In the Beginning
Chapter Six

Chapter Six: What Happened to the Search Party

This psychic thing, Jack said to Danielle as he side stepped a fallen tree branch, it wouldn't happen to be genetic, would it?

Danielle smiled from behind Jack. Though their walk through the woods had a very important purpose, Danielle was still able to find it pleasant.

Because I was just about to say, Jack went on, looks like we need a psychic to find our psychic.

A loud roar interrupted what was going to be a sarcastic remark. Jack yelled something that sounded like but Danielle didn't need a command to obey to know to flee into the jungle.

Storms coming.

Danielle had been leaning against the the railing of the ship all afternoon. It was their third month out at sea and the waters were getting dangerous. Storm clouds loomed overhead and just as Danielle was about to reply, heavy raindrops pounded against the ship.

Hey guys! Yelled the captain from his spot at the wheel. There was a port a few miles back, we're going to try and turn around for the night. Robert called over the waves and wind. Are you sure?

Once it began raining, it began pouring. A monster wave crashed against the ship, soaking Danielle and Robert.

I think so, I-

The boat gave a sudden lurch and the captain was thrown from the ship. Danielle screamed and covered her mouth with her hand. Robert stood in shock for a moment and then took action. He grabbed a life jacket from the cabin beside them and frantically threw it on. Next he grabbed a rope and handed it to Danielle. Though she couldn't understand what he was trying to tell her, Danielle nodded and grabbed a hold of the rope. Robert died into the waters, swimming after the captain. Danielle gazed over the surface but saw nothing until what seemed like hours later, a loud thump from the other side of her. Jumping she turned to see Robert trying to climb back onto the ship. Danielle rushed to help him.

He's dead, Robert informed her, slinging the body of their captain onto the deck.

Three other crew members rushed out to help Robert, only to be swept off into sea. Suddenly the downpour grew so hard so quickly, it became difficult to see. Danielle struggled to make out Robert's figure and hear his voice shouting over the wind. Then the unexpected happened. The ship ripped apart. Danielle was thrown backwards as the boat rose into the air, sending its passengers to the sea. The last thing Danielle remembered was something hard and solid hitting her head before everything went black.

Kate was lost. She hated to admit it, but it was true. Halfway through the journey through the jungle Sayid announced that he needed to go back and he'd be back within a half an hour. An hour and a half later he still hated come back, so Kate tried to make her way back to camp on her own. Somehow the forest blended in together, and the heat became intense. No way it was Christmas. Out of nowhere Kate stumbled onto a path. Kate let out a sigh of relief before realizing that she recognized the path. It was the one that went to the hatch. Curiously, Kate went down it, making sure to keep and eye out for Locke or Boone along the way.

The hatch lay innocent in the sun, it's door placed over the opening. Glancing around once more, Kate bent down and carefully removed the doorway. Beneath her dropping to the bottom of what looked like a long tunnel was a ladder, and Kate didn't think twice before stepping onto it. She noticed the seventh step was broken off and skipped it. Moments later she was at the bottom and she jumped down.

Blue light loomination the room she was standing in. She stood in awe, wondering what could radiate such light on an island before thinking of turning around. When she did, her breath caught in her throat.

Before her stood a large big-screen tv sized computer. On the screen was what looked like a 3D graphic map of what could've been their island. Kate wasn't sure, but she could've also sworn that she was hearing voices in her head. Like extra thoughts trailing into her brain. Suddenly a hand clamped down over her mouth. Kate struggled. She finally managed to elbow her attacker in the gut. A young male voice let out a cry of pain. Spinning around, Kate was surprised but not shocked to find Boone standing behind her.

What the hell are you doing? Boone inquired, as if he owned the place.

Kate crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes.

I could ask you the same.

Boone turned nervous, like a kid too shy to give a presentation.

Boone struggled to find an explanation, look, you can't tell anyone you know about this, okay?Where's Locke? Kate wanted to know.

I dunno, Boone admitted, but Sayid's going to be back in ten minutes-

Kate was furious.

Who are you talking to? Came a voice from above.

It was Sayid. Boone cursed under his breath.

I thought you said Locke was-

By now Sayid was down to the ground floor. He eyes Kate with curiosity.

I got lost, Kate began immediately.

Being around Sayid was much more intimidating than Boone.

And then.. Kate trailed off, I won't tell anyone, I swear. You don't even have to tell me what it is.

Sayid and Boone exchanged glances.

You might as well know, Sayid sighed, but you can not tell Jack.

Kate stared at him.

Why not? She pressured.

The more people the know, the worse, Sayid explained, how do you explain something like this when you have no real answers?Okay okay, Kate said impatiently, waving him into silence, but why not Jack? He needs to know.I think we have to stop thinking of Jack as a leader' and begin to think of him as an equal, Boone declared in an intelligent voice that wasn't his.

Kate glared at him and then looked at Sayid, waiting for him to help defend Jack, which she was sure he'd do.

I agree, was all Sayid said.

Kate sighed.

I agree too, she began, but I can't change the minds of forty other people, and when they find out about something like this, the first thing they're going to do is say why didn't Jack know?'.

Sayid sighed and glanced towards the computer screen. Something on the screen startled him and he turned back to the other two.

Just don't tell Jack, were his final words before leaving the hatch.

(Space)

The monster's roar ceased as Jack ran deeper into the hot jungle. Jack slowed to a jog and turned around, trying to determine where he was. A silent weeping drew his mind away. Creeping down the path, Jack moved a tree branch out of the way before stepping into a small clearing, where Alex stood leaning against a tree, crying.

