Influenza
Chapter Three

Are you sure you haven't seen Locke since? Sayid asked Boone for the dozenth time.

I already told you- Boone began, but was interrupted by Shannon.

Will you just answer him? She snapped.

I am!

Boone was just as agitated as Shannon. After a long day, the sun was beginning to set and Locke was nowhere to be found. No one had reason to get nervous yet, with the exception of Boone and Shannon. Sayid found himself taking control of the situation, a position of which he didn't particularly want. Sighing brought an end to the yelling, which had remained constant throughout the evening.

What are we going to do? Both Shannon and Boone asked in unison.

Sayid sighed for a second time, and glanced around the beach to the numerous castaways going about their daily business, but as soon as they noticed him watching, they began to whisper, and you could see it in their faces that they knew something was up.

Get everybody together, Sayid said as he began walking towards his tent.

What's going on? Shannon asked, as if Sayid had the answers to everything.

We're moving, Sayid replied, until Locke comes back. A few miles down the beach. I'm going to go tell Jack what's going on.I thought Jack was missing, Boone said, puzzled.

Sayid stopped.

he said, then I'm going to go tell anyone who's at the caves what's going on.

He didn't give any goodbyes and left Shannon and Boone standing as he walked off. Boone couldn't think of anything to say, so he just shook his head, and went off to fulfill Sayid's plan.

Kate paced the concrete ground of the nearest bus station with a steady pace that apparently annoyed the homeless man behind her.

he called with a sigh.

Turning to him, Kate stopped, mostly because she felt sorry for him. At least she had had a place to stay, nice close, fattening foods. But this guy was another story. Wearing clothes of rags in multiple layers, this guy sat, drumming his fingers(which were intertwined with a knitted glove) his fading jeans, right above a tear in the fabric where a hole was forming. She gave him a small smile, but he just waved her off, shaking his head.

Kate turned her gaze to a clock up ahead, which read one A.M. She shivered in the cold, and scolded herself for not staying the night at Tom's, and leaving in the morning. The night had been long. Tom worked during the day, making sandwiches at a local subway, hoping to make some cash for school. He drove a used jeep, and lived on a very tight budget, saving every penny for tuition.

Not that he had known for sure he'd get into med. school. Tom told Kate that he planned to go to a local community college, even if he didn't get in. But now that wasn't a problem. The problem was leaving him. Leaving the one true friend she had, and loved. But, of course, he didn't know the second part of that. Tom had been the object of her affection since she was in grade school, but Kate had never really thought of him as a boyfriend. They hadn't so much as shared a kiss or gone on a date. Their life together was more like a date, one that never seemed to end, and Kate wasn't sure what Tom thought about that. And that scared her.

a soft, familiar, voice said from behind her.

Kate turned to find Tom standing behind her, cheeks slightly pink from the unusual chilly spring night.

What are you doing here? Kate said, looking back up at the clock, even though she already knew what time it was.

It's one in the morning, Tom said, looking at her.

His exhausted tone made Kate feel badly about running out like she had. Tom didn't deserve this. Kate didn't reply.

Come back, Tom pleaded, taking her hand in his, come home with me.

Her duffel fell slightly, putting a new weight on her upper arm, but Kate ignored it as she welcomed the feeling of Tom's thumbs rubbing against her skin. They had the texture of a carpenter, or someone who worked with their hands all day. Tom played acoustic guitar, and had been for a good three or for years, so his fingertips were stained the color of black ink.

I can't, Kate whispered.

You robbed a drug store, Tom said with a stifled laugh, it's not like you're going to prison, and I can pay your bail.It's not that, Kate said softly.

Tom studied her. You've done something else, haven't you?

Kate looked down at the ground, staring at the gray laces of Tom's sneakers.

God Katie! He exclaimed, throwing his head back, looking briefly at the night sky above them before closing his eyes, and finally lowering his head again. A little help here? Things I should know, like hey Tom, by the way, I murdered a guy five years ago, but hey, it's no big deal'.

The fact that Kate didn't respond startled him.

He said quietly. Just tell me-

A bus pulled up, and according to the route number, it was headed for Montana.

I've got to go, she whispered, and moved to step on the bus.

Tom protested, pulling her arm.

