Shoutouts!!

Katiiey : That's why I picked the name (that and I watch GH and they have Spencers and Suspene.. hence SUSPENCER TEE HEE!... Okay and yeah, I'm thinkin about it :D

didi : I'm afraid it would be anticlimatic. Sometimes leaving it to ones own imagination is better than spelling it out for them... but I'll think about it. :D

Elfmaiden5 : You didn't miss it. I just haven't decided whethor or not to actually say what he said because then I'd have to think of something REALLY REALLY nasty to say to a heavy set person. And my mom is heavy set, and it's kind of hard to think like that when you've been around a heavy set person your entire life... ya know what I mean???

deranged666 : I'm getting there! I'm GETTING THERE LOL D

I think I'm FINALLY figuring out to do this. D

YAY FER MIO!!

-------

Sawyer had thought it wise not to go the same route of Aljazera and Angry Daddy, it just seemed more conducive to not ending up bound, gagged, tied up to a tree and waiting to become monster chow. Contrary to popular misconception Sawyer was many things, suicidal was not one of them.

He heard the kid scream, cursed under his breath and picked up the pace with which he had been walking. 'If that kid dies I might as well bathe in barbecue sauce and walk around the jungle nekkid ( that is not a misspelling. I meant to spell naked that way ;D ) as a jaybird calling for the damned monster.' he thought to himself with a curse.

-------

Sayid and Michael heard the scream and both of their hearts skipped a beat. "Oh shit," Michael cursed before hollering. "RUN WALT!!! RUN!!!!" He hadn't the faintest idea why he called out, but he did. Perhaps it was his latent (as in late, very very VERY late) paternal instinct coming into affect. Or perhaps it was his fear of losing the one thing that connected him to his late ex-wife-- or more cynically, maybe it was the fact that he didn't want to fail again. He had failed his wife, failed at marriage, failed to keep her in the states, failed to visit Walt-- ever... he wasn't about to fail now.

Both men started walking faster, Sayid pulled out his knife-- just in case, Michael supposed.

"We will find him," Sayid tried to reassure the once angry, now panicking father. 'I hope,' but he kept that part to himself, as he saw no need to further frighten him.

"You bet we will," Michael muttered with determination, as he pulled out the knife that Sayid had lent him.

----

Hurley and Claire looked up suddenly. "Walt." They gasped in unison. They jumped up off the rock, put the bottles of water into Hurley's bag and headed towards the sound.

Claire interlaced her dainty fingers with Hurley's chubby fingers and wisely followed behind him, as he was the one with the weaponry, and she hadn't even brought a water bottle with her.

"WALT!!" Hurley called out. "RUN OFF THE PATH!!!" He instructed, giving Claire a sideways glance. "We're going to have to get off the path." His voice was soft and reassuring, and yet the same time tinged with hesitancy and fear.

"Why?" She asked softly.

"The thing... Whatever is chasing Walt is on the path that we've made through the jungle. If we get off the well-worn path we'll confuse 'it'... Hopefully." He added softly.

She looked into his eyes and could see his need for her to trust him, to let him do this, to at least attempt it.

"Okay, just go slow...I'm not the fastest walker right now."

He let out a snort. "Join the club... I'm a charter member."

They turned off of the well-worn path and prayed that Walt had heard them.

-----

Walt heard them all right, and as soon has his brain had processed what had been said he ran into the thick of the jungle and ran in the direction with which the voice had come. He couldn't stop crying, he was scared, and for the first time in his life he was alone, not even Vincent was with him. It was better for Vincent to be on the beach, though. That way he wouldn't try to fight whatever was after him.

As he ran he kept trying to wipe away the tears that blinded him. It was getting dark and he knew he needed to calm down, but it was hard to calm down when something that wanted to EAT YOU was on your tail!!

"HEEEEELP!" He sobbed as he ran, paying no attention to the weeds and thickets that smacked him as he went. "HEEEEEEEEEELLLLP!!!"

He ran into something soft and bouncy.

