The LOST GROUP STORY

Sir Snootch · "Gamers don't sleep. They just nap between levels."

The LOST GROUP STORY

lockesladyness · Date: Jul 26, 2006

CHAPTER 1: ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER

Locke opened his eyes. Immediately above him was the deep green leafy foliage of the trees and beyond that was the island sky filled with the pinks and lavenders of the new day. The fire had gone out overnight and he knew he had to start a new one in order to make breakfast and prepare for the day. It was good to be out on a hunt. There was something about the feel of the knife in his hand and the silent, soft treads of tracking a wild animal. He felt alive again after these past three years of feeling so dead. It all seemed so long ago since he arrived on the Island. This, today, was his life now... a renewed life filled with activity and confidence. Sometimes he thought that- and always he wished that- this could never be taken from him. He hurriedly made breakfast and began the hunt again.

Hunting always allowed Locke's mind to wander and it went to a time and place in his past when he was still with Helen. They were sitting down together for breakfast in their kitchen and she smiled, coyly at him, as she often did.
"John..." she pouted, "I want a cat!"
"A cat..." Locke responded.
"Yes... a cat!" She looked at him and smiled. "A cat will remind so much of you. A cat will be there when it wants to be fed or petted or when it wants a place to sleep..." He cringed, knowing that his business had kept him away from the house for a while.
"Helen I... You know I need to work... I do it for us... for our future..."
"I'd rather you just stayed here with me more. You know I can be there to help you build this. We can do this together, John... you don't need to do it alone!" She looked into his eyes, in fact into his very soul, the way she always did. Locke was so grateful that this woman had this capability. He needed her so desperately. How many times in the day did he thank fate for sending her into his life? She was always reminding him that teamwork is what is needed to get the most out of life.
He looked at her from across the table. "Okay," he responded. "Help me."
She smiled triumphantly and reached for his hand. "I'm still getting the cat."

A slight disturbance in the time and wind of the Island made Locke look up from his hiding place under the large leaves of the plant. He knew this wasn't what he was hunting. It moved in a very determined pattern and peaked his interest. He slid back further under the cover of his hiding place and waited. Maybe it was just another of his fellow survivors looking for something... maybe it was something else.... His eyes darted from side to side and he could feel the beat of his heart get that much faster. He noticed that the birds and crickets stopped their daytime hums and knew that whatever was coming was headed in his direction. He took a deep breath, almost tasting the scent of the approaching creature. And then it was gone. The crickets began their song again and the birds chattered and flew overhead. This puzzled Locke. He knew of nothing that could disappear like that. It almost felt as though he were the hunted.
Locke thought about moving to another location when the brush again began to rustle and he heard two people laughing... and speaking in a strange tongue. The couple was playful and giggling like school children. Not far from Locke's hiding place the man jumped up to grab a low hanging fruit from the tree and handed it to his mate. Locke could now see that this was Sun and Jin, taking a long walk together. He stood up in the middle of their laughter and stated simply, "hello."
The startled couple became silent for a second, staring in Locke's direction, and then began their laughter again. "Hello, John." said Sun. "Have you caught anything yet? Or does my husband have to continue to feed this camp with the fish he catches?"
Locke smiled at her jesting and quietly told her, "I'll get something soon enough." He then studied the couple and asked them, "have you run into anything unusual on your way too this point?'"
Sun held Jin's hand and responded with"No. What do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," said Locke. "Just head back to camp now so you don't scare the wild boar with your noise." He pointed. "Go that way." The couple smiled, first at Locke and then at each other. Sun gently shuttled Jin down the path in the direction Locke pointed, their laughter fading off into the distance. They should be safe, Locke thought to himself. He moved off toward the shadows, toward the place where the crickets had become silent. He found a hollow in the canopy of plants, sat down and waited.....

In his mind, Locke could see himself. He sat in the truck, looking through the windows, watching Helen as she completed the tasks at hand. She had, indeed, been more than just a help with his business. She kept his books, cleaned his office, organized his days and made the best coffee he ever had! He finally entered their home and stood in the door way as he watched Helen pet the cats.
"Hello," he quietly stated. "Those are the happiest animals I've ever seen."
Helen smiled and continued to scratch the cats behind the ears. "You know why I got two, don't you? The orange tabby is named Stock because he is such a well fed hunter. And the grey Persian is named Barrel. With the three of you together, i have it all...Locke, Stock and Barrel..." and then she kissed Locke on the cheek as she made him smile.
"Helen," he whispered to her, "I thank you for your help. You have become all to me... to everybody..." He walked to the glass doors leading to their patio. "Join me out here to watch the stars?"
"Certainly, John. It is us, together, now isn't it... together, so that we won't die alone." She stepped out onto the stone flooring, gazing at the stars above. He stood behind her, holding her and enjoying the softness of her hair. Somewhere above them they heard music and laughter. A party was going on and people seemed to be having the time of their lives. They were dancing on the deck above them. John and Helen stood together, holding and being held... being a part of each other, and becoming a part of the universe.

The canopy was not only protective, but also a cool place to be out of the Island sun. Locke listened to the hum of the insects and felt the breezes on his face. He knew the rains would begin within the hour and with that the hunt would be delayed. But still he waited for the wild boar or any animal that may come by. The hunt excited him and made him feel young and healthy. Since landing on this Island, he had been more active than ever and appreciated every step he took, every tree he climbed and every throw of his knife. He believed again and knew that life was full of miracles. He silently thanked the fates that had brought him here. And then he noticed it again... the silence... the stop of the buzz of the insects and the songs of the crickets... the flight of the birds in the same direction. Something- different- was close...

With the strange things Locke had encountered on the Island, he knew better than to run. He slid back into his hiding place as the goosebumps appeared on his skin. Without warning, noiseless feet suddenly appeared in front of him. He counted...one...two... three...four...five... six...seven...eight- four humans, barefooted, passed in front of him, soundlessly, as though walking an inch off the ground. Locke stiffened. Something whipped through the air and he heard a scream of pain and the crumpling of a body as someone jumped down from the branch of a tree. Locke absentmindedly stood up to see Rousseau land on the ground with a quiver of arrows on her back and a bow in her hands. Out of the corner of his eye he saw one body on the ground, two running away and another charging toward Rousseau. Instinctively, he reached for his knife and threw it at the encroaching figure. The body fell to the ground. Rousseau took large strides toward the body and when she reached it, she twisted the knife, making sure that the person was dead. She turned to Locke, handing him the bloodied knife.
"This is yours, I presume," she said flatly. Locke stared in stunned silence at Rousseau. "What...who... Are they Others?" he finally stammered.
"They are who they are..." she responded, "and now there are two less than before. She turned. "Leave them." she commanded. "leave them to rot in the sun and be eaten by worms."
Locke shrugged. "I don't...I... ...Why? why kill them? They were just walking through the jungle..."
Rousseau's eyes were vacant when she turned toward Locke. "This was their fate, John Locke. They caused this to happen to themselves. Man is a noble savage when in the state of nature. But they chose another life." She stared off into the abyss of jungle foliage. "Their society took away their moral fiber. They depend on each other. Dependence makes them unequal. They are filled with their pride and self love. That is why, John Locke, that is why they have to die."
Her dead, painful eyes met Locke's as she continued her speech. "go back to your people and tell them what happened here. Tell them to watch and be aware of what they do. For you, too, are being watched... are being corrupted... every day you live. Tell your people to be free, John Locke. For every man is born free... yet everywhere he is in chains..."
With the end of the sentence, she began to move and disappeared into the jungle leaving Locke alone, stunned and numb.

Memory is unreliable when tainted by emotion. Emotion can be sparked by words and familiar sights. It was close to dark as Locke approached the camp on the beach. He gazed at the stars in the sky and remembered the feel of Helen in his arms, the scent of her hair the night that they gazed at the stars together. They listened to the music above them and the laughter of people having fun. Some say they saw a spark of violet light. Others say without warning, there was a wrenching sound and screams of fear. Locke remembered a thud on the back of his neck before everything went dark and changed forever. Locke opened his eyes, surrounded by wood and bodies and dust. 'Helen' he thought. "Helen!!"he screamed and saw her hand, still forever, in the rubble from the deck above. "No!!! No!!!" he cried out of shock and grief. He tried reaching for her hand and it was then that he saw the piece of decking that stabbed his leg and he realized that what he saw, he could not feel.

Jack, Kate and Sawyer looked up as Locke walked across the beach to their fire. Charlie and Claire tended to Aaron as he was falling off to sleep and Hurley waded in the frothy waters.
"We're being watched." Locke announced. "Everything we do, every place we go- there is someone who knows what we are doing. We need to be careful. We need to be prepared."
"You realize that now , John?" Jack asked. "you acknowledge the danger and harm of this Island, John? It's always been there- always present. Why admit it now?'
Locke breathed deeply. "I met Rousseau in the jungle, Jack. She killed two of them. Their lives are over. Forever. And yet, we live. And for what... Everything happens for a reason Jack. What is our reason?"

okay... i'm done !!

-- Edited by lockesladyness at 00:32, 2006-07-29

-- Edited by snootch2danootch at 01:46, 2006-07-29

-- Edited by lockesladyness at 17:53, 2006-07-29

-- Edited by lockesladyness at 17:04, 2006-09-30

Sir Snootch · "Gamers don't sleep. They just nap between levels."

Chapter 2. The Life after??

****Bright light filters through the window shade on the window, and slowly begins to shine in the face of a prone figure sprawled across the bed.****

I wake up coughing as I usually do these days. The "Doc" says I need to cut down on the smoking. " Easier said than done" I tell myself as I sit up, grab my zippo, and spark up the first cig for the day.

As I exhale I think " why should I quit?" " I mean after the last year and a half I think I've earned the right to smoke if I want to". That experience is the one thing I will never forget for the rest of my days. No matter how many or few those may be.

I sit down to a fast uneventful breakfast of half cooked eggs, burnt toast, and half a pot of coffee. After that I decide that it's time to get motivated and go to work. So i head to the bathroom, wash up quick, and get changed.

