Chapter 72
The group stopped for a break while the hot afternoon sun blazed down on them; they all flopped down in the shade, taking long drinks and resting as their sweat cooled in the shadows. The tension was as thick as the humid air, it could almost be touched; the divisions between them were as clear as ever, almost like an invisible line had been drawn through the glade, and none of them dared cross to the other side of the line.
Something was coming and they all knew it; the jungle was silent under the weight of anticipation. Sawyer's senses were sparking and grinding into gear; as Kate rested her hand on his chest he felt a surge of power flow through him; he was ready for whatever was coming. He hoped Kate was, though he wasn't sure; he could feel her trembling as her emotions flowed through him. She was scared. "It's okay, Freckles," he said gently, "Just stay beside me, okay?"
He touched her and a gentle spark made her smile as she nodded. "Okay." She looked up at him and swallowed hard. "I'm scared, James."
Touching her cheek gently, he said, "I know, baby. I am too. But we'll be fine, you and me, okay?"
She nodded and whispered, "Okay."
Vincent padded to her and snuffled her ear gently, and she laughed, pushing him away. "Eeww. Quit it." But she smiled and scratched his ears as he panted happily, wagging his tail at Sawyer.
"See? Even Vincent says we'll be fine." He chuckled and scratched Vincent's ears.
Kate rolled her eyes, grinning. "Well, as long as Vincent says so..." She slid her water bottle back into her pack and her eyes fell on the pouch; she pulled out the bronze owl and studied it; now that it was in the light she was even more amazed at the detail and painstaking care with which it was put together. She played with it gently, ruffling the tiny feathers and playing with the claws. It fascinated her.
Eko noticed her studying something and he moved closer, glancing at the other side of the glade; Locke and Cassidy were talking and Jack and Ana were wrapped up in each other, ignoring everyone else. Satisfied, Eko turned to Kate and smiled, holding out his hand. "May I?"
Kate handed it to him, smiling as he nodded appreciatively at the figure. "We found it in the chapel."
"It is beautiful," he said, and he handed it back to Kate, smiling. "Owls are a very good omen."
Sawyer shook his head. "Not in Tennessee. Owls are bad luck there. Old country superstitions, I guess."
Eko grinned. "When you think of an owl, what comes to mind? The wise old owl, the sage of the forest. Athene, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom was impressed by the solemn mein and the giant eyes of the Owl; she thought he looked distinguished and wise, and so she adopted him as her favorite feathered creature. It was believed that the Owl's incredible night vision was the a gift from Athene; that she gave him a magical inner light that allowed him to see better than any other, even in the blackest night." He looked meaningfully at Sawyer, and Kate smiled, touching Sawyer's knee; he felt another surge of power and his skin thrummed beneath her hand. "As the symbol of Athene, whose wisdom protected them all, the Owl was revered as a guardian and they even accompanied armies into battle, as adornments on the shields and armor of the soldiers." He paused and nodded, "If an Owl flew over the soldiers before battle they would shout for joy, because they were assured of victory."
He held the figure gently, then holding it close to his mouth, he hooted softly and it sprang to life, its eyes opening and its wings clacking as it shook them experimentally. Kate and Sawyer exchaged glances then laughed at the other's slack- jawed expressions. The tiny owl hooted softly; it sounded like a wavery whistle, and he hopped off of Eko's hand and flew uncertainly onto Kate's outstretched fingers. He hopped up her arm, his little claws leaving tiny red marks and he stopped on her shoulder, hooting softly in her ear and blinking his little eyes at her. They still glowed a soft blue.
She gazed lovingly at the little bird as it ruffled its feathers happily and hopped down her arm to Sawyer's knee, where it hooted and whistled before flying off into the jungle.
Sawyer watched it go with a smile, then he turned to Kate and his smile widedned; she was watching the owl go, too, and she looked so sad and forlorn that he chuckled, squeezing her hand. "He'll be back, Freckles. He just wanted to fly free for a while."
Kate smiled, and said softly, "Yeah, I guess I can understand that."
Eko placed his hand on Sawyer's and said, "They are coming, James. Now, soon. They are already here." He nodded at Cassidy, who turned and saw them staring; she smiled and her eyes glowed. "No one will be able to help you, James. This will all be up to you." He stood, and paused, smiling at them; they looked like deer caught in the headlights of a car; frozen in fear and indecision. "Good luck, James. Be strong, remember no matter what that Kate loves you, and only you. Understand?" Sawyer nodded, suddenly terrified; what were They going to do? His hand clutched hers and she squeezed back, his fright scaring her even more. Eko smiled one last time and walked off, calling Vincent, leaving them alone to prepare themselves.