"Whoa there, I got ya." He heard someone say softly, then pick him up as though he were a small child, put them on their back and walk as fast as he could away.

After a few seconds he opened his eyes and saw sea the red curly hair that could only belong to.... "MR. HURLEY!!" He sobbed, throwing his arms around his neck as Hurley thundered through the jungle. "I was so scared!"

He could feel the big man nod. "But we got ya know. Don't we, dude."

He nodded, and laughed. "I've never been so happy to see anyone ever."

"I don't think you saw us, Walt. I think you ran into us." Claire chuckled, trying to keep things light, even as they could both hear the beast-- or whatever-- encroaching on their every step.

Hearing her voice reminded him of why they were in the jungle in the first place, and he gave his arms around Hurley's shoulder-- or as close to around Hurley's shoulders as he could get, a reassuring squeeze. "I don't think Sawyer was right. He was wrong. You and Ms. Claire aren't what he said." He whispered into Hurley's ear.

Hurley swallowed hard against a surprising lump on his throat and gave Claire's had a squeeze and pulled her closer as he sped up a little. "Thanks little guy." He whispered back softly, as they came upon a clearing in the brush.

Claire cleared her throat as they came upon a clear. "Uh... Mates..." She gulped.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

They stopped suddenly and slowing turned to look at one another. "Uh oh."

No birds chirping.

No leaves rustling.

No owls hooting.

No wolves howling.

Just quiet.

Dead quiet.

A chill went up their spines.

It could only mean one of two things. Either they had lost 'it', or 'it' had stopped, had them in 'it's' sights, and was waiting to pounce.

Something told them, that they hadn't quite lost 'it', and the latter of the options was something they didn't want to be apart of.

"On the count of three," Hurley whispered softly, "Claire, I want you to let go of my hand... you'll be faster on your own. Walt, you have an option, you can follow Claire, or stay on my back, either way--" he trailed off with a shake of his head.

"I'm staying with you, Mr. Hurley." He answered without hesitation.

"So am I." Claire declared softly.

He shook his head. "No..."

"Yes."

"If you're really really sure--"

"Yes, I am." She smiled, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Okay, then on three, let go of my hand, and run-- run for your life." He gulped.

"One."

"Two."

"THREE!"

They all let out screams as they took off across the clearing.

Claire took the straight way, whilst Hurley and Walt were going around shrubs and bush. She didn't understand what he was doing until she remembered a friend from back home telling her that if she ever wanted to get somewhere faster to walk it long wide zigzags. She thanked God that he knew this as he was going faster than he would have had he just gone straight. (Authors note: It is true, I just hope I described it correctly ;D)

She turned her head back around and gasped, before she knew it she was sprawled out on the jungle floor, having tripped over a tree root.

She let out a cry and held onto her stomach. While she had broken her fall with her palms-- which were also scratched up and bloodied now-- her stomach had hit the ground hard as well.

"CLAIRE!! CLAIRE! Are you okay!" He called out as he came up on her.

"I'm fine.... I think I just sprained my ankle. Leave me, it's getting closer!!" She hissed as she grabbed her ankle.

"But the baby--"

"I'll only slow you dow--"

Before she could even finish the sentence he picked her in his arms and cradled her against his chest. "Nuh uh. Charlie would never forgive me. And Sawyer still owes us an apology." He groused as she leaned her head against his shoulder, put her arms around his neck and he took off running once more.

"Hi there, Walt." She smiled, trying to calm him down-- for that fact, she was trying to calm herself down. "Having a nice ride, eh?"

He nodded distantly. "Did you hurt the baby?" he asked softly.

She winced. "I don't think so... but me belly does hurt a bit."

"You'll be okay, I just know it. Mr. Locke says that we experienced a miracle... I don't think miracles happen to people just for them to fall and hurt themselves."

'I hope your right,' she thought, but didn't verbalize the thought. She gave his forearm a squeeze, and he seemed to get the meaning of that.

