Chapter 3- Jack, Do you hate me?

The terrifying noise of the island monster could be heard for several more minutes and then the jungle became silent again. Only the sound of the rain could be heard.

When Jack had signaled for Sawyer and Ana-Lucia to run, he had turned around and hidden behind a bush until everything was calm again.

He knew that Ana-Lucia and Sawyer would come back to look for him, however he wanted to have more time to look for Kate by himself, without interruptions.

Jack walked through the jungle as quickly as the mud would allow him to. There appeared to be a break in the storm and Jack was relieved. It was easier walking without the cold rain pounding in his face.

It didn't take long for his soaked clothes to make him start coughing and shivering. The cold wind from the storm was painful but Jack was determined that nothing would stop him from finding Kate.

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Sawyer and Ana-Lucia walked in circles for more than an hour and a half. It hadn't been long since the sun had set, however the storm clouds had made the jungle dark earlier.

When it stopped raining, Ana-Lucia told Sawyer that it was better for them to stop and rest. He promptly agreed. He was tired and he knew that they couldn't do much good walking around in circles in the dark.

Surely, it would be easier to find their way in the morning? They lit a fire and sat near it in silence for a few seconds, until Ana-Lucia spoke. "Jack really is stubborn, isn't he?"

Sawyer smiled. "You have no idea! That's what I like about him."

"Do you like him?" Ana-Lucia laughed. "You guys argue more than an old married couple! Besides, I know there's a rivalry between you two because of "The Lady" of the island."

"Lady?" Asked Sawyer. "Not at all. You don't know Freckles and you know what? I know I've been defeated by Doc on this issue."

"Why are you saying that? Have you already given up on her? I don't know you anymore." Ana said amused.

"Sweetie, I know when I've lost. Though I'm saying this only to you, the doctor doesn't know so let him feel insecure for awhile longer." Sawyer drawled.

Ana-Lucia laughed. "You are a rascal!"

"I'll take that as a compliment, Cupcake!" Sawyer grinned at her.

She grabbed her bag and took out her water bottle, and to Sawyer's surprise, an Apollo Chocolate Bar. She offered him the water, and then the chocolate. "Do you want share it?"

Sawyer smiled and broke the chocolate bar in two halves keeping one half and giving her the other half.

"Sawyer, do you think Jack's ok? I wonder if he's already found Kate." Ana wondered out loud.

"If he had already found her, I wouldn't know. But I do know that he won't return to the camp until he does finds her." Sawyer exclaimed.

Ana-Lucia sighed. "What a rotten night! Here I am in the middle of the jungle, with you, completely soaked, eating a chocolate bar."

"What's wrong Analulu? Don't tell me you're not enjoying it?" Sawyer amusedly asked.

She turned her eyes and faced him. "Give me one good reason why I should enjoy your company, Tex!"

"You want a good reason? Here it is!" He said, taking a couple of airline vodka bottles out of his bag.

"Where did you get those?" Ana-Lucia asked, amused.

"I have my ways!" He grinned, giving her one of the bottles.

Ana-Lucia took it and unscrewed the lid. She was just about to drink it when Sawyer shook his head saying. "Not so fast!!"

She gave him a curious look.

"Have you ever played "I never"…?" Sawyer asked with a devious grin on his face.

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Jack was exhausted. The jungle was incredibly dark and he finally had to stop walking. He lit a fire then he sat down, ate and drank a little water but he couldn't stop thinking about Kate.

"Kate. Where are you? Where are you?" He repeated to himself.

"JAAAACK!"

The shrilling scream of a woman voice made him almost choke on his water.

Immediately, without thinking Jack took a branch and made a torch from his campfire and ran towards the scream.

"Kate!" He yelled.

"Jack!" She called back.

That was when he found her, trembling under a tree, with a terrified look on her face. She was soaked with rain and perspiration and her heart was almost coming out of her mouth.

Jack ran to her and dropped his makeshift torch to the ground and held her tightly. Kate was frozen and shivering with cold.

"Kate! What happened?" Asked Jack. "Are you hurt?"

She stared at him and simply asked. "Do you hate me?"

To be continued…