Tom, stop! Kate said, only loud enough for him to hear.

I won't let you do this, Tom said desperately, and then calmed down, looking at her, not without me.

Kate looked into her eyes, and saw that he was serious. Even though she wasn't sure how long that seriousness would last, Kate took up the offer while she could. She hated the thought of running on her own.

Are you two gonna get on or what? The driver of the bus asked, impatient.

Kate nodded and stepped up to the first step. She looked down through the process of boarding in paying, though she could feel Tom's eyes against her back the entire time.

Birds chirped ahead as Kate carefully picked her way through the jungle. Jack had been missing for nearly five hours before she finally made up her mind and went out to look for him. But now, after nearly two hours of tracking and trying to think like Jack(which meant taking paths that could only be invented by his missteps), Kate had decided it was a lost cause. Who knew? Maybe Jack just needed some fresh air. Which is ridiculous, Kate reminded herself, because we're living on an island. She was considering turning around and going back, deciding that maybe a formal search party would be better, when she tripped- and nearly fell- over the person she was looking for.

Recovering herself, Kate looked down to find Jack, sleeping with his head against the bark of a tree, covered by a pile of leafs and an old blanket. Kate had to admit that he looked adorable, curled up like that on the ground, though her smile was overtaken by worry when she noticed he was sweating, and obviously lost in an uneasy sleep.

(Space)

Jack had walked through the jungle for hours, ignoring his aching back and pounding head, looking for a fair place to make camp. He had brought with him only what he thought he'd need, including a week's supply of water. After a few minutes of getting used to the new territory(which was nicely shaded by the tree above), Jack had fallen asleep, and didn't wake up until hours later.

Hunting, huh? A voice said from beside him, amused.

Jack jumped a little, and readjusted his sleeping position to face Kate, who was sitting beside him, arms crossed, and smiling at her success of tracking him down.

Want to tell me why you're sleeping under a tree? Kate asked him, the tone of her voice not really giving him much of a choice of answering.

Because I couldn't climb it, Jack replied, how'd you find me? shrugged Kate, I put myself in your shoes, and went in every direction possible off the main path. Jack said, reaching for a bottle of water.

Kate said, handing him one, this one's colder. I wasn't sure if you would think to bring one out before you stormed off.I didn't storm off', Jack protested, accepting the water.

You yelled at Boone, Kate pointed out, and I wasn't the first to notice the change in your behavior; and Sayid told me what happened at the beach.Glad to know everyone's against me, Jack said sarcastically, taking a sip of the water.

I also noticed that when you cleared out the caves you left the medicine, and didn't take any for yourself, Kate looked at him, as if she were disappointed at what he had done.

Others will need it more than me, Jack said, leaning his head back against the tree bark, wincing in pain as he did so.

Too bad, Kate said, leaning back with him, though she didn't wince, because I brought you some, and you're taking it.

Jack rolled his eyes as Kate put her arm around his shoulders.

What am I going to do with you? She asked, still slightly amused at the situation, and shaking her head.

(Space)

The raft rocked with the waves in the night. Walt was sleeping on one side of the cabin, and Alex was pretending to sleep on the other, though she was really listening to Sawyer and Michael chat, a conversation she found amusing, that went everywhere from first dates to being stood up at the alter, and for some- more than once, a secret only she knew. A soft beeping noise told her that Michael had turned on the signal.

What the hell is that? Sawyer whispered suddenly.

I don't know man, Michael said in reply, maybe it's a ship.Give me the flare gun, Sawyer said a few moments later.

Michael said. No. That could just be some driftwood or-Give me the gun!What's going on?

Alex listened as Walt stood up.

There was a pause. Dad! The gun! Fire the gun!There's only one-Come on! Sawyer urged. Or will I have to take it from you? Michael sighed.

A loud whoosh and pop followed a momentary silence, and the roar of a motor filled the still night air.

Oh my God, Michael whispered as what sounded like a ship drew closer.

A beam of light told Alex that her theory was true. Screams of excitement and joy erupted into the night, and Alex finally sat up, joining in the festivities.

Are we being rescued? She asked, sitting up from her pile of blankets on the floor of the raft.