"We're almost there!" Hurley told them between breaths. And if he knew where 'there' was he'd be more than happy to tell them, all he knew was that he needed to rest or his heart was going jump out of his chest in protest, slap him and walk away... and that didn't seem like a good thing. He needed his heart to live and stuff.

Claire and Walt both closed their eyes tight as they could both hear the thing behind them encroaching on Hurley's every step. They could both hear their hearts in their ears, and it was a deafening sound as panic set in. Claire absently felt Walt move his arms from around Hurley's shoulders to around Hurley's neck and her shoulder. She lifted one arm and put it around him and pulled him close. "I got ya." She cooed, her voice soft and encouraging. "We'll be safe. We'll be okay." She cooed, and he could feel it, he knew they were going to be okay.

Suddenly Hurley stopped and pivoted on his heel. He didn't have to look to know that he was about to become Monster Chow (c) (Copyright of me xD). And just as Suddenly, everything went dark.

-------

Sayid and Michael walked in silence, neither wanting to verbalize what they feared they might find.

"Hold up." Michael said as he stooped down and picked up a slip on loafer. "Walt." He gasped, clutching the shoe to his chest.

Sayid shook his head. "It could mean nothing at all. He was running, he could have lost it and not even realized it."

Michael squeezed his eyes shut. "You really think so?"

Sayid put his hand on Michael's shoulder. "Walt was a very smart boy. I'm sure that he is fine. Besides," he took a quick look around. "I don't see any other evidence of his being here. Perhaps it slipped off, or he kicked it off to throw it off his course, trying to spread his scent around."

Michael nodded. "God I hope so." He muttered as he put the shoe in back pocket. "Because I'd hate to have to kill Sawyer." He glanced at Sayid. "I'm many things, man. A bad father, a bad ex-husband, a man with a bad temper, but I'm no murderer... but if something happens to Walt-- All bets are off."

Sayid nodded, as he understood. They began again in silence, looking, watching, and praying to find Walt.

-------

Never in his entire life had been more grateful for taking the path less traveled as he was when he entered the clearing where he had just moments earlier seen Hurley-- or more aptly, he had seen Hurley's crazy curly red hair as he ran across the clearing with Claire in his arms, and Walt on his back. At least they are okay, and together. He thought to himself, though he did worry as to WHY he was carrying Claire. If something happens to her or that kid she's carrying, I'm more than a dead man, I'm toast, French toast.

He looked to the left, nothing.

He looked to the right, still nothing.

C'mon, they couldn't have gone THAT far! He kept his palm on the butt of his dagger, and his head down and senses alert as he looked around.

He was more than just looking for them. He was trying to rid himself of the image of the monster that was after them all. And he wasn't kidding himself. It WAS a monster. Hurley hadn't seen it. And God willing, neither had Walt or Claire. For not only was it hideous, and huge, but it looked bloodthirsty.

He shuddered at the thought of them being in 'it's' presence. Hurley would have undoubtedly passed out. Claire would have gone into labor and Walt--- poor Walt would have screamed bloody murder (thereby signing his death warrant-- which sucked if you were Sawyer... and he was.).

He looked up in the sky, at the bright- yet foreboding- moon. God, if you're listening, just do me one favor; Let me get there before that beastie gets the munchies.

--------

Hurley was lying on the floor, passed out. It was probably a good thing that he had passed out too, as he would have screamed otherwise.

Walt was hugging Mr. Locke around the waist while Locke was rubbing his back and patting his head. "Ssssssh. It's going to be okay now."

Walt dropped from Hurley's back and rushed to give Locke a hug. "Oh thank you, Mr. Locke. Thank you, thank you, thank you." He gushed as he clung to the older mans waist.

Locke looked up from Walt to Claire, who was sitting by where Hurley was laid out. She was rubbing her stomach with one hand and rubbing her ankle with the other.

"You're welcome," Locke smiled as pulled away a little, and walked Walt over to the fire. Walt couldn't help but look around curiously.

