Special
Chapter Three

Michael had completely forgot about running into the student, whose shouts now filled the halls, by the time he threw open the door handle. Inside the room was his wife, Jasmine, in the hospital bed, holding a beautiful baby boy. She looked up at him, disappointed, as he lingered at the door.

Your son, was all he said, I named him Walter if that's okay with you. Walt.That's..that's fine, Michael said, guilt eating him.

There had been a hold up at the airport. One of the flights to Paris had been held back, causing a foreign exchange group to rebel, leaving trouble for security. Jasmine looked back down at her newborn.

Look Jazz, I'm sorry, Michael said, stepping closer, there was a hold up at the airport and-

From the tears forming in Jazz's eyes, he could see he wasn't going to get anywhere close to an apology soon.

He was interrupted by the door opening. From in the halls, it sounded like the student and his father had finished arguing. He turned. The man was white, first thing he noticed, with graying hair. He looked to be in his upper thirties.

Who are you? Michael asked, looking at him.

This is Brian, Jazz explained, he helped me through labor.

That was all that went through Michael's head as he could only stare at the guy, not able to believe he was there..

Michael snapped back into reality to Locke calling his name. He turned and looked at him.

You know what that is? He asked.

Yeah, our death, Michael said.

Not if we fight it.Fight it! Michael exclaimed. Did you hit your head or something? Fight it? Are you insane?Listen to me, Locke said, trying to calm him down, unless that thing is slaughtered, it's always going to be there. We can't hide from it forever.

Michael stared at him.

You're..you're serious?

Locke nodded. Michael decided he might as well accept the idea. They were both going to die.

So how are we supposed to kill this thing? He asked, wondering if Locke had came across a case of beer somewhere.

We aim for the heart and the head, Locke said, stop the brain activity and lower the blood flow.That easy huh? Michael said, joking.

We could only hope.

Michael looked away, unsure of what they were about to do..

Walt was one now. Michael still lived with Jazz, though he knew she was spending time with Brian, which naturally bothered him. He was playing with Walt, who was on the floor holding some blocks. He looked up, surprised when the door opened. It was Jazz and Brian.

she said as they entered.

She was hiding something, she could tell.

Michael asked, standing up.

Brian looked away, not wanting to make eye contact with Michael.

Michael, your construction job isn't going very well, Jazz began.

Michael stared at her. What did that have to do with anything?

he said slowly, we're just going through a tough time-Michael I don't have the time to go through a tough time! Jazz cried. We need money, badly. We need it- for Walt.What are you saying? Michael asked slowly, fearing the worst.

she struggled to continue as tears began to roll down her cheeks, Michael, I'm leaving you. He said, staring at her. No, you're not serious.

Neither Jazz or Brian said anything as he looked from one to the other.

I can't believe this! He exclaimed. I can get another job, I can-Brian has a guarantee law firm job in Europe, Jazz broke in through tears, we're flying out Thursday.

It took Michael a while to process what she had said. Once he had, he turned his anger on Brian.

You- you-

But he couldn't do it. He couldn't insult him or pick a fight in front of his son.. his son. That pained him.

This is my child too, Jazz! Michael yelled.

The raise of his voice made Walt cry from the floor. Jazz hurried over, picking him up as she tried to calm him down.

Michael please! Jazz tried. The lawyer said if you can't support-Oh, I could support him, it's him you want! Michael said, pointing at Brian. Jazz said before he could say anything in front of the baby.

he said, grabbing his jacket, I'm going to get something to eat. If you're leaving, I want you both out- by tonight.

He stopped before leaving, whispering into Jazz's ear.

And when this jerk leaves you, he whispered, don't come crawling back to me.Michael! Move!

He was jerked from his thoughts by someone shoving him to the ground. He felt leaves scrape against his cheek as he rolled and heard Locke groan beside him. He he finally stopped by a patch of bushes, he took a moment to catch his breath, then stood up, wincing in pain. Beside him, Locke was on the ground, lying on his back. He looked to be in pain.

Locke asked.

Michael said, sitting up, old injury.. arthritis. Had some problems walking..Well well well, who do we have here?

It was the year of 2000. Michael was in a wheel chair in the hospital room he was put in. His right leg was in a cast and left arm was in a splint. He managed a small smile as the nurse, Shelly, who he had gotten to know pretty well over the years with his injuries, approach him.

Maybe I should go ahead and give you your own room, she joked, cable or regular?A prefer cable, Michael said, going along with it, and in color, please.So what happened? She asked, looking at him in concern.

Construction accident, he explained, apparently the roof wasn't as steady as I thought.Guess you're out of the job for a while, huh?Yeah, but the boss offered me a job as sort of an..artist, he showed her a drawing book he was holding, like a designer.

Shelly looked at the sketch of a restaurant Michael had drawn. It was very detailed with shading.

she said, this is amazing. Michael said, taking the book back, just hope the boss thinks so.I'm sure he will.

His thoughts were interrupted by Locke groaning beside him as he tried to sit up.

MIchael asked, looking at him.

I had this walking problem too, Locke said as he had to surrender from trying to get up.

Michael said. I couldn't.
......

