Chapter 25
A little while later Jack came down the path to the beach. It had now been a number of hours since he had discovered Locke's discarded medication in the sleeping compartment of the caves and he was growing increasingly concerned that he had still not returned. He and Kate had already been out scouring the surrounding jungle for any sign of him, but having found no trace Jack felt that the situation had reached a new degree of urgency and decided it was now time to form a search party.
"Michael!" He called to the young man, whom he noticed standing at the water's edge – soaking his feet in the sea as he sunned his bare shoulders. Michael turned to the sound of his name being called, kicking up droplets of salty spray as he did so.
"Jack!" He smiled as he saw the doctor. "What can I do for you?" He asked.
He could tell by the grave expression set upon his friend's face that this was not a social visit, and that there was something very wrong.
"It's Locke." Jack explained.
"Yes, I'd heard something vague about him being in a serious condition." Michael said, as his voice sank in volume. "I couldn't be sure though. The details were very vague – and you know how rumour spreads here."
"He's gone missing." Jack informed him, gravely.
"What? When?" Michael asked, starring disbelievingly in Jack's direction. Locke was a skilled tracker and huntsman, it seemed inconceivable that even if what people had been saying about him being very sick were true, he could lose himself in the jungle. He knew the terrain better than anyone.
"Early this afternoon." Jack nodded. "It's not looking good I'm afraid. We've already conducted a fairly concentrated localised search but there's no sign of him. If he doesn't get his medication soon he could be in serious trouble. I'm formulating a search party to split up and search for him, but if he's ventured too far into the jungle it could take hours."
"And you need my help?" Michael asked.
"I know you and Locke haven't exactly always been on the best of terms." Jack acknowledged. "I know it's asking a lot. But we desperately need all the man power we can get."
Michael took a moment to contemplate his options – it was indeed true that he and Locke had had their fair share of differences. They weren't exactly on the best of terms, but Walt had certainly been very taken with him.
It was one thing to air your differences with another man – some would even say that this was healthier than keeping them bottled up, to come out more violently at a later date – but leaving him to die alone out in the jungle was a whole other matter.
"Sure." He nodded after a moment, bending down to retrieve his t-shirt from his feet, and throwing it back over his head. "I remember having to do something quite similar for you once." He continued with forced cheer.
Jack offered him a half-hearted smile in response. "Do you have someone to keep an eye on Walt for you?" He asked.
"I'll speak to Sun." Michael reassured him.
"Well I'll see you at the caves in half an hour then." Jack told him. "We have a lot of ground to cover before nightfall and there's no guarantee of the condition Locke could be in if he has to spend the evening out there alone."
"Who else will be joining us?" Michael called after Jack as the doctor began ascending the path back up to the caves.
"Just Sayid and Kate." Jack called back. "The last thing we need are too many people going out and getting themselves lost, and Kate is a knowledgeable tracker which should help to make up for the low numbers." He explained testily, and with that he was gone.