"Wow. What IS this place?" Walt asked in awe. The walls were green, made out of thick heavy leaves that had to be at least four to five-foot tall, woven and stitched together to form the walls. The area and diameter weren't small either. It was easily ten-foot width-wise and fifteen-feet length-wise, but the walls tapered in until they touched at the top.

"It's a little sanctuary I've created against the side of a cave, it blends in with the greenery, doesn't stick out much..." he explained, his eyes drifting over to Claire once more. "The walls are made of a leaf that has pungent smell to it, but only on one side. It masks the odor of people, or in our case, meat, dinner, brunch... or whatever it is that that thing was trying to make of you three."

Claire gulped audibly. She never thought she would see the day that she was thankful that someone knew something so... so... morbid.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he noticed her breathing deeply, as if to calm herself and her child.

She nodded. "Yeah, I just tripped, and fell, and" she winced, "hit me tummy on the ground rather roughly."

His eyes widened. "Why were you running?"

Walt and Claire looked at one another guiltily.

"Walt, Claire, whatever you two and Hurley were doing out in the jung--"

"It's nothing sordid, Mr. Locke." She assured him quickly. "It's just that," she paused, looking down at her stomach, "things back on the beach got a little heated and... and..."

"I don't like that Sawyer guy." Walt grumbled as he absently picked up a stick and prodded the fire.

"What did Sawyer sa--" his voice trailed off as he noticed tears in Claire's eyes. "If it was that bad, then I don't need to know, now do I?"

She sniffled, her hand wiping away the tears before they could fall. "It's not that-- it's just it hurt, that's all. He and Hurley were throwing verbal jabs at one another. And everything was fine, they were actually having fun, until Sawyer," she winced, "he took it a little far. I don't think he even realized how hurtful what he was saying was until he noticed a crowd growing, and Kate cold cocked him."

Locke couldn't help but smile. "Good for her."

Walt nodded. "I got mad too, because I like Mr. Hurley and Ms. Claire. I hit him, and got yelled at, and ran off. I was stupid. I shouldn't have left camp, now my dad's probably worried about me." He looked at Locke, his eyes filled with tears. "You don't think he's going to hate for it, do ya?"

Locke shook his head and put his hand reassuringly on Walt's shoulder. "No parent ever hates their child over a decision made when their heart is in the right place."

Walt looked away from him, still unsure if he believed him.

Hurley sat up suddenly. He looked around startled. "Wha-- huh-- where the he-- heck are we?" He asked, as his eyes readjusted to the firelight.

"Safe," smiled Claire, as she helped him sit up more. "How's the head?"

He held the side of his head for a moment. "As soon as it stops spinning, I'll let ya know."

She chuckled, playfully punching him in the arm.

"Ow. That. Hurt." He rubbed his forearm. After a few seconds he started to remember everything. He turned to Claire suddenly. "I-- I didn't drop you-- did I?" He asked, looking her over for visible bumps and scrapes.

"No, you didn't drop her." Said Locke as he walked over to them and held out two bottles of water. "Here, drink."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," he smiled warmly. "As for how you got here, you were standing right outside of my little sanctuary and I pulled you in. I must have startled you pretty bad because you passed out. Walt jumped off your back and I pulled Claire out of your arms before you hit the ground."

"Oh, thanks, I think." He added with a snort.

"Has the world stopped spinning yet?" Claire asked expectantly.

"Yeah, my heads okay." He answered, standing slowly. "Walt, you okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah." He answered dejectedly.

"Give me your hand Claire, and I'll help you over to the fire." Claire obliged Hurley and he helped her over to the fallen log that Walt and Locke were sitting on.

The fire wasn't huge, but Locke had dug a pit, and lined it with stones before he had built it, ensuring that the ground would be kept warm and that it would be easy to bury. (it's true!! If you ever go camping some time you should try it LOL) It was about four-feet deep, four-feet wide, and big enough to keep them warm, yet small enough for all the smoke to waft through the small opening at the top of the sanctuary.

