Abi.X.
Jack ran as fast as his legs would carry him, it was pitch black out in the jungle and all he had was a small torch and a stick of fire. He kept running though his legs felt like jelly under him. The forest floor was damp and muddy and tree roots and vines jutted out here and there. The doctor ran for a good half hour then began to slow, it was no use, Kate was right, he needed a rest. He slowed to a stop and sat by a tree breathing heavily he took a huge gulp of water. Sweat was pouring down his face, he looked around in the pitch black at the surrounding eerie looking trees, he wished now Kate had come with him, the jungle was not the greatest place to be in on your own at night, but Jack didn't want to think about it. He quickly stood up and began to continue, the sooner he was there the quicker he could sort out Charlie and Claire.
Ethan paced the floor with impatience, and looked at Claire and then Charlie, he was still out cold on the floor, he had been there for a couple of hours now and Claire was beginning to get worried he hadn't moved or made a sound since.
"I wish the doc would hurry up or he's going to regret it!" Ethan cursed. Claire stared at him, he was red in the face and his brows furrowed in deep thought. What was with this man thought Claire, why was he so interested in her baby and why was he so intent on hurting Charlie. She watched closely as he paced the small room. He was talking under his breath though she could not catch what he was saying. Suddenly he walked to the door of the room and disappeared through it, slamming it behind him. Claire eyes remained fixed on the door and then she turned to look across the room at Charlie. He was laid awkwardly on his front next to the wall facing away from Claire, he hadn't moved since Ethan had knocked him out. Claire struggled against her bonds but it was no use, she couldn't reach him no matter how much she tried.
"Charlie?" she cried quietly for a start, and then louder "Charlie wake up please?" She tugged weakly at her bond hands "Charlie?" she shouted this time but it didn't seem to make any difference. She fell silent for a few seconds.
Suddenly Charlie twitched and groaned slightly.
"Charlie talk to me?" Claire cried desperately. Staring at him intently, he was shivering a little, how she wished she could see his face again. He coughed wildly for a few seconds, his breathing was ragged and uneven, this worried Claire.
"Charlie?" Claire tried again. This time he moved a little more, his body tensed a little and he turned over slowly to face Claire. His breathing was heavy and his eyes barely open, she couldn't tell weather he was awake or not. She was grieved to notice above his left eye was a small gash and a large patch of dry blood. His neck was red and covered in bruises, not to mention the small slash across it. His face was pale, beaten and streaked with dirt and blood.
"I'm so sorry Charlie" Claire sobbed "I didn't mean for it to turn out this way" she began to cry uncontrollably. Charlie's eyes opened more and he tried to form words but nothing came but a small groan. Claire stared at him unable to reach him, there was nothing she could do.
I could hear my name in the distance but it wasn't him, it was Claire, I recognised that voice all too well. I tried to open my eyes but my head ached, my forehead was burning, I felt dizzy and sick but there was nothing in my stomach left.
"Charlie?" I heard her again, and I tried to open my eyes more, but all I could see was darkness. I was so cold, I thought before I was cold but now I was colder. The floor was freezing and the remaining heat from my body seemed to drain out into it. "Charlie" she seemed desperate. I went to talk but instead I coughed uncontrollably, filling my lungs with agonizing pain. Please God don't let him hurt her, she was calling my name over and over. I forced my body over, I suddenly went light headed and dizzy and I closed my eyes slightly. "I'm so sorry" I made the words out in the distance. Why should she be sorry I thought, it's all my fault, I should have protected her better. I opened my eyes and strained them. I could make out a figure in the distance. Was it Claire? They where crying and sobbing, I could hear it loud and clear.
"Claire" I tried my best to speak but what came out didn't sound anything like it. Why was it so hard to dam breath, I concentrated for a second on my breathing but it seemed to make it worse. A boot met my ribs and the air was pushed out of me catching me off guard.
"Awake are we?" Ethan was back. "well lucky you, doctor Jack's on his way!" He laughed and kicked me harder. "Shame you won't be alive when he gets here!" I looked up to make out his figure. I could not die, not now, not while Claire was there and when she needed me now. I struggled to move to a sitting position but failed miserably. I could feel a blade close to my skin but blocked out the feeling, I was not about to die, I closed my eyes and concentrated. I did not open my eyes again.
"What's wrong" Locke looked confused at Kate.
"It's a long story" Kate said quickly. She gave Locke a quick run down of the story and warned him of Ethan's threat. Locke stood still for a second, thinking long and hard.
"We might need to get more than me and you in on this" Locke said quickly, "I say we tell Sayid and Boone, and see what they think"
"We haven't got much time!" Kate insisted, she was worried that by the time they get there it would be too late, they had to act now and fast if they where going to catch Jack up.