I dipped a slightly dented bottle into the cool, rippling water of the shallow pool. I watched as the clear liquid moved up the plastic as the bottle filled, listening to the light trickle as water ran down the rocks and over the mouth of the cave. I stood up, screwing the cap onto the newly filled bottle before turning around. I froze momentarily as the leaves began to rustle in the jungle, just beyond the tree line. I felt my shoulders slack slightly in relief as Jack emerged from the trees. I smiled despite myself. His eyes landed on mine, his own smile faltering slightly.

"You ok? You look a little shaken up," Jack said, approaching me comfortably. He slung a black and gray book bag onto one of the large rocks that surrounded the pool, removing a half filled water bottle from one of the side pockets. He took a quick sip, wiping the back of his hand over his forehead, beads of sweat covering his face and neck. Sweat soaked into the collar of his low hanging gray t-shirt, his jeans baggy and a bit dirty from the hike. I shook my head, waving a hand loosely before me.

"No sorry, you just scared me a bit," I said somewhat sheepishly. He laughed, reaching out to touch my forearm as he moved toward the pool, squatting down to refill the bottle.

"Well, I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean to," he said, rummaging around in his bag for a moment. I walked up behind him slowly, hands in the pockets of my own blue jeans. I glanced over my shoulder. It had been about a week since we had discovered the caves, and only about eight people had taken up permanent residence here. They usually went to the beach for most of the day, enjoying the fresh ocean breeze and sunshine. But it was kind of nice, the privacy. It was nice to have some alone time.

I walked up behind Jack as he rose to his feet, wiping a cloth over his face and neck. He turned to look at me, studying my face before smiling slightly.

"What's the matter?" he asked, his tone more serious. I shrugged, looking down as I kicked at the earth. He stood before me in silence for a moment. "Come on Abby, you can talk to me." I felt my heart flutter at the softness of his voice. I looked up at him, his intense eyes staring into mine.

"I just…I really can't shake this…feeling I've had lately. It started the day we crashed here…and I just haven't been able to get it off my mind," I felt as is my voice was coming from another body. The words sounded so foreign to me. My face began to grow hot as I carefully picked my words. "It's…it's this place, Jack. It makes me feel…different. I think other people have noticed it too, but no one's really said anything. What about the people that keep trying to attack us, the others? What about that…thing, in the jungle? Things keep happening here, Jack, and I just don't feel right-" I felt my throat begin to tighten as my nose stung with the threat of tears. Jack moved closer to me instantly, a hand sliding up to my neck, my cheek. He raised my face to his.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. We are all a little shaken up because of everything that's happened. No one has any good explanations, but we are working on it. You have no reason to worry…you're safe. I promise," he said, never breaking his gaze. He smiled. I felt my chest relax slightly. Something about him always seemed to put me at ease.

I hadn't noticed that our eyes had not left one another. As his gaze bore into mine, I felt no embarrassment or uneasiness. I was calm, confident. Something I was not used to feeling. I had never been a very courageous person, I was never one to take risks or have much faith in myself, or anyone for that matter. But there was something about Jack. Something I didn't really understand. It felt as though none of this was real, as if the island and everything on it was just something that had manifested in my own mind. After all, where else would a man like Jack be interested in someone like me?

His hand remained on my face, fingers trailing down along my cheekbone. Goosebumps prickled along my arms as his other hand rested timidly on my hip. For someone who was such a natural leader, Jack seemed very hesitant and unsure when it came to interpersonal relations. I brought my arms up, draping my arms over his shoulders as I leaned in, kissing his lips softly. I was surprised at my own boldness. It was very unlike me to be the assertive one, but something about Jack emboldened me.

The kiss deepened as we stood in the dark shadow of the cave, the water trickling off the rocks into the shallow pool. Jack pulled me against him, his hand moving from my hip to my back. My arms wrapped around his neck as he bent down. We stood like this, frozen for a moment in the kiss. I pulled back slightly, opening my eyes. He was smiling.

"Well, no one's alone here, especially not you," he said.

"Thank you…" I didn't know how else to respond. I felt my cheeks flush as I smiled sheepishly. He chuckled.

"It's all right, Abby. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Tears sprung to my eyes without my consent, taking me off guard, I pulled away, wiping one eye quickly.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me," I said, embarrassed at my sudden lack of control. Jack took another step towards me.

"Don't apologize. We've all had that feeling, I know I have. But I want you to know that if you need someone, just to talk or anything, I want to help you, okay?"

His bluntness continued to throw me off. Why was he so willing to help me? I couldn't complain, I had never really had anyone offer themselves as someone I could go to. Someone I could rely on. I forced myself to raise my eyes to his.

"Okay. Thanks, Jack."

He smiled, touching my cheek.

"No problem."