I take the walk to work the same as I do every day. Slow deliberate steps, Calm relaxing breathing, and a stop in the kitchen on the way by for another cup of joe.

Now since our "Miracle" return to the real world my fellow survivors of Oceanic flight 815 and I have has many requests for our time. There's been everything you can think of taking us away from the one thing that was important to all of us who returned from the island... getting our lives back to normal.

So far, between the group appearances on all of the morning news shows, the late night T.V. circuit, and every local and national newspaper wanting interviews we've all had trouble getting re-acclimated to the normal lives we so desire now.

As I sit down in my small black office chair, turn on the small desk lamp, and start up my computer I take a deep breaths I look at the picture of "The Lucky 8" as the media has taken to calling us. It's a picture of all of us on the airstrip in Sidney just before we all went our separate ways. This picture will always be kept somewhere I will see it every day.

" I have been sitting in this damn tree for 4 hours now John." "Is there a good reason you dragged me out here or is this another one of your missions from your dreams?"

Shhhhhh.... look..... I turn my head in the direction that he's pointing. He's pointing towards some small bushes on the edge of the treeline that we are using as cover for this ambush. And there it sits...the biggest god damned boar I've ever seen.

***BOOM***BOOM*** Two shots, and the animal staggers, and falls dead in his tracks. Then John swings down out of the tree with the quickness and agility of a 10 year old playing Tarzan. I rush to keep up, but by the time I get there he's already cut the throat of the boar to end it's suffering. After cleaning the boar, and hanging it up to "bleed it out". John and I decide that it's getting late, and it's best to just camp here, and wait till morning to head back to the beach. "Hey what's one more night under the stars?"

That was one of the few days that I was at peace on that god forsaken piece of earth. I don't know if John and I ever got along better than we did that day.

Now as I save this entry into my "Island Journal", I start to wonder why anyone would want me to write a journal logging every day that I can from the time of the crash to the day of our rescue. Now don't get me wrong, Mr. Thompson has paid me very well to take on this job, and I also love the fact that Hugo wouldn't be able to hold his wealth over me were he around.

As a whole the "Lucky 8" are all doing very well for ourselves. For example, Kate has been making the rounds on all the late night talks shows. She's also been in court, but it seems that Mr. Thompson is a man of heart, and has offered her his services as a lawyer, and last I heard the court has decided that they are going to absolve her from any and all of her previous charges.

Now then we come to Jack... Jack has actually gone away from medicine. In fact he's gone about as far the other way as I can think for him. He's just recently become an ordained minister, and along with Eko they have embarked on a tour of the country. They go out using their fame to bring people in to listen to their words of faith, and how it helped them throughout the rough times on the island, and how it's made them better people.

Sayid..well Sayid has actually escaped most of the fanfare. He's taken a job with a company in Denmark called "The Other Side of Light". He's now their head of security, and is living the quiet life with Nadia. Last I heard they are expecting their first child near Christmas time.

Finally there's Claire, Charlie, and little Aaron (everyone loves Aaron BTW). They are now the most famous family on the planet following their wedding. The ceremony was performed by none other than Jack and Eko, and it was the first wedding broadcast around the world since Prince Charles and Diana back in the day. They are also now the stars of a reality show on T.V. called "Paradise Lost". It follows them around day in day out, and also has them both talking about some of the things they faced on the island. I have noticed they seem to edit out some details from time to time though. So as a whole we are all doing well.

The following is what I've written, and decided to use as a closing thought for my journal...

Life and death became something we all had to deal with ourselves.

Love and friendships blossomed out of hatred and despair.

When I now look into the night sky I remember you all.

I hope you never forget me regardless of my gruff demeanor. I miss you all, and hope that one day when my ticket is punched that we all shall meet on the splendid and beautiful beach in heaven.

***Personal note*** Hey Mr. Clean. When you get around to reading this (and I know you will get it at some point) Please try to smile, and know that all my cons are over.

James "Sawyer" Ford

-- Edited by snootch2danootch at 21:32, 2006-07-29

LionQueen · It Doesn't Matter Who We Were Before ...

Chapter Three



            The Father Becomes the Son and the Son Becomes the Father

Now, I ain't the marryin sort. Never have been. If my word ain't good enough, then I don't need any paper to validate it. We were fine as apple pie. We had our understandin and it worked for us. Who else had a right to tell us what we could or couldn't do? Right?

Well, what I didn't figure in was that a baby changes everything. All the plans. The rule book goes straight out the window. From that moment on, it's all about the baby. It's true my Daddy didn't live long enough to knock me around. But there were other things. I saw all the other kids. They played ball. They went fishin. I said it was nothin but crap, but I was only pretendin. I didn't need anybody feelin sorry for me. I never gave anybody a reason to. I suppose that's when my scamming days really began. I figured, he's got his good ol' rich daddy givin him anything he wants, I deserve this. Hell, I earned it! If I couldn't pay back dear old Mr. Sawyer, I could take it out on ev'rybody else until I could go and hunt the man down myself.

The older I got, the bigger the con. Each one easier. After so many years, one day, I had a revelation. You could call it an epiphany. A sucker wasn't born every minute. It was about fifty of' em. And all of' em were sitting ripe on the vine - just there for me to come along and pick 'em.

That's right.

It was damn near poetic! You could say it was kinda like a marriage. One that starts out all hot and heavy and ends in a quick but sometimes messy divorce. Just one more reason to not ever do it. Get married I mean. I've done it more times than I care to say. Caught in the net.

Thought I'd been with girls like her. Plenty of girls like her. Guess she knew what she was talkin about. Not exactly like her. Thought I had her all figured out. Guess she had me figured out better.

I was fine. Dandy even!

Then you meet the one who knocks you sideways.

My momma was 7 months pregnant when she died. Took my Daddy that long to notice the numbers didn't exactly add up. So, When he put that bullet in her, he took out the baby with her.

Now, I don't know alot about babies. But I was front and center watchin Claire and Sun with theirs. Made me think .

She's always been a free spirit. I get that. I felt the same way. But when I saw all the ten fingers and toes, and five of those fingers fit around one of mine, I knew the right thing to do. I've seen alot, more than most. I didn't have the balls to let that little man grow up never knowin his daddy. New and improved James? Maybe.

I wanted to be a part of my boy's life. No bones about that. She didn't return my calls. Didn't answer my letters. Thompson couldn't ignore client privacy. I haven't even seen the boy since the first hour or so after he was born. I don't even know what his name is !

This is the third month, and I've enlisted legal help now. Pulled out all the big guns I can afford. I have rights. I don't know why she'd do it. After all we've been through .... all we've seen. Her life was no picnic. One Daddy who kept his distance, another who stood a little too close. You'd think she'd want somethin better for her own.

Last week, after takin about a half a bottle of some kind of headache medicine for this migraine, I got the news. She doesn't have the baby. She gave him up for adoption or some crap like that. I was livid..... am livid. I knew right away I was gonna fight it. I didn't give up my rights. And I'd have to for her to do it. At least that's what my attorney said.

So, today I confronted her. I called around until I found out what fluffy talk show she'd be on today, and I got myself a ticket to the big event. Turned out, they were all there. All high and mighty Mr. Science turned religious fanatic with his sidekick, Mr. Eko., Ultimate Warrior, Lardo, Mr. Clean, the newly wed Cleaver wannabes with a beaver of their own, and Mr. and Mrs. Wonton. Well wasn't that all cozy?

So you wonder, what happened to the new and improved Sawyer? Well, give me a minute. A doctor friend of mine gave me something stronger for this headache. It just gets worse by the hour and nothin seems to help. I thought it was bad when I needed the glasses, but I found out it could get worse. And it is.

I tried to keep it low. I wanted to see what this little family reunion was about since yours truly wasn't on the guest list. Figured I'd sit a while, and then blow them all away in the middle of taping.

They looked like eff'in stepford children. Smilin and polished. They said they were grateful for their experience on the island. They wanted to thank the DeGroots for taking such good care of them, Dharma for the food and shelter and teaching them what life was all about. Most of all, they thanked Dr. Alvar Hanso for creating such a diversified and fascinating research entity.

His ideas were ground breaking and absolutely brilliant.

I was friggin floored! What the hell was in that pill anyway?

And that wasn't the worst part. The whipped cream on the banana split. Kate announced that she was givin her son the opportunity to be groomed under such an astound institution. She had just finalized the paperwork yeildin all parental rights to the Hanso Foundation. There he would be raised in a controlled environment with attentive caregivers. He would be exposed to a well rounded education and would be free from the problems and disadvantages that most children face today. She was confident in the organization and Hanso had her full support.

Now if that wasn't the mother of all announcements, Charlie and Claire spoke up and announced their official indoctrination of Aaron on national TV. They wanted all of America and the nations to witness this monumental event in time. Hallelujah! Let's have communion!

Jin and Sun had already handed over their baby egg roll.

I sat in my seat and shook my head. As soon as the cameras panned over my way, I was up like a lit firecracker. I don't even know what came out of my mouth. Whatever it was, it sounded alot like Bleep .... you .... Bleep bleep bleep ... I can't believe you bleep bleep. After about the 20th or so bleep, some hairy ape lookin guy cold c0cked me from behind. I woke up in the alleyway bloody as hell and hurtin from head to toe. The headache was worse than ever and I was starting to feel nauseous. Odder was, I swore I smelled pig stench.

I'd been takin more of those pills, and they made me a little fuzzy. All I thought about was my boy. My boy whose damn name I didn't even know. For a minute, I was back on Fantasy Hell with Michael on that boat. I was staring the Degroots in the eye as they snatched Walt from right in front of his daddy. All I ever heard after that was " I'm goin to get my boy. It's a fathers right. "

It's my right! So, I'm loaded up, got my insurance policy in my pants. In the back of my pants, with a full round in it, ready to go. I turn the key in the ignition. Figure I'll try the only place I knew where she'd be alone. I hoped she was alone, but if she wasn't well, they just might be eatin a whole lot of metal pellets. I don't respond well when I got a headache.

