Chapter 6: Walking Blind

"What do you mean you can't see?" Sawyer exclaimed.

Sawyer had managed to pry Kate's grip off his arm but she refused to fully let go and had latched herself onto his hand instead. It was almost as though she didn't want to be left alone. Sawyer didn't resist any further.

"I mean I can't see! Everything's black!" Kate shouted, her unseeing eyes darting about in every direction.

"Kate, look at me," Sawyer commanded, "Calm down."

Kate's head was spinning; pain shooting through her entire body. She couldn't remember what exactly had happened and was beginning to panic. Why weren't her eyes working? She couldn't be blind, she just couldn't.

"Sawyer, what's wrong with me?" Kate whispered, turning her head towards the sound of his voice, uncertain if she really wanted the answer.

Sawyer squeezed her hand gently in reassurance; there was nothing he could say that would make things better. He could only hope that this was temporary and they could get out of this jungle alive.

Sawyer looked around and took in their surroundings. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows over the ground; they still had plenty of time to try and find their way back. It wouldn't hurt for them to rest, Kate especially. The day - or night rather - had been extremely taxing and sleep would do them good.

"What do you say you and me catch some shut-eye, Freckles," Sawyer said with an over exaggerated yawn.

"I'm blind Sawyer," Kate said forcefully, wrenching her hand from Sawyer's, "And all you can think of is getting me to sleep with you; I knew you were a pig!"

Kate stood up immediately and cringed as she felt the all to familiar pain of her side acting up, but she ignored it. There would be no nap, she was fine, and all Sawyer wanted to do was waste precious daylight and get in her pants. Kate would have none of it.

"You can stay and nap by yourself," Kate huffed, "but I am going to…" Kate's voice trailed off, as she really didn't know in which direction to travel to get home, and that hurt in every way. How was she supposed to find her way back without her sight? No way would she depend on Sawyer again, it was bad enough that he had to support her when her body was broken the first time, but the second time around!

Sawyer knew that Kate wouldn't, in a million years, be able to make it around this jungle by herself; but here she was yelling at him, about how she could overcome this hopefully temporary blindness. Yeah, nothing had changed; this was still the same old Kate. He would just have to swallow his pride this once, and help her out, if she accepted it that is.

"Alright Freckles, we can go, but I did warn you" Sawyer said dryly, reaching for her arm, but before his hand even got there she moved her arm up against her side, clutching her wound.

Kate let out an inaudible moan, as the pain in her abdomen flared up again.

"See what I mean, you need to rest," Sawyer said with a hint of concern in his voice.

Kate ignored his comment and turned around and began walking blindly in the opposite direction. She had no doubt that Sawyer would follow.

Sawyer did follow, picking up the blanket and his backpack with a sigh; it was going to be a long haul from here on in.

Kate could feel the ground under her feet; too bad she couldn't see it though. How was she supposed to survive on this island if she had no sight? It had already been about a month and there was still no sign of rescue. Could she spend months, or, heaven forbid, even years like this? No, she couldn't think like that; she just had to get back to Jack and he could tell her that she'd be fine, that she would see again.

Kate walked slowly and methodically, her hands stretched out in front of her slightly so she wouldn't run into anything.

"If this aint a sorry sight," Sawyer said with a small smirk, shaking his head and moving faster towards Kate, "Come on Freckles, we're not gonna get anywhere if you keep up this pace."

"Screw you Sawyer," Kate said maliciously without turning around, "I told you I don't need your help!"

"Somehow I have a hard time believing that. Look at you walking around, blind as a bat."

"Fuck off! I have the mother of all headaches and I don't need you constantly reminding me why!" Kate shouted, stopping and facing Sawyer for the first time since they had started walking.

Kate's eyes didn't fix directly on Sawyer's face, but he could tell that she was trying to look at him. Her eyes, although fiery, were full of torment.

"Fine then Freckles; three strikes and you're out. You don't want my help, then I won't give it," Sawyer said menacingly, "I'll walk ahead, you can follow."