Chapter 43
Next up. I'll get back to regular Thursday updates this week, promise. Let me know what you think!
Walt woke his dad up early. Earlier than the rest of the camp. They were walking to the hatch before anyone else was awake. He wasn't worried about walking through the jungle, not thinking about that night at all. He just wanted to see Sawyer.
Mike felt the cool air hit him as he opened the door. They walked down the corridor, into the main room, being greeted by Rose and John at the table. As soon as they saw Walt, they stood up, Rose rushing over to hug him.
"Aw I missed you!"
"I missed you too Rose." She heard the honesty in his voice, but felt him pull away, looking at Jack as he entered the room.
"Jack. Hey."
"Hey Walt. How are you?"
"I'm... ok. Where's Sawyer? Is he really ok?"
"He's... better than he was but he's still really weak."
"But I can see him right?"
"Yeah, if you want to. He's in here," Jack opened the door behind him. Sawyer was awake, smiling as soon as he saw Walt.
"Hey kid. You ok?" Walt starting walking towards him, seeing the fading bruises on his face and shoulders. He knew what was behind the white bandage, not wanting to think about it. He walked up to the bed as Sawyer turned his hand over, palm up.
"Yeah, I'm good," Walt put his hand in Sawyer's, "Are you ok?"
"I'm good."
"Are you in pain?"
"No. No pain. I'm fine. Really."
Mike and Jack left them to talk. Both sitting down at the table beside Rose. No one spoke. John was at the computer. Mike watched him for a while, before turning his attention to Jack. Sayid was right, he looked terrible. But the way he was staring at the half-closed door to the other room stopped Mike from asking any questions. He looked pissed.
"Are you hungry?" Rose startled the men, but Mike nodded all the same. Once she was gone, he turned to Jack.
"I know you're angry..."
"I shouted at him." The tone was flat and emotionless, Jack didn't move as he spoke.
"Who... Sawyer?"
"He almost died. He can hardly move. And I shouted at him. I didn't even know what I was saying. About when he was ill, how we helped him and he made it difficult... I don't know. I snapped out of it. He... he was looking like his old self. Defensive. Primed, you know? Like... he was ready to fight. Rose stood in front of him... like she was protecting him from me. I called him selfish, after everything he's done. I told... I told him no one had asked about him." Mike just looked at him. He didn't know what to say.
"He'll be ok. He knows you're under stress... so much stress. It's ok to lose it. He's done it... we all know that."
"He's been through enough. Telling John and Rose... everything catching up to me. They tortured him. We were there..."
"Hey... we couldn't stop it. You, me or Sayid. Look at me... you did everything you could. More than I could. Than I did. He would have died a long time ago if it weren't for you. He won't hold it against you." They just sat looking at each other.
"How's Kate?"
"Like crap. She hardly talks to anyone. Apparently... no one but her wanted to find him."
"Yeah I know. Rose told me."
"So... maybe she should see him too..."
"Mike..."
"Look. She needs to talk to him. She won't tell anyone. She needs to see him. She's been beating herself up about it for too long." This was met by a long sigh.
"Ok, fine. Tell her to come. Wait... I'll ask him first," Jack got up, Mike following him to the door. He pushed it open, seeing Walt lying next to Sawyer, sandwiched between him and the wall. Both asleep.
"Well, that's the first time he's done that in a while."
"What?"
"Went to sleep easily."