That was a stupid question. She could feel a sense of excitement leak through her from nowhere the moment she had lay down to try and fall asleep. She should've known something was going to happen, but lately her visions had turned into feelings of empathy and lucky guesses. She hadn't had a true vision' in nearly a week, though Alex had kept that part to herself.

Hell yeah! Sawyer shouted, in the best mood she had ever seen in him.

While Michael breathlessly explained to the crew on the other ship who they were(though he didn't mention that Alex wasn't from the plane), Alex and the others celebrated to the point where she soon found herself on Sawyer's back, piggyback-ride style, with his hands wrapped around her ankles to make sure she didn't flip backwards, and her hands wrapped around his neck.

There's only one problem, the captain of the ship, who looked at least sixty, with a long, untamed beard and unruly white hair.

The celebrating stopped, and Alex felt Sawyer's hands tighten their grip on her ankles. She gritted her teeth at the pain and was sure that she'd have red fingerprinted bruises sprouted upon her skin in the morning, though she couldn't escape the possibility that at that time she might be in a hospital or better yet, at home.

We have to take the boy, the captain- whose looks resembled that of a pirate Alex had seen in old movies- and new ones.

Michael said, putting a protective hand on Walt.

Alex suddenly felt sick. A pit fell in her stomach that was soon replaced by a rush of water. Closing her eyes tightly, Alex tried to block out the sensation, but even through the darkness she saw water, dark, navy blue sea water, rushing through her. The impact of the vision, or rather- feeling, mixed with Sawyer's grip on her ankles losing in surprise, resulted in Alex falling onto the deck of the raft, landing with a thud that made everyone- even the crew of the other ship noticed. Michael was the first to turn back to the current situation.

You aren't taking anyone, Michael stated flatly, his grip on Walt so tight that the boy shuddered and tried to squirm away.

Well then- just as the captain was about to shut off the light, Alex brought herself back into reality.

she said, making everyone turn to her once more, I'll go. Take me instead. Michael turned to her. No, that's crazy. You're not..your mom-She's not here right now, is she? Alex replied curtly, picking herself off the ground. Take me instead.

The captain of the ship smile a mischievous smile.

A gunshot fired..Someone pushed her into a dark room..she heard a chain lock..

Alex shook her head to block out the first vision she had had in weeks. Before she knew it, she was being grabbed and thrown threw the air. She landed with another thud on the floor of the other ship, and a stinging pain rushed through her as soon as her head hit the ground. The next thing she knew, someone was screaming, someone was leaping over her, a gunshot was fired, and then..

Walt's scream caused her to jump up. She looked over at the other raft, where only one last occupant stood- Walt. He was being grabbed by a man at least thirty years younger than their captain. Alex leaped over to the raft(there was no one left on the ship to stop her: one man was taking care of Michael in the water, punching his guys out, while another was destroying the satellite. The captain was helping the younger man take Walt, and a woman was going through the rafties' supplies. With ease Alex was able to take out the younger man(it could help that she could sense every mood he was going to make before making it), but she was unable to fight off the older man, who was having a hard time at keeping a hold of both Alex and Walt. Instead of trying to take out the older man, she grabbed Walt, and shoved off the captain.

Hold your breath, she told the petrified Walt.

He nodded and did as he was told. Alex dove into the water, holding him close beneath her. To Alex's dismay, the captain followed. She kicked at his ribs as they were pulled deeper and deeper into the sea. Specks of blood floated around her, and she could barely make out two figures nearby, struggling to get to the surface. She kicked and kicked until the captain backed off, just long enough for her to let go of Walt. Alex motioned for him to stay down as she was pulled up.

The night's air(which now smelled of gunpowder), was thrown against her as she reached surface. Without being given time to catch her breath, Alex was thrown back onto the ship. She didn't see what happened next, but through her closed eyes she could see orange flames dancing nearby, and she knew instantly that the raft was on fire. Something hard hit her skull just as Michael's desperate cries for Walt grew louder, and completely darkness welcomed her, savoring Alex from the hellish night.

Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. Anyway, I wanted to get out an update before I rebury myself into the new Harry Potter book. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys rock!

Coming up next, on :

We go back to the island castaways to find Sayid's plan in the works, and late night conversations between Jack and Kate.

Thanks again!

Until next time..

+ October Sky