Walt stared out into the ocean from his spot on the edge of the jungle. His dad still wasn't back, and he was getting worried. It had been eighteen hours..

Walt I need to talk to you.

Walt turned off the tv. He had done nothing but watch tv and read comic books for the past three days. He had been told to take his time coming back to school, and he was taking it. He was also beginning to wonder if ten year olds could become depressed.

Yeah Dad? Walt said, sitting up.

Brian's face seemed to react funny at the sound of the word dad' just then, and it scared him. Only too soon he would know why. Brian kneeled in front of Walt on the floor. Another thing that scared him. He had never seen his dad look so serious before. From outside in the back yard, Vincent, his lab, began to bark at someone who had walked up the porch. The doorbell rang.

It's open! Brian shouted.

The lock clicked and an African American man who Walt didn't recognize stepped in. The way he stared at Walt began to frighten him.

Have you told him? The man said after a moment of silence.

Brian shook his head.

I was just about to.

Walt looked from his dad to the man who had just walked in.

Walt asked, worried. What is it?Walt there's something you need to know, Brian said.

Walt could tell this was hard for him as he stared at Brian, waiting for him to continue.

I'm..I'm not your real father, Brian finally said.

There was a silence then.

Walt said slowly, shaking his head. No, no, I don't believe it.

He looked at the man in the doorway. Embarrassed, he tried to hold back tears that were forcing through his eyes. He tried to get up to leave, but Brian held his arms still.

Walt, Walt, listen to me!

Walt looked back at him.

This is Michael, Brian said finally, he's your real father.

After a moment of staring at Michael, Walt finally spoke.

What's he doing here?

The two men glanced at each other.

Your mother's will stated that Michael was to received custody of any children, Brian explained, she forgot to change it when we got married.What- what are you saying? Walt said, not believing this had all happened within the last five minutes.

Brian looked down at the floor then back up at Walt.

Until we can fight this, Brian said.

Then he looked at Michael.

And we will fight this, he continued, you have to go stay with Michael for a while. In L.A. Walt shouted, fighting Brian's grip and standing up. No, no, I'm not!

He glared at Michael, as if he wanted the man to disappear right then and there, and then turned, running into his room.

Brian called after him.

But he didn't answer.

Walt broke his ocean gaze as he swiped at his eyes, refusing to let a tear drop.

......

Back in the jungle, Michael just stared at Locke.

He asked, not believing him. What do you mean you couldn't walk?I was paralyzed in a car accident, Locke said, trying to wave the question off, I've been in a wheelchair for the past four years. Something about the crash must of knocked a bone back in place or something.

They both looked up as they heard the monster again.

I'm sure this is only temporary, Locke said, trying to shift his weight. I think it'll wear off..

The tree rustling got closer and closer. Locke handed Michael a thick hunting knife.

He asked. What am I supposed to-You know what you need to do, Locke said looking at him.
......

Back at the beach Walt watched as Jack had entered the beach again. He sat down at the same place he had seen Jack sitting earlier. He hadn't pushed the subject, but he had begun to wonder if he had missed something last night at the caves. He had stayed the night at the beach, hiding himself in some wreckage. No one had noticed.
......

Locke was on the ground. He had his eyes closed in a prayer, feeling the pain in his leg stiffening. Suddenly he heard footsteps rustling through leaves on the ground. Locke look up, squinting in the sun. Michael had come back, covered in blood with a gash on his head, and limping. The knife he was holding was covered in blood, but he was smiling nonetheless.

So did you kill him? Locke asked.

Let's just say I don't think he'll be eating anyone else for a while, Michael said.

Locke laughed a little, and Michael couldn't help but to laugh a little too. It had been amazing the way he had been able to defeat the beast. He wasn't able to explain it, and as long as he was alive, he wasn't going to try.

Think you might be able to stand? He asked Locke.

For some reason, it seemed like a spiritual moment. For some reason, he knew Locke was going to be able to walk again. Locke nodded.

Locke said, let's try it.

Michael reached down with his bloody arm, and gripped Locke's hand, helping him up. It hurt, but sure enough, Locke was well again. They exchanged a glance, and then a laugh. Then, having to help support each other, they began the slow journey to the beach.
......

Jack hadn't noticed when Walt had walked up behind him. No one had said anything when Jack had disappeared to the beach. Everyone seemed to know that something had happened between him, Sawyer, and Kate, and they weren't going to press it, though they had their rumors. He was surprised though, when Walt sat down next to him, not saying anything.

I'm sure your dad will be fine, Jack said to him, don't worry about him.I'm sure she'll be fine to, Walt said, Kate, I mean.

Jack looked at him. How had he figured that out? His attention was drawn by some rustling in the bushes. Both there heads turned to Michael and Locke, with support from each other, slowly making their way out of the jungle. Walt jumped up, running to his dad, and Jack ran after him. Jack helped Locke and as soon as Michael was free, despite the blood, Walt engulfed him into a hug.

What happened to you last night? Walt asked.

Got lost in the jungle, Michael explained, sorry man.It's okay, Walt said, completely relieved.

Jack looked from Michael to Locke.

What happened to you two? He asked.

The two injured men exchanged glances.

Long story, Michael said, Long story.