I turn down the back way. I park a few blocks away from the building. I don't bother to shut the door. It'd make too much noise, drawin attention that I didn't want. I crept up to the back door. It was open. Nobody suspected I'd have the nerve. I conned my way through the check point on the first floor. Took the stairs. No cameras in there. I thought it was pretty stupid. But stupid is as stupid does, so I've heard. Never really knew what it meant. Didn't care either. It was somethin people said to make themselves look all smart. Well, smart was not doin stupid things like failing to put security cameras in the stairwell. Oh .... stupid is as stupid does.

I'm still livid, but these pills are makin me pretty loopy. I shoulda left them alone. I've taken worse than this. Like the time Osama shoved bamboo up my fingernails. I stood my own then. He woulda peeled me like an onion I think. All I wanted was a kiss. One sweet, sexy kiss from hot lips. I knew if I could get that kiss, she'd know who she wanted. She'd maybe lie to herself for a while. Maybe even play doctor a little.

But she'd come back to me.

Son of a ....mother of....

My head's bleedin! Bleedin right out of the side! My nose too! Hurt's like hell! No matter. If I die, I'm goin after my boy!

So, I get to the top and I throw open those doors. That's when I hear it. It's Kates voice. If the cameras had been on ... it've sounded like this Bleep Bleep Bleep Bleep Bleep Bleep. The subtle difference? All bleeps this time.

I round the corner, and here she is. Miss Queen of The Dharma Initiative herself. I ask her how she earned such a high position. What kind of God she thought she was that she could play with our sons life ?

" James. Calm down. " she says. " You don't know what you think you know. Just hear me out. "

" I don't have time for your bedtime stories peaches. You know, you're so full of sh*t your eyes are brown ! "

" Haha. Good one! " She spits back

Then she drops it. The Hiroshima.

" I have every legal right to do what I did. I'm his mother. "

" and I'm his daddy. Did you THINK about that? "

" No, you're not listening to me. I am his mother. And I have the legal right to decide his future. But you don't have any rights. not to him. "

" The hell I don't. I know you enjoyed the ride, but we got a bonus prize and if you aint willin to share, then I'll hafta do what I gotta do, darlin. "

Now, my head is hurtin so effin bad. and I see red at my feet. It's even comin out of my nose now. I don't think I can keep on my feet.

" James." She says. " I didn't want it to be this way. I wanted to tell you, but not like this. "

I don't think she even knows I'm bleedin all over myself.

" I didn't mean for it to happen. You weren't there, and he was. I never wanted to get pregnant. Not with him, not with you. I just didn't want it at all. It happened. "

" What are you sayin princess? " I can hardly even see her now, the stabbing pain is blinding. It's like somebody's pullin my brains out of my head.

" Sawyer Jr. is not your son. " She answered matter of factly.

" Sawyer Jr. ? What the hell ? "

Then I see him. He strides in like some kinda cowboy. He's way younger than he should be. But I know its him. I know. All my life I've thought of nothin but taking that SOB out. I wouldn't have ever been in Australia if it weren't for him. Somewhere along the line, I started to thank him though. Because wihout him I wouldn't have found her.

I realize way younger is a major understatement. Hanso Magic, I'm sure. Then it made sense. He was workin for Hanso all these years. He makes a move, and I don't even think about it. Don't even hesitate.

I pull my insurance out and fire. I smack him squarely in the chest. I nail her in the stomach. Both of them slump down into a mangled bloody pile of carcass. I stand there, numb. I feel dizzy and I can't concentrate. But somewhere in my rational mind I see it. It' clear and it hurts worse than any headache, or bamboo. Worse than anything.

I took his name. I took it cause I was gonna make him pay. Somewhere in it all, I've become him. I've done no worse than my own daddy. I'm the only thing I've feared my entire life. So, I figure, it's over. I lost what I ain't never had. I square up my jaw. I stand up straight. I can do this right, if anything, by God!

I pull the gun up to my face. I open my mouth. Stick the gun in. I ain't got no prayers to say. God can't hear me anyway. He can't see me either. I pull the trigger.

" Sawyer. " Jacks voice called from out of the dark. " Hey Sawyer. Stay with us man. You're gonna be alright. You were hunting with John. Do you remember ? "

Sawyer opened his eyes to slits. " John ... huntin. I think. I think so. It's blurry. I killed them both. "

" You killed a couple of boars. "

He put something wet over his forehead. " You tripped and landed on a peice of metal. It embedded into your skull, but it didn't go all the way in. Ok? "

" Sawyer? " Kate said softly. " Just relax. "

He grabbed some swallows of air and then growled back

" Get away from me! "

He swung his hand out and it went right through her. What the hell ?

He felt the hard ground under him. Something sticking him in his lower back. It was sharp. His head was throbbing. Jack and Kate were gone.

He could make out the bamboo shoots and the stars in the sky. Everything was dark, but he thought he smelled boar. Holy crap! He was still there! He was lying in the jungle, back on the island, alone!

He tried to sit up. Thought he had, but then realized he had never left the ground. My head. Is this what happens when you read too much without glasses? He reached up and felt something hard. A piece of metal attached to the side of his head. It was wet and he realized it was blood.

As his condition registered, the blackness enveloped him, as he mouthed .. Ah Sh*t !

----------------
Finite.

-- Edited by LionQueen at 20:47, 2006-07-30

-- Edited by LionQueen at 21:47, 2006-07-30

-- Edited by LionQueen at 22:56, 2006-07-30

Island_Reigns · Yay Lost!!

Chapter 4

Beautiful Stranger

Sawyer awoke to the sound of screaming, like he had never heard before, echoing throughout the jungle. His head was throbbing, his body was convulsing and he saw only darkness. He was scared, confused and alone.

Suddenly someone or something bound out of the bushes and was upon him. One hand covered his mouth while another held him down. He tried to fight but had no energy.

“Shh, you must be quiet!” a voice hissed through the darkness. “They will hear you!”

Sawyer’s screams were muffled and his pain intensified. He didn’t know if he could take it any longer. He struggled to get away but the hands holding him down were strong.

“Please be quiet, I don’t want them to hurt you.” The voice was much gentler this time but it did nothing to ease Sawyer’s pain. He bit his lip and clenched his fists to try to stop from screaming. Even with all the pain and suffering he was experiencing, he remembered those of whom the voice was speaking, and he did not want to be captured again.

The hand uncovered Sawyer’s mouth and gently caressed his face. “What happened… what have they done to you?” the voice whispered again. “I promise you I will take care of you.”

The hand left Sawyer’s face for a moment and returned with a strong smelling piece of cloth. Before he knew what was happening, Sawyer took a deep breath in and felt his pain diminish considerably before losing consciousness.

After caressing Sawyer’s face once more, the strong hands grabbed him under his arms and around his chest and dragged him to a safe hide-away. He was made as comfortable as possible. Then those tough, yet tender hands covered eyes from which tears fell uncontrollably.

“Why!” she cried. “Why did you take Robert from me and now you bring this man who looks just like him? Are you going to take him too?”

She had almost forgotten what Robert’s face looked like until she saw this man with blond hair and huge dimples who had crashed on the Island so many months ago. She couldn’t believe it when she saw him among the group of people who had survived that horrible plane crash. At the time, she had wanted to run out and grab him and kiss him and just hold onto him forever. She had heard someone in the bushes near by, though, and had run off like a scared rabbit. It was a blessing because she had realized all too soon that that man could not have been her beloved Robert. Oh, how she wished he was!

Robert had been the strong silent type. He was very handsome but very unaware of it. He’d had many admirers but was too lost in his own world of thought to notice any of them. He would frequent quiet cafes or the university library just to be able to sit and write down all of his ideas without distraction. His intelligent and scientific mind was in constant motion. He walked everywhere he went and always looked down, deep in thought, as he walked. Once he reached his destination, he never looked around at his surroundings but just busily scrawled in his journal.

One fateful afternoon Robert sat in a café trying to write about some research he had been working on. He had been currently in the middle of a big project that he would not discuss with anyone. A woman’s laugh kept interrupting his thoughts though. He kept trying to write but for some reason on this day he was distracted. Finally, he looked up to see what was so funny and why someone kept laughing in this usually quiet place.

When Robert looked toward the source of the laughing, he saw the most intriguing woman he had ever seen. Her eyes twinkled when she smiled and her face lit up when she laughed. She was discussing her art with the café owner trying to convince him to decorate his plain walls with her paintings. Several of her paintings were lined up against the counter for viewing. They were having a lively discussion and Robert found himself listening and staring. He found this woman as beautiful as her paintings. Robert shook himself out of the trance this woman seemed to put on him and tried to get back to work. He regained focus and started writing about his big project again. He gained momentum and was again lost in his ideas.

“Excuse me, sir. Sir? May I ask your opinion?” A voice broke into Roberts thoughts. It took a moment for him to realize the café owner was trying to talk to him.

“Yes?” Robert looked up with a puzzled expression at the owner.

“Since you are one of my regular customers, I want to ask your opinion about some paintings if you don’t mind. This young woman thinks that my café would look much better with her art on my walls. Will you look at the paintings and give me your opinion?”

The young woman was now standing near the owner with a hopeful look on her face. She smiled at Robert and he felt his heart skip a beat. He looked around the café for the first time and noticed the walls were quite bare. He didn’t have to look again at her paintings to know that the café would look much better with them on the walls.

“Your walls definitely need those paintings.” Robert stated matter-of-factly.

The woman’s face lit up with her smile. “Which ones do you like the best?”

It was a hard choice because Robert thought all the paintings were beautiful. “For the café…those three. And for myself…I’ll take the rest…if you don’t mind. Name your price.”

Stunned, the young woman stammered, “Yes, yes of course I don’t mind. I – I don’t know what to say!”

Before Robert could think, he heard himself asking, “Will you allow me to buy you some coffee and we’ll discuss it?”

