Chapter Nine: Accident

Quick Sticky: I've modeled Mark Logan after John Locke from the LOST TV series. I think that the character of John Locke is interesting and I think that my characterization of Dr. Mark Logan should be modeled after him. If you don't watch LOST, then you'll be confused so don't worry about it.

Life was good to Garfield Logan as he watched his parents pack their things into the small jeep they owned. They were going to go to a City not too far away from where they would leave for the U.S. until the rainy season was over. His dad said he had to do some business with his company Logan Estate Genetic Research Facilities. After it was finished they would come back to Upper Lamumba and continue research. Gar was excited to go to the U.S., because he had never been there before.

His parents were busy packing and he was far away from Zanta who was back at the village. He missed her very much. She was his best friend and he always enjoyed talking to her. She was also very fun to play with and they would spar with Gar's spear which had been dulled so he wouldn't hurt anyone on accident.

Gar smiled, holding the spear tightly. It was his favorite, along with the flute his mother had given him; he treasured these things more than anything. He would keep them with forever. He would never get rid of them. He loved his parents, and these presents meant a lot to him, after all, not all the American kids got African spears for their birthday. These presents were special beyond sentimental value: to him they represented his parents and their love for him.

He was worried about his parents. His mother was starting to get more and more contractions as she neared the end of her pregnancy. She seemed to be more tired and weary than usual, and he hoped that the baby would be okay. He looked forward to having another sibling, someone to talk to, spend time with and take care of. He wanted to be the best brother he could be, he'd make his mother proud.

He smiled, rising to his feet, he ran back to his parents. "Are we going yet?" he asked.

"Almost ready son," Mark replied. He was finishing loading the suitcases filled with clothes and what they would need when they went to Jump City. Gar begged to take his presents with him. Mark had protested, but Marie told Gar he could bring them but warned him that he would have to give them up when they boarded the plane to fly to the United States. Gar said he would be okay with that as long as he got to take them with him.

Climbing into the small jeep they began driving towards the place that Mark had heard was a good camping ground. They drove for a long while until Mark found the spot and parking the jeep along the riverbed, they made camp. They cooked a small dinner, not saying much.

With nothing to do, Gar quietly fiddled with his spear, attempting to twirl it with his fingers, but it would always fly out of his hand and land a short distance away. He ran and picked it up, walking back to his spot. He saw a tree a short distance away and tried to throw the spear so it stuck in the tree. Using all his strength, he threw it as hard as he could. To his dismay the spear bounced off the tree and landed on the ground. He picked up.

"Hey kid, what are you doing?" Gar turned to Mark, who was standing there a short distance away with a spear in his hand, it was similar to the one he had, except it was longer.

"Trying to throw my spear into the tree," Gar replied. "Daddy, can you show me?"

"Sure, thing son," replied Mark. "But we can't use yours; it's too dull to pierce the tree. We'll use mine." He handed his little boy the long spear. Gar took it and threw it with all his might into the tree. Still, it bounced off, refusing to lodge itself into the trunk.

"Daddy, it won't go in," Gar complained. Mark stared patiently down at the little five-year-old, smiling.

"Don't worry son, you'll get better," Mark reassured him. "Try again. This time, focus. Visualize it in your mind's eye."

"What's the mind's eye, Daddy?" Gar asked.

"See it in your mind, and you can do it. Try again, Garfield." Mark smiled.

Gar took a deep breath and steadied himself. He raised the spear, focusing. He saw the knot in the tree and saw the hole. It was bigger than it seemed and he hurled it into the tree. This time it lodged itself deep within the bark. Gar smiled.

"See? I knew you could do it!" Mark pulled him into a hug. Gar grinned from ear to ear, unable to contain his joy, he looked up adoringly at his father.

"Come on, let me teach you something," Mark handed him his spear. He picked up Gar's from the ground. "I'm going to teach you how to fight with it."

"But Daddy, I fight with Zanta back in the village and she showed me how to fight." Gar said.

"I know, but I will make you better," Mark said. He raised his spear. "Attack me!"

Gar rushed him, slashing at him, Mark used the spear and parried the blow, slashing back. Gar blocked, using the long shaft to strike out at his father again. Mark whirled around hacking at Gar, as the boy blocked the blow, he jumped back, slashing right to left as Mark continued to block. He was impressed, already at the age of five he was showing potential of being a quick learner. Gar used all his strength to thrust the spear into his, causing Mark to lose his grip on it, sending it flying from his grasp. Gar pointed it at his throat, signaling victory. Mark smiled.

"Very good, kid; you learn quickly." He smiled. "You make your old man proud." Gar grinned up at him. He had never been so happy in his life.

Night came, the stars unveiled themselves, twinkling brightly in the night.

Mark and Marie sat with Gar outside their tent, staring up into the vast space blanketed with twinkling light. "Daddy, how many stars are there?"

