James heard muffled voices first. Flickers of light came second. And finally he could make out leaves bouncing above him. It was beautiful, like a sort of dance he thought. He had no idea where he was or what was happening, but it didn't matter because he was pretty comfortable. Maybe he was lying down. It felt like floating…rocking maybe. A boat? He couldn't seem to make his mind work enough to see how the ocean and trees could be in the same place. Maybe he was in a boat on a creek. It didn't matter he thought. This is nice.
The voices seemed to get closer. What were they saying? He seemed to remember something about whispers he heard one time. What was that about again? Danger. Yes, maybe these voices mean danger. How could they though? This was nice.
This time the voice was clear, "he should be ready to go now."
Go? Why do I have to go? I don't want to leave. And then he felt them. His arms were stretching. Someone was pulling his arms out of the socket. Oh wait, no. They're still there. Someone is pulling him up by the arms maybe.
"He's still asleep," the voice said.
"No he's not. He just needs a little stimulatin'."
SLAP! He felt that. His face was tingling. His eyes didn't want to open all the way. It was so bright now.
SLAP! Another one this time. What the hell man, he thought. His lips didn't seem to want to move. They were still resting maybe. He didn't blame them.
"Come on boy, open your damn eyes."
What's that pressure now? Was someone putting weights on his legs? The nice floating was gone. Was someone going to sink him in the ocean? Maybe it was a good time to open those eyes. Shadows were standing there. Am I standing too, he wondered? They were eye level, he must be standing. So no ocean.
"I said open your damn eyes."
"They are open you son of a bitch!" Oh, his lips did work! Well good to know they weren't still asleep.
"Alright, that's better. Now you listen."
He was waiting for the shadow to talk again. What was this thing anyways? Was he talking to that smoke thing? Oh yeah, I'm on a damn island with a smoke monster, he suddenly remembered. Does it talk?
"You listening boy?"
"Yeah."
"Now you're gonna tell us what you were doing with the hostiles."
What's a hostile, he wondered.
"What's a hostile?" Lips still work. That's good. I need those to kiss Juliet. Oh shit, where's Juliet?
"Where's Juliet?"
"Who? Is that the hostile you're working with?"
"No that's his bitch girlfriend. Ask him about the hostiles again."
Who's that? I'm gonna kill him. Wait, that's another voice. It would be nice if I could see these damn shadows better. Come on eyes, work. Oh they do. Those are people, not a smoke monster. That's a relief.
"I'm not gonna say it again boy. What were you doing with that hostile?"
"I wasn't doing nothing! What were you doing with the hostile?"
"What is he talking about?"
"I don't know. Widemore maybe?"
"We're asking the questions, not you."
"This isn't working. Let me help him understand a little better."
SMACK! What the hell was that? His jaw hurt now. It sure would be nice to go back to floating again.
"Oww, you son of a bitch."
"Tell us Lafleur. I'm tired of your bullshit. Why were you hiding the fact you met with the hostiles."
"I wasn't hiding nothing. Y'all are so stupid. One of these days they are gonna kill you, but it ain't gonna be might fault."
"What are you talking about son? Did you give them the code to the Tempest."
"No! I didn't give em anything but an invitation to leave."
"See I told you he was telling the truth."
That's another voice. Who's that?
"Who's that?"
"Jim, this is Horace. Now tell us what your friends know. Did one of them give them the code?"
"No, you moron."
"Then why did you tell Juliet about the hostile?"
"Cause she said I have to tell her the truth."
"What is he talking about now?"
"I don't know."
"Alright, well then why did you have Miles hiding evidence of your meeting the hostile."
"He wasn't hiding anything. I asked him to look for them! Horace, when did you get glasses?"
"I'm Phil you idiot."
"Oldham, are you sure this stuff works? Could he still be lying?"
"No, this worked on all the prisoners in the war. You can trust it."
"What did you do with my legs? They're gone! Did you cut off my legs?"
"Great, now he's crying."
"Take him down and put him back in the hammock. We'll let him sleep it off and then take him back later."
"Horace, you didn't ask the right questions. He could still be lying!"
"Look Phil, I know you thought you had something, but you were wrong. Just face the facts man. You better start apologizing, cause after what you put them all through today I don't think you're gonna be on his good side."
"What I put them through? You did this too Horace."
"Yeah, cause I was listening to you. Just forget it man. Call me once he's awake enough to return. We'll let his friends out then."
There's that floating again. This is nice. Oh the dancing is back. That's pretty. I wonder what Juliet is doing. We have to play ping pong later. She's probably gonna win now cause she still has legs…long legs. Juliet long legs. Oh my God, is she a spider? No, that's stupid.
"Why the hell is he laughing?"
"Just some normal side effects."
"Well how long does it take to wear off?"
"Completely? 10-12 hours usually. Course you can probably take him back in a couple. He might still be a little loopy, but he'll be able to walk by then at least."
"Great."
This floating is so nice…
"ALRIGHT JIM. Up on your feet now."
"Whatever you say Phil. By the way I hate your face."
"Just put him in the van."
"What the hell did you do to him?"
Is that Juliet? Where is she? There she is. She's so beautiful.
"You're so beautiful."
"Why is he bleeding?"
"He's fine. Someone just got a little over zealous. It's just a little scratch."
"I'm sorry they took my legs. They didn't even ask."
"What the hell did you give him?"
"It's just a little truth serum that Oldham administered. He's done it a 1000 times. The good news is he passed and you're all free to go."
"Come on James. Let's go."
"Whatever you say Blondie."
"Geez he really is out of it. Jin can you help me grab his other arm."
"HEY GUYS! I missed you so much! You're all so beautiful. Miles I love you man."
"Oh God."
"Just lay him down there."
"You got him?"
"Yep, here ya go man. Signed, sealed, and delivered…right back to your bed. Sleep tight my friend."
"Feel better Jim."
"What did you do with Juliet?"
"I'm right here James. Drink this water."
"I don't want any water. I want you."
"Well right now I need you to drink this water."
"Alright."
"I'll be back to check on you."
"I don't want you to leave me. They took my legs and I won't be able to find you."
"James they did not take your legs."
"THEY DID TOO!"
"No James, see there they are."
"Oh thank God! Please don't leave me Juliet. I missed you. I was on a boat or a float. I don't know."
"James I'm right here. I tell you what, move over and I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
"Okay."
She's right there. She's holding my hand. This is nice.
