Writer note: This is my second LOST fic I've posted so far! I've had this one in my head ever since the last new episode aired. Enjoy!
"Where's Jack?" Charlie asked, but all Ethan did was stare at them. No, he was staring at Claire. Charlie could see the transfixed look in his eyes, and it ran an icy shiver down his spine. He glanced at Claire. A dazed and fearful look covered her face. Charlie quickly slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. He felt her hand trembling in his, and squeezed it in reassurance.
"What's the matter, Ethan?" asked Charlie cautiously, trying his best to steady his voice from sounding nervous. "Where's Jack?"
"Jack isn't coming" Ethan replied in a frighteningly monotone voice. He took a step forward. "No one is coming."
Charlie knew it was now or never if he wanted to get Claire away from this threat. He pulled her behind him, but that only made Ethan's stone cold eyes harden more.
"Claire, get out of here!" Charlie yelled as Ethan rushed forward at them. He dropped the duffle he was carrying.
Claire barely had time to run when Ethan tackled Charlie to the ground. Ethan was on top of him, his large hands around the rock star's neck. Charlie grasped desperately for anything, but all he could find was grass.
Suddenly, Ethan was knocked off him. Charlie rolled to his side, gasping for air. He ignored the stars circling his vision, and dashed to Claire's side. She was holding her duffle, anger burning in her eyes.
"Get out of here, I said!"
"But, I couldn't leave…"
"Yes, you can!"
Claire felt Charlie's hand push on her back. But, a cry followed and she had to turn to see what happened. Ethan had tackled Charlie again, sitting on his back and pinning him to the ground. He yanked Charlie's head back by his hair. In a flash, he whipped out a knife and held it to Charlie's exposed neck.
"If you run or scream, Claire", Ethan stared intensely at her shaking figure. "I will slice his throat open. You don't want his blood on your hands, do you?"
Claire bit her bottom lip; tears rolling freely down her cheeks. She shook her head. "What do you want with us?"
"I think you know why I want you" Ethan replied, evilly. Claire's eyes grew wide. Charlie muttered, "Bastard", but thankful it wasn't heard.
"No" she whimpered, hands wrapping protectively on her belly.
"Yes." Ethan ran the cool steel of the blade across Charlie's neck, preparing to slice at any moment. "Will you come with me?"
"I'll go with you" Claire caved. "Please don't hurt him!" she said louder. She could not draw her eyes away from the sight of Charlie lying helplessly on his stomach.
"Claire" Charlie wheezed, but Ethan yanked his hair to silence him.
The last thing Charlie saw was the unforgivable horror on Claire's face. He could feel her though, when they started walking. Her hand trembled in his, but he held on firmly and refused to let her go. Ethan was behind them, and Charlie felt the knife poke his back when Ethan felt they weren't going fast enough.
They walked for what seemed like hours, but was only a matter of 20 minutes. No one spoke, save for Ethan ordering to 'stop' or 'turn'. Finally, the last 'stop' came.
"No! Please!" Charlie suddenly heard Claire scream. She was holding onto him for dear life, but something ripped her from his side. Charlie reached out desperately to find her. All he could find was air. His hand shot to the blindfold obscuring his vision, but someone kicked him, sending him to his knees.
Claire screamed his name over and over. Hands seized Charlie's arms from behind, holding him still as someone else wrapped vines around his neck. He had an idea of what that meant - strangling or hanging. Either way, Charlie knew he was going to die. But dying wasn't what he was worried about.
"The others will find you, Claire! They'll come for you!" he yelled, quickly. The vines tightened.
He heard Claire sobbing from a short distance.
"I love you, Claire" he choked out. "Don't watch! Look away!"
As he felt himself being lifted into the air, his lungs began to burn and the sound of Claire's screams as she was dragged away rang in his ear.
TBC...