I'm finally archiving some of my fic. Posted to LJ 2006-01-13 (mid season 2, where Sawyer is still healing from the raft and the trek through the jungle with the Talies, and the Others snatching you is a very real possibility)

It was a normal, every day decision. On a normal day he might look to the sky and judge which route would have light for longer. On a normal day he might go back and have someone else come with him, just so that he could have someone to explore with. On a normal day he might try to grab a low branch from a nearby tree, and eat some fruit before choosing.

It was a normal, every day decision. Left or right.

On a normal day, Jack may have waxed poetic about the road less traveled by, and what a difference it really may make. Lines and analysis from grade school English may have floated into Jack's consciousness reminding him of more 'civilized' days.

But this wasn't a normal day. Or, given his location, maybe it was.

He wasn't back in English class. He didn't have time to think about longer light - his survival wasn't clear for next few minutes, never mind that evening. The tree that he would pick fruit from was currently being uprooted from below.

Left or right.

He could hear it getting closer. crunch

Left led back to the beach. crunch, crunch Right led deeper into the jungle. crash, stomp There were people on the beach. stamp, crash He had to keep it away from the caves. crash, crunch

It. He had to keep it away from the caves. What the hell was it? crash, stomp Right or left? stamp, whomp Which way was it coming from? crash, crunch Left or right? bang, stomp

Like a musical melody the sounds rose around him, muddling his thoughts, pounding in his ribcage, shaking his stomach. The caves were behind him, the beach was to his left and The Others... The Others came from the right.

So, simple question. Left or right? Endanger others, or endanger himself?

If they were on a normal island, he would keep it away from the survivors. On a normal island, it wouldn't be chasing him.

As if on cue, the whispers no longer were just a threat. The whispers, the unknown - found to the right. Uncertainty gripped him. If he could get to the beach before it did, he had a chance. It would just disappear. It wouldn't come out of the jungle.

Was someone on the path? Didn't Claire just leave the caves and head for the beach? Did she have enough time to get onto the sand? bang, crunch Sacrifice himself to the jungle? Could Sawyer heal the rest on his own? If he didn't survive, would anyone else if they got hurt?

crash, stomp Which way will make all the difference? stamp, whomp Friends or Others? whap, crunch Left or right? thump, stomp Right or left?

It was a normal, every day decision.

crunch

Which way?