Chapter 8
Kate stopped near the edge of the jungle and let Hailey slip to the ground. From here they could hear the bustling noise of the camp, something that the survivors seemed unconsciously desperate to maintain to distract themselves from the reality of their isolation. It was if the constant soundtrack of people going about their business somehow made them feel in touch with civilisation. Like the nearest McDonalds was really only just a couple of miles down the beach, and that they weren't really stranded on an island inhabited only by mysterious and malevolent "Others" and crazy French hermit. Kate smiled to herself… it sounded almost laughable in theory. A bit like that crappy science fiction novel she'd read in high school… Snapping at herself back to reality, Kate looked back towards the campsite.
"Here we go again," she announced, holding out her hand to Hailey, who promptly latched onto Kate's index and middle fingers. Kate grinned in amusement as she realised this was because Hailey's little hand wasn't big enough to hold hers.
She so tiny, Kate thought in awe, as they stepped out onto the beach. Kate couldn't help the sudden shock of panic that ran through when she realised that she was responsible for this tiny, beautiful little person. Hailey's mother wasn't here – probably dead, Kate admitted to herself (how else would Hailey have ended up alone in the jungle?) – and neither was her father. Not that Wayne Ryan would be any good to Hailey, Kate winced at the thought and held Hailey's hand more tightly in her own. Kate was Hailey's big sister and probably the closest living relative she had.
Please don't let me screw this up, she prayed silently, looking down at Hailey. She deserves better than that.
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"Kate," a familiar voice called, causing Kate to stop and turn around.
"Hi Claire," she smiled. Claire smiled back, noticing Hailey hanging onto Kate's fingers and half hiding behind Kate.
"Hello Hailey," Claire said, smiling at the little girl in question.
"Hello Claire," Hailey whispered; her face half-pressed against Kate's leg.
Claire's eyes widened and her darted up to meet Kate's. Kate shrugged; eyes wide. She was as surprised as Claire to hear Hailey speaking after they'd all decided she must be mute. Although, she had spoken before - when Kate had left her with Claire and the others… maybe that had shocked her out of it?
"Where've you two been?" Claire asked, drawing Kate's attention again. Seeing Kate's blank look, she went on, "Jack was back at least two hours ago. Where were you?"
"In the jungle," Kate said vaguely, her mind wandering back to the revelation that Hailey was her sister.
"Doing what?" Claire queried.
"Just… thinking," Kate said, not ready to share the knowledge she was still struggling with. She also wasn't sure she wanted to start a conversation that might lead to questions about her father. Our father, Kate amended, looking down and stroking the baby-soft curls of the child at her side. She wasn't sure what would be worse; slipping up and letting the truth out or having to lie to the first real friends she'd had in years. Either way, a conversation about hers and Hailey's shared genealogy did not strike Kate as a pleasant idea.
"You spent two hours in the jungle thinking?" Claire echoed in incredulously.
"Yes," Kate confirmed. Claire gave her a look that clearly prompted further explanation.
"I had a lot to think about," Kate dodged, looking away from Claire. At that moment and she caught sight of Jack watching her with a kind of concerned look on his face. Must be doing his rounds, Kate deduced. I suppose I should apologise for running away before. She smiled at him awkwardly. Jack gave her a slightly relieved smile in response before nodding in the general direction of the hatch and waving goodbye. Hatch duty, she thought to herself. Kate waved back before turning back to Claire and Aaron. Claire's left eyebrow rose as she looked pointedly between Kate and the direction Jack had disappeared in.
"What?" Kate asked, almost defensively.
"Oh… nothing," Claire said, a knowing look on her face. A smile tweaked at her mouth as she added, "Just… you and Jack."
"Me and Jack?" Kate echoed, seeking further explanation.
"Yeah," Claire grinned cheerfully before turning back towards her shelter, "You and Jack."
Kate frowned, perplexed, before calling after her.
"What's that supposed to mean? Claire?!"
Claire simply laughed and kept walking, leaving a confused and somewhat irritated Kate with Hailey.