"I really don't know son," Mark replied. "Too many to for us to count, I suppose."

"Has anyone ever done that before?" Gar asked, leaning against his mother's embrace as she stroked his hair.

"No Gar," Marie replied. "I don't think anyone's ever done that. It would take forever."

"Oh," Gar said, that settled the matter for him.

"So sweetheart, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Marie asked her green skinned son quietly.

"I wanna be a scientist, just like Daddy," Gar replied. Mark laughed and tousled his hair.

"Just like Daddy, eh?" he smiled. "You see Marie; he's a chip off the old block."

"Daddy, what's black, white and red all over?" Gar asked.

"I don't know son, what is black, white and read all over?" Mark asked, unsure if the question was a serous one.

"A zebra with the measles," Gar replied. Marie started laughing. She pulled her adorable little boy into her arms.

She smiled at him. "That's very funny, honey. You always make me laugh."

"Really Mommy, am I funny?" Gar asked, hopeful. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to make her laugh. He wanted for them to always be happy so they wouldn't fight like they had a few weeks ago.

"I think it's time you go to bed, sweetheart," Marie said simply. "You need to get to sleep. We're going to leave in the morning."

"But Mommy, I—" Gar protested.

"Don't you 'but Mommy' me, young man. You go to sleep. Now," the look on her face told him she meant it, so he did as he was told and went into the tent, crawling into a sleeping bag, he dozed off.

"Well, Marie, it looks like you should be getting to bed too," Mark gave her a smile. She gave him a look and then decided it was better to do what he said than to try and protest.

"I might as well," Marie conceded as she climbed into the tent followed by her husband. Getting into some nightclothes, she climbed into the sleeping bag. "You alright?" Mark asked, climbing in beside her.

"I'm feeling kind of cold," Marie admitted, shivering slightly from the outside air.

"Then let me keep you warm," Mark murmured into her ear, taking her in his arms. She chuckled quietly smiling as she held him in the embrace.

"I love you," she looked into his deep emerald green eyes. She kissed him sweetly. He smiled quietly, and returned it with passionate fire. He pulled her as close to him as she caressed his face gently. He deepened the kiss and cuddled her to him. Pulling away, he smiled.

"Good night sweetheart," he murmured into her ear. He dozed off to sleep in his wife's arms. She slept beside him peacefully, unaware that tragedy was about to shatter their lives.

Mark felt something wet on his sleeping bag. Snapping awake, he looked around; water was seeping through the tent and soaking them. Shaking Marie awake, she looked tired until her eyes widened in shock at all the water in the room. "We have to get out of here, wake up Gar, quick!"

Marie roused Gar hastily. "We have to go now son. The camp is flooding." He looked frightened. "Don't worry Gar, we'll be fine."

Climbing out of the tent, they gathered up what they could and climbed into a boat they had brought. Water was up to their knees and was steadily rising. Mark grabbed the oars and began rowing away on the rushing river.

The boat began to rock with the waves stirred by the rushing wind. The rain continued to pour as Mark tried unsuccessfully to row towards the embankment on the other side. He knew there was a waterfall ahead in the distance and he saw to his alarm that the water was rushing faster and faster towards it.

"Mark, it's no use," Marie said. "The current's too strong! You can't out row the water. We're not gonna make it!"

"Don't say that, Marie, we'll make it!" Mark said as he doubled his efforts to make it to the other side. He pushed himself 'til his muscles ached, and sweat poured down his face mixing with the rain. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed. He saw despite his efforts that it was no use; they were getting closer and closer to the waterfall. He made one last effort, but to no avail, it was useless. They wouldn't be able to escape. But Gar could.

"Listen to me, son. I'm going to ask you to do the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. I want you to use your powers, transform into an eagle, and fly away from here"

Gar looked stricken. "Mommy, Daddy, I don't want to leave you!" he protested. Marie took him in her arms in a firm hug. She gently kissed his cheek.

"Don't worry about us, son. We'll always be with you," she reassured him. "We won't ever leave you. Go now, Gar," she released him as he morphed into a bird. "And don't look back son. Don't look back. "

"I love you, Mommy. I love you, Daddy." Gar said, tears filling his eyes as he rose into the air.

He began to fly away, higher into the darkened clouds. His mother had told him not to look back, but he couldn't help it. He looked back. His father was struggling to row the boat against the current. They drew closer and closer to the waterfall's edge. He looked up and saw Gar staring down at them, tears streaming down his face. His voice echoed off the rocks. "Go to King Tawaba. Gar, go now! I love you. Now go!"

The words echoed in his ears. Go now…go now…now...! as the boat dipped and toppled until it finally went over the edge. Gar's voice screamed as the cry of a bird, he couldn't stop sobbing, and he could hear his parents screaming…screaming…