As You Like It
Chapter Four
Author's Note: From now on my stories are rated at least PG-13 for some disturbing images. I'll make special notes of these areas, which mostly concern old twenty-year in the jungle.
Chapter Four: Frustration and Accusation
Find out anything? Charlie asked Shannon the next day.
Not a word, Shannon admitted.
Charlie sighed.
Look, I'm sorry okay, Shannon crossed her arms and looked at Charlie apologetically, he's been like steel..he's not usually like this.It's okay, Charlie sighed and then shook out of it, I couldn't get anything off of Sayid either. In fact, he was a bit of a jerk about it.
He wasn't sure what it was, but something about the statement made Shannon smile, which in return forced Charlie to crack a grin.
He asked innocently, trying to keep from laughing.
You said Shannon laughed a little, I think I'm being a bad influence on you.Well sorry if we Englishmen aren't good enough for Australia, Charlie teased, not my fault they all decided to book another fight.
Shannon laughed out loud this time, drawing the attention of a few other survivors, including Claire who looked a little, well jealous. Charlie decided to go back to their original topics.
Keep working on it, he told her, I mean, if there's something going out, between the two of us, we're bound to find out, right?
It was Shannon's turn to sigh.
Glancing over again, Charlie notice Claire, now sitting beside herself, looking bored and alone.
I've gotta- he nodded towards Claire.
Shannon muttered and sighed as Charlie walked away.
On A Beach On the Other Side of the Island
This is stupid, Walt sighed.
No it's not! Alex argued, excited. Just concentrate on the rock.
Walt sighed again and looked back down at the ground, head rested in his hands. After confessing his possible psychic abilities, Alex insisted on running some test, claiming she had done similar experiments while discovering her own powers. With all his might, Walt stared at the rock, trying to get it to move, float, or at least do something besides just sit there. Once again, he sighed.
It's pointless, he muttered.
Picking up the rock, Walt pulled his arm back, and slung it into the ocean. Alex raised an eyebrow at his frustration.
It doesn't work like that, he explained, it just..happens.I know, Alex said sincerely.
After confining her abilities with Adam, similar complications had happened with her. Suddenly she stopped.
Walt asked curiously after a paused.
Alex looked as though she were trying to decide something.
We have to go, she said flatly, standing up.
Walt said, scampering to follow her. Come on, Alex began running towards the jungle.
Walt called after her, desperately.
Alex turned around and crossed her arms, waiting for Walt to catch up with her.
You can't tell anyone, he said quickly and rather softly,
As soon as he asked Alex knew that she would pay for keeping secrets about Walt from Michael. Nevertheless, she agreed.
All right, she turned back towards the jungle and her voice grew slightly darker, but we have to go.
Once again she started for the jungle, Walt at her heals as they entered.
To where? Walt wanted to know.
Alex gave no answer.
At the Caves
All day Jack had been wondering about any secrets Kate could be keeping, and questioning dishonesty between both Kate and himself and himself and Kate. Among this he had noticed odd behavior occurring throughout the castaways: they were starting to divide up. Without much effort, little groups had formed, and it seemed like they were based on what they had been through. For example, he had spotted Michael and Sawyer working together on something at the beach, but rather it was plans for a new raft or plans to avenge Jin's death, he couldn't tell. Locke and Boone continued to team up, but Boone had also been spotted talking with Sayid on more than a couple of occasions, which was odd considering their past rivalries. He supposed the same could be said about him and Sawyer.
Mostly all this left Jack with Kate, though tonically he couldn't be sure if he was truly with Kate, and the guilt sank in at just the thought of his doubts. Kate herself had her disappearances during the day, leaving the two to talk mostly at night, which was why Jack was surprised when Kate came running into their cave, red swollen red from crying and tears dried on her cheeks.
What's wrong? He asked immediately, standing up from where he had been sitting.
He knows, Kate said, shaking.
She looked into Jack's eyes, as if hoping he would understand by the look, other than her having to explain. Jack shook his head, though he felt bad about having to ask.
