Up front, Ana and Sayid shared an eye roll. This had better be worth it.

X

Jack hadn’t moved. He was still helping Bianca sort through her files and uncovering the limited and confusing information she had on ‘Kate’. He was stunned. Kate, his Kate, was a murderer? It didn’t make sense in his mind, and so Jack was putting all blame on Kevin. As he picked up a file marked ‘Classified: Authorized Personnel Only’ he turned to look at the woman across from him, “How did you get all this?”

Bianca grinned, “I have my ways.”

“Is it legal?”

“You don’t wanna know,” she smiled, “Hand me that file.”

Jack frowned but passed over the file. So he’d gone from one criminal to another? He picked up a pile of paper and began searching through it. Eventually, he came across an envelope addressed to Bianca, and with the word ‘important’ scrawled on it in black pen. “You’ve got a letter.”

Bianca frowned and took it from him. She ripped it open and read the two pieces of paper inside. Bianca gasped, and then cursed loudly. Frantically, she began searching through notes until she had another mug shot in hand. She cursed again.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked, concerned.

“My cop friend dropped off a note before I left. It seems Kate had been apprehended by a US Marshal – he hasn’t been seen since,” Bianca frowned.

“Kevin?”

“He said he was a cop didn’t he?” Bianca asked and when Jack nodded, continued, “Then I’m gonna say we’re screwed.”

X

The jungle hike had been going fine until Ana Lucia had flung her arms out wide and stopped the group from moving. She shushed Sayid’s questions and then picked a large stone up from the floor. “Do you hear that?” she hissed.

“No.”

“Listen,” Ana was getting panicked. She could hear voices and they seemed to be getting closer. Clutching tighter to the rock she raised her arm only for Sawyer to seize her wrist. “What are you doing?” she snapped.

“Just wait!” Sawyer replied, “It could be one of us.”

“It could be anyone! We don’t know what’s on this island,” Ana screeched.

The voices were growing much louder and Ana Lucia’s group became panicked. One again Ana was thrust into the position of leader, and with one final, terrified look to Sayid – who nodded – she swung her arm back and released the rock. She just hoped she wouldn’t do too much damage.

X

“Jack, this is crazy!” Bianca hissed as she followed the man along the beach, “You’re gonna get us killed!”

“We’re just going to ask a few questions,” Jack replied.

“You don’t just ‘ask a few questions’” Bianca screeched, “We need to think this through. We can’t just pounce on him whilst he’s chopping wood.” As they walked, they were drawing attention from the other survivors, however, nobody followed as they seemed to sense the impending danger.

“It’ll be fine. We’ll just ask him what he knows about this marshal and then decide on what to do,” Jack said. They were closing in on Kevin who still hadn’t spotted them because he was distracted by the wood.

“I’m goin’ to die,” Bianca muttered, before stumbling awkwardly behind Jack and in front of Kevin.

“Mornin’” Kevin said when he spotted them. There was a painful silence where it seemed nobody knew what to say. Bianca hoped that Jack had backed out. “Is there a problem?” Kevin finally asked.

“No-”

Jack interrupted, “Actually, yes,” he paused, trying to search of the right words, “I have reason to believe that you and Kate aren’t the people I used to know. You’re not the people I trusted anymore,” Jack frowned, he was becoming emotional, “What do you know about a US Marshal, Kevin?”

Kevin froze and dropped the axe he was holding. Grabbing Jack’s arm, Bianca took a shaky step backwards and waited for Kevin to talk. She expected a denial but was surprised by his answer. “What exactly do you know?”

Jack sighed, “We know he was last seen with Kate. And then you appeared.”

“Look, Kevin,” Bianca attempted, “If you just tell us what’s goin’ on-”
“Shut up!” Kevin yelled suddenly. Bianca jumped and grabbed Jack’s arm but neither were prepared for Kevin’s reaction. The man turned around and it was only now that they noticed he had a gun wedged in the pocket of his jeans. He grabbed it and aimed at Jack. The doctor stretched an arm out and pushed Bianca behind him, ignoring her mutterings of how she knew they were going to die. Kevin looked furious.

