Jack walked along a village street in the Other's settlement. It was two days before he had to operate on Ben's friend Christian and he walked with a purpose. At the sight of a ball game being played by several young children, Jack stopped and scanned them for the young boy, the young boy who had smiled at him when he was on his way to meet Ben. He was on the outside of the rest of them, and looked curiously at Jack, who beckoned for him to come closer. The boy ran over and grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him towards a bunch of trees behind the children's game.
"My mother won't like it if I'm talkin' to you. I'm not supposed' to," he explained. The boy looked at the most, 8 years old and he wore cargo pants and a sleeveless grey shirt.
"Your mother?" Jack asked, looking towards the houses not far away.
"Well she's not actually my real mum...at least.. well anyway I'm Brett," the young boy changed the topic abruptly. Jack noticed but didn't mention it, he had more important things to discuss with Brett.
Jack proceeded to introduce himself,
"I'm Ja-"
"-ck," Brett finished.
"I've heard them talking about you, the adults." He explained.
"Do you trust me Brett?" Jack asked.
"Yeah. The adults don't like you much, your one of them you see. But I like you. I hate it here anyway, I don't belong. I tried to escape once, but I got in big trouble."
"I need to ask you something very important, ok? And you can't tell anyone that we spoke, can you promise me that?" Jack said, his tone serious.
Brett nodded so violently that a fringe of brown curls fell into his eyes. " I promise,"
"Do you know an old man by the name of Christian, he is in a wheelchair and friends with Ben – the one I have to perform surgery on?" Jack asked, intently watching Brett's face for a reaction.
"Yes, Christian. He's our leader," Brett lowering his voice to a whisper.
"But isn't Ben your leader?" Jack asked, confused.
"No, Christian's the leader. He tells Ben what to do. But that's what they don't want you to know," He added, looking stricken.
" I have something else very important to ask you. A woman, who was came here with me – she's acting like a part of your community and she doesn't remember me or anything else that's happened to us on this island. Do you know why?" Jack's tone was grave, hoping that somehow this boy would know the answer.
Brett screwed up his eyes slightly, and seemed to be concentrating very hard.
"I don't know." He answered and Jack's hopes were crushed, and a feeling of hopelessness gnawed at his gut.
"But – I have noticed a few ladies here, they sometimes act strangely. Sort of … giggly, and young..I don't know how to describe it. I think it's something to do with the clinic.."
"The clinic? What's the clinic?" Jack asked urgently.
Brett looked at his watch. "Just like a medical clinic I think, I don't know. I've gotta go, I told mum I'd be home at 12 o'clock and it's ten past!" he started to walk away but then turned back to Jack.
"Please, you have to get me out of here. I want to go with you! Please," Brett begged.
"I will." Jack promised instinctively, and the young boy turned and hurriedly walked away. Jack had no idea how he was going to get Kate, Brett and himself out of here but when he remembered the silent tears that were forming in the young boy's eyes, he knew that was what he had to do.
A/N: Here is the new chapter! This fic will very soon be drawing to a close, so i hope you have enjoyed it. Please review