Kate dragged the name out with both impatience and hatred.
Jack shook his head again.
Jack began, that's impossible. How-Boone too, Kate cut in.
She took a deep breath before continuing, and Jack later would realize that this was because she must've know how he would react.
I think Sawyer told them, she finished softly.
Jack's face grew red in anger, and without hesitance, he stormed out of the caves, ignoring the looks on other's faces as he past by them on the way to the beach. Kate called his name over and over again be he refused to turn around and allow her to talk him out of it. Four months Jack had kept her secret, and gladly too, never saying a word. Somehow Sawyer had found out, which contributed to his anger, and blabbed. Of course, deep down he knew there was more to the story, but all the anger and confusion he had been experiencing over the past few days seemed to weigh down on this one moment of revenge.
Kate tried desperately one last time.
Sawyer and Michael were just about to depart when Jack marched up to them and grabbed Sawyer, shoving him back to get his attention.
What the hell? Sawyer spat out and Michael gave a similar outburst.
What did you do? Jack demanded, catching the attention of more castaways, some of which he noticed had followed them to the beach.
What's going on? Michael said, attempting to step between Jack and Sawyer.
Jack pushed him away.
What do you think gives you the right-Man, what do you think gives you the right? Michael pointed out.
Someone sticking up for Sawyer like this stirred up the crowd watching, and even Kate raised an eyebrow.
Stay out of this, Jack said to Michael.
I don't even know what you're talking about! Michael cried.
I don't even know what he's talking about! Sawyer added, pushing Michael out of the way as well.
Like hell! Kate said, glancing around nervously, grabbing onto his arm to keep him from moving forward again, fearing what would probably become a fight between the two.
At this point, she was afraid to know who'd be on the losing side.
Get off me, Jack muttered through gritted teeth, shoving Kate back.
Kate stumbled in surprise, though catching her balance before falling.
Hey, can we tried to keep civilized here? Michael said, glancing around as well.
Some seemed actually concerned, others seemed just as entertained as they would be during an action movie.
Doesn't look like it, Jack replied, glaring at Sawyer.
Jack, forget about it, Kate was pleading throughout this from behind him.
Jack ignored her. Part of him wanted to listen, but part felt as though it were being controlled by some other force that couldn't be fought. Then, as quick as the feeling came, it left. Jack blinked, as if he had lost himself for a moment, and didn't know where he was.
he gave in, and then jabbed an accusing finger towards Sawyer, you're not worth it.
Sawyer glared as well as Michael as Jack turned back towards the jungle. Behind him, Kate threw a sympathetic glance back towards the two, though locking eyes with Sawyer for a moment longer. When she looked back up, she saw that Jack was watching, waiting for her.
2001
Jack had been waiting in his father's office for an half an hour before his father arrived. It was six in the morning and the sun's early rays were peeking through the window.
This is a surprise, Christian greeted, stepping into his office, how'd you get in?A nurse let me in, Jack replied simply.
Crossing the room, Christian took off his jacket and placed it on the chair behind the desk.
You're aware how many rules that's breaking then? Christian asked lightly, knowing that Jack didn't really care.
He glanced outside.
You're not due in for another hour, Christian began, why didn't you just call?I wanted to talk to you, Jack explained.
Christian raised an eyebrow. Jack had to admit that this was an unusual type of confrontation between them. Since Jack had gotten married, the strain on their relationship had decreased, but it didn't take a shrink to tell Jack that the tension would always be there.
About mom, Jack finished quietly.
Exhaling deeply, Christian folded his hands on the table, as if about to make a business proposition, and then sighed, letting the breath out.
Well we both knew this day would come, Jack, Christian said, the truth is-Don't talk to me about the truth, Jack interrupted, tone suddenly cold and harsh, because I already know that you've been feeding me lies since I was a kid.
Christian shot a glance towards the door like he was afraid someone was listening in, and then looked back at Jack.
Then I guess you already know enough, he said, I'm not going to waste a conversation.