Claire couldn't help but look at Locke curiously. "You know why we're out here... but why are you out here?" She asked softly, warming her hands from the flames.

"It's kind of complicated--" he was cut off by a groan in the background.

"Locke-- wh-whos there?" Came a soft gruff quivering voice.

"Charlie?" Claire gasped.

He groaned, closing their eyes. His head was swimming, he was hearing voices, seeing hallucinations of people who couldn't possibly on the island let alone in the--- wherever they were. And now he was hearing the voice of his most favorite angel in the whole entire-- island-- world-- life-- all of the above? He just wanted it to stop. He just wanted it to be over with. He wanted to stop feeling like crap.

Claire turned to Locke suddenly. "Where are we?" She asked with an empty pit forming in her stomach.

Locke sighed. "We're in a little hide-away spot I created-- for, well," he nodded over his shoulder. "Charlie over there."

"What happened? Is he sick-- I bet Jack could help him--"

Charlie groaned as he shifted his eyes from person to person. He was seeing Liam-- again. Everywhere he looked there was Liam, Liam as a small pregnant woman, Liam with the body of a small black boy, Liam as a very heavyset man, and Locke. "Locke... I-- I'm seeing Liam again." He whimpered.

"I'm coming, Charlie." He reassured him as he got up and walked over to where Charlie laid. He was lying under an airplane blanket that was pulled up to his chin, he was shivering, even as beads of sweat were forming on his face. Locke knelt down next to the young man and bathed his forehead in cool water.

"I'm seeing Li-Liam everywhere, Locke. He's every where." He whispered shakily, his eyes glassy with tears.

"I know, I know. It'll be over soon."

Charlie opened his mouth to say more but hesitated. "What is it Charlie?"

"I-- I'm hearing Claire's voice call out me name." He whispered softly.

Locke wondered absently if it would be wrong to tell him that i b wasn't /b /i necessarily a hallucination. "Charlie--" he began softly, his voice as soothing as he could manage. "You aren't hearing things, Claire i really /i is here."

Charlie's brow furrowed. "B-but Locke. You- you promised--"

Locke nodded. "I know son. I know... I promised to bring you out here to ride out the worst of it, and I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone where we were-- and I didn't tell anyone where we were. They found us... or... they stumbled upon us."

He closed his eyes tightly, and grimaced.

"Is the fire too warm for you, Charlie?" He asked, motioning to the fire that he had laid Charlie within a few short feet of.

"No... no..." He coughed harshly, grimacing as he could feel the cough reverberating throughout his entire being, from his head to his toes, through every infinitesimal cell and neuron in his body. "Who-who found us?" He asked gravelly.

"Hurley, Walt and Claire."

Charlie groaned. "No... I don't want her to see me like 'is." He moaned, desperately.

"Ssssh, just stay calm, don't get yourself all worked up."

Hurley turned to Walt. "Just stay here, okay?"

Walt nodded, as he got squeemish around sick people.

Claire got up and limped over to his side, her hand caressed his forehead. "Hey Charlie... did something happen?"

He closed his eyes to her touch, and drank in her voice like a man who had just been give a drink after a long stay in a hot desert. And this time, when he opened his eyes, he saw her face, not Liams. He saw her sparkling blue eyes, her blonde wispy hair ad her angelic face and welcoming smile. "I didn't want you to see me like 'is." He whispered raggedly.

"Like what?" She asked, confused.

"Withdrawals, Claire." Locke explained. "Charlie and I came out here, so that no one else would see him going through withdrawals."

"Oh, dear." She caressed his forehead again, moving his tossled sweaty hair from his forehead. "It's going to be alright." She cooed, stunning him. "I'm going to be with you, I promise."

Charlie didn't understand her. He didn't see any signs of pity or pathos, just understanding, just acceptance and caring. No judgemental tsking of her tongue, no head shake of rightneous, and she didn't turn or walk away. He was in awe of her.

"Yeah, dude. We'll help."

...and Hurley.

