Homecoming
Chapter Six
Boone groaned, annoyed.
He had finally gotten Shannon breathing again, but every since then, she hadn't shut up.
I just wanted to tell you.. Shannon hesitated, and then, I don't blame you for what Dad did.
Boone turned, not noticing the pain in his neck, and looked at her.
He said, completely taken off guard.
What happened happened, she said slowly, thinking about it as she went, it was his choice to leave. He could've stayed. That wasn't your fault.
Watching her, Boone tried to figure out rather or not she was being serious. When her eyes or face didn't change, he decided:
he said, sincerely.
But then he sighed, only wishing the story could've ended there.
But I still killed that girl, he said with guilt.
You said you didn't see the car coming, Shannon said.
But I was drunk, Boone pointed out.
Yeah that kind of was your fault, she said under her breath, more to herself.
I swear though, said Boone, I never drunk so much as a drop after that.Wow you must've been a loser in college, Shannon joked.
You don't see a ring on my finger, do you? Boone mused.
It was quiet as Boone realized this was the first time they had ever said more than three sentences without a death threat at the end. Boone closed his eyes that had began burning.
Did you ever go to therapy?
His eye snapped open, surprised by the question.
You know, Shannon said, did you ever try to get help?Could I? Boone said, shaking his head. No, I didn't want Mom to find out.She blamed herself, Shannon said quietly.
She what?She kept thinking Dad left because of her, Shannon said, as quiet as before, she was depressed.. for a while. Boone muttered, now I've ruined everything.
Shannon shook her head.
It doesn't matter now anyway, she said, tilting her head back, we're going to die in a freakin' underground trap.Yeah if I knew it would end like this I would've killed myself eight years ago, Boone sighed.
Shannon didn't say anything. What was she supposed to say to a comment like that? But her thoughts were altered as she heard a noise closing in on them.
What the hell is that? She said as she begun to stand up.
Boone reached up, trying to stop her, but she ignored him. Listening closely, she began to here voices-
No, he went with Sawyer and Charlie to look for Kate, someone was saying.
Shannon's eyes grew wide as she recognized the voices.
That's Sayid and Locke, she said, looking down at Boone.
She looked up again, seeing the wood placed a few inches above her. Reaching up, she pounded on it, praying it would come lose, but as they had already know, it was sealed tight.
She yelled. We're down here!
They were both screaming at the top of their lungs as Shannon continued pounding on the wood, praying the two hadn't already walked by.
......
Do you have any idea where the hell we are? Sawyer said to Jack after ten more minutes of walking no where.
At this rate, Kate had already died and her ghost was probably laughing at them by now.
Do you? Jack shot back, trying not to lose it.
He had put up with Sawyer's antics the entire way, and the only thing that stopped him from murdering him single-handed was the thought of Kate.
Sawyer said, we're lost.We're not going in circles are we? Charlie said, tired of both of the men's bickering.
How the hell would I know? Sawyer said, irritable. Jacko here is the human compass, you tell us.
Just then Jack stopped, but it wasn't because of Sawyer. They had reached another end of beach that stretched outward east and west for miles, but it was what on the on the island that bothered him.
......
Why was Sawyer all the way out there? Locke asked Sayid, trying to catch up on what all had happened that day.
I'm not sure, Sayid lied.
Truthfully, Sayid had known from the beginning what Jack had wanted to do, but he had never gotten a chance to work his plan out. He continued walking for a few paces, not stopping until something caught his foot. Looking down, he noticed a piece of wood that had been placed on the ground. Locke had stopped, watching.
Locke said suddenly, hear that?
He bent down beside the wood, Sayid following. Lowering his ear to the wood, Locke strained to hear the voices he could've sworn called out to him.
Someone was shouting. We're under here!
Sayid looked up in recognition.
That's Shannon, he said, looking at Locke.
Without hesitating, both of them jerked at the side of the wood, pulling it lose in seconds. Locke threw it aside, and stared down into the dark trap.
Locke called. Can you hear me? Was the answer. I'm only a foot down!
It was clear that Shannon could see Locke, but all Locke could see was darkness.
he said, we can't see anything, but we're going to try and pull you up. Shannon said, Boone's with me- he's on the ground, about six feet.
Locke took that in- he was probably hurt.
Are either of you hurt? He asked when Shannon didn't say anything else.
Shannon called back, Boone is- his leg's bleeding, badly.
Locke and Sayid exchanged a glance, both knowing this wasn't good.
Boone, can you hear me? Locke called down to him.
When there was no answer, Locke asked again:
Boone, if you can understand me, try and say something.
There was a distant moan from deep underground. Locke turned to Sayid, making up his mind.
You pull Shannon up, he told him, I'm going down for Boone.Are you sure you can life him back up? Sayid said, unsure of the plan.
I'm sure, Locke nodded, then asked Shannon what should've been his first question, how far down is he?Six feet, Shannon answered.
Locke took that in, coming up with his plan.
he said, Sayid's going to pull you up, and then I'm going to go down to help Boone. Shannon said, a little nervous.
Sayid took his turn to talk next.
I can't see a thing, Sayid told Shannon, you'll have to guide me- give me something to let me know where your hand is.
There was a thump as Shannon's hand hit the dirt, and Sayid could just see tiny molecules of dirt flying in the darkness. Reaching down, Sayid felt for her hand, and after three tries, found it. Shannon helped him find the grip on her other arm, and Sayid pulled.
She was actually heavier then he thought she'd be, or maybe it was just because he hadn't done hours and days of training like he used to. Despite this, Sayid managed to life her up, and she helped by grabbing onto the ground. Once above ground, Shannon laid down, unable to find the energy to get up, and tried to catch her breath. Once sure she would be okay, Locke took a breath, then lowered himself into the trap. A few seconds later, Shannon and Sayid heard his feet hit the ground.
Author's Note: We're nearing the end! Thanks to all who are still out there reading and reviewing!
October Sky