Sayid's heartbeat pounded against the inside of his chest at the same speed that his boots stomped against the ground. He could not see where he was going, but he had a vague idea of where the village was. He'd been hired to do a job. And he damn well meant to complete it. His pursuers were not far behind, yelling commands at each other in hopes they'd catch him before he made it out of the woods. Finally, the faint glow of civilization entered Sayid's eyes. He felt the forest leave him behind as his vision cleared of brush and trees. He could feel his muscles aching, only adrenaline keeping him as alert as he was. Now they too had left the forest. But perhaps if he could make it to the village before they caught up with him, he could hide. The eternally open gates came closer and closer. He was only a dark blur passing through them. Next he dashed for a white stone building, the door of which was locked. Cursing his luck, he began to look for another place to hide. But the others were coming nearer by the second. He swallowed hard and kicked the door in with the last bit of his strength. It folded back with a loud clatter, and he dashed in.

Jack and the others finally made it to the town. It was deserted, all residents asleep or hiding out of fear. He'd heard a loud noise, like a door opening and closing, but he wasn't sure where it came from. He motioned to Cliff and Karen to split up, and then removed the rifle on his back from its straps. The night was warm, and humid. Gleaming sweat droplets shone in the moonlight, along with the reflective scope of the rifle. He crouched low and stalked along the stone path, eyes darting from one shadow to the next. A muffled cry from a building ahead of him caught his attention.

Inside the clinic, Elli's eyes were the size of dinner plates. She looked upwards at the face of an Arab who'd broken in seconds before. He had one hand positioned over her mouth and another gripping a pistol that he now pointed at her head with. "Do not move. Do not speak. Do not make a sound." She managed the meekest nod possible. "Go and sit by that door. If you attempt to escape, I will kill you." Elli didn't need to be told twice. Sayid looked nervously around the room, searching for some way to get out other than the front door. His eyes stopped when he say the man laying in the bed. 'No, it's not possible…is it…is it Kai!' His assumption was correct. Kai was in the hospital bed, in a deep sleep. Sayid shook him, but the man's head simply lolled forward. Someone who knew what he was doing, apparently, had put him in the hospital. But since then, he'd been taken care of. Sayid shook his head angrily and did a quick search for Kai's clothing. "You there," he whispered to Elli, "where is this man's clothing?" She motioned towards the farthest bed where his garb was neatly folded. Sayid tore through the folded clothes, finally watching as something fell to the ground. He bent over and picked it up. It was what looked like a card. The man had to stifle laughter, partially at the irony of the situation and partially at the changing of his own luck. But before he could think for too long, the door slammed open.

Even Jack was shocked to see Sayid standing over Kai's bed. The rifle lowered, just for a moment, then snapped back up and fired. As the bullet left the barrel, Sayid tumbled out of the way and gripped Elli by the neck once more. Jack froze. "Step back, farmer. I will shoot her." Neither moved. "Do you hear me! Set down your weapon!"

Jack began to speak, but Sayid yelled in frustration as he aimed and fired a shot from his gun. Jack rolled under Elli's desk and did not move. Sayid was not sure if he'd hit Jack, but did not wait to find out. He grabbed Elli by her wrist and pulled her out of the clinic, slamming into Karen on the way through the door. He continued running, yells chasing him. He had the key; he'd completed his mission. Now he just had to escape. His muscular legs carried them as fast as they possibly could. Memories came now, with the lucidness that accompanied his near passed-out state. "Just a little bit further…"

The desert spread for miles. Even past where the eye could see, there laid sand and sky, caressing one another for the infinite horizon. Sayid sat atop a humvee, admiring the day the best he could. A few more hours and he'd be in a plane. A few more days and he'd be in the West, away from the strife and toil…

The two only made it farther away, much to Cliff's dismay. Elli was in a state of shock; she could hardly fight back against this man that had taken her at gunpoint. Karen and Jack came from the clinic, Jack raising his rifle to fire. But he could not. Elli was far too close. A little more hesitation and they'd be gone. Cliff almost felt something snap in his mind as he watched the man run off with Elli. Memories returned to him as well, fragmented; broken. "Give me the gun, Jack." He took it without waiting, and shouldered it, aiming with one eye closed.

Sayid watched the airport grow in size. And as he saw a plane soar through the sky, he thought of the birds he watched back home. He was a warrior, but no matter where he was, he could watch the birds and wish that he could grow wings and fly away from it all. But now he could. Now it was in his reach. But could he escape his responsibilities by simply taking flight?

Cool air rushed into Cliff's lungs. He felt his teeth clamp down on each other, watching the sight hover between the Arab and Elli. One miss was all it took. One hit was all he needed.

He had received the call only yesterday. His brother had been killed in a car bombing. And now his mother and father, too old to support themselves without the aid of their children, needed his help. He could not return, not now. But he could help them. He could take up arms once more. He had no choice.

Cliff tensed. This was it. He yelled involuntarily as the trigger released. Sayid sprinted at full speed. Karen nearly had an anxiety attack and Jack dared not move. Sayid heard a loud noise and felt pain like he'd never been through before. He continued running, somehow, letting his hostage go free. Another shot came.

He flew, like a bird!

to be continued