Exodus 3.5 – Chapter 3

Redemption Song

"Yes" repeated Michael, "We go back."

Old pirates, yes, they rob I

Sold I to the merchant ships

Minutes before they took I

From the bottomless pit

For some reason the song ran around in Sawyer's head. Lying back on what was left of the raft, the words drifted with the sunlight that played on his closed eye lids. He could hear Michael and Jin arguing with each other. What else was new, he thought, like a husband and wife they bickered constantly. The roar of the ocean was constant backdrop to all of their conversations, but now there was a sense of urgency to the men's tone.

"Hey! Sawyer!" Michael's voice barked across the raft, "I know you're hurt, but could you at least try to help?"

The Southerner slowly opened his eyes to the blue sky. He raised himself painfully to a sitting position. "Son of a bitch!" His face contorted in agony as he tried to steady himself with his injured arm. He glared over at Michael.

"Excuse me, Captain Ahab" Sawyer sneered at Michael, "Just what in the hell do you expect me to do?" he held his hand up in a questioning manner, "It's not like we're gonna get anywhere anytime soon!"

Michael frowned and narrowed his eyes in frustration. He scanned the pieces of raft again and sighed. He hated to admit it, but Sawyer was right; they weren't going anywhere soon. He looked out again into the vast ocean, hoping to see his son, but knowing full well it wasn't going to happen.

"Michael" Jin shouted. He showed the crest-fallen father two pieces of bamboo he had salvaged from the broken raft. He pantomimed rowing with one of the logs and said something in Korean to Michael.

"What? What are you doin', man?

Jin took the bamboo log again and pushed it in the water along side the edge of fragile raft.

"Row? You want us to row back to the island?"

The Korean vigorously nodded his head, "R-o-w" he continued to pull with the bamboo, "Yes - - Row!" He tossed the other piece of log to Michael and showed him again how to use the makeshift oar.

Michael nodded and started to imitate Jin's stroke into the water. The raft moved hesitantly, and then slowing started in the direction the men were rowing. Jin smiled at his partner and pulled harder. All of a sudden the raft began to spin. The men tried to use the oars to stop it, but the movement just made the raft turn the other way.

"Whoa, Hoss!" Sawyer tried to stand up "You're making me dizzy!" He hung on to what was left of the cabin in the middle of the raft as it started to slow down. He looked at Michael, Michael looked at Jin and then they both looked at Sawyer. "Call me stupid" the con man said, "but I think we somethin' to steer this thing." He tossed the long hair out of his eyes, "Like a rudder, maybe?"

"We don't have a rudder, Sawyer!" Michael's frustrated voice came out in a fury.

"Then we need to make one!" Sawyer shouted back. "I'm sure Sulu, here, could come up with somethin' if he put his mind to it!" He gestured towards Jin and the Korean looked at Michael for an explanation. Sawyer looked at Jin as if he was a child "Rud – der" he pronounced the word slowly. Jin looked at Michael again. "Rud – der" Sawyer repeated. Jin still looked puzzled. "Oh, forget about it, this is a waste of my damn time!" The Southerner was thoroughly frustrated and threw up his hands.

"Rud – der" Jin said to himself and started to look around the wreckage. Michael looked at Sawyer and then smiled at Jin.

"Yeah, man – what could we use for a rudder?" Both Michael and Jin started towards what was left of the cabin. Sawyer's eyes widened as they came towards him.

"Hey wait! Sorry!" He put his hands out in front of him to hold them off, "It was just an idea!" Both men ignored him and gently lifted him back to where he originally was on the raft. "Hey – Careful, Officer! This is precious merchandise, ya know!"

Jin and Michael started to tear apart what was left of the cabin. One side of it was still in tact. Michael looked at Jin and the Korean nodded. "Good" said Michael. Jin grabbed the piece of metal forcefully. "Good" he echoed. Jin attached the piece of metal to a piece of bamboo with whatever rope was left unburned. There was a piece of wood missing from the raft platform that made the perfect place to put the newly formed rudder. Remnant wire was found to attach it to the back and Jin clapped his hands in triumph.

"We go now" he looked up at Michael, "Yes?" The black man nodded and clasped the Korean's hand.

"Yep! Way to go man! You did good!" Michael looked to the other side of the raft "Hey Sawyer!" In resignation the con man turned to look over his shoulder. He raised his eyebrows in a questioning look.

"What now?" he growled.

Michael waved him towards the newly installed rudder. "Hey, man, since this was your idea" he gestured towards the rudder, "You get to use it!"

Sawyer slowing shook his head, "Great" he said under his breath. "Alright – I'll do it." He gingerly got to his feet and walked to where Michael offered him the tiller, "I guess it's not as if I can actually row this damn thing!" Michael laughed and patted Sawyer on the back.

Both Michael and Jin took up their makeshift oars and the raft started to move again. The sea gently slipped by them as made their way back to where they started.

Sawyer sat with his back to the rudder and moved it with a steady hand. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sky. Then he started to sing softly:

But my hand was made strong

By the hand of the almighty

We forward in this generation

Triumphantly

The tops of the mountains of the island were starting to come into view. Michael looked back at Sawyer and lifted his head in acknowledgement. He gave Jin a "thumbs up" sign and joined his voice to Sawyer's…

Won't you help to sing

These songs of freedom

'Cause all I ever have

Redemption songs

Redemption songs….