They didn't speak for a few moments; they didn't need to, their bodies were tuned into each other and the words weren't necessary. He held her hand, staring at it, studying it; she traced her hand up and down his thigh. Looking up at her, he finally spoke. "I love you, Kate, no matter what happens, I want you to know that." There was so much more he wanted to say but he didn't know how. His silvery tongue turned to lead; like he said, it's easier to say it when you don't mean it, and what he wanted to tell her... he meant every word of it.
"Oh, James," she said, gazing at him, her hand clutching his thigh, "I love you, too. Only you."
This could be it, he thought. That could be the last thing she says to me, that could be the last time she touches me. Whatever I have to do, I'll do it. Whatever it takes. Please don't let it be the last time.
The jungle went silent, as if a blanket had been thrown over it; even the sun was blocked out, casting the jungle into hazy twilight. Cassidy stood, her eyes glowing eerily bright red in the dusky gray light; she touched Jack and Ana and they froze, immobile; she touched Locke and he stopped in place, rising from the ground. She grabbed Eko and Vincent before they could move, freezing them both in mid-stride. Kate and Sawyer watched her- she moved like lightning, turning all of the others into mannequins in a matter of seconds.
That left the three of them, and as Sawyer reached for Kate's hand she was jerked away; he spun around to find Frank holding her, touching her; it drove Sawyer to a frenzy to see his skin rubbing against hers while he tied her hands and dragged her over beside Cassidy. He could feel the sparks building and he said, "Let her go."
Cassidy smiled coldly, her eyes flaring. "Or what?"
"Or I'll take you to afternoon tea. What the hell do you think? LET HER GO!" A wild blue spark shot from his fingers and Kate screamed as Frank jumped, jerking her backwards and wrenching her arms. Smoke curled from a scorched hole in Frank's shirt and he winced as he looked at the black burn beneath it.
Cassidy nodded. "Hmmmm. Interesting." Staring at Sawyer for a minute, she closed her eyes and touched Kate's shoulder. Kate screamed, writhing in agony against her bonds as red-hot pain shot through her shoulder; it was on fire, burning to ashes and Sawyer jumped forward, but Kate saw him through her tears and screamed "NO! James, don't!"
He stopped and regained himself- he was playing into their hands. He'd always known that they would use Kate and he'd tried to prepare for it but there was nothing to get him ready for her agonizing screams; they tore him into pieces. "Stop!" he shouted, trying to keep control. "STOP!"
Cassidy removed her hand and Kate slumped against her bonds, sagging almost to the ground. Her eyes were red and she was pale; but she lifted her clammy, sweaty face to Sawyer and smiled. "Good job, James."
What do I do? he wondered. How do I stop this?
"How do you stop what, James?" He flared as Cassidy used his name, then stopped as he saw Kate glare at her with disgust.
"Don't call him that, bitch."
Cassidy smiled at Kate as if she were a naughty child that needed a lesson; she obliged by touching Kate again, smiling serenely as she grunted with the effort to keep from crying out; she writhed against the agony, twisting in Frank's hands and he smiled with pleasure, looking at Sawyer as her thrashing body rubbed against his.
This was torture; to see her, contorted in pain and he coudn't do anything to stop it. His teeth were about to crack; he was grinding them so hard he could feel them groan in their sockets. Kate finally screamed, and Cassidy lifted her hand, nodding. "Everyone can be broken." She smiled at Sawyer, her eyes glowing maniacally; his stomach dropped. It wasn't Cassidy in those eyes; she was gone. It was something that had taken her on, wearing her like skin, using her life and memories to its own ends. It was the Island, controlling her, using her, destroying her.
He understood, suddenly; he was the Island too; he had used her, controlled her and ultimately destroyed her; he had manifested this and the guilt hit him like a brick. He shoved it aside, swallowing it; what mattered now was Kate, Cassidy was gone, and he had to live with that, but he couldn't- he wouldn't lose Kate for it.
The thought of her gave him life and confidence. He wasn't afraid, not anymore. He stepped up, smiling cockily and said, "Not everyone, sweetcheeks."
Cassidy nodded, her eyes just soft embers; soft, swirling darkness flowed down on them, as torches sprang to life all around them. "We'll see," she said softly, and her smile was like biting on tinfoil.
