Influenza
Chapter Six
Around two in the morning the last of the camp fell asleep after many hours of debating the topic of night patrol. Shannon thought this was a ridiculous idea but Boone was quick to remind the others that this came from the girl who walked right up to Locke herself. Shannon retorted, saying that if he was so keen to the idea, why won't he do it? Of course, Locke wasn't there to witness the argument, as he had fled to the jungle before anyone else could approach him.
But no one noticed the shadows that lurked in the camp, watching the sleeping figures closely, scanning the sprawled out castaways until his eyes fell on one in particular..
Boone gave out a yelp as he was forced out of his sleep and pulled into an air. He saw nothing but a fist in his face but, with help of someone of whom he couldn't see, was able to push the attacker back. Once his eyes adjusted to the night and his breathing slowed, Boone saw that Locke was thrashing, fighting against Sayid's hold. Finally Locke elbowed Sayid hard in the ribs, and the surprise of the hit didn't cause Sayid to completly lose his grip, but his hands slipped to where Locke could easily wedge away and flee, for the second time that day(or night, rather), back into the jungle.
Are you okay? Sayid asked Boone briskly, noticing that a few others had begun to awake as well.
Boone nodded,
Sayid didn't answer him, but instead, noticed that he was stepping on someone's blanket, a blanket that should've belonged to another sleeping castaway.
Where's Shannon? Sayid muttered under his breath to no one specifically.
Boone looked down and to his horror, saw that Sayid was right. Without giving any command, they both tore off into the jungle, following Locke's path, and shouting Shannon's name in unison. Without warning, Boone ran straight and to someone, and as he was recovering from the blow, he was relieved to see Shannon standing in front of him, hair wild, face dirty, and crying; but safe and unharmed nonetheless.
Thank God, Boone said in a breath in relief.
Rather he was planning on hugging her or not he failed, and Boone had to grab both of Shannon's arms before she slapped him.
What's- wrong with you? Boone finally forced out while struggling to keep his grip.
Shannon just continued to scream until Sayid was able to calm her down by taking her out of Boone's hold, and talking her out of her fit softly. A pang of jealousy arouse through Boone, but he shook himself out of it, reminding himself that the important thing now was Shannon's safety.
She said Locke didn't hurt her, Sayid informed Boone a few minutes later, he just brought her out her, and told her to wait, or else he'd kill you.Brilliant plan, Boone muttered, Locke watches too much tv.Or not enough, Sayid said seriously as they begun to walk back to camp, he would've killed you anyway. his voice echoed in unenthusiam, about that..
Quickly devising a plan, Sayid agreed that the best place Boone could go right now was the hatch, where Boone had full control over what could go on.
(Space)
At last the night fell into day, and for a few hours Kate was free of filling in Jack of the island going-ons, including the names of his fellow castaways who were expecting his return any moment now.
So you really don't remember anything? Kate asked for the dozenth time, even though she'd been through a three month recount of events.
Jack picked at a scar he clearly didn't recognize on his forearm.
Jack sighed.
After a while he had gotten frustrate with himself, and had repeatedly apologized for this sudden change. The memory loss had lightened Jack's personality, giving him an almost kid-like appearance. On the other hand, his fever had gone down and Jack had no more heart attacks, or whatever it was he had experienced the previous night.
The last thing I remember was being in Australia, Jack recounted, and looking for my dad and wait-
Jack looked around suddenly, as if expecting to see someone else besides the two of them.
Where is he? Jack asked, clueless as to what had happened. I mean, he had to be on the plane, right? I got the tickets and everything, that was right after I ran into Sarah.. Kate asked, suddenly more drawn into the conversation than ever.
But Jack just ignored her, continuing with his story.
Where is he? He repeated, giving Kate a look so desperate that she was sure she was going to explode in tears. My dad, where is he?
Kate looked down and swallowed before looking back up at Jack.
she couldn't imagine what it was like for him to find out the first time, he died, Jack..in Sydney. You never told me how but..
Trailing off, Kate looked down to avoid Jack's eyes, which were taking on the look of a kid who didn't get what he wanted for his birthday.
I'm going to um.. as much as Kate wanted to stay here with him, she wanted nothing more at the moment than to run out of there, there are some people who are waiting to see what's going on.
Jack neither gave her nor asked her not to go, only stared at the ground as she left.
(Space)
Kate had never realized how far out they were until it took her nearly an hour to get back to the beach and find Sayid. She immediately knew something was wrong, or at least, different: everyone seemed jumpy, paranoid, and even glared at her as she emerged out of the forest. Finally she found Boone and Shannon, and remembering Jack talk about the attack on Boone(which, of course, he no longer remembered), she figured he'd have some idea where Sayid was.
How's Jack? Boone asked after jumping out of his skin when she came up behind him.
Kate lied, noticing a thick cut over Boone's right eye, where's Sayid?The caves, Boone answered, calling after Kate as she ran, asking what was going on.
Kate shouted when she reached the caves.
Even though she could clearly see that Sayid was standing by the waterfall, talking to Charlie, she kept calling his name until she reached him and spun him around to get his attention.
What is it? He asked. How's Jack.Jack is.. Kate noticed the many castaways(actually, she couldn't hello but to notice that there were more residence at the caves than usual) looking at her curiously, wondering what was going on and where Jack was. Maybe we should talk outside.
Sayid and Charlie(assuming he was invited) followed Kate outside the caves and a little way down the path.
What's up? Charlie asked, crossing his arms.
Yesterday and last night I was in the jungle with Jack- Charlie muttered, you guys didn't.. Kate exclaimed, blushing. No he's sick..or at least, was. Sayid didn't seem to be catching on. Then he's better?Um, kind of, Kate bit her lip and then told them what happened: the heart attack(what she thought had been a heart attack, anyway) and Jack waking up with amnesia.
He..can't remember, anything? Sayid asked slowly.
Not to sound selfish or anything, Charlie said, speaking up, but, he does still remember, you know, all the medical stuff? I mean, he is our only doctor.Last thing he remembers is going to Australia, Kate sighed.
Where is he now? said Sayid.
Back where he's been staying, Kate said.
The three stood in silence for a moment, taking in(and still absorbing) what Kate had told them.
He'll get his memory back, right? Charlie said, even though he knew that there was no way any of them could know. I mean, this is just like what happened with- Sayid finished in slow realization.
And Locke, added another voice, making the three of them jump.
Kate said, confused, turning to face Boone who was coming up the path.
Boone said as he trudged up the hill,it wasn't all that hard to overhear. Anyway, Shannon said that Locke couldn't remember anything he did yesterday.I thought you said you were going to stay back and watch the camp, Sayid said sternly, ignoring what he said about Locke.
Yeah, well I just wanted to let you know, Boone began, that Locke came back.
Author's Note: Horrible ending, I know, and too short. Flashbacks should come back next chapter. I have a headache now, and I just wanted to get something updated. Thanks so much for the reviews! You guys rock!
Coming up next, on :
Kate gets to here what she wants- or doesn't want- about Sarah, and isn't the happiest person in the world with Jack wakes up with his memory back, and remembers nothing of what happened. Just a hint, next chapter will more than likely be all Jate again, at least up until the very, very end.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky