Chapter 5: Sayid
I woke up in the little hut that next morning. Thera was curled up next to me, and my arm was around her. I disentangled myself from the odd shirts and other things she used as blankets and from the poor attention-starved girl and limped outside. I didn?t get it. Suddenly I cared about this little girl, when just yesterday I had thought she was a barbarian. I wanted her to come back to camp and stay with us. The others would understand, and she could help us. Suddenly the girl was at my side.
?Oh, good morning, Thera!? I said cheerfully.
?Hi,? she said shyly. ?How?s your leg??
?Sore, but I?ll live.?
She handed me a piece of fruit. ?Breakfast. Eat quickly; I have to take you back.?
?Back?Thera, will you stay??
She ignored him and just took a bite of her breakfast. ?Do you have your things? Ok, come on then, eat as we walk.?
I had to hurry to keep up with her. She was a totally different person from the lonely little kid of last night. She was how I had met her, an adult. My heart went out to her, he was probably so lonely at night, and during the day she had to forget and ignore it if she wanted to survive. But no matter how adult she was acting, my sharp soldier eyes caught her glances. Quick, reluctant glances to make sure she wasn?t alone.
?What?s the hurry?? I asked.
?Want to get you back to camp. I?m sure they are all worried about you.?
I stepped up and grabbed her shoulder. She tried to wiggle away, but I was ready, and I held tighter.
?I won?t let go until you tell me the real reason!? I threatened.
?Then I?ll either have to hurt you or we?ll be here a while. I?d really rather neither,? she said.
I laughed, without any enjoyment.
?What?s so funny?? she demanded.
?You just?you sound so much like I did?do, sometimes,? I answered, still holding tight. ?Now, we can make this easy, or hard, whatever you want. It?s up to you.?
I hoped she would just tell me. My leg was killing me, and I had to keep changing my weight, favoring it, but it didn?t help any. Unfortunately, she noticed the shift of movement.
?Don?t be stupid! You?re injured! You need to get back?there?s a doctor, I think.?
?Sorry, no can do, It?ll just have to rot off?? I looked her in the eyes. She knew I was not going to give in. I had a strong will.
?Damn you! Alright, one of Them showed up last night, while you were asleep??
?The Others? I thought they didn?t bother you.?
?They don?t, unless they have a reason to. They told me to stop interfering. So I?m pushing it taking you back, but?I don?t trust them. I want to make sure your safe before I go home.?
I relaxed my grip and she tore away, leading again. We made good time, even with a lunch break; it only took a few hours to reach land I recognized. By that time, I was weary and dizzy. I just wanted to sleep, but Thera looked nervous.
?What?s?wrong?? I panted.
?Shh?? she looked around, listening. Suddenly she looked at me, with fear in her eyes, ?Go, now, you have to run, I hear them, you should be able to make it back, but I?ll distract them, just incase??
?No, you can?t?? I looked at her with pleading eyes, ?Stay, please, we?ll keep you safe.
She shook her head, ?I can?t, don?t you understand? Not yet, not until I have to?? She glanced nervously into the trees, and suddenly hugged me, spinning me around in the direction of camp, ?Go, now!?
I looked back to wave, but she disappeared into the trees in the opposite direction. So I turned and started to run.
|