Day 4
"Secrets Revealed"

Her former plan to alleviate the worries of living on an island with strangers was forgotten. There was a new mystery to ponder on. The fate of her life.

Cherry had made a point to distance herself from the others, if only for a few hours, to think things through. People distracted her. And, it seemed, whenever she was around people in close proximity, she passed out, and… Okay, so there were two mysteries to ponder on. What exactly was happening to her?

Twice now, she'd seen things. From Sayid, she saw him lose his legs to a boulder. From Sawyer, she saw his life, his past.

Jack almost had her convinced that the first time was a weird coincidence. A fluke. But, it had happened twice now. What was she supposed to think?

"Kate!" Jack called, as he jogged up behind her.

"Yeah, Jack. What is it?"

"I'm starting to worry about Sam." Kate waited, knowing he'd explain further without having to ask. "She's passed out twice now, and yesterday she told me she saw hundreds of snakes in the jungle, just lying at her feet."

"Well, it is a tropical island. There's bound to be snakes." Kate reasoned, choosing not to inform Jack of her strange encounter with the woman in question the day before just yet. Not until she made some sense of it herself.

"There's a college biology professor at the caves. I described to him the snakes Sam said she saw. It's impossible for that species of snake to be here. They live in marshes, not tropical islands."

"What do you think?"

"I think she's delusional. She says she's eating and staying hydrated, but she won't tell me anything else that would cause her to pass out and…see these things."

"So why are you telling me?" She asked, suddenly realizing there was a definite need for suspicion.

"I was hoping you'd keep an eye on her for me."

"You want me to baby sit."

"No. I just want you to make sure she's eating and drinking water and staying out of the sun. Kate, I'm away at the caves most of the day. You're here at the beach with her, what would it hurt?"

"Haven't you ever thought that I have better things to do than play your nurse for a woman I can't do anything for?" Kate asked, barely keeping the volume of her voice in check.

"You don't have to watch her every moment of the day. Just check in with her once or twice. Please. Kate?" His voice retained the pleading softness, and the kindness he always held. She grit her teeth and shook her head so he wouldn't think he could get to her so easy.

"Fine." She snapped, and flashed him a smile before turning away.

"I saw the way you looked at me. What happened to you on the beach today?"

Cherry started at the sound of Sawyer's voice from behind her. She refused to turn her head and look at him as he stood beside her. "Even if I knew, which I don't, I'm not sure I'd want to tell you."

"Why not?"

"I know what you do with people's secrets." She answered quietly. Sawyer walked in front of her, so she was forced to look into his eyes.

"You think you know so much about me?" He asked, with dangerous rage in his voice and face. But, there was something in Cherry that made him leave his anger behind. "You didn't even interview me." He added with a grin. But Cherry was not amused.

"Not in the way you'd expect."

He furrowed his brow in confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know what, I'm not even sure. I'm not sure about anything anymore."

"Apparently not even your own name."

Cherry breathed deeply, half exasperated. Why was he throwing so many issues at her at once?

"So what is your name?"

"Sam."

"Why'd u tell me it was Cherry?"

"Habit, I guess. That was all anyone in my home town would call me until I was twelve years old."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. It's just a nickname my dad gave me when I was little. But only my mother calls me that now."

Dr. Jacobs hesitated. "It's developed into a tumor. In your brain. Unfortunately, it must have been developing for a time, judging by its size. And its position, wedged between your right and left frontal lobes renders it…inoperable."

The drive home was quick. Without even thinking, she was home, and throwing clothes frantically into a suitcase. Her mother pushed the door open softly.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving."

"Why? You have to start treatment."

"I can't do it again, mom. The chemo, the nausea, the wigs. I can't. I need to get away from it. I need to run away. For once in my life, let me run away from my problems. I'll deal with it later."

Only when she was thousands of miles away, in a hotel room in Sydney, did she breathe a sigh of relief, and smile.

She sat softly on her bed and hesitantly picked up the phone, twirling the cord in her fingers once she'd dialed the numbers. She sighed, when she heard her mother's voice on the answering machine.

"I know I'm not your favorite person right now. And I also know you're listening to my voice on the machine, deciding whether to pick up the phone and yell at me, or just ignore the fight. I know you're crying, because no matter how mad and worried I make you, you still love me. You must be scared to death. I'm so sorry for taking off like that. I'm sorry for doing this to you. But I'm okay, I just needed to get away for a day or two and take a break…a vacation. I'll come back and start treatment on Wednesday, I promise. I love you mom. More than anything."

The sun was setting. Sawyer had long since left her. She'd shut him out, stopped answering his questions. And, as she knew he would, he got bored and left. Cherry was glad. He seemed too eager to pry into her secrets. That was the last thing she wanted. But, it seemed her secret wanted to get out, since blackouts seemed to attack her every time she turned around.

But, the sun was setting. So, she meandered back toward the people. And with every step she took, their clamor grew louder. She stopped for a moment and listened. They seemed unusually loud tonight. Every word was recognizable, even from a great distance. A voice was clear, and she sought out its owner. The Korean woman. She was having a conversation with Walt. He was speaking slowly and clearly to her, and she smiled and nodded.

'I understand. Your dog went down the beach that way.' Her voice said in perfect English. But her lips did not move. She just pointed down the beach.

Cherry's eyes leapt around, and every person she set them on, she heard their voice. And their lips never matched their words. She heard things they said, that they weren't really saying.

Her breathing shallowed, and she stepped away from them with her left foot. And then her right, before turning around and running, fast and hard. Soon, her labored breathing and heart thumping was all she heard, and she collapsed onto the cool sand, looking up at the colored sky.

"What was that?" She whispered to herself.

Let me get this straight. The season finale is NOT next Wednesday the 27th? For the love of everything that is Holy, I don't think I can wait any more. I'm probably the most impatient person on earth right now. Anyway, thanks for humoring me on this story, guys, i know it's not quiteup to par. If any of you have not read my other LOST story, LOST hope, it is written much better and is far more interesting.

Some LOST stories that are wonderful and I suggest you all go read immediately :
Formal Wear
A Christmas Carol

A Wandering Minstrel - Now you know.

Freckles-101 - Good to see I can keep you on the edge of your computer chair.

Dark-Angel206 - In time, you will know all, grasshopper. This chapter was a big piece of the puzzle, but there's still more. I wouldn't reveal this big thing so early if there wasn't more…

Skyblue266 - OH YEAH, that's what I like to see; Excited reviewers like yourself!

Flute Marcher - Cherry keeps me in the dark on some things, still. She's a secretive person.

Moon's Tear - Thanks, Sawyer's characterization was something I'm always worried about. He's a complex guy.

Eclypse - Alas, it has been revealed. But what next? Only time will tell.

Austin B.