“Shut up now and nobody gets hurt!”

[firebreathingfishies]

19 – NEW PLAYERS

The window had been opened wide to try and get rid of some of the stuffiness, but if anything the air only seemed even more humid and close. The rain was coming down torrentially and clouds blackened the usually brilliant blue sky. There was a roll of thunder echoing off the surrounding mountains and rocky cliff faces. A quick flash of lightening followed.

The flash of lightening briefly lit up Benjamin Linus’ face. His eyebrows were drawn together only slightly and his large green eyes bored into the mahogany desk in front of him. His hands lay clasped on the surface. A few inches away lay the radio that he had been using to communicate with Ethan and Goodwin. He had been unable to communicate with either of them for almost four hours now.

And that could only mean one thing.

A tentative knock on the door pulled him out of his deep musings. His eyebrows relaxed and his eyes widened slightly. ‘Come on in.’ he called out after a moment.

The door opened and in stepped a tall, broad shouldered man dressed in a white vest and khaki trousers. His sheer bulk and heavy boots caused the floorboards beneath him to creak noisily. He crossed the room unceremoniously and stopped on the opposite side of the desk, his hands behind his back. His expression was set. Despite the humidity, not a single bead of sweat was visible on his brow or his closely shaved head.

‘You called for me, sir?’ he said in his deep voice.

Ben took a moment to enjoy the devotion and loyalty the man was showing, before leaning back and pulling his hands on the armrests of his chair. ‘Yes I did call for you Mr Keamy, and I appreciate your haste in getting here.’

Martin Keamy didn’t move a muscle. He continued to stare at the far wall behind Benjamin, his jaw set. Ready to do whatever Ben told him to no matter what. Keamy had always been a man of unquestioning loyalty, which was a trait Ben thought essential. Especially in this line of work.

‘I can’t get in touch with either Ethan or Goodwin,’ Ben said, looking at the radio in disappointment. ‘Which means they failed. Whether or not they’re still alive, I can’t say it’s particularly important. But what is important is that it won’t be long before the whole group is reunited.’

Keamy half nodded in understanding, but remained silent.

‘And as you know,’ Ben went on. ‘That this will just hinder our efforts. Especially now that John Locke knows about us.’

‘He doesn’t know the details though, sir.’ Keamy replied.

‘Right you are, Mr Keamy,’ Ben cocked his head. ‘However when he joins the others and tells them about what happened to him – and probably stick in a few white lies for good measure – it’ll make our infiltration a lot more… complicated, to put it lightly.’

‘Then what do you suggest, sir?’

Ben looked down at the radio thoughtfully for a moment. ‘I want you to organise a retrieval squad. I want the people on the list. I’ll trust you to decide the best course of action to how you actually achieve that goal, although you’re aware I wouldn’t appreciate a repeat of the last time, do you understand?’

Keamy blinked. A short and quiet rush of air escaped his nostrils. ‘I understand.’

‘Good.’ Ben smiled. ‘Well I’ll let you get on.’

Keamy nodded and turned and left the room without another word. He closed the door gently behind him and Ben listened to his heavy footsteps heading away. Ben leaned back in his chair and turned to face the window. Another roll of thunder sounded, followed by another flash of lightening.

Now would be a good time to check how sodden the cages got in this weather.

**************

‘Okay, I’m usually quite a reasonable kinda guy, but if you don’t tell me who the hell you really are, I’m going to pull off your fingers and stick them in your ears like a pretty little flower arrangement.’

Ethan only stared down at the ground, unresponsive to Frank’s threats. The pilot had been questioning him for nearly a full hour and was only just starting to get frustrated at not receiving a response. The others were spread out behind him, finishing off their breakfast of fruit that Juliet and Sidney had picked shortly after rising. While the two women had been gone, Frank had tried to force Ethan to talk, but it hadn’t lasted long. Frank had never been a violent man.

