A/N: I know, it's a bit short today, but you get a REALLY long flashback! Well, it's kind of long. It's longer then usual, dammit!
Disclaimer: Lost and its characters aren't mine. Neither is Hawaii, for the record.
Flashback
13 year-old Ardren wiped his eyes on his sleeve. The sirens had faded away, and the city seemed deathly-quite, except for Stacey's muffled sobs. Stephen kicked at a pebble, watching it bounce off a brick wall. His eyes weren't focused, and he kept blinking. Stacey was crying even louder now, and he kept turning around, like he couldn't watch. Ardren was kneeling right beside Stacey's twin, his brother Scott. Scott was clutching Ardren's hand so tight his knuckles were white. The long cut was jagged, very deep, and ran across his entire stomach.
"Scott man. Scott, your going to be fine, right? All right? It's…just a knife wound. Eh?" Ardren bit his lip. Scott smiled weakly.
"Can't…get rid…of me that…that easily." He wheezed. Tears streamed down Ardren's face. He knew- all of them knew - that no one could survive that cut. Ardren's other brother, Jerry, had died too. But not like this, Ardren thought. Not like this. He hadn't had to sit there with him, he hadn't been there. Jerry had made sure no one was around to stop him.
"Oh God. Oh God, Scott. I'm so…I'm so sorry! I can't watch this!" Stacey bawled. He knelt briefly by his brother, and said something Ardren couldn't hear. Scott laughed loudly, suddenly, which turned into a hacking cough. Stacey turned, and bolted down the alleyway. The iron-grip Scott had on Ardren's hand vanished suddenly and the coughing stopped.
"Stephen. What are we…what do we…Stephen?" Stephen was staring blankly at the stone he had kicked earlier. His dilated eyes were empty of any emotion. He's in his own world, Ardren thought bitterly. He can't take it, any better then Stacey can. One injection and he doesn't have to. He doesn't have to do anything. Ardren had never taken drugs and he knew he never could.
Ardren heard the hissing of a fire being extinguished. He opened his eyes a crack; it was light again. Groaning, he sat up slowly, his back stiff because he had fallen asleep on his crutch. Jack was standing above the smoldering ashes, kicking dirt over the spot to put out every last ember. His shirt sleeves had been rolled up, and he had lost the tie. Kate was tying her shoe lace, her foot braced against a tree. They both looked wide-awake, and they were wearing there backpacks. Charlie was curled up underneath the tree opposite Ardren's. Ardren grinned when he saw Charlie was sucking his thumb.
"Good! Your up." Jack greeted Ardren, when he spotted him. "Kate found these berries. There pretty good. And safe to eat!" he beamed. He held up a handful of what looked like yellow blackberries. Ardren opened his mouth to speak, but instead yawned loudly, wincing as his jaw cracked. He nodded instead, and took one of the offered berries.
"These are actually pretty good…." He stopped suddenly. The sweet taste had turned incredibly sour. His eyes were watering, and he swore. Jack started cracking up, which caused Kate to turn around. She looked from the laughing Jack to the curing Ardren, and laughed.
"He gave you the yellow ones, didn't he?" she asked, smiling. Ardren nodded slowly. She handed him two handfuls of blackberries, and shook her head.
The forest was starting to look familiar again. Kate and Jack were sure they would reach the beach soon. Ardren gave Charlie his bag, so he could tie his shoes. When he was done, Charlie handed the bag back, saying
"Here is zee bag you asked me for, mousier. 'ope you find it to your liking." He had put on the phoniest French accent, which sounded horrible with his British one. Ardren realized something with a jolt.
"That's it! She was French! AHAH!" he laughed, recalling the young girl in the clearing's familiar accent. Charlie frowned at him.
"It's nothing," Ardren assured him. The trees suddenly gave way to miles of sand. Still crowded with people. Still dotted with tents. Still no rescue.