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Chapter Two: On the Run

Jack's grip was tight on Kate's arm; he could feel her shaking and he wasn't letting go anytime soon, not when she could get hurt. He heard Kate gasp as he followed her stare to see a line of trees quickly cascading towards the beach. His heart skipped a beat and Jack could feel Kate's blood go cold under his strong hand.
"Run!" Jack yelled across the beach as he pulled Kate's forearm, motioning for her to go. She didn't budge. Why wasn't she moving? Couldn't she see everyone else running for their lives?
"Kate, come on! That thing is coming!" Jack urged. Kate continued to stand there, rooted to the spot. What on earth was she thinking? Jack decided to take control and he began to hastily drag her across the beach. He looked back and saw her panicked face turn to utter confusion then to fright. She seemed to have overcome her paralyzing panic-attack and began fearfully looking around.
"Kate come on!" Jack pushed, but it didn't take much persuading. She surprised him and bolted down the beach ahead of him, breaking his hold on her. Jack quickly followed behind her, trying to keep up with her fast pace.
Jack felt someone forcefully grab his arm. Fear poisoned his veins, he was hoping it would'nt be some psychopath trying to kill him. He quickly, but cautiously turned on his heel to see that it was only Charlie holding Aaron and running like bloody murder. His face had terror written all over it and tears were rolling down his cheeks. They continued to run.
"Charlie, are you alright?" Jack asked, and seeing that Claire wasn't with him, he asked, "Where's Claire?"
Charlie panted, "I d-don't know" he was having trouble keeping himself together. "I lost her..." he stammered. "I-I...I don't know what to do. She handed Aaron to me and took off. I-I..." he paused there and began sobbing, holding Aaron tight to his chest. He started to slow down a bit.
"We'll find her. Don't worry, I'm sure she's safe somewhere. Come on, you have to stay with us." Jack didn't know what else he could say to comfort him, Charlie would have to try to do it himself. Jack quickened his pace seeing that Kate had distanced them quite a bit. He yelled to Charlie to try to keep up with them. Charlie acknowledged him and sped up again.
Jack eventually caught up to Kate and nudged her in the arm to get her attention.
"You're a fast runner. You almost lost us back there." He said as a stab at a mood-lightener. Jack smiled over at Kate, she was still concentrating on the beach ahead.
"Yeah, well I've had plenty of practice." Kate replied angrily.
'Smart' Jack thought to himself, 'Great goin Jack'. He decided to change the subject, "We should stop--"
A sudden eruption of screams exploded in the distance, followed by a thunderous roar. Crashing noises and yet more screams could be heard, even from where they were. They all looked behind them, surprised by the racket. Jack grabbed Kate's arm again and took off in another direction.
"Charlie! This way!" Jack yelled, hoping he would hear it. He knew of a place they could hide; They ran at an incredible speed. Branches were whipping at him from all directions, and at the moment he could care less. All he wanted was for Kate and him to be safe.
Jack spotted the familiar tree and ran to it, Kate right behind him. He could hear Charlie bounding up from behind and was relieved he had stayed with them.
"In here." Jack said swiftly climbing under the trunk and into the burrow. He held out his hand to steady Kate as she followed suit and slid in after him. She immediately slouched over trying to catch her breath.
"Kate" Charlie huffed, "hey, Kate." he said impatiently.
Kate popped her head up to look at Charlie. "Yeah Charlie?"
"Can you hold Aaron? It would be nice if I could have a cozy little space under this gorgeous tree as well. Unless, of course, you want me to be eaten and torn apart bit by bit by that bloody monster." Charlie snapped. Jack could see the tear stains on his face.
"I'm sorry...sorry...sorry." Kate said breathing heavily as Charlie passed Aaron down to her. Charlie looked around behind him, as if to reassure himself the monster wasn't there, then jumped in once he saw that Kate had a good hold of Aaron; she handed him back to Charlie who accepted him graciously. Charlie walked over to a corner and carefully sat down, beaming at Aaron. Kate's face looked concerned as she watched him playing with Aaron. She seemed to have noticed the tear stains on his face too.
"You're all I've got little buddy." Charlie whispered; he didn't know they could hear him.
A quiet air of relief and peace fell over them. Finally, they could relax. Jack let himself be absorbed in tranquility. Never in his life had he felt so calmed, thankful, and reassured. They were safe, and Kate was standing next to him, alive. What else could he ask for. Kate looked up at him and smiled. She put her hand on his shoulder and breathed out a sigh of welcomed stillness.
"Oh my goodness. I'm glad that's over." She said, obviously feeling the same peace as him.
"Ya. Me too." Jack put his head down then looked back up at Kate, smiling. "I'm glad we made it."
"Ok, you guys cut the flirting. We're safe blah, blah, blah." Charlie remarked sarcastically, smiling up at them.
Jack watched Kate as her cheeks became flushed; he knew his were too.
Charlie continued, "Let's just try to get through tonight--"
The ground beneath them shook. boom...boom...boom. It was footsteps...big footsteps. Charlie looked up from Aaron to Jack and Kate. His eyes were wide with fear. Jack and Kate exchanged a terrified glance.
It wasn't over yet.

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