‘He’s not going to tell us anything.’ Juliet said as she repacked her bag with water bottles that they had filled in a nearby stream. ‘We’re burning daylight by staying here, Frank. Just put his gag back on.’

‘Perhaps you should leave it off.’ Locke replied, eyeing Ethan. ‘Just in case he decides to change his tune and let us in on the big picture.’

‘I don’t think I want to be p-part of the big p-picture.’ Sidney mumbled. She was sitting cross-legged on a felled tree, picking at a mango but not eating it. Daniel sat beside her. He hadn’t said much since the previous night. He had a sickly, pale look about him. Most of them assumed it was from the chase.

Juliet moved towards Ethan and hunched down beside him. ‘Can you at least tell us the way to the beach? We know you know where the other survivors are. John heard you talking about them.’

Ethan didn’t look up. He didn’t speak.

‘This is a waste of time.’ Sidney sighed heavily, tossing the piece of fruit off to one side. ‘You should have just shot him like the o-other guy.’

The others glanced to her in surprise.

‘Now Sidney.’ Juliet sighed.

‘You know I’m r-right.’ Sidney shrugged. ‘He’ll only off one of us the f-first chance he gets.’

Ethan looked up for the first time and smirked at Sidney. She shuddered under his gaze and looked away. Noticing the look and Sidney’s discomfort with it, Frank hauled Ethan up to his feet and stuck a finger in his face.

‘Don’t you look at her.’ He snarled. Ethan narrowed his eyes and dropped his gaze, reverting to his uncooperative state. Frank grabbed his arm and yanked him forward. ‘Which way?’ he asked Juliet.

Juliet shouldered her backpack and nodded to the left. ‘This way.’ She said, and began walking. Locke followed, tossing the remains of his mango and watched as Frank forced Ethan to walk with a shove. Daniel got up and waited for Sidney to pull on her backpack.

‘This is ridiculous.’ She muttered bitterly. ‘We’re going to get k-killed.’

Daniel took her arm, stopping her from following the others. ‘Uh, Sidney? Can I talk to you about something?’

Sidney frowned and shook her head. ‘Sorry Dan, but I’m just not in the mood to talk about w-weird light patterns. Maybe l-later.’ She followed the others, not listening when he told her that that wasn’t what it was about. He sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck before jogging to catch up with the departing group. He didn’t notice the auburn haired woman drop down from a nearby tree and silently stalk after them.

**************

Locke flipped open the suitcase that had been lying half buried in a thin layer of dried mud and peered inside. The others stood around him, watching and waiting for anything interesting he might have to say. Daniel was fidgety and he kept glancing nervously towards Ethan who was tied onto a large tree stump. Frank was also glancing to Ethan every now and then, but it was due to his impatience. Locke reached into the case and pulled out a hairbrush.

Sidney smirked. ‘I hate to break it to you Mr Locke…’

Locke smiled broadly at her. ‘Funny. You’re funny.’

‘Is there any reason to why we’ve stopped here?’ Frank sighed in exasperation. ‘Only I thought we were supposed to be trying to cover as much ground as possible.’

Juliet nodded. ‘I don’t think it’s wise to be standing around in such an exposed area.’ She gestured towards Ethan. ‘Who knows how many more of them there are.’

‘There’s been a lot of activity here.’ Locke replied after another few seconds of silent musing. ‘No less than maybe… four people.’

The others looked stricken. ‘Them?’ Frank asked, nodding back to Ethan. Ethan said nothing.

‘Not sure.’ Locke replied.

‘Hey, look here.’ Daniel called from off to one side. He stooped down and picked something up from beneath a pile of dried leaves and twigs. He showed the object to the others.

‘We’ll I think that’s the first good sign we’ve had all day.’ Frank half smiled, delighted at the sight of the crushed and empty Oceanic water bottle.

‘That means nothing though,’ Juliet shrugged. ‘It could have come out of the crash, along with the suitcase.’