The woman agreed and Robert’s research was forgotten for the moment. They had a fascinating conversation full of smiles and laughs. They talked about art and science among many other subjects. The day was gone before they knew it. Sometime during their conversation, the art had been put on the walls and the café looked lovely. Robert saw it through a new light, but it wasn’t just the art that made the place brighter.

The café became the regular meeting place for the couple. They became quite close - close enough for Robert to share his current research project with her. He had been preparing for a journey and was looking for a team of scientists to take part in this journey. It would have to be a trustworthy group.

“I’ve been preparing for this journey for a while and now you’ve come into my life and I don’t want to leave you. Will you go with me?” Robert had asked.

Who knew that the answer to such a simple question would change life so drastically?

“What has happened to me?” Danielle thought. She barely remembered that person who had fallen in love with Robert so many years ago. “What have I become? I didn’t ask for this life!” The tears flowed again at the realization. “I want my life back with my Robert and my Alex! We should all be together!”

Danielle was exhausted from the crying. After 16 years, she thought she would be done crying. At the moment, she had to force herself to stop. If she couldn’t save Robert, she would at least try to save the man who reminded her of him.

Danielle felt it was safe to leave Sawyer where he was. He would be out for a while and wasn’t making any noise.

She ran off to get the doctor.

-- Edited by Island_Reigns at 23:23, 2006-08-06

Wednesdayworld · Date: Sep 22, 2006

Chapter 5 How Thoughtful of you!

Alone on the island, Danielle forced the thoughts deep within herself again. Someplace no one could ever find them. Hidden so deep, buried so far, down below even her own level of conscious memory.

Safe. Keep it safe. Keep it within.

Locke, too, knew how to hide things. He believed that, in life, everything happened for a reason. Even his name. Keep everything under lock and key. Don't tell anyone.

His legs? No one's business. His past loves? Who needed to know except him.

Now Sawyer was even better at it than most, because his truth changed more often than the seasons over the eons of time. Is that really how she died, him watching from under the bed?

Or is that just one of the memories he had made up?

And why couldn't anyone on the island ever get close to the mystery of Libby's attraction to Hurley? Had she been at that institution as a patient?

Or was she? Did he just fantasize it, dreaming in his bed about her until she became real?

All of them, Sun and Jin, Rose and Bernard, Sayid and Shannon (before she died), Kate, Charlie and Claire, even Michael and Walt. All of them hiding it all from me.

But I, black as night and pure as snow, saw it all. No one hid anything from me. Deep, deep into their souls I peered until everything was revealed.

Out in the open, secrets have less power. They don't take over control of your life. They don't make you break out in a sweat . . . or dance with song . . .

What was the biggest secret? What was the worst secret? What secret was someone trying hardest to keep bottled up in inside?

Could I alone help them? Could I alone set them free? I was the only one who knew the anguish, the joy, the boredom of routine, the self hate, the inflated ego, and, most of all, the fear.

They raced through the jungle and I heard. They strolled on the beach at midnight when all were asleep and I heard. They slept in their huts made from airplane parts and still I heard.

Sometimes I just wanted a moment's peace. Just peace. Quiet. So quiet that the only sound would be a bee buzzing and the flap of a butterfly's wings. So quiet that the waves against the beach would soothe me.

But I never rested. Day or night. I heard them. I heard all of them. I could do nothing for them. I could do nothing to change them, their past or their future. I could only observe . . . the same hopes, the same dreams, the same fears, the same life, the same death.

Even as they feared me and ran from my black smoke, I knew that the seasons would continue to change . . . for all the eons of time.

*****************************************************

As a mother Claire knew that her job . . . her only job . . . would be to raise Aaron. She would empty all her thoughts out and into him. She would seek out the knowledge of all the survivors on this island. Each person would contribute to his growing body of knowledge . . . about life, about love and even about everything they could all learn about this island.

"Do you think he's ready for backgammon?" Locke said, jokingly.

"He'll be ready, sooner than we know it," Claire said with certainty. She had always had that way of knowing things.

The beauty of this place grew on her each day . . . the perfection of it . . . this chance to start over, this do-over from God. Claire searched for the one person who would know what she now knew was the only path here.

"Eko, you studied some, didn't you?" Claire asked.

"Yes, I studied many things. What is it you need to know?" Eko replied with curiosity.

"In the Bible, there were so many things. And we didn't go to church much. But I remember it. It's one of those phrases I heard over and over. In a TV show. Or a movie." Claire said, wondering out loud.

"What phrase is that?" Eko asked, his curiosity now very great.

"Something like, um, how did it go . . ." Claire said, then paused once more to find the exact phrase.

Claire knew that this was more important than anything else from all of her previous life put together.

"You have sinned against me in thought, word, and deed," Claire announced. "That's the phrase," Claire said with excitement.

"And why is that important here, why is that important now?" Eko asked, knowing that Claire knew exactly why.

"Because I think we've changed. This island has changed us. Always before, we could see what people did . . . their deeds. And we could hear their words," Claire said.

"And now?" Eko asked, already sensing within himself the truth.

"And now we can hear people's thoughts. For the first time in human history, we have evolved to hearing people's thoughts," Claire said, still fearing this truth.

Eko knew it, too. He'd seen it. The coming evolution of humans. The angry confrontations in schools. The sudden temper tantrums of the young adults. Because they were the most evolved. He knew that if he'd been young, he couldn't have handled what people thought of him. Nor could he have monitored his own thoughts to be fair, unbiased, kind, loving at all times.

Even now, here on this island, he heard what Claire only thought, what Claire only feared.

*****************************************************

I, who had been alone for so long.

I, who had wanted to hear . . . and be heard . . . for so long.

I, who had longed for so long for a friend, a companion.

I had met Aaron.

*************************************************

End of chapter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXRvdw4yCBM

-- Edited by Wednesdayworld at 11:24, 2006-09-22

-- Edited by Wednesdayworld at 11:30, 2006-09-22

-- Edited by Wednesdayworld at 17:53, 2006-10-01

lockesladyness · Date: Oct 16, 2006

When the Rainbow Appears

They set the example as "the couple" on the Island and everyone looked up to them. They didn't always agree with each other but that was really to be expected. She was grounded in her faith; he believed in the power of science and in his ability to achieve. She believed in the Island; he fought to leave. They were indeed opposites, yet they complimented each other and completed each other.
"We may be living in a tent, Bernard," Rose spoke to her husband, "but that doesn't mean you can drop your socks in the sand. Put them here, in this suitcase, so that i can wash them."
"Rose, you are a blessing sent to me," he responded and he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Their day on the Island began as usual. They awoke to watch the sun rise, picked some fruit for breakfast, and got some fresh water. Rose would then gather the clothes that needed to be washed and begin her daily chores. Yesterday, she winced when she was picking up after her husband. Bernard would go from tent to tent, checking on the other passengers to see how they were doing. After chores, they would have a short nap and then go for their evening stroll along the beach and through the jungle. Always, they held each other's hand. Today, they waited for the rain to stop before going through the jungle. They came upon Sun's garden.
"Bernard, Honey, look! the plants are doing so lovely and the new trees will bring more fruit! Isn't that a blessing Bernard! The circle of life! and see this, Bernard?" Rose pointed to the drops of rain, now filtering the sun and casting the pastel prismatic colors as they hung from the plant leaf.
"Rose, it will take years before these trees bear fruit! Why should we be concerned with trees? We'll be long gone before these trees grow up!!"
"Now Bernard!" Rose retorted, "God didn't make these trees to be scoffed at!" Remember how he made a promise to us- a promise of renewal!" Something in her was hurting. She took a slow deep breathe to manage the pain and began to quote scripture, "Then God said to Noah,' I now establish my covetnant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you- the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you- every living creature on earth...' "

Bernard remembered. And he heard the words as spoken in the garden at their wedding. The minister spoke,"I establish my covetnant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."
And God said," This is the sign of the covetnant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covetnant for all generations to come. "
I have set my rainbow in the clouds and it will be the sign of the covetnant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covetnant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. When ever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covetnant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
"So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covetnant I have established between me and all life on the earth.' "
The minister's voice trailed off into the distance as Bernard looked around the garden. The lilacs were in full bloom and their fragrances spread through the air as if carried by the butterflies that fluttered from shrub to shrub. Rose's sister, Bea, was a perfect Matron of Honor and Bernard had asked his brother, Ben, to be his Best Man. Rose had raised her family in Rochester so it seemed right to have their wedding during the Lilac Festival.
"Rose and Bernard are two very special people." the minister said. "It was indeed the hand of God that brought them together. Today we celebrate the everlasting promise that they make one another through the Grace of God. In my talks with Rose and Bernard, he often referred to her as 'his rainbow...' and said that the moment he met her, a new life began... " And so was their wedding, there in the midst of the scent of lilacs and the butterflies floating in the sweet spring air.

He could feel Rose touching his arm, bringing him back to the Island. "I don't like the look of that cloud in the sky, Bernard. Let's get going." He followed. Rose always did see to know when something was about to happen.
Walking through the jungle was not always fun. On most days, the walk was pleasant but today there seemed to be something in the air. Rose and Bernard continued on the path when suddenly Rose stopped and shivered at the sight ahead of her. It was Danielle and she was pulling a transom behind her.
"Where's the Doctor?" she wailed. "I need your Doctor!" She moved closer "It is the one you call Sawyer. He bleeds. He is hurt. Wherer is your Doctor?"
Bernard and Rose looked at each other and then Danielle. "I think I saw him at the beach talking to Kate..." she was told.
"I will go..." and with those words she vanished into the jungle, pulling the injured Sawyer behind her.
Bernard wanted to follow but Rose held his arm. "We can't," she pleaded. "We have to go this way..." and they continued their journey together.
"I'm just trying to do something, Rose," Bernard protested.
"Honey," Rose spoke, "our life is this way right now..."

