Chapter 5: Rescue Mission #99

She hardly noticed that they were starting to slow down. The ground was harder and it was rockier. The night was completely dark, even though Kate couldn't exactly tell. She could hear the breathing of the two men who had dragged her for quite some time. Kate could hear water falling. It wasn't the rain, but it was something familiar.

"Let's see if she is up." said the first man. She heard footsteps. She felt herself fall forward as they pulled the blanket out from underneath her, which they had used to pull her with.

"Hello Kate." said Tom. "Nice to see you again." Kate turned onto her back and tried to sit up. She was pushed back down.

"Well..." Tom said. "Obviously she is up." The bag was removed from her head. She looked around. It was dark and she was somewhere in the forest. To her right just outside the trees she could see a fountain.

Why is that so familiar? Kate thought.

"She looked back at the men and noticed they were staring at her. The first man laughed. He was slapped by Tom.

"What was that for?" The first man asked. Tom snarled at him.

"You have to be quiet. You know who may be out here looking for a little friend of mine." Tom said as he gestured towards Kate who was now sitting up on the ground. Kate knew exactly what they were talking about but she also knew that they didn't know.

"I'd untie you sweetheart." Tom started. "But I'm afraid I can't do that hear." Tom laughed quietly as he started to walk around her.

"Someone may hear you. And well, that would not be good. Would it Kate?" The first man said. She could tell that Tom did not like the man. He stared him down every time he opened his mouth to speak.

"Come with me Jerry." Tom said as he used his finger to beckon him over to where he was standing. The man named Jerry silently walked over to him leaving Kate to sit by herself.

What do I do now? Kate thought.

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"Jack!" he heard Sayid running after him through the bush. "You need to stop for one second! Explain-" Sayid was cut off as he bumped into Jack who had stopped running and turned to face Jack.

"Sayid." Jack said. "The man with the beard. He took us, he was one of the others that had taken us. He must have come back and taken her when no one else was around." Jack took a deep breath.

"Okay." Sayid said. Sawyer caught up.

"Where is Locke and-" Jack started as Sawyer put up a hand.

"They are back at the camp. Quite a lively bunch I tell ya." Sawyer said. He also lifted a bag. "I thought you may need some food and water for this journey." Jack made a grab for it when Sawyer pulled it out of reach.

"And of course, I will be coming." Sawyer said. "Let's go!" Sawyer said. Jack ran up ahead and took the lead as Sayid followed behind both of them.

"Jack!" Sayid yelled. "There is no need to run. They will have made camp somewhere." He watched as Jack slowed to a walk in the distance. It was hard to tell where they were going, because it was so dark. Suddenly Sawyer laughed.

"What's so funny Sawyer?" Jack asked. "The fact that Kate is in the hands of some crazy person?" Jack didn't seem all that happy.

"Nah," Sawyer said. "It's just this is like rescue mission number 99." Jack looked back with his eyes cross and then looked back ahead. Sayid gave a tiny laugh.

"That is true." Sayid said.

"And we do care about getting your little girlfriend back so don't be getting your panties in a bunch." Sawyer replied. After that, everything went silent.

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"Charlie! Wake up!" It was Claire. She was shaking Charlie violently.

"What?" Charlie said as he quickly got up. "What happened?" Claire sat and ran her fingers through his dishevelled hair.

"Nothing is wrong, don't you worry now." Claire said. Charlie relaxed a bit.

"Good. Now what did you wake me up for?" Charlie asked as he rubbed his eyes as he heard a loud chatter coming from a group in the distance.

"It's Locke, and Desmond. They're here!" Claire said excitedly as she tried to pull Charlie up.

"WHAT?" Charlie said. Claire pulled him up and he looked around. "Where are they?" Claire pointed across the beach.

"They are over there." she said. Charlie took a step forward when Claire put her hand on his arm.

"What?" Charlie asked. Claire looked up at him.

"You know what you said, about the hatch blowing up?" Claire said.

"Yes..." Charlie answered. Claire took a deep breath.

"And how you said Eko died in the explosion." Claire continued. Charlie looked over at her.

"Yes." Charlie said. Claire looked over at the group huddled by the beach.

"Well... oh Charlie... Eko isn't dead." Charlie's eyes grew wide.

"No..." Charlie said as he started backing away.

"Charlie... it's okay." Claire said as she took a step forward. Charlie collapsed on the ground.