‘Let’s take it as a good sign,’ Locke smiled, rising to his feet. ‘By the smell of the air, it seems like we’re close to the ocean anyway.’

Frowning, Sidney sniffed the air. ‘I can’t s-smell anything.’

Locke pointed ahead. ‘I say we carry on this way, and then maybe-’

‘It doesn’t matter where you go.’ Ethan croaked.

The group glanced around to him, surprised to hear him speak. He stared down at the ground, his mouth half twisted into a wan smile.

‘Excuse me, son?’ Frank asked, striding towards him. ‘You feel like talking now?’

Ethan chucked, rolling his head up to Frank. ‘You’re all idiots, do you know that? What do you really think is going to happen when you find the rest of them? You think you’re all going to live comfortably on the beach until the rescue boats turn up and offer you a happy ending? Huh?’ His eyes darkened. ‘This is our island, and while you’re here, you’re our property.’

They looked at him, stunned; Locke especially.

‘We didn’t ask to be b-brought here.’ Sidney frowned.

Ethan shot a look at her. ‘Didn’t you?’

‘That’s enough.’ Juliet grimaced, looking sickened. ‘Someone gag him again.’ Frank got the gag and approached him.

‘You’re doing exactly what he expects you to do.’ Ethan grinned. ‘Group together. Group together like cattle. Make it easier for us. You’ll be sorry you even got on that-’

He was cut off by a sudden ear-piercing feral scream that made them all jump in surprise and seemed to make the air shudder around them. Too startled by the sudden invasive sound, Frank fumbled with retrieving his gun and dropped it to the ground. Juliet grabbed her own gun instantly and tried to fire, but the safety was on. She struggled to release it.

A figure shot out of the undergrowth, apparently nothing but a mass of fiery auburn hair and dishevelled clothes. The figure sprinted towards Ethan with almost unreal speed, a thick stick raised high by thin arms. Frank managed to retrieve his gun but the woman was already beating down on Ethan with the stick. Ethan’s screams were almost drowned out by the sick thumps as each blow hit home.

Unwilling to wait for Juliet and Frank to organise themselves, Locke and Daniel ran forward and tried to wrestle the woman to the ground. She shrieked and clawed at them, catching Daniel’s cheek and drawing blood. Giving up on her gun, Juliet ran into the fight. Only with the three of them could they haul the woman off Ethan’s now limp and bloody body, retrieve the bloodstained stick and pin her to the ground. They all got covered in blood in the process.

‘What the hell!?’ Frank yelled, now holding his gun and pointing it at the writhing woman. He looked to Ethan. Blood pooled around him and he didn’t move. ‘Sidney, check if he’s still alive.’

Sidney hesitated, her expression twisted into one of horrified disgust. Eventually though, she moved over to him. She felt for a pulse, getting blood all over her hands. ‘He’s duh… d-dead.’ She reported.

The woman continued to buck and scream beneath Juliet, Locke and Daniel. Quickly, Frank moved forward and made his presence known with the gun. ‘Lady, you shut the hell up right now or I’ll blow you away.’

The woman stopped abruptly, her wild green eyes settling on the gun in Frank’s hand. She became still, breathing heavily. Tentatively, Daniel moved away but Juliet and Locke kept a hold on her arms.

‘You get that thing out of my face,’ barked the woman. ‘I did you a favour!’

She pulled herself out of Locke and Juliet’s grips and got to her feet. Her clothes were hanging on her and she was covered in dirt. She was gaunt but her arms were muscular. She looked in no way like she could be affiliated with the crash or Ethan and Goodwin – although it was more than a little obvious that she had some history with them.

Warily, Juliet and Locke allowed her to stand without holding onto her, although now Juliet was also pointing her gun at the strange woman. Frank made no move to lower his weapon either.

‘While he was alive they could have found you at any moment and when they had found you, you would have had no idea what hit you. You’d be dead before you knew it.’ Her voice was hoarse. There was a large scar across the right side of her throat. ‘Plus… he had it coming.’