"Hurley?" He called out weakly, and the larger man came around the fire and into his sight range. "What are you --"

"It's a long story, love." Cooed Claire. "Why don't you rest, and we'll take turns watching over you."

Locke and Hurley looked at one another and the older man nodded. "It's far to dark to be going out and walking back to camp as it is. All three of you might as well stay until morning time--"

"Three?"

Walt peaked his head around the camp fire and waved lamely, before going back to his spot, poking the fire.

Charlie cursed under his breath and closed his eyes. "Oh yes, his da is going to love 'is. 'What did you see out in the jungle, Walt.' 'A monster, a secret sanctuary, and an English man going through DT's.' Fabulous. Just fabulous."

"We could take you back to camp, dude. I'm sure Jack-"

"NO!" He spat out quickly, it sounded harsher than he had intended it too come out. "No, I've screwed up enough, needn't add 'going through withdrawals infront of everyone' to the bloody list." He whispered softly.

Hurley shook his head. "Dude, you've helped a lot more than what you're giving yourself credit for. Besides, none of us are perfect. Look at me... HELLO, speciman imperfectus eh numbro uno."

"Don't make me laugh," he said stifling a cough. "Hurts too much."

"Ouch, sorry." He apologized with a wince. "Really man... come back to camp and at least ride it out where there's more than one person to watch out over ya."

"And, when you're on the beach, there aren't any hungry monsters trying to each ya for breakfast." Claire added with a nod.

Charlie turned his head to Locke. "What do you think?"

Locke shrugged. "It's up to you, my boy. But they do have a point, on both counts."

He groaned, his head falling to the side. "Can I decide in the morning... I'm wiped."

Locke smiled. "Yes, it's too dark to be heading back anyway. Claire, why don't you and Walt use the other blanket I brought along and get some rest. Hurley and I will keep guard till morning time."

Claire stifled a yawn. "If you insist." Her eyes grew heavy and she laid down close, but not too close to Charlie, with Walt curled up behind her for extra warmth. Walt smiled at her and asked.

"Is it okay if I put my hand on your tummy... I've never felt a baby move before."

With a chuckle Claire pulled his arms around her waist and planted his hands on her stomach. "Feel that?"

His eyes widened. "Wow... that's cool."

"You think you can sleep with all that commotion?" He nodded emphadically. "Well if you're sure." She giggled as they both laid down to sleep.

Walt dropped off first, followed closely by Charlie, and lastly Claire, as her eyes fluttered shut she watched Charlie sleep peacefully for the first time... ever.

Locke motioned for Hurley to follow him to the other side of the fire.

"You sure we should be going so far?" Hurley asked quietly.

"He's over the worst part, he should sleep fine tonight." Locke assured him.

"So, what's up?" He asked as he sat on the log in front of the fire.

"I want to know what Sawyer said that upset all three of you so bad."

Hurley looked at the ground for a few seconds, gathering the courage to repeat it when there was a comotion outside of the sanctuary. "Wuzzat?!" They both jumped to their feet.

"Stay here." He instructed, grabbing his knife, Locke made a bee line for the entrance way.

Hurley started to wring his hands, and glanced over at the other three to make sure they hadn't been disturbed. He looked back up and Locke was gone. "Locke?" He called out softly.

"Locke??" He hissed. "Where are--"

He trailed off as the leaves parted and someone came crashing through the entrance and onto the floor.

It wasn't Locke.

Hurley swallowed hard.

It was Sawyer.

"Where's Locke! What'd you do with him!" He demanded, forgetting to keep his voice down, causing Claire and Walt to stir.

Sawyer looked up from where he was sprawled out on the floor and almost laughed. All three had found the hunter, how quaint.

"Where IS he Sawyer? Dude! Can you hear me? Where. Is. LOCKE!" His heart began to race, and Claire and Walts coming up behind him and hiding behind him wasn't helping things.

"Come one step closer, and dude, I'll sit on you. Don't think I won't."

TBC....

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