Jack said, careful not to startle her.

Alex looked up at him and Jack began to get the feeling of being in some kind of nightmare, like he knew that this wasn't happening. Shock, horror, confusion, and helplessness was running across Alex's face beneath her tears.

Get out of here, Alex said hoarsely.

What's going on? Jack was sympathetic, though very confused.

What was Alex doing all the way out here? Why hadn't she come back to camp?

Just get out of here! Alex yelled through a sob.

Jack continued to look at her, trying to figure out what was going on and more importantly, what was wrong with Alex. Before he could speak again, he was grabbed from behind. In an immediate reaction, Jack swung back with his fist and it connected with the attacker's jaw. The attacker cursed before reaching out with his foot and tripping Jack, sending him falling to the ground. Alex seemed suddenly aware of the situation and made an attempt to throw the attacker off Jack only to result in being thrown back to her original position against the tree. Jack managed to block the punches thrown at him long enough to roll over to regain advantage to the fight, but he was caught just as he had almost succeeded, and was violently thrown, landed beside Alex. Just as Jack was about to charge, a gun was in his face.

Hands up, said a satisfied voice.

Jack groaned. It was their same attacker as before, with the same, grizzly white hair and wrinkles. For an old guy he sure could fight. Nevertheless, Jack obeyed, and as did Alex as the gun was waved in her position. When their hands were in the air the old man gave a nod and moved towards a few bags Jack hadn't noticed laying a few feet from them. Keeping the gun on them, the man began rummaging with a free hand. He did this for a few minutes, being unsuccessful in finding whatever it was he was looking for.

You have a gun in your back pocket, Alex whispered out of nowhere.

Jack caught himself just as his hand was moving towards his pockets.

He threw a nervous look towards the old man, who had apparently noticed nothing. Just in time he noticed Alex's hand moving towards the gun. Jack put his hand over hers.

Hey Russ! Called a voice from nowhere.

All three heads turned.

Over here! The old man, apparently Russ, called. I found another one!

Jack assumed he was the other one. Alex fought for the gun, but Jack wrenched it out of her hands just as she was about to pull the trigger.

What do you think you're doing? Jack demanded.

Getting us out of here, Alex said impatiently threw gritted teeth.

With a final tug she jerked the gun out of Jack's hands and spun around, pulling the trigger and shooting Russ in the knee. Russ began cursing both the pain and Alex. Alex shot again before Jack could stop her. A rustle of bushes sounded near by. Jack dropped beside Russ, checking for a pulse. He turned to Alex, incredulous.

You knocked him out cold, he stated in disbelief.

Alex didn't reply.

Give me the gun, Jack said flatly.

Alex glanced nervously towards the bushes the rustling was coming from. Jack stood and walked towards Alex.

Give me the gun, Jack said again.

Alex shook her head. Jack stepped forward again and Alex tightened her grip around the trigger. He leapt for the gun, grabbing it from Alex and catching himself before falling to the ground.

I don't care how good of a criminal you are, he told her.

Alex didn't seem afraid of the gun at all.

You're not doing this, Jack finished.

This time, Alex did answer.

Do what?Become a sixteen year old murderer! Jack nearly shouted.

A little to late for that, isn't it? Alex snapped.

She made a grab for the gun, but Jack, seeing it coming, moved out of dodge. The rustling came closer. Jack and Alex stopped.

Give me the gun, Alex said in the same flat, demanding tone Jack used.

Give me the gun!Give me one good reason why I should give you the gun! Jack tested.

BECAUSE I'M PSYCHIC!

With that, Alex made one final grab for the gun in was successful this try, but by the time she had the gun aim for the bushes, another was in her face. In fact, two were. Two young men stood in front of them, one with their gun pointed at Alex, one at Jack.

Well well well, Jack recognized his voice as the one they had heard calling out earlier, looks like we got one of them..what you call ems. Them four sided things. The other man offered.

the other nodded, hey Frank, bring the rope?

The first who was still nameless glanced towards Russ on the ground.

Ah hell, he muttered, got another one down.Put him in the boat.

It was hard to tell if that was supposed to be a demand or suggestion. Either way, the word boat' stuck out a mile.

The first man asked.

He stuck his gun closer to Jack's face.

He finished.

A rush of hope ran through Jack. He was going to be rescued. These people might be able to help them. Then his hope died. Or not. They might be wanting to do the exact opposite. Not to mention being rescued would mean never seeing Kate again, or any of the other survivors. No goodbyes and lord knew what they'd do with Alex.

said Frank, him there on the ground.

But he never got to make a move. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and Jack hardly heard the bullet as the two men in front of him were shot. It took nearly three minutes for Jack to think to turn to Alex, who was a deathly white. She was standing in shock, her hand in its exact same position on the gun. Jack swallowed again. This is what he feared would happen. Jack looked down to the ground and spoke quietly.

Let's go back to camp.

Author's Note: I ended it there because I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. Sorry for the lack of updates! Blame it on school! But thanks soooo much to all you who came back! (hugs) and all who are remaining(hugs)! You guys rock!

Next time, on In the Beginning:

Okay, I think that..: the kidnappings not over. The next chapter will reveal another captor, a surprising romance, and a death..I think. Don't be surprised if none of this happens.

Thanks again!

Until next time..

+ October Sky