Chapter 48
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"How is he?"
"Fine."
"Jack..."
"I freaked out. I'm sorry. But he's ok,' he stood, took a few steps, 'he's weaker than I thought. He's been trying to seem better than he is, trying to get us to leave him behind."
"We wouldn't do that."
"I know, but he's trying anyway. He needs out that room Rose. Hey, John!"
At the sound of him name, John stood from the computer. "How is he?"
"He's ok. You remember that wheelchair? From the plane?"
"Yes." The response was short but Jack didn't notice.
"Did it burn? In the plane?"
"I don't know. Don't think so. Why?"
"We need to try find it. He needs out that room. It's driving him crazy."
"What's the point in..."
"He can't walk Rose. He's been in that room for over three weeks. He... he says he's claustrophobic. Feels trapped. He needs out. But needs help."
"I'll go look. Keep an eye on the button."
Walt was sitting on the beach, looking out at the ocean, Vincent by his left, his dad on his right. They weren't talking, just sitting. Then they heard it. A rustle in the trees.
"Dad..."
"Stay behind me." They stood, Mike acting like a shield. Sayid had been walking towards them, slowing when he saw their movement. He was only a few feet from them when he stopped. They were tense, waiting. Then John appeared. They breathed.
"You guys ok?"
"What the hell are you doing? You almost gave us a heart attack!"
"Sorry. I just..."
"Is Sawyer ok?" John had expected Walt to ask, but it was Sayid.
"Yeh he's fine. Walt, you remember the wheelchair from the plane? You think you can look for it? We need it," when Walt looked reluctant, "for Sawyer. To help him."
"Em, ok, I guess." He looked at his dad before walking away, looking back at random intervals.
"Wheelchair? What's going on?"
"Jack... decided Sawyer should get up earlier... he ended up on the floor."
"What? Is he ok?" Mike looked outraged.
"Yeah, he's ok. Managed a couple of steps apparently. He's a lot weaker than Jack thought. But... he's been in that room for a while now."
"It is not good for him being shut away. But he is ok?"
"He's fine Sayid. He's... claustrophobic. Hating the small space. The wheelchair will let him at least get around the hatch."
"I will help Walt, then I will help you carry it."
"That was my fault."
"Rose, no. It was mine I just..."
"I shouted that he needed to walk and he heard me."
"But I still did it. He... can't walk. He can't stand... I shouldn't have pushed. I mean... I practically threw him off the bed."
"You're kinda right."
"He's hating this. Wants out, to do things. Doesn't want too much medication used on him..."
"He needs it."
"Thinks it's wasting it."
"But, he needs..."
"Doesn't matter to him. He's worried what will happen if someone else gets sick. If they need medication and it's gone. Says he hates..." Jack stopped talking as John and Sayid came in. They had the wheelchair, walking over to the table. "Sayid. Hey. Is everything ok?"
"Yes. I volunteered to help John. We found the wheelchair. How is he?"
"Good. He's awake, I think, if you want..." But Sayid had already opened the door to the room.
"Hello Sawyer. How are you?" He closed the door behind him, shutting it fully.
"Sayid, good, man, good. You?"
"I am fine. Walt is fine, Michael, Kate, everyone on the beach. We are all fine. I hear... there was an incident..."
"Nothing to worry..." But Sayid cut him off.
"How has Jack been?"
"He's fine."
"I am worried about..."
"Don't worry about him. Jack's ok."
"I am not worrying about him. I am worrying about you."
"Why?"
"If he is unstable and taking it out on you..."
"Woah. No. No, it's ok. I'm fine. It's not like that."
"We found the wheelchair."
"What?"
"From the plane. There was a wheelchair. We brought it here so you can get around a bit more."
"I don't need no damn wheelchair."
"Can you walk?" Sawyer just stared at him. "That is what I thought. So, use the wheelchair. Get out of this room. It will drive you crazy."
"You don't say. Think I'm already there."
"I can bring it in now. You can try it..."
"No. It's fine."
"I am bringing it in."
"Sayid..." But he was already gone, coming back in no time, wheelchair in hand, Jack and Rose behind him.
"You wanna try it?" Jack looked at Sawyer as he shrugged his shoulders.
"May as well. If I make a fool of myself least it's only with you three."
"That's the spirit. Jack will I..."
"Move the chair there Rose. Sayid? Move his legs."
"I'm still here you know. I can move..."
"Really...? News to us. Ok slide his legs around..." As Sayid did as he was told, Jack lifted his torso. Sawyer groaned in pain but said nothing. Jack recognised how badly he must want out the room. "Ok, arm round my shoulders. Right, up... there we go. Just move this way, sit down. There. How'd you feel?"
Sawyer was breathing hard, sitting in the wheelchair. "Yeah, great."
"Sitting up feel ok?"
"Yeah," Sawyer's breathing was becoming shallow. Sitting hurt, but he wasn't going to tell them that. He slowly moved his hands to the wheels, trying to turn them, to move forward. But as soon as he pushed forward the pain radiated through his chest. It stole his breath. He didn't notice his eyes had closed until Jack was asking him to open them.
"Sawyer? You still with us?"
"Yup, I'm here doc. Just give me a minute."
He opened his eyes, seeing the three of them staring at him. It made him laugh, causing more pain.
"Just breath. It's ok. Your chest will still be painful, just take it easy. Come on, lets go." Sayid walked behind the chair as Jack spoke, glancing at the scars visible above the bandage, pushing it towards the door. John was back at the computer. The rest sat at the table.
"How you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Stop asking me that."
