Chapter 22: Alex
Karl seems tense these days. Ever since Tom and Danny first showed up, there's been unease between Karl and I. We're both afraid that they'll come back. That Ben will come and kill Karl. I still love him, but we're really scared. It's quiet. Karl's on guard duty. I'm in our tent, lying on my sleeping bag. The heat in here is stifling. I'm only dressed in shorts and a tshirt, but the heat weighs the tent down. Finally, when I can no longer even try to sleep, I get up and go outside to lie on the beach. But when I get out there, I find that Karl is missing. I run down the beach, to where the camp is. I see Sawyer, and scurry over to him. "Have you seen Karl?!" I ask frantically. He shakes his head. "No. Why?" "Because he's missing that's why!" He looks concerned now. We go around to the tents. "Has anyone seen Karl?" I'm hysterical now. Locke tries to reassure me. "Alex, I'm sure he's fine. He probably just took a walk." "He would've told me!" I scream. "He wouldn't just leave me!" I'm sobbing hysterically. "Help me! Please help me find him!" I collapse in the sand, sobbing quietly. Locke turns to face everyone. "Karl's missing. We'll send out a search party in the morning, but I need some volunteers. Anyone?" "I'll go." says Sayid. "So shall I." says Eko quietly. Then Kate volunteers. "We need one more person. James?" "Yeah, alright I'll go." Sawyers trying to sound annoyed, but I can hear the concern in his voice. Claire says. "Wait a minute, what about Alex?" "Claire and I'll take her." Charlie pipes up. "Come on, love." Charlie helps me up, then Claire leads me towards their tent. I smile shakily at her. "Sorry for being such a mess." I say. "No problem, love. I did the same thing when Ethan kidnapped Claire." I keep walking, comforted by their words. Then I make the mistake of looking down at my hand. My wedding ring is still there, even though Karl is gone.
