Influenza
Chapter Five
Author's Note: Due to a new plot line I've created(which- I think- you'll see at the end of this chapter) the length of this story has been expanded a few chapters, meaning that some of the plots I mentioned at the end of last chapter won't happen for another chapter or two. Hope there's no inconvenience. I think you guys will like the plot, or at least will, eventually, so hopefully, there's none.
Tell me your secrets,
And ask me your questions,
Oh, let's go back to the start.
-Coldplay The Scientist
Camping out hadn't been as fun as anyone had anticipated it to be. Like they were at some kind of slumber party, no one wanted to be the first to fall asleep, but no one wanted to be the first to ask a stupid question either, so the castaways resulted to sitting in silence, staring into the fire before them.
The twenty or so castaways who still remained at the beach(at least a dozen of them had moved to the caves for the night) had divided in groups of five and space themselves a fair distance from the jungle line. One of the groups consisted of Sayid, Shannon, Charlie, Claire, and Hurley, who sat together, all bored out of their minds. Boone approached them from behind, the sound of his footsteps making everyone jump out of their reverie.
I told them this is all precaution, Boone informed them, sitting down between Shannon and Claire, in case Jack was kidnapped. Charlie said sarcastically, that should ease everyone's worries.You got a better idea? Boone shot.
Charlie just shrugged. This led to a few moments of silence, until..
So what do you guys think about Jack? Hurley asked, out of nowhere.
Eight different eyeballs looked up at him over the fire.
Shannon asked sarcastically when no one else said anything. You want me to see when he's free?
Hurley's ears turned red in embarrassment, but he quickly recovered.
No, I mean, began Hurley, where do you think he is? Do you you someone took him or-Kate went out to look for him, Sayid pointed out, as if that solved everything.
But she hasn't come back, Charlie said in a low, slow tone.
The rest of the group looked up in slow realization.
the group spun around to face Claire, as if a rocket had gone off. She rarely ever talked, unless it was directly to Charlie, Kate's been taken too.Or they're just out there together, Shannon said in a know-it-all' voice.
But what would they be doing out there to- Hurley stopped short, realizing where this was going,
The rest of the group sniggered, while Claire worked up to her outburst..
I think he's cute!
Once again, the other castaway's head whipped around her way.
Claire shrugged innocently. Someone had to say something positive.
Charlie glared at her the longest.
She asked again.
What about me? Charlie pouted and received in return a slap to the shoulder.
Shannon said in the same snotty attitude. Well I think he's a jerk. Boone exclaimed, without realizing he was using his own nickname for her, which led him to take over Hurley's embarrassment.
Well he is! Shannon retorted. I mean, walking around like he owns the place, making sure he has his own little room in all.Says the girl who saved five bikinis, said Boone, rolling his eyes.
He's a hypocrite and I can't stand him, Shannon continued, despite Boone's comment.
Can I talk to you? Boone said through gritted teeth.
It wasn't spoken as a question, but a command, and Boone through an apologetic look to the other castaways as he dragged Shannon down the beach.
Get- your- hands off me! Shannon screeched, drawing attention from nearby onlookers.
She jerked away from Boone's grip and tried to turn away, but Boone grabbed her arm again, pulling him closer to her. Nearby, Sayid's eyes were watching them closely.
You better watch what you say! Boone warned in a low voice.
Or what? Shannon said testily. You'll tell mom? Get real.
Just then Locke emerged from the woods and walked passed the staring castaways, past Shannon and Boone's frozen positions, and right to the shoreline where he dropped, and sat down in the sand, staring out to sea as he had done so many times before. As if nothing out of the ordinary had happened that day. To Boone's surprise, Shannon jerked out of his grip ones more, and began walking towards Locke.
What do you think you're-Don't follow me! Shannon called back to Boone, leaving him standing there alone.
(Space)
Kate was ready when Jack woke up the next morning. She sat beside him with her arms folded, so that when Jack woke up, he immediately knew that something was wrong.
He asked in a hoarse voice, barely above a whisper.
You have a daughter? Kate said, outraged.
For a moment Jack looked taken aback, and then just confused.
Excuse me?Oh don't act all innocent! Kate said, sitting up to face him. I found her picture last night.
Without warning she thrust the picture of the girl into Jack's hands, which she was surprised to find unbelievably cold. Recognition soon was noticeable in Jack's face, but not the kind she was hoping for: Jack looked crestfallen, heartbroken, pained, and every type of word that could describe hurt'. Kate immediately regretted bringing up the subject. There had clearly been a reason Jack hadn't told her, after all, she had kept her past from him. But it made her wonder how much she really knew about Jack. Did he have a family with perhaps more kids, waiting at home for the return of their father and maybe even grandfather? The thought made her sick, and furious with herself. Then, for a slight second, Kate could've sworn she heard Jack whisper a name, but when he looked back up, the recognition was gone, and replaced by innocence.