The family had set up a small tent close to the lake so that the wedding guests could enjoy some cake and punch. The guests offered their best wishes to the newlyweds and watched as the single gift was opened. Carefully the gift was unwrapped and removed from it's protective layers.
"Bernard this is lovely!" Rose exclaimed and together they held it up for the guests to see. The sun shone through the faceted crystal rainbow as the bride and groom kissed. "I have another surprise for you, Rose." Bernard confessed. "we're going on a trip around the world... Amsterdam... Rome... even Australia..." Her gaze told him her love was greater now than ever before.

Their walk brought them to the caves. They stopped, filling their bottles with water. "I'm so tired Bernard," Rose said. The pain had returned. "Let's sit in the cool of the cave and rest before we head back.
"Anything for you, Rose." and he escorted her to the cave and helped her sit down, leaning against the wall of the cave. He slid down next to her. He, too, felt quite tired and weak.
They held hands and watched the sun filter through the opening of the cave. Bernard saw something glitter in the sand and picked it up. It was a piece of glass- beveled in such a way that it produced a rainbow on the walls when the sun shone through it. As the couple smiled at the rainbow, Bernard spoke," 'Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember the everlasting covetnant ...' I promise to stay with you forever. Rose...He blessed me with you..."
She rested her head on his shoulder and took another deep breath to ease te pain. " I guess I was raised never to question my blessings," she said. They both sat there, side by side, hand in hand and both closed their eyes.
It happened sometime during their sleep. First Rose, then Bernard. This was their last sleep-the forever sleep- experienced by lucky lovers whose souls intertwine for eternity, as they had promised each other on their wedding day last spring.
Morning arrived with the misty waterdroplets in the air. They filled the space outside the caves and when the sun shone through them, it produced all the colors of the rainbow. It was as if God was fulfilling his promise to lovers for all eternity. Rose and Bernard. He had brought them home, at last.

*******end*******

-- Edited by lockesladyness at 21:27, 2006-10-16

Sir Snootch · "Gamers don't sleep. They just nap between levels."

"Special"

The Sun glares down on a young boy and his father as they sit on a bench made from the pieces of an airplane. You can see frustration setting in on the features of the boy’s face. As his father places a comforting hand on his shoulder the boy speaks. "Why dad?" "You told that I wouldn’t have to keep doing this." " I just can’t do it..I’ve tried and tried, but I just can’t do it."

His father smiles and says, " Son I understand it’s hard, but I’d like you to give it one more try." " This time just slow down, and let your mind focus only on the task at hand." "I know you have it in you, because like your mother and I have always told you." "You are special." " When you do this one time you’ll feel the energy inside of you, and you’ll love it." " You might even like it enough to see what else you can do."

"Ok father, but you have to promise me that if I try this one more time and it doesn’t work you won’t make me do this anymore." " I mean it dad...Once more and I’m done trying this." " Plus what would mother think if she knew what we were doing?"

"I promise son... you try this once more, and after that the choice will be yours." "As for your mother...don’t worry about her I’ve taken care of her." "Mom will be busy for a while."

The small hands of the blonde haired boy reached down near his feet, and picked up a small black rock. The young boy took one more asking glance as if to ask if he really needed to do this. Realizing he wasn’t going to get away with not trying one more time he turned his attention to the shiny rock in his hand. The boy sits with his eyes closed for a moment, and as he lets out a breath. As he exhales he opens his eyes, and starts looking at the rock with an intensity normally reserved for superman using his ex-ray vision. As the moments pass the man squats down near enough to the boy so as to see both his eyes, and the rock. Just as the man thinks that the boy isn’t going to accomplish his goal the black rock starts shaking in the small open hand. As the rock starts to move the boy’s eyes begin to water and the veins in his neck begin to rise in his neck. Then suddenly the rock begins to lift from his hand. The man behind him begins to smile wide with delight. As the boy sees the rock raising up he realizes what he’s done, and in his excitement the rock falls to the ground as the young boy jumps to his feet screaming and clapping his hands. He throws himself at his father and almost knocks them both to the ground as he hugs his dad.

"DAD...DAD... did you see what that?" " I did it ...I did it!"

"Come on dad lets go show mom how I...." " Now son please slow down." " Yes you did move the rock like I said you could, but lets keep this between you and I for now." " At least until you get better at it, and can really show her how good you are at it." " I hope you now see why your mother and I have always said you were special." "You now also know why I’ve pushed you so hard at this." "I’ve known since the day you were born that you were a gifted boy, and now you know it also." "Finally I don’t want you to use your power unless I’m around, and soon you can try some other things to see how far you can grow."

:Of course I understand now dad, and I’m sorry for being such a brat." "Can’t I please just show mom?" " I don’t think she’d mind...heck she might think it’s as cool as we do."

"I’m sorry Aaron, but not until you are able to truly control this." "She’s going to get to see it soon enough."

"Hey Charlie have you seen Aaron?" " He was supposed to go for a walk on the beach with me after lunch."

" Well I was with him not long ago, but I think he said something about going to hang out with Locke." "So I’m Sorry, but I haven’t seen him in a little while now." "I will make sure that I give him an earfull when I catch up with him though." "He needs to know that it’s not a good thing to stand up your mother when you make a plan to go for a walk."

"That’s it Aaron.....Mommy’s here now." " It’ll be OK now....SSSShhhhhh....It was just a dream.....SSSShhhhhhh...."

LionQueen · It Doesn't Matter Who We Were Before ...

Chapter 8 Lucid Dreams

She strolled barefoot along the soft warm sand as the orange sun dissolved into the ocean, illuminating the water into deep, glowing shades of pink and violet. The soft breeze played with whisps of her hair. She brushed a chestnut strand from between her lips.

The gentle, melancholic guitar strumming floated in the air all around her. She smiled thoughtfully absorbing the breathtaking view.

" Good evening Madaam. " Hurley greeted her, offering his arm. She glanced over his white suite and tie. His thick curley hair slicked back, and tied behind his head, he continued.

" Your young gentleman is waiting for you. Please allow me to escort you to your table. "

She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her. She caught a glimpse of Charlie sitting nearby carefully plucking his guitar, and smiled. Hurley brought her to a single table, perched near the shore. It was enveloped under a canopy of sheer white silk. Two plate settings were carefully placed on the pale blue table cloth. Two diamond cut crystal candle holders showcased two perfect white taper candles glowing among the beautiful white and blue china and sparkeling crystal wine glasses.

When he saw her, he left his seat and approached her. He was dressed in a white suit with a powder blue tie. He gently took her hand in both of his hands and softly kissed it.

" You look stunning " He whispered. " You take my breath away. "

It was then that she realized she was wearing a powder blue silk dress. The sleeves draped off of her shoulders. The bottom of the dress followed along the curves of her body, down to her feet, where it flowed into a small train in the back.

She gazed at him dreamily. She couldn't see his face clearly, but his voice was sweet and warm and sent shivers of excitement through her whole body. He held her hands and led her the rest of the way to the table, pulling out her chair for her.

She lowered herself down into the chair among the glowing candle light, listening to the melodic guitar strumming.

" May I pour some wine Madaam ? " She looked up and saw Jin standing before her dressed in black and white, holding a bottle of wine. She looked at him curiously.

" Jin, you're speaking English. " She observed in astonishement.

He smiled. " I speak whatever you wish Madaam. This is your dream. "

Her suitor took her hand from across the table and ran his fingers through hers.

" I hope that you're pleased. " He said. " I want to spoil you. "

She felt flushed as he left his seat and lowered himself by her side. He took her face in his hands. She felt as if she had stopped breathing as she felt his lips brush hers. His kiss was soft and light. Yet, her skin felt as if it were running with electric currents, while her heart flip flopped in her chest. One hand trailed down her arm.

" Are you gonna hit the ball, or are you going to think it into the hole ? " Jack was leaning against a nearby palm, arms folded.

" Wha ... what ?" She answered in embarassement. She wasn't sure why her mind was wondering so much. She'd been having these strange dreams for a few nights and now they were finding their way into her waking hours.

They left her breathless and tingling all over.

" Okay, I'm sorry, I just a .... well, I just lost my train of thought ! "

Jack shot an unsympathetic look at her.

" Oh come on Jack ! " She said, " Apparently doctors are born knowing how to golf .... right ? I only just learned and I still don't know what I'm doing. Give me some kind of credit will you ? "

He laughed and gestured for her to take the shot.

Later on in the afternoon, she sat with Kate and Sun. Together they swapped stories and laughed together. Sarah liked them. It was good to finally have some female companionship after spending so much time with the men. She wondered if perhaps that is what caused her to have the dreams in the first place.

She stared out into the crystal blue water.

" So, what's on your mind Sarah ? " Kate asked after a few minutes.

" Who ? me ? " She shrugged it off. " Just admiring the view out there. It's a gorgeous day today. "

Both Kate and Sun said nothing, but their expressions said they were waiting for the dirt. She smiled crookedly.

Ok, " She blushed. " I ... well .... "

Kate's eyes grew wide. " You've hooked up with somebody ! Who is it ? "

Sarah's cheeks were on fire. " No. No, not exactly. Well..... I...... it's. Gosh this is really embarassing. "

" Sarah, that's what girls do. Tell each other the embarassing stuff. That's why they call it girl talk. It's between us ! "

He had walked her by the waters edge, his arms wrapped around her while the waves crawled onto the sand and over her feet in bubbling foam. She felt his breath on the back of her neck. His lips grazing along the hair line. She shivered with butterflies tumbling in her stomach.

" I have another surprise " He whispered into her ear. He placed his hands carefully over her eyes and turned her to the right. " How do you like it ? "

In front of them a white horse stamped one foot into the sand. He whinnied and shook his long, smooth, creamy mane. She ran a hand down the front of the horses nose and he nuzzled her face.

Together they mounted the horse. He perched himself behind her, wrapping his arms around her, holding the reigns. She felt safe and warm wrapped up in him. The horse began his slow gallop along the beach.