Jack wasn't willing to let his father off the hook that easily, but didn't say a word as Christian stood up, not until he was just about to turn the knob.
Jack said, catching his father's attention.
Christian turned towards him, though Jack never saw, for he looked at the ground as he asked his last question.
If I go to see her, Jack began, will I regret it?
Silence followed the question as Christian contemplated his answer, until..
Why don't you decide that on your own.
The door closed behind Jack and as soon as he looked up after his father's departure, Jack regretted letting the conversation go so soon.
In the Jungle, 2004
Alex breathed heavily as she leapt over a fallen tree, and Walt followed close by. Once she had started off running, Alex was afraid that Walt wouldn't be able to keep up, but she soon found out that age didn't mean a thing, and of anything, Alex was the one in risk of falling behind.
Where..are we.. going? Walt panted from behind.
You'll see! Alex called back.
They jumped a few more fallen trees, a few logs, and turned a few paths before the ear piercing scream became clearly audible. Alex ran faster and faster, until finally ending up a stream. It took her a moment to realize what was going on, but the horrific sensation that followed made Alex once again regret never being wrong.
Come on! Walt was shouting behind her. We've got to help her!
A woman's screams brought Alex back to reality. She ran forward towards the screams, and grabbed onto a hand that was struggling to grab onto the muddy green above the water. She pulled up hard as she could, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Alex tried to look to see what was pulling the woman down, but the waters below were just as muggy as the ground above.
Move over! Said a male voice behind her that was obviously much older than Walt.
Alex glanced over to see who was trying to help her. The man was at least forty and looked as though normally he wasn't the most fit of men, but island life had readjusted him well. That's when Alex realized that she had never seen this man before, neither at the beach nor caves, and she knew he wasn't dead, because Walt was trying to tell him something, maybe asking the questions Alex knew she should've been asking.
Who are you? She asked, planting her feet into the ground as she pulled harder.
I'm a survivor of flight 815, the man explained.
Where had she heard that number before?
Our plane crashed, a few months ago, the main gripped the woman's arm so hard, Alex was sure if the woman survive, she'd had bruises for weeks, Ana here said she was just going for a walk..guess she was lying.
Alex shook her head.
I don't think so.
The man glanced her way, and why wouldn't he? But he ignored the comment, concentrating on saving the woman- Ana-'s life.
Okay, one three, we pull her up, the survivor said, one- two- Alex glanced towards him one last time,
With all her might Alex pulled, but their efforts proved useless. Both Alex and the man were thrown back as a howl echoed through the jungle. She must've flown into Walt, for she heard him let out a yelp before she landed hard on the ground. The other survivor landed a few feet from her. Letting out a slow breath, Alex pulled a piece of wet hair that was stuck to her face, and was horrified when her finger came back coated with blood. The three set in dead silence for a few moments, until the man stood up and slowly walked to the edge of the stream, which was now a deep color of crimson. Crouching down next to it, the man stared down into the pool of blood, and Alex could've sworn she heard him sob at least once before the ground broke beneath him, and with a large howl, he was taken as well.
Author's Note: Originally I was going to leave that off in a cliffhanger with Alex hearing the scream, but I decided yall deserved a full scene because of the wait, which I'm deeply sorry about. Dance has started back, so I'm getting used to old routines again. Most likely I'll update on weekends and a few times during the week. When I update during the week, the chapters will probably be shorter than they are on weekends, which I aren't long enough. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys have no idea how much they mean to me! I love them! They're so fun to read, especially those of you who like to guess what's coming up next. You guys rock!
Coming up next, on As You Like It:
A very surprising romance blossoms between two castaways, but whether or not it will go anywhere will be determined by a third party, who makes a long-awaited confession. Also, Michael's not very happy when Alex and Walt return as Jack's flashbacks begin to sum themselves up, and Sawyer gives Jack a reason to start a fight..or continue one. I'm thinking this'll be a shorter story than what I had planned, but who knows, next chapter could be the last, but I doubt it.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky