Chapter 20

Ok so, now we enter into the second phase of this story. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think!

The night was silent as they walked out the cage. They waited. Waited to see if anyone would stop them. But no one did. So they ran. They ran fast, in the only direction they knew would help them. Sayid was first, then Mike, then Jack, Sawyer bringing up the rear. The pain in his torso, though the best it has felt in days, flared dangerously, taking the air out his lungs. But he had to keep going, for Walt. They ran for what felt like hours, but it could only be ten minutes. Jack looked back at the sound of stumbling feet, seeing Sawyer struggle to keep up. Jack slowed, stopping as Sawyer caught up to him. He tried to keep running, but tripped and would have fallen had Jack not caught him.

"Guys, stop."

"No, keep going, I'm fine." The commotion had put a holt to Sayid and Mike, both turning back, both out of breath.

"You're not fine. You need to sit down."

"Doc, we need to keep going. We need to get to Walt, get to the boat." But even as he said it, Jack saw his hands shake and noticed his lips had a slight blue colouring to them.

"Sawyer, sit. Just for a minute."

"What is happening," Sayid was close to them, Mike standing behind him.

"He needs to rest."

"We need to get to my son."

"His lips are turning blue Mike, he just needs a minute," as Jack looked at Mike, he saw the realisation dawning on the latter's face.

"Ok, we rest. Then we move."

"I'm fine."

"Shut up. We rest then we move," Mike didn't look at Sawyer as he said it. He knew it was something they had to do, but he hated it.

"You lot go. I know the wa-"

"You do not, you were unconscious when we came from the boat."

"Besides, we're not leaving you," Jack was checking Sawyer's pulse as he spoke. It was too fast but there was nothing they could do about it. They all sat in silence for a few minutes.

"We need to move. They may not sound the alarm if they see we are missing," Sayid stood, followed by the other three. And they started running again.

It didn't take long for them to suddenly come out at the beach. They had to follow the sand around the corner until they saw the motor boat they came over on. And the upturned row boat. Seeing it, Mike ran faster than ever before.

"Walt?! Walt it's dad!"

He hadn't finished his sentence when he heard Walt's response, and the boat began to move. Then he was there, crawling out from under it, sand stuck to his hair and face. He scrambled out, only his foot still caught when Mike threw his body down beside him, both hugging each other. Once Walt was free, he stood, still being embraced by his dad. Mike felt him pull away slightly, looking down to see him staring at the other boat. As Mike looked over, Jack and Sayid were in the cabin, trying to get it started, Sawyer was sitting with his back against the boat, chest heaving.

"Go," Mike knew Walt wanted to see him. He released his son, watching at he ran to Sawyer, hugging him around the waist, getting a one-armed hug in return. The silence was then filled with the sound of the boat engine, roaring into life. It was loud.

"Quick, before anyone hears it. Move!" Jack had left Sayid with the controls, he had jumped out the boat, trying to help Sawyer in. Mike grabbed Walt lifting him up, then helped Jack. They had made it.

"Let's move this thing."

"How's it looking for gas?"

"We may have enough to get to the other island. We need to aim for that clearing in the trees. It will be tight. We cannot detour," Sayid had to shout over the noise, "We will be completely exposed, the only cover is to our left, the trees there. But going that way will not allow us to reach the island in the correct location. We would almost be at the opposite side."

"Just go, we should be fine," Jack shouted back, before lowering his voice slightly, "Walt? Are you ok? Did they hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Good, then let's go," he turned into the cabin, looking at the sightlines Sayid had pointed out, looking in the cupboard. He turned to shout, "Mike, come and see this."

"Walt stay here," Mike nodded at Sawyer, who was sitting on the side of the boat, and walked into the cabin. The boat began to move.

"You ok kid?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. They didn't hurt me."

"Good." Sawyer looked down at Walt standing across from him, and smiled. His breathing was getting better, he looked out to the open water, seeing the outline of the other island in the distance. He closed his eyes as the boat picked up speed, feeling free, the wind in his hair. He opened his eyes, looking back to the island they were leaving behind. He squinted, his left eye still letting him down. By the time his sluggish brain had caught up with his sight, Ben had already raised his hand, standing on the sand. Sawyer didn't think, he just acted. He ran at Walt, throwing him out the way, feeling a blow to the chest, feeling pain like he never had before. But he didn't feel his body hitting the ground. He didn't feel anything at all.