" Wow ! " Kate exclaimed. " That's some dream ! Who do you think it is ? "

Sarah's face was beat red. " I don't know ! "

Kate grinned. " Well, you like somebody don't you ? I mean, it's got to be someone you know ! Who do you like ? "

Sarah shook her head. " Honestly, I haven't been thinking about anyone. I've got much more important stuff to be thinking about. Really. "

Sun was listening quietly, then spoke thoughtfully. " You must listen to your heart. Your heart will tell you who it is. "

" I don't want to know who it is. " Sarah denied. " I don't care. It's just a dream ...really. "

" A dream that causes you to stare out into the ocean and forget where you are, who you're with. You blush and grow shy when you talk about it. But it's only a dream. " Sun responded. " Of Course. "

She watched the sun melt into the soft white crests of ocean water. She gazed over the miles of white sand lazily. Her thoughts miles away.

" Are you cold ? " He took off his jacket and covered her shoulders. She sighed softly.

A tall, dark skinned man took the horse by the reigns. He led him up over the sand doon.

" Thank you Eko. " Her gentleman caller waved after him.

He turned his attention to her again. " Did you think that was the surprise ? "

He nudged her and she followed him, wrapped in his arms, a little ways down, where she saw a beautiful white blanket spread out among a trail of candles glowing tiny white lights along the sand. It was sprinkled with delicate white rose petals.

He held her hand as she lowered herself down onto the soft blanket. He sat down beside her with his arms draped around her shoulders, holding her against him. She felt his heart beating, the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed in and out. He gently kissed along the side of her neck and under her ear.

A funny man with fuzzy brown hair and wide eyes approached them. He read from a book of poetry. When he finished he said. " As written by Robert Burns. "

" Are you happy ? " Her romantic mysterious stranger whispered.

" I am. " She answered. " But I only have one question. "

" Anything. " He murmered, stroking her hair. " Ask me anything. I'll give you anything. "

" Who are you ? "

He turned her face to his, cradling it in his strong hands. " I'm the one you love. I'm the one who loves you. "

He kissed her deeply, leaving her breathless and weak.

" Would you like some dessert ? " Sawyer carried a tray of strawberries and whipped cream on a silver platter. He smiled devilishly.

" You enjoy those now. " He winked, then left them.

" Excuse me. " Locke said. He looked handsome dressed in white, holding another silver tray. " I hope that you didn't forget the champaigne, sir. "

He handed them the champaigne and then disappeared into the night. Under a silver full moon, and sparkling jeweled stars, they fed each other strawberries and cream, sipping champaigne until they had their fill.

He took her in his arms. Time stood still as he kissed her eyes, then her nose. He covered her mouth with his and filled her with long passionate kisses. Her skin was on fire as he ran his hands along her back.

" Don't you think so ? " Sayid asked her.

" Uh, yea. I think so. "

" Are you alright ? " He asked again staring at her.

" I'm fine. " She chuckled. " Why ? "

He scrunched up his face in a confused expression. " Because I just asked you if you thought I should burn my tent and you just told me yes. "

" Oh. " She chuckled. " I .... well ... "

" Yes. " He continued. "Obviously your mind was elsewhere. "

" I'm sorry. " She answered. " I've just had some trouble sleeping lately. "

He picked up a piece of wood and piled it onto the stack he was building.

" I have had some sleepless nights lately, as well. " He commented, shifting his eyes to meet her gaze.

" I'm going to go back and get some more wood. " He told her. " Will you be alright alone ? "

" I'll be fine. " She said.

As she watched him, she gazed dreamily out over the water once more, out into the clear blue ocean. She turned her face to him as he began to walk away.

" I do sort of have a question though. " She called after him.

She watched him stop and wait.

" I was um ... wondering .... do you like strawberries ? "

He turned his head over his shoulder, eyes twinkling. " It depends ..... "

She c0cked her head.

He smirked. " Do you like whipped cream ? "

-- Edited by LionQueen at 12:08, 2006-10-23

Island_Reigns · Yay Lost!!

The Calm Before the Storm

There was a light rain falling gently over the island for the second day in a row. Sun was sitting by her garden, still and silent, watching as her plants soaked up the water. It was as if the island was crying the tears that she could not. It had been two days since the discovery of Rose and Bernard’s passing. They had been found the day after Sawyer had been terribly injured. Everyone was still grieving for Rose and Bernard and worried for Sawyer. Sun was very overwhelmed and was glad Jin had let her be alone in her garden.

Sun was so sad about Rose and Bernard who had both been so kind and loving to her. She was tired of all of the deaths that have happened on this island. Everyone, including Jin, had expressed joy over her pregnancy but how could she be happy about it in a place like this? Claire had been kidnapped when she was pregnant. Danielle’s daughter, Alex, had been kidnapped years ago. Sun wondered how she could ever be truly happy about having a child here.

Will she be kidnapped? Who is going to be the next to die? What if Jin dies? Are we going to be stranded here forever…? There were so many questions racing through Sun’s mind, she just couldn’t handle it anymore. She wanted answers but she also just wanted to sit by her garden in the rain even though she knew it would be better to get back to camp and try to sleep. Sun sat for a while longer just watching her garden.

Eventually, Jin came for her. “Are you ok?” He asked. “You shouldn’t be sitting here in the rain.”

Sun looked at him and before she could say anything, the tears fell. Jin was quickly by her side hugging her and trying to comfort her. He didn’t know what to say so he didn’t say anything and just let her cry as much as she needed. It was a while that they sat together in the garden. Sun cried. The island cried. Eventually, Sun fell asleep and Jin carried her back to camp and to the little protection that their tent could provide.

Kate had seen Jin carrying Sun and ran across the beach in a panic. “What happened? What’s wrong?” Kate asked breathlessly.

Jin understood her panic but not her words. He shook his head and waved his hand at Kate and tried to tell her that Sun was just sleeping. Unfortunately, Sun was awoken to their voices and told Kate she was ok. Kate didn’t believe her though.

“We need to get you into some dry clothes.” Kate was adamant and Sun knew it.

They found a towel and some dry clothes. Jin made sure Sun was comfortable and told her to ask Kate to stay with her and then went fishing.

Kate could tell Sun had been crying. She knew Sun was sad about Rose and Bernard as they all were, but she figured there was something more to Sun’s sadness and Kate told her so. Sun started tearing up again and told Kate everything she had been feeling.

“I don’t want to burden you though,” Sun told Kate. “You have enough to worry about with Sawyer being hurt so badly.”

“He’s in good hands with Jack. I have faith that Jack will be able to fix him.” Kate reassured Sun.

“Will you go with me then?”

“With you? Where?” Kate wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

“I have to find Danielle. I need some answers. She keeps showing up and disappearing and not giving anyone a chance to talk to her. I need to talk to her.” Sun was tearing up again.

Kate really felt empathy for Sun but didn’t think her running off to find Danielle was going to solve anything. She thought Danielle was crazy and didn’t believe much of what she said to anyone.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Sun. We don’t even know where Danielle is and we don’t know who, or what, we’ll run into while we’re looking for her. Besides, Jin will never agree.”

“This is not for Jin to decide,” Sun said sternly. “We can take Vincent with us. Please, Kate! I don’t want to have to do this alone, but if you don’t go I don’t have any other choice!”

Kate thought about it and while she didn’t think it was a good idea and she couldn’t change Sun’s mind anyway, she had to go. “Ok, but on one condition... you get a good night’s sleep.”

“Agreed. We’ll go tomorrow when Jin goes out fishing again.”

Sun kept her word and was able to sleep. She had felt a little more at ease now that she had a mission to accomplish and had had a good cry. She knew Kate would keep their secret and not tell anyone they were leaving. Hopefully they wouldn’t be gone too long because she really didn’t want to worry Jin but she just couldn’t tell him what she was going to do.

The next day, Jin went fishing again after making sure Sun was feeling ok. At least she did tell him she would be with Kate. After finding Kate and Vincent, and making sure no one was watching, Sun led the way into the jungle. They weren’t 50 feet into the jungle when they heard much yelling coming from the beach. Not again! Sun and Kate quickly turned and ran back to the beach with Vincent right at their heels. Both Kate and Sun were in a panic. Sun thought something had happened to Jin and Kate thought something had happened to Sawyer.

There was a group huddled down by the shoreline and Sun stopped. Her legs had gone weak and she was so scared she thought her heart would explode. Please don’t let it be Jin! Then she heard Jin yelling in Korean trying to explain something to Jack. Relief swept over Sun and gave her the energy to run down to the group to see what was happening.

Jack was performing CPR on someone while the group stood around watching. Who had been hurt this time? Sun wondered as fear set in again. She found Jin and gave him a big hug.

“Sun! I’m so glad you’re here, I need you to translate!” Jack called out as he was still doing chest compressions.

Jin was saying “I found her washed up on shore when I went to my fishing spot. There was a small raft washed up near her as well but I didn’t see any boats when I looked out over the ocean.”

Sun looked to see who Jin was talking about and gasped. She was startled to see a little girl no older than 5. Tears were starting to well up in Sun’s eyes but she managed to tell Jack and everyone else what Jin had said. Everyone was talking at once wondering where the girl had come from. Finally the girl sputtered and coughed. Everyone cheered and then went back to talking with each other.

“Let’s give her some room please, everyone.” Jack was holding the girl, wrapped in a blanket, and Kate sat next to them. Everyone else except Sun and Jin had gone back toward their tents still discussing what had happened. The four of them just looked at each other, unsure of what to do next. The little girl was shaking and had her eyes closed but seemed comfortable in Jack’s arms. She started humming very softly, then singing just barely above a whisper. They leaned in to hear what she was singing and they heard “yo ho, yo ho…..” before her voice trailed off as she fell asleep.

