Chapter 7 : Old Ways

Charlie did not want to re-enter the hatch. He remembered it all to well when he had woken up from the blast to find Eko lying out on the ground. He remembered the hatch was a mess. Tables over turned, books and paper all over the place, it was a mess. Charlie didn't even know what had happened to Locke and Despond. The others were asking what had happened, but Charlie did not know what to say. Instead of telling them the truth, Charlie made up a lie. He told them they went to stay in another hatch, one that Locke and Eko found by the small plane. Charlie had overheard Locke and Eko recollecting their thoughts late one day. He knew that Sayid and Jack had been out there, but whether they found it, he did know At last, Charlie emerged from his thoughts.

"What the?" He heard Sawyer gasp. Charlie rounded the corner and looked at the room. It was as if it never happened. The room was clean and untidy. The books were back on the shelves, the table was turned upright, even the beds were made.

"And you said there was a fricken' explosion?" Sawyer said as he opened the drawers in the kitchen. Charlie was speechless.

"It was- I was- you can ask anyone!" Charlie said desperately. "The hatch door! It ended up at the beach!" Sawyer walked around and went over to where the entrance of the computer was.

"Why is this locked?" Sawyer asked he reached out to the door. Charlie shrugged.
Maybe Locke and Desmond were still in there Charlie thought. What if this really didn't happen? Charlie smiled at the fact but then if quickly faded.

Then how did Eko die?

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Jack awoke as he felt the sun beam down through the slightly open tent flap. He yawned and lifted his head from the jacket he was using as a pillow. He looked over beside him to see Kate lying there. Remembering the events of the day before, he quickly got up.

"Kate?" He asked. Kate stayed lying still, she was still sleeping. Jack let out a quick breath.

"Good morning Jack." He heard Sun say as she poked her head in. Jack smiled.

"Hey Sun, how did you sleep?" Jack asked. Sun entered the tent with a bowl.

"I slept fine. I got up about an hour or two ago." She said. "I came to check on you two." She looked up at Jack's worn face. "You were still up." Jack looked up remembering the shuffling he heard outside his tent last night.

"That was you?" he asked. Sun smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes." she said. "Here, I brought you some food." Sun said as she held out the bowl. Jack graciously accepted the bowl.

"Thank you." Jack said as he set down the bowl.

"You know, why don't you go over to Kate's tent and get some sleep." Sun said. "You slept for about 1 hour, that's not enough sleep." Jack shook his head.

"Nah its okay Sun." Jack said. Sun opened her mouth again to protest but decided against it. She knew she wouldn't be able to persuade him. Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had to get her better, and he knew it.

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It had been three days since his visit with Alex. He had been awaiting her arrival for a while but he was starting to lose hope. He was hungry, for the food he was getting was absolutely disgusting. He had never felt more lonely and horrible ever in his life. Even though he was going through so much pain, still all he could think about was Kate. He kept remembering the times they had spent together, and how sorry he was for not getting them out of this. He knew this was his entire fault. He knew all about Michael, and he had gone through with it. If only he had known about the result. At that moment he heard a small knock at the door. Jack figured that is was probably about one in the morning.

"Hello?" he asked as he got up from the floor. The door slowly opened and two figures entered the room. The back figure then quickly closed the door.

"Jack?" It was Alex. He could faintly see her sitting in front of him.

"Are you up?" she asked. Jack blinked.

"Yeah. I am." Jack asked. He could still see the other figure standing on the other side of the room.

"Who is that?" Jack asked. Alex looked to the door.

"It's someone you'll be happy to see. Please keep it down thou, I can't have them hear you." Alex aid quickly.

"You have five minutes." Alex continued.

"Five minutes for what?" Jack asked.

"Please." Alex said. "She will tell you everything. I will be back in five minutes." She got up and walked over to the figure standing quietly by the door.

"You may talk to him after I leave. Okay?" Alex said. Jack could faintly see the nod and Alex left the room. Jack sat there when he heard the person sniffle.

"Who are you?" Jack asked. The figure walked forward and sat down in front of him. Jack looked into the familiar eyes.

"Kate..." Jack said with familiarity. Kate opened her arms and flung them around Jack. Jack could hear her crying as he placed his arms around her and held her close.

"Kate... it's okay! I got you." Jack said soothingly as her sobs subsided and she looked up at him.

"I'm so happy your okay." She said. Jack smiled as best he could and his face then turned serious.

"Now, tell me what this is all about."

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Sawyer had gathered all the supplies he could find.

"I hope this is enough." Sawyer said. He looked up to see Charlie still standing in the middle of the room.

"What the hell is your problem?" he said. Charlie quickly looked at him.

"I just- I just don't understand." Charlie said as he looked around the room again.

"What I don't understand," Sawyer said, "Is why you are so pathetic. Now let's go." And with that Sawyer turned towards the door. Sawyer then reached for the handle. A siren went off. Sawyer dropped the bag he was carrying and placed his hands over his ears. He turned to see that Charlie, had done the same. The room began to shake and he could see a wall coming down from the ceiling.

"We have to get out of here!" Sawyer yelled as he tried to open the door. But the handle would not budge. He frantically tried pushing it down but it wouldn't open.

"Come on... you STUPID!" Sawyer said as Charlie pulled him out of the way.

"This way!" Sawyer saw Charlie say as he led him down the path. They began running to the opposite side of the hatch when a wall came down from the ceiling in front of them. Both men were able to slip under as the wall closed down. Sawyer opened his eyes, they were now in a confined room.

"Now look what you've done!" He said with anger. Charlie opened his eyes and looked around.

"Now what are we going to do?" Sawyer yelled. "HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS!" Sawyer kicked at the wall and Charlie looked up. Sawyer turned and looked at Charlie.

"Huh! ANSWER ME! How will we-" Sawyer stopped as Charlie lifted his arm and pointed to the ceiling. Sawyer looked up and opened his mouth. It was the entrance to the hatch. they had blown up to first get in. Sawyer lowered his gaze and smiled as Charlie's gaze fixated on him.

"And how do you suppose we get up there rocker boy?"