Frank glanced back quickly to Ethan. Sidney was sat beside him, watching the scene unfold silently. ‘So you just decided to cave his head in?’ Frank frowned.

The woman scowled. ‘He had it coming.’

‘Who are you?’ Locke asked, the only one of the group who looked moderately amazed and not horrified with her sudden, violent arrival. ‘Are you with Benjamin Linus?’

The woman whirled around on him, her teeth bared. ‘How do you know Benjamin Linus?’ she demanded.

Locke raised his hands and Juliet cocked her gun as a warning. ‘I heard the name. Ethan and Goodwin mentioned the name, that’s all.’

The woman eyed him suspiciously and then returned her attention to everyone. ‘The rest of your people are half a mile that way,’ she gestured over her shoulder. ‘There are over forty of them. I suggest you get to them and prepare yourselves before they find him.’ She grimaced at Ethan’s body. ‘Not that you’ll be able to protect yourselves.’ With that said, she began to head away.

‘Stop right there.’ Juliet barked, taking a step after her. ‘I will shoot you.’

The woman glanced once at Juliet and narrowed her eyes. She turned fully to her. Juliet saw the blood splatters up the front of the woman’s dirty clothes and felt her stomach flip over. The silent stand off lasted only moments. Juliet lowered her gun.

‘Who are you?’ Locke asked, moving forward and lowering one eyebrow curiously. ‘If you’re not with them,’ he gestured to Ethan’s bloody body. ‘And you weren’t on the plane…?’

The woman eyed him unsurely. She swallowed, causing the thick puckered scar on her neck to twitch. Her hair was matted. Her hands looked rough and dirty. ‘It’s not important who I am.’ She replied, starting to back off. ‘The important thing is that you warn the others. You don’t want to end up dead like me.’ She began to walk away.

‘But you’re not dead.’ Locke pressed, taking a step after her.

She stopped and glanced over her shoulder again, her eyes moving between each of them. Her gaze lingered on Juliet the longest. She turned again. ‘I’m Lara Larunda.’ She replied. ‘I’ve been here for about fourteen years now. Nine of those years I spent in locked in a room on my own.’ She paused, seeming to drift off for a moment. Just as Locke was about to speak to try and bring her back around, she blinked. ‘They’ll do the same to you too. The lucky ones will be killed outright.’

‘That’s a load of bull.’ Frank snorted, but his expression was worried. ‘Why the hell would they want to kill us? The rescue boats are going to be here any day now and…’

Lara smiled quite broadly. Her whole face lit up and that was what silenced Frank. Then she laughed. It was a creepy sound, and Sidney visibly shuddered. ‘No, no they’re not.’ Lara laughed. ‘They’ll never come. Tell the others. Maybe that will get them out of the open and somewhere a little safer. Although it’ll probably be difficult to hide forty-plus people.’ She turned for the third or fourth time to leave, and was stopped again.

‘You would have to come with us.’ Locke said.

‘What?’ Sidney snapped, unable to stop herself. She hushed her voice after glancing warily to Lara. ‘Are you kidding? She’s…. she’s c-crazy.’

‘They won’t believe a word we say,’ Locke explained with a shrug. ‘I mean, they’re not going to believe us if we turn up with stories of monsters and people with intentions to kidnap us and have no proof. We need to take Ethan’s body and… and Miss Larunda here.’

Lara visibly flinched. She mumbled something that no one caught. Then she shook her head quite vigorously. ‘No.’

‘I agree.’ Frank nodded, eyebrows raised at Locke. ‘What the hell are they going to think if we drag a dead guy and a crazy woman out onto the beach?’

‘Um… I don’t think it’s nice to call her crazy when she’s right there…’ Daniel suggested, shifting on his feet and dabbing at the cuts on his cheek with the back of his hand.

Frank rolled his eyes. ‘Dan, I don’t think that this is exactly the time to be w