-- Edited by Island_Reigns at 23:48, 2006-11-15

lockesladyness · Date: Dec 16, 2006

Being a Fish in the Ocean

He was much more of a young man now, rather than the boy he was when the plane first crashed. His new friends were all adults who had forgotten how to play and alll seemed so serious about the crash, their losses and their own futures. But now even that family was gone and Walt settled in again with a group of strangers who promised to be his new family- his real family.... something better than he had ever had before.
Walt walked with Ms. Klugh along the beach. She was telling him about the sharks and dolphins and life in the ocean.
"What, Walt, do you think it's like- being a fish in the ocean?"
Walt watched the waves wax and wane. He shrugged his right shoulder and finally spoke. "I dunno... I guess there would always be alot of creatures around you..." He drew back one side of his mouth, "and you'd have to watch for things that were out to get you..." Then he smiled, longingly, and looked Klugh in the eye."...and, if you were a small boy fish who got LOST, your dad would have to come after you to save you."
Klugh knelt down, looking beyond Walt's eyes, she brushed a bit of sand from his cheek. "As long as we're here Walt, I think you should realize your potential."

Susan stood in the middle of the room in her Amsterdam apartment, phone to her ear. She sighed heavily as she recognized Michael's voice.
"He's 24 months old and doesn't use the phone..." Walt heard his mother say. He sat in the corner of the room playing with his cars and toys.
"I know. Let me call you back, okay?" This isn't a good time, okay?" she stated looking at the man beside her. He leaned over a whispered, "We've got to go..."
"Shhh. It's Michael," she responded to him. "let's talk tomorrow, okay? I'll call you from work?" She paused for a second.
"Michael, listen, I've been seeing someone." Walt walked up to his mother, looking her in the eyes."Does it make any difference?" He pulled at her skirt and heard a voice saying, "Who is it?"
"Brian Porter..." Mommy put Walt back on the floor by his cars and toys. "It wasn't like that before..." She pulled the phone from her ear and contemplated Brian. At that moment, Walt's brown car flew through the air, hitting a picture of mommy and some man in a city called New York that was far far away. Susan and Brian gave shocked stares at each other. "What just happened?" Brian asked.

Walt sunk down in the chair as he listened to Ms. Klugh speak to all of the children in the classroom. "...in Stephen King's The Jaunt, teleportation is a routine form of transportation in the future. "When 'jaunting', the mind experiences being transported and the trip seems to last forever. In his story, 12 year old Ricky Oates teleported and stays awake during the process and when he arrives at his destination he is insane and tears his eyes out...'
Walt raised his hand. "Can people really do this?" he asked "or is it just stuff you see on television?"
"you have an inquiring mind,Walt." said Klugh. "In the early 1900s, American writer Charles Fort first coined the term teleportation. 'I shall be accused of having assembled lies, yarns, hoaxes and superstitions...' he wrote. ' Is it possible? Possibly... or is it just science fiction? In England in the early 70s, a television series known as The Tomorrow People aired. It was about British teens who have special powers including communicating telepathically- through thought projection- not words." A bell rang and Klugh dismissed class. "See you at suppertime!" she spouted to the departing children.
Walt returned to his room. He looked in the mirror and thought of today's lessons. He decided he wanted to try teleportation and if there was anyone he wanted to teleport to, it was his dog, Vincent. Walt concentrated on his reflection in the mirror. He knew there was but a short time before supper. He intensified his thoughts, trying to blank his mind of all else. His gaze fixed on his reflection until the last thing he remembered were the words, 'they're coming and they're close...' The odd thing about concentrating this hard was that, for a few seconds, it seemed as though his reflection had disappeared. It was the supper bell that startled him.

I Borghi was the playground in which Walt was growing up. His nanny usually watched over him but this was a rare Sunday afternoon when Susan and Brian were with him, listening to the bells of Santo Spirito. As usual, Susan and Brian were deep in conversation about some place in Switzerland that someone named Mr. Thompson was goin to. "...tobacco companies, nuclear power plants and an oil company that dumped chemical waste in Florida... who else will we defend, Brian?" Susan spoke.
"You're getting worked up again, Susan." Brian retorted. "Remember, we're in Rome... Italy..." Brian's hand took Susan's. His voiced trailed off into the distance as Walt began walking toward the sound of the bells. He was an adventurous 5 year old and he walked toward the big stone building where the funny men in black were. The small boy disappeared into the crowd.
When Susan and Brian noticed Walt was gone they began looking. When they found him, he was in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions. When Brian and Susan saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, "Walt, why have you done this to us? Your father and I searched and were worried!"
The priests returned Walt to his parents and told them, "He is wise beyond his years." Walt smiled and responded, "whenever I want to see you again I will lift up my eyes and look north." and walked away with his parents. Susan and Brain gaped at each other in puzzled silence.

With supper over, Walt had more free time to spend in his room, practicing today's lesson. He stood in front of the mirror, thinking of his dog, Vincent and missing him. He also thought of his island family and the father that he had never known. Walt missed Vincent... his dad... his mom...Brian... and his new found friends across the island...
He wished he could bring the family back together. These new friends, "this new family is a hell of a lot better than the one I used to have..." He shook his head and began his concentration one more time, watching his reflection in the mirror. Totally absorbed and transfixed, he became dizzy. And once more it seemed as though his reflection had disappeared again for just a few seconds... and he could hear Shannon calling his name...
He was drawn half-back to reality by the voices outside his room... something about one of the children... Walt stepped outside and heard Klugh and a pretty blonde woman talking about one of the little girls... five years old?... obsessed with pirates... falling asleep on a raft... pulled into the ocean current... LOST to the ocean...
Walt walked away. He was dizzy and thought he heard a sharp stacatto sound inside his head... He was suddenly saddened for the sound of Shannon's voice had stopped. He felt her collapse into Sayid's arms... and heard Sayid shout, "Shannon! Shannon..."

Twilight had begun. It was that time, not day, not night, when color disappeared from the earth and lingered in the sky. Tonight the sky was blood red. All sound silenced, save the chirping of the crickets and tree frogs. Walt realized that with every ending, there was a beginning... and that, when a family member is LOST, he has to find his way back to you again.

Sir Snootch · "Gamers don't sleep. They just nap between levels."

Don’t Rock The Boat

“I’m telling you this for a reason.” “Don’t tie those bindings that tight.” “As soon as the wood starts to get wet those bindings will snap from the wood when it expands.”

“Man you’re full of it!” “That’s why we burned the outside of all the logs.” “It’s to keep the wood from taking on water.”

Now this is the way that a good portion of their time had been spent over the last week. Steve telling Dave, and/ or Dave telling Steve what needed to be done while making the raft that could be their salvation. Or as Steve would say, “This raft is going to bring us straight to hell.” And this was only the tip of the iceberg of negative thoughts that he had about this plan. Dave on the other hand loved the idea of getting this raft made, and testing out his theory that they were no more than 2-3 miles from Fiji. This was his thought after he had meticulously studied the maps and diagrams that they had found in that old military bunker…. or at least it looked like an old military bunker to them.

With dawn rapidly changing into day, the sun’s heat blazing down on them, and the heat beginning to cook them like a couple of eggs in a frying pan. They both agreed on one thing. It was time to take a break, and get out of the sun. They had both learned their lesson the first morning after washing ashore on this island. Steve had ended up with the worst case of sunburn that he could ever remember getting. His skin was crimson red, and it had started to blister even before nightfall had even arrived. His discomfort was only partially eased because of the aloe plant that Dave had found while looking for water. Then there was Dave. He had been smart enough to keep himself covered with an extra shirt on his head, and using the tube of chapstick that he found in his pocket to protect his face from the sun. Where Dave had his trouble was in the area of food. Now what with Dave being the big fella that he is, and not able to control his hunger. Dave decided to eat some berries, and fruit that he had found on that same search for the water. When Dave had finished he had laughed heartily at Steve for saying “No. Those things are going to make you sick.” Well, in the middle of the night Dave came to the decision that Steve may have been right. As he didn’t sleep a wink all night due to him either sitting behind the palm tree, or rolling around from the stomach cramps that he was suffering from.

Now Steve had found the little cove that they had decided to sleep in. It had a small creek running on the one side of it. Two of the other three sides were rock walls, and the last side was a small grove of coconut trees. They could still see the shoreline from where they slept, but after the first night out on the beach they both agreed that moving away from the winds and cold spray of the ocean was the better choice for them. They had first thought to stay in the bunker when they had found it. That plan was thrown out the window after one night when they came to realize that it was now the home of a very large (and unfriendly) mountain lion. So instead they grabbed what they could before becoming lunch, and headed back to the cove. They had gotten their hands on the maps, some clothing, and the few foodstuffs that hadn’t been devoured by the lion because they were canned goods. Dave made the comment to Steve, “Lucky that cats aren’t very good with can openers.” before they sat down to figure out how they themselves would be getting those same cans open.

Four days had gone by as they toiled away at this little raft. It would barely be big enough for the two of them and maybe one day worth of food and water. What they had decided on was for the two days before the got on the raft they would eat larger amounts of food every meal to bulk up a bit so that their bodies would be able to withstand the lack of food that could happen if they didn’t find land in the first couple days. This was their plan, and they both had agreed that it was their best hope of getting home.

Today was the big day. All was made ready, and they began to push the raft out into the white, frothy, cold ocean. This time of year it was to be expected that the water would be cold, but today it seemed as though god himself was trying to tell them to not do this. The water was so cold that Dave had taken to sitting on his stump with knees pulled up to his chin to keep his feet from being in the water that constantly washed up onto the raft.

“Man I’m telling you… we should go back.” “Something doesn’t feel right about this.” Dave had told Steve after no more than 10 minutes out on the ocean. Steve seemed to be thinking similar thoughts, but he was determined to not only get home, but to at the very least prove that he knew where they were. “Let’s give it at least give it a try Dave.” “ I mean why stay on that island if all we are going to do is die there?” Said Steve when Dave had mentioned turning back.

It was at that moment that the wind started to pick up, and the rain started to attack them in sheets. The rain was coming down so hard that it was painful to the riders on the raft. This continued for what seemed like an eternity. During this time Dave slowly moved toward the center of the raft, and joined Steve in holding onto the small mast that they had built to help try to catch the wind. The sail on the mast was gone, but the mast was holding strong. The tiny raft rocked and bucked on the ocean as the storm continued to enforce its will upon them and the ocean.