I don't know who she is, Jack lied, shaking his head and handing the picture back to Kate.
Kate whispered in disbelief, she's your daughter. I know- she looks just like you- once again, Kate could've sworn she saw Jack's lips turn up in a small smile, why won't you just tell me the truth?Because I don't know what your talking about, Jack stated, lying through his teeth.
Kate said in a more demanding voice. All I want to know is who she is. Are you married? This whole..thing..wherever we are right now, is it just some lie, or am I just some kind of replacement or..Jack, what's wrong?
Jack had suddenly grabbed his chest, as if he were having a heart attack. His breathing grew heavier and Kate help ease him back to a comfortable position, but it didn't seemed to help. Jack's face was growing paler by the second and he began to break out in a quick sweat.
Oh my God, Kate whispered, wondering what to do, what was happening.
But before she could ask, Jack gave one last wheezing breath, and fell into an unsteady sleep.
(Space)
It's quiet out here, isn't it?
Locke hadn't protested when Shannon set down next to him; he hadn't even looked up.
Better than in the jungle, I guess, Shannon said with a simper, no wonder you came back from..wherever you went.
No response.
Look, I don't know what you want out of Boone, Shannon said, cutting to the chase, but he just wants you to forgive him for..you know..the crash and everything.Forgive him, Locke snorted in an incredulous voice, though he still didn't turn to Shannon.
I know it sounds crazy but- Locke shook his head and looked at her for the first time.
His eyes were an unnatural dark color, and Shannon got an errie feeling that she wasn't talking to the real' Locke, or at least that something else was controlling him. She shivered, and felt the hairs on her neck stand up with it.
But I can't, he finished.
Suddenly, Locke's eyes changed, lightening, and Shannon let out a breath of relief. After another moment of meeting eyes with him though, Shannon convinced herself that she had imagined them darkening.
I don't even remember what happened today, Locke turned back towards the sea, I woke up at the- he caught himself from saying the hatch', apparently forgetting that Shannon knew about it, or at least where it was, in jungle. Went back to camp and- he shook his head, everyone was gone.You attacked him, Shannon told him quietly, unsure of how he would react, Boone said he was walking to..the hatch maybe? And you knocked him down. I think you were trying to kill him. Both Sayid and Boone called in unison.
You better go, Locke said with a smile, don't want them to get suspicious.
Shannon nodded and agreement and, not sure of a goodbye to say, stood and left in silence.
Jack came to only an hour later, much to Kate's relief.
Thank God, she said to herself, pleased to see the color returning to Jack's face as he set up and rubbed his head with a hand, here, drink.
She handed Jack a bottle of water, which he took, but when he looked up to who was giving it to him, he just blinked in confusion.
Something wrong? Kate asked, before realizing what must be bothering him.
Hell she was surprised that Jack hadn't started yelling yet, or at least throwing in his say.
About the picture thing, Kate said, shaking her head, look, I'm sorry about that. Your secrets are your secrets but if you ever need to-
Kate was going to say talk to anyone', but Jack interrupted her, his bewildered expression remaining the same.
Who are you? Jack said blankly.
Kate looked at him, just as confused as Jack was now.
Jack looked around, clearly oblivious as to where he was, where am I?In the jungle, Kate said slowly, wondering if maybe Jack had hit his head some time when she wasn't watching him(which had only been one or two moments) or bitten by something poisonous. Sincerely, she hoped for the first, you were sick, remember? Came out here for a few days, lied to Sayid about where you were going- Jack never seemed to catch on. I don't- where am I, who are you?Okay Jack, Kate said, smiling a bit, trying to convince herself that this was some kind of joke, knock it off.You know me? Jack looked as if though he was desperately trying to figure out what was going on.
Kate said exasperatedly, I mean, I'd hope so after all-Where am I? Jack repeated, inching away from Kate, as if she were disgusting bug.
Come on Jack, Kate pleaded desperately, cut it out! Game over!
But Jack just repeated the same questions, ending finally with, once again:
Who are you?
The blank look on Kate's face told her the truth: Jack wasn't lying.
Oh great..
Author's Note: Like my twist? I didn't know if the oh great' was necessary, but I decided to throw it in anyway, Don't worry, Jack's memory will come back..eventually..(insert evil crackle here). Speaking of Jack, Shannon spoke her view of him(which, unfortuently, is some other's as well) and not mine. Thanks for the reviews! You guys rock!
Coming up next on, :
Jack's memory will come back but not before Kate can interrogate him about his previous life first(which is all that he can remember), while Locke attempts murder a second time.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky