In the End
Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Memories

Jack knew that now no one would dare go into the jungle. The beach reeked of death, and even the skies had grown cloudier, as if it knew that a bright sunny atmosphere wasn't right for the time. He wasn't sure how many castaways had come up to ask him what was going on, but he knew that he hadn't given a single one of them a straight answer. Sighing, Jack looked around the beach camp. Clumps of sand that didn't belong there were sprawn here and there, and grass and mud covered most of the jungle line. Footsteps came up behind him, and Jack swirled around, furious.

Jack said forcefully, there's no possible way I could know what's going on! Now would you please just- A voice said to cut him off.

Taking the time to see who he was actually yelling at, Jack noticed that it was Sayid.

Jack said, I'm just a little..stressed out.I know, Sayid said, but we have to decide on what we're going to do.No one's going back into the jungle, Jack said, no matter what we say, but if we stay here, we'll need supplies.

Sayid nodded in agreement.

I'll take a trip up there, Sayid offered.

I'll go with you, Jack said.

You don't have to. Jack protested, I want to go.

The last place he wanted to be was at the beach right now, where either Kate, Sawyer, or God forbid, both, could walk by at any moment.

All right, Sayid agreed, I'll see if there's any one who wants to help.Good luck, Jack muttered.

I'll go, a voice volunteered behind them.

Sayid and Jack turned to see that Alex had been listening into their conversation.

We've got it covered, Jack said quickly.

You just said you were going to get help, Alex pointed out, and besides, no one could help like I could.

Alex winked, and Jack wondered if her sudden offering to volunteer her powers had anything to do with the large number of people on the beach and herself being alone amongst them.

Jack nodded, relating to where she was coming from, tell your mom where your going.She won't care, Alex said.

Jack looked at her as if saying don't contradict me Alex exclaimed, throwing her hands up.

Jack and Sayid chuckled, and Jack was thinking, Teenage harmones, as Alex stormed off.

In the jungle

Ten minutes later, Jack, Sayid, and Alex were walking back to the caves. There was a thick line of tension between the three, which was odd since each of them had taken the same journey a thousand times.

Your mom didn't want to come? Jack asked three minutes in to break the tension.

I didn't ask, Alex replied.

They walked on a few more feet. It disturbed Jack to know that any moment now they could be sucked into the ground and swallowed whole. He found himself walking faster with the thought.

What did Shannon say about you coming? Jack asked Sayid.

He knew that Shannon and Sayid were getting closer, and frankly he was glad that there was another romance for people to gossip about besides him and Kate. Of course, with his and Kate's recent breakup, Jack knew they'd be the talk of the island.

I convinced her to stay with Sun, Sayid said, I thought she could use a friend right now.Who, Shannon? Jack said.

No, Sun.Doesn't she have Michael to talk to? Jack said, remembering seeing the two talking quite frequently the past few days.

Sayid grew quite until he finally said:

Michael died.

Jack stopped in his tracks, though Alex kept moving forward.

Jack finally forced out.

In the attack, Sayid explained quietly behind him, Charlie found his body.

Jack swallowed and was unable to turn around and face Sayid. He had just talked to Michael yesterday afternoon. What was their conversation about? Jack stretched his memory, trying to recall, only remembering something about peaches and soup. Now that he thought about it, that was when he was looking for something to eat.

What about Walt? Jack asked hesitantly.

We haven't found a body, Sayid replied, barely audible.

Talking about death had to be one of Jack's least favorite activities, and talking about a child's death was even worse. He almost thought it'd be better if Walt had died with Michael, knowing how hard and painful life would be for Walt afterwards. Jack finally was able to take his eyes off the ground and looked up to see that Alex was a good twenty feet in front of them. It was then that Jack remembered that Alex and Michael had been somewhat of friends, and that this would be the second death of a friend she'd experience on the island.

Hey, Alex! Jack called after her. Wait up!

Alex ignored him and let Jack run to catch up with him as she kept walking.

Jack called again, this time making Alex angry.

She demanded as she walked on.

You've got to talk to me! Jack said, finally catching up with her.

He spun her around, careful not to grab her too hard.

What's going on inside your head? Jack asked, worried about Alex now more than ever. What're you thinking?

Jack knew he wouldn't get a direct answer, but it was worth a shot.

Alex studied him for a moment, as if wondering if Jack was worth confessing to.

I'm thinking I've had a bad week, Alex said, staring coldly into his eyes.

She then spun around, leaving Jack frustrated and concern.

You can't shut me out! Jack yelled after her.

The world doesn't revolve around you! Alex called back.

Jack sighed and heard Sayid finally catching up to him.

Give her time, Sayid suggested.

I thought I did, Jack muttered, and then began walking forward again.

At the Caves

Alex ran the rest of the way to the caves, only going that way to get an item left behind. When she entered the caves, however, the emptiness of it caught her off guard. Death made up the atmosphere around her made her feel sick and Alex collapsed against one of the walls. She gasped for breath but was unable to regain a steady rhythm, and began crying in heavy sobs. She hated the world now more than she ever had. More than when her father died, when she was thrown into a foster family, after she dropped out of school. Alex hated the world and the island, but most of all, hated that she couldn't change it.

Came Jack's voice behind her.

How had he caught up with her so fast?