When he came to Steve opened his eyes, and was greeted by a blast of bright sunlight, and a soft cool breeze. After checking to make sure that he wasn’t hurt to badly he got to his feet, and tried to get his bearings and figure out where he was. During his short walk on the sandy beach he suddenly realized that Dave was nowhere to be seen. He ran back to the raft, and noticed that the raft had remained sturdy to the point that even the little mast was still upright. “Where in the world am I, and what happened to Dave?” Those were the words that he spoke to himself as he started walking inland in search of water and Dave.

LionQueen · It Doesn't Matter Who We Were Before ...

Chapter 12 : Room 43

The scent of cream cheese and bagels tumbled out of the room when Carlton opened the door. It was 4:08 and he was tardy. Bah! It wasn’t as if neither of them had never been late before. Add to that the odd sense of humor of theirs which actually caused him to miss at least one meeting.

‘ Theirs ’ meaning Damon and JJ of course. He read the address he had written down from Damon several times as his car crept down the dark and slinky looking back road, wondering if maybe he should have planned the meeting himself.

Surely Damon wouldn’t send him to the wrong place - not on purpose at least anyway.

He parked his car near the address, and paused a little - apprehensive about leaving it alone in such a dubious area. Eventually, he made small steps to the door, glancing back several times to make sure it was still there. Finally he reached the door and knocked, then opened it. A group of seven or eight teenagers stared blankly at him as he looked back bewildered.

Now, Carlton wasn’t certain, but he knew that whatever those kids were doing, it had nothing to do with manuscripts or night time television drama. He did have an incling that it might be illegal when the rotating police lights flashed into the dark, stinky room and the voice on the other side began yelling

“ Open the door, this is the police! “
After the police frisked and cuffed him and tossed him into the car, the officer in the passenger side turned around and handed him his buzzing cell phone. “ This counts as your one call. “

“ Oh Thanks. “ Carlton snarled. But when he reached for the phone, it was recoiled in a very threatening manner, and then handed over to him with a glaring scowl. Apparently this officer didn’t like men in business suites.
Damon stiffled his laughter when Carlton replayed the events leading to his ride to jail. “ No man, I said 15th street not … “

“ Uh, this is 15th street Damon. “ Carlton interrupted.

“ Well, yeah, but … well, it’s the wrong street anyway. “

Carlton snorted, then shook his head. “ Well, yea, I sort of figured that out. “

It was a long night - that night.

He strode in the door and saw the bagel tray on the table between Damon and JJ, along with the dish of cream cheese. Carlton opened his mouth but Damon put his palm in the air to shush him. JJ was leaning back in his chair, intensely studying a script, carefully reading each word. His dark brows turned in and a thin wrinkle line puckered between them as he concentrated.

Damon shoved the bagel tray over to Carlton and whispered. “ I think he’s read this like 16 times already. “

Carlton snickered as he took a seat and grabbed a bagel. Bagels and cream cheese, it was very New York. But then, what else did a Jew eat anyway if not bagels and cream cheese ?

As a matter of fact, once a while back, they were actually contemplating writng a book about ’ The Great Bagel. ’ Kind of like the Great Pumpkin meets Moses or something.

In the beginning The Great Bagel hovered over the cream cheese and said let us make the lesser Bagel in our own image. Then he said, it is not good for the bagel to be alone so he punched the hole in the middle and made the bagel a mate from the bagel hole. Which is similar to the donut hole…. only it’s a bagel. So anyway …

“ No, “ JJ spoke slowly shaking his head back and forth. “ No.. no.. no this is all wrong. “

Oh here it was coming - the big DEBATE.

“ Oh come on JJ. “ Damon said. “It’s perfect ! It’s a great way to write them out with dignity and respect. It’s written beautifully. It’s sweet. It’s touching. “
“ No. No. “ JJ argued with a hand in the air waving it. He stopped momentarily to chomp on a bagel, then sighed. “ Alright, I’ll give you this. It’s very nice work. It’s well written. I just…. Okay look, remember when we were gonna write Jack out ? Kill him off in the pilot ? “

Carlton and Damon nodded.

“ Right “ he continued, " and what did you guys say ? What was your response ? Hmm ? “

Both of them shifted in their seats and exchanged glances, then Damon murmered. “ Well, we thought that it’d be a bad idea to kill Jack in the pilot because he was such a strong character and he brought some stability to the show and gave people …”

“ Hope. “ JJ finished. “ If you took Jack away, you took away some kind of hope. “

Carlton listened silently, but a little snicker broke through.

JJ flicked an unamused look back at him. “ So … it’s funny ? “

“ Oh b’Christ, JJ, they’re not even major characters ! Neither one of them. They hardly get any screen time as it is. And besides, they do have other projects going on so they’re not that available anymore. “

“ That’s all fine and good. “ JJ said, “ but again, viewers can deal with seeing them here and there if they know that they are still there. Listen, we told a beautiful story of how there just seemed to be no hope for them before the Island. No cure, no nothing. It was final and the only thing left for them to do was to wait until she breathed her last breath. But she got a new lease on life. She’s been a light for Jack, for Charlie and others."

" Why take that light away ? “

Damon grinned hardily and spread his fingers in the air like a magician.

“ So that a greater light may come. One that would teach them even greater things. “

JJ looked down, shook his head, then glanced back up. “ HaHa. Ha …. See me ? This is me .... laughing ! “

Carlton swallowed another cream cheese glumped bagel bite, washed it down with his coffee, then half smiled. “ Okay then, how about a compromise. “

Damon and JJ turned their heads to him and listened.

"She’s basically been the sort of matriarchish type figurehead on the island, that’s what you’re saying. Right ? “

JJ nodded. “ Well, yea. “

“ Then, how about something like this :

Rose opens her eyes and sees her husband lying beside her as if he is sleeping peacefully. The moment is filled with bittersweet emotion. A small, young, black woman looking to be around 23 years old appears before her.

She looks up at her and begins to speak.

“ No Rose. “ The woman interrupts. “ I am not her, but you see me as you want to see me. And that is why I appear to you this way. I am on the Island ….. I am in the Island ….. I AM the Island. I am the place that you need to be. The place your were looking for. The place the man told you about. I am that place, Rose. “

“ But, what about Bernard ? “

“ It was his time to go. But it is not yours. You have much work to do still. “

“ And then the woman leads her out of the cave and into the sunlight. When she looks back Bernard is gone. “

JJ and Damon sat momentarily waiting.

A long pause then JJ speaks up. “ Is that it ? Is that the end ? “

Carlton scratched his head. “ Well, I mean … it’s just a synopsis, sort of, but .. “

Damon shook his head. “ I dunno about this …. It seems a bit farfetched. “

Carlton sucked in air at his words. Farfetched. More farfetched than having a plane fall down from the sky and break in three pieces by a magnetic force that makes the island below it invisible. An island that has polar bears and invisible monsters that morph into people and objects ? More farfetched than to have a parrot screeching Hurleys name ? More farfetched than …

“ It’s not bad. “ JJ said. “ So, let Bernard die, but keep Rose. And then leave them wondering who this woman is that the monster thing took the form of - since Rose seems to have recognized her. It’s a start. Work on it and we’ll rehash it next week. “

“ That I can do. “ Carlton agreed.

" You know, " Damon said as they stood up and got their coats. " That idea is kinda growin' on me. Rose could get depressed and go out on the sailboat. Then it hits a rocks and it starts filling up with water. Then Jack could swim out to the boat and climb in. Just as he gets to her, the boat splits in half and they climb up to the mast where they hang on until it sticks up in the air and then sinks down into the water. "

" Um, Damon .. " JJ interrupted, " that's the Titanic. "

" It is so not. "

Carlton and JJ stared at him. " Rose, Jack .... Celine Deon ... "

"uh ... okay.... I think. "

As Carlton shut the door behind him, he glanced at the front of it and chuckled.

“ Hey, did you guys know this was room 43 ? “

Damon laughed. “ Nope. We just wandered around until we found an empty room. “

Carlton growled back “ Oh you’re funny Damon. Real funny. “

He neared the stairs and felt a brush of air across his face. Hearing something barely audible. It was coming from the room. He carefully made his way to the door and put his head closer. Were those whispers ? It clearly sounded like whispers and it made the skin crawl under his clothes. He stood there for a couple of minutes pondering the notion of opening the door or walking away from his over active imagination. But curiosity compelled him to enter.

He wrapped his fingers around the door handle and turned the knob. The squeeking noise like an explosion in his head. The island, whispers, smoke monster and all of that was just fantasy after all - right ?

He cracked the door open and heard with even more clarity the hair-raising whispers coming from within the room. This was getting too creepy. Noone was inside, but yet he heard them. His muscles stiffened as he crept deeper within the room.

In retrospect, he realized this was a very dumb idea. People who investigate the creepy noises in horror movies always get killed. They die horrible deaths. Now here he was being stupid just like them.

The whispers were coming from behind the desk. Now, would he actually be dumb enough to go look behind a desk for the source of whispers in an empty room ?

His feet were moving, but it felt like he was walking through mud. He drew closer to the desk and then leaned over it to get a look behind the chair.

As soon as he saw the tape recorder he jumped nearly out of his skin when he heard the voice behind him yell “ Gotcha! “

He turned and glared at Damon and JJ standing gleefully behind him laughing hysterically.

“ Man, that was awesome ! “ Damon laughed.

“ Yeah. “ Carlton answered him. “ That was just peachy. Can we go home for real now ? “

As they made their way down the hall and to the stairs, Carlton looked behind once more feeling a tinge of creepiness lingering around. The exit door creaked as he opened it and felt a rush of cool air hitting him in the face.

“ Barbecue this weekend ? “ JJ asked.

“ Sure, “ Carlton responded. “ Just as long as no one burns down my house ! Oh, and bring your own beer this time. “

Somewhere behind him, a soft sound came from down the hall. A shadow flicked across the walls and a black tuft of smoke flitted from under the door of room 43.

-- Edited by LionQueen at 16:36, 2007-01-27