In the Beginning
Chapter Eight

People all around me
But i'm so alone
I guess they'd like to help me
But i have to do it on my own
I know i don't have much of a choice
I'll go out of my mind
Or into the night
- Into the Night B.B. King

Note: I've never actually heard that song. Yes, I'm ashamed. I'll look for it though.

Chapter eight: Into the Night

Boone sighed as he walked towards the hatch for the hundredth time. The night was silent around him, and the serene jungle made Boone dread having to go down into the hatch. But when he finally arrived at his destination, there was already someone waiting for him.

Shannon looked up from where she had been leaning on a tree. She was crying. She swallowed.

Sayid and I.. she stopped and whipped a tear away, things aren't going well.And you came to me for comfort? Boone said sarcastically and smirked. You've got to find yourself a new shrink.That's not what I'm here for, Shannon protested.

Boone raised an eyebrow and Shannon sighed.

I want to know what's going on, she admitted and then added,

Looking into the dark jungle and then back to Shannon, Boone sighed.

Follow me.

Two other people already knew, so why not Shannon as well? Who was she going to tell anyway?

He walked a few paces and then bent down down to move the hatch's door out of its hole. Boone was surprised when Shannon bent down to help. Before he knew it, the were leaning towards each other, and embraced in a kiss, which had the potential of being much more than what it was, until someone cleared their throat behind them.

Well, this is a little awkward, came Locke's voice from behind him.

Shannon and Boone broke apart so quickly that Shannon bit his lip while pulling away. Boone's hand flew to his mouth as his faced turned a dark color of crimson in the black of night, and he looked to the ground to avoid Locke's gaze. Shannon was the first to speak.

I'm going to.. Shannon broke off, looking down as well, I'm going to go.

She seemed to have no problem leaving Boone to fend for himself as she took off into the jungle.

(space)

Jack sat watching Alex sit alone in the caves, debating about whether or not he should try and talk to her so soon.

She'll be okay, said a voice behind him.

Kate offered Jack a small smile as she sat down beside him.

No she won't, Jack sighed, and it's my fault. I shouldn't of let her have the gun.From what you told me you didn't exactly let' her, Kate pointed out, and who knows, maybe this was supposed to happen.

Jack looked at Kate.

You don't strike me as a believer in fate, he said thoughtfully.

Kate smiled again and shrugged.

It's how I met you.

She stood up to leave Jack alone again, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder before walking off.

(space)

The rope ladder shook as Boone and Locke's weight stepped down on it. They were making plans to build a new one, for they knew this one would only last so long.

So whatever happened to the platonic relationship between you two? Locke asked as he continued to climb down into the hatch. I'm guessing your parents had no trouble getting you two to get along.

Boone rolled his eyes. Locke seemed amused by what just happened, though Boone was anything but.

I told you already, Boone said impatiently, she's only my step sister and we only lived together for maybe a year.

He could've sworn he heard Locke snort.

Not like that, he added quickly.

Boone jumped down into the ground floor.

You know, Boone said, this isn't like you. Locke smirked.

Boone rolled his eyes again and leaned against the keyboard of the computer system.

So what do you think? He asked.

About what?Shannon, said Boone, what do you think about me and Shannon?You're asking me, a forty year old man, what I think about your twenty year old sister? Locke raised an eyebrow.

Boone corrected, and she's twenty-two.. he looked at Locke, don't tell her I told you that. She'd love for you to think she's twenty.Secret's safe with me, Locke promised, and in the case of Sayid, I think you should leave it alone.

Boone was slightly taken aback. He typed in the code to turn the computer on and the room lit up with a glow of dark blue.

Yeah, why's that?We can't risk having alliances for a romance, Locke explained, especially one that may not last.So you don't think it's a good idea, Boone could admit that he was a little amused by Locke's response, even if it wasn't meant to be comical.

If we were anywhere else but here, I'd say go for it, Locke commented smartly.

(space)

Hours later Boone was still in the hatch. He agreed to stay to keep an eye out for any others', though none seemed to be popping up on screen. One issue he was thankful Locke never brought up was the fact that he was about to show Shannon what was inside the hatch. Maybe, he thought, it just hadn't crossed Locke's mind. Or maybe he already knew he'd show her, or was thinking about doing so. Boone sighed for the dozenth time that night. Though the evening had been eventful, night had calmed down, and Boone wanted nothing more than to be back at the caves with everyone else whether than down in the hatch alone.

A squeak broke Boone from his thoughts. He looked up above him where the door was safely sealed over the hatchway and then back at the screen. Locke was at the caves talking to Jack, and Sayid was at the beach alone. Another squeak told him what he needed to know: someone was trying to break into the hatch.

(space)

Around ten nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Everyone was in agreement to stay at the caves that night. Well, everyone except a few castaways, who were going to go back to the beach no matter what Jack said. Sayid agreed to go with him, not that willing to stay at the caves where Shannon was resigning for the night.

Across the room Alex was still sitting by herself. She knew that Jack had been contemplating talking to her, though she didn't make any move to go up and start a conversation herself. Truthfully, Alex wasn't sure what she wanted. Even though she knew that the murders had been for the greater good, Alex still felt guilty.

Hey, have you seen your mom? Charlie asked, approaching her.

She didn't answer. It was a simple no' but Alex couldn't find the strength to speak or even just shake her head. Charlie didn't press the topic, and she heard him ask Jack the same question a few moments later.

Haven't seen her since- Jack stopped mid sentence.

Alex heard him tell Kate something and call Locke over just as Shannon ran in.

Has anyone seen Boone? She asked frantically to no one in particular.

A murmur of no's answered her question. She could feel Jack growing anxious in concern.

Get everyone back at the caves, Jack told someone who Alex could see, keep everyone together.

He said a few more words to Kate and quickly gave her some instructions about what to do. Even though know one knew what was going on, Alex knew that deep down, they were all sure of one thing: there had been not only one, but maybe two kidnappings. This was turning into an all out attack, maybe even a wa. History was about to repeat itself and no one could've ever predicted what was to happen that night. Not even Alex.

Author's Note: A small cliffhanger. Okay, I'm still thinking of Danielle flashbacks. I'll tell you what, I'll think about it during school tomorrow. I wasn't planning to have her in this chapter anyway, but you'll find out what's going on with her. Thanks sooo much for the reviews! These make my day especially after a dull school day. Well, maybe an hour or two of the day's okay but anyway..thanks for the reviews! You guys rock!

Whirwind2005: it's more of just everything that's happening so fast, and Alex is just having to take it all in. There won't be a direct answer. Don't forget that she still has everything she learned about her father and family on her chest.

Coming up next on In the Beginning:

You'll find out who took Danielle and why. You'll find out what happened to Boone. Oh yeah, and the mystery of the others is solved. Well, for the case of my story, it's solved. I don't think you'll expect it from me and I'm not even sure you'll like it, but I'm throwing it out anyway. There's actually two solutions and you'll here about them in two separate conversations, one including a chat between Alex and a very important figure in her life. That might be chapter after next though. Basically, you'll find out what happened in the beginning..hence the title;)

Thanks again for the reviews!

Until next time..

+ October Sky