Go away! She sobbed into her arm.

She breathed harder and harder as she sobbed, and had trouble clinging to the wall as she began to slide down it. Jack's hand held onto her shoulder to keep her balance, and Alex found herself flinching at his touch.

I'm not going to hurt you, Jack said assuringly, but I need you to breathe slowly. In and out. In..and out.

He repeated the phrase several times, performing it himself along with her until Alex finally regained a steady rhythm.

she whispered, whipping the tears from her eyes.

Jack replied.

Sayid entered the room at that moment and Jack motioned for him to leave, that he had it under control.

Are you going to be okay? Jack asked her.

Alex nodded, and stood up straight. Jack gave her a small pat on the shoulder and then turned away and started packing up supplies. They really had no idea how long they'd be on the beach, but Jack didn't want to take any chances, so he gathered basic medical supplies, and some hand towels. He heard Sayid fill up some bottles of water by the cave, and Jack regretted not asking more people to help. This was going to be a lot to carry. On the other side of the caves Jack noticed that Alex was leafing through bags.

Searching for something? He asked casually.

Alex said, it's nothing.

Jack snorted at the answer.

You ran a mile to search for nothing? Jack said.

Shut up, Alex muttered, and Jack did knowing that'd they'd most likely only stay getting along like this for a while.

Jack sat his backpack down on the ground and unzipped it to start putting in supplies. Just as he was about to stick in an extra hand towel, he noticed something brown and leather sticking out of the front pocket. Jack had almost forgot about the wallet being in there, and took it out to look in it, just for old time's sake.

he said to Alex, can I tell you a secret? Alex shrugged.

You already probably know, Jack said, thinking of how she was normally able to so easily read his mind.

I don't, Alex promised truthfully.

I have a daughter, Jack confessed, blushing.

Alex squealed. How old? Jack said thoughtfully, and then sighed, or three. Or four. I don't know.Not very close, huh? Alex said sympathetically.

Jack admitted, shaking his head.

He flipped through the photos of the wallet until he landed on the picture of the little girl he never knew he had- until it was too late.

Jack took out the picture with a quick swipe and handed it to Alex.

She's beautiful, Alex commented, staring down at the picture of the girl.

Alex could detect traces of Jack in the little girl's eyes and facial features, though the smile seemed strange in foreign. Maybe if Jack would actually smile for once, she'd recognize it.

What's her name? Alex asked, handing the picture back.

Jack replied, comes from Catherine, or- Alex finished.

Jack said softly, looking down.

Alex brushed against his arm as she placed the picture in his hand.

It'll be okay, she said gently.

Jack nodded and placed the picture back in the plastic frame.

I know, he said, though he didn't really think so.

Each of the two went back to their searching and packing, and remained in silence for a few moments, letting the only given sound come from the running waterfall nearby.

So what were you looking for? Jack asked for a second time.

Alex's hands fell on the object just as he asked.

she replied again softly, and looked down at the picture taken of herself and Adam in Paris.

3 months ago

Alex forced her eyes open to find herself staring at a pool of blood. She winced as she lifted her head up, and blinked away the mixture of tears and crimson in her eye. Running a hand across her face, Alex brought back blood and sand, and as she lifted herself onto her elbow, Alex noticed that she was lying on what was once a white sandy beach looking out over a sunny, blue horizon. She ran a hand through her drenched hair and looked over beside her, where Adam was laying in a bloody pulp. In a panic she collapsed beside him, and checked for a pulse, not letting go until she finally found one.

Carefully she turned Adam over onto his back to reveal that half of his left hand was missing. She cringed but was determined to not let the blood get to her. Alex tore the fabric off the end of her dress and wrapped it tightly around Adam's hand, though the rushing blood absorbed it right up. Looking around Alex prayed that one of the others had crashed near them, but had no such luck. The only things around were some pieces of wreckage from the ship, and dots and puddles of blood here and there. The site was enough to make Alex sick.

Just then her prayers were answered when someone came running to her through the trees. Alex soon recognized her as the other girl who was on the boat. She had blonde hair that was now highlighted in blood, but Alex couldn't recall a name.

Oh my God! The girl shouted. Are you okay? Alex stuttered, hardly recognizing the sound of her own voice. the girl said, falling to the ground, but Mitch..he..he..It's okay, Alex lied, but you've got to help me with him.

Alex nodded to the unconscious Adam on the ground and the girl looked about ready to throw up.

Alex pleaded, he can't die.

Alex looked into the girls eyes pleadfully, desperate.

All right, she finally agreed, and then held out a hand, I'm Carrie, by the way. Alex replied, shaking her hand, could you find anyone else?There were only five of us, Carrie said, and after Mitch that leaves Will.

Alex nodded though she really had no clue who Carrie was talking about. She placed her hands on her knees and sighed as she looked down at Adam, praying that for ones, some higher power was there to help her, because no ability was going to save her now.

Author's Note: Too short, I know, but I wasn't sure what else to do this early on. Thanks to those of you who reviewed! You guys rock!

Coming up next, on In the End:

Sayid confronts Jack about his recent breakup, and in flashbacks you'll learn what went on between Kate and the Marshall before the flight, and I'm not talking about the scene at the airport.

Thanks again!

Until next time..

October Sky