The Stages of Grief

Kate learns how to deal.

Denial

She waits by the shore because she knows that's where he'll search for her.

She has been at it for three straight days with no water and food. Just sitting underneath the canopy of leaves like a rock, immovable and impenetrable. The others worry, she knows. She has seen them huddling together, mouthing off words she can't read. But she knows she's the topic of discussion since they all sneak glances at her, time and again, as if to check if she's still there or maybe, if she's still conscious. They sympathize, have nothing other than concern for her. But sympathy, she knew well, never got anyone anywhere. It didn't save Jack. It won't save her. Still, there was a handful who dared.

Charlie was first. She gives the credit to guilt rather than anything else. He couldn't help him. Jack was injured. He wasn't. And when the boulders above them so much as creaked, she imagines, it was every man for himself. And now, he thinks he owes her an apology. He couldn't save him, they couldn't save him, she couldn't save him; there's a wealth of guilt to be passed around. But she kept mum, just offered him a sad smile. She can't give him what he wants; forgiveness was not for her or anyone to give.

The next day, Sayid tried the rational and practical route. "You can't go on like this. You'll die." There's nothing more effective than a threat to make you stand a bit more in attention. Her eyes flickered, as if recognizing reason; survival was always what kept her on her toes, on the run. But she's way past survival now, she had thought. So she remained as still as when he had approached her. Sayid simply nodded and walked away. The Iraqi man is wise; he understood there's a more tragic death than that of the physical kind.

On day three, Sawyer gave her some honesty. "He's gone, Freckles. People die. We can't do nothing about it." She decided to be honest, too. "My name…is Kate."

Today, it's Sun that comes. She walks up to sit beside her, at a reserved distance. Then she places, of all fruits, guavas by her side. Kate feels a familiar warmth envelop her. She smiles at her, the most genuine of smiles she could afford at the moment. When she has gone, she eats them. She decides she will need the energy for the next days of waiting.

I've got /stage 2-anger/ lined up. that is, if you're up for it.