Chapter 7: Jack
I looked up at a sudden crackle in the woods. A wild girl was standing there, staring at us like a deer caught in headlights. I moved swiftly and grabbed her as she tried to make a dash for the woods. I tackled her to the ground and held her still.
?Who are you?? I asked. ?Where did you come from??
?My name is Thera. I came from out there.? she said, gesturing to the woods.
?Did you do this?? I barked, treating her roughly.
The girl had the nerve to look offended. ?Of course not! If it weren?t for me, he?d be dead right now! It was Ethan?Ethan and the Others!?
?The Others? You sound like Sayid?? Kate said.
I didn?t know what to do; it was going to be hard enough to get Charlie back to camp, but this wild child, to? I shook my head. ?Kate, please get me that vine?? I said softly, then turning back to look at Thera, I added, ?You?ll be coming back with us.?
?No?not tied up?not like an animal! Never!? despite her words, which carried a brave anger and strength, her eyes shown with the fear of a caged animal. In a way, it was heart-wrenching, but I refused to be swayed as I tied her hands and feet.
?This is why I didn?t want to stay with you! Sayid invited me, he did, but I wouldn?t I knew you wouldn?t understand, you are just like the Others. I?m some kind of circus freak to you, aren?t I? I didn?t do it! They killed my parents, why would I help them?!? she cried.
?Jack?is that necessary?if we watch her, and keep her stuff?? Kate started.
I shrugged. I wasn?t going to take any chances with this one. She seemed a little young, but what if she was the crazy French woman Sayid had mentioned? Anyway, we could use her if she knew about the island. So I ignored her reproachful glares and hauled her to her feet, although a little more gently than before. And we started off. Kate kept and eye on the girl while I helped Charlie. Somehow we managed the painfully slow journey and made it back a little before nightfall.
The wild girl attracted attention at the caves. But she kept her head high and ignored the curious, and some vicious, stares. At least, she ignored them until they walked past the cave where Sayid was supposed to be resting.
Chapter 8: Sayid
I awoke to a commotion outside. Jack had told me to rest, but my curiosity got the better of me. Besides, we might be in trouble. I crept to the mouth of the cave and my mouth fell open at what I saw.
?Thera!? I yelled, rushing out, the best my leg would allow. I looked from poor Thera, tied up, to Jack, to Kate, hardly noticing Charlie, ?What is this??
?I?ll explain in a moment, Sayid?? Jack said wearily.
?But Thera??
?In a moment, Sayid, let me make sure Charlie is alright!? Jack snapped, walking off with Charlie, who looked ill, and had a strange cut on his neck.
?Thera, are you alright?? I asked, turning to the girl.
?Bloody fine,? she muttered angrily.
I looked at Kate, who was standing there, confused and awkward. ?What the hell happened??
?Sayid?she?ll only tell you if you go back and sit down,? Thera said, eyeing my leg.
Kate looked even more confused at this statement, but nodded in agreement and helped me back to the cave, leaving Thera to hobble in and fall into a sitting position. When we were all seated in the quiet coolness of the cave, I looked at the two girls.
?So what happened?? I asked anxiously.
Kate looked at Thera. ?I have no idea??
?I found Sayid after he met the crazy lady?I?ve been on the island for a long time?so I offered him my help getting back to camp?? Thera explained, slightly bitterly, to Kate, ?When we neared the camp, I discovered the Others had been following us, so I told Sayid to go on, and I ran back to distract them,? she turned to Sayid now, ?When I lost them, I went back to my home, and I packed my necessities. They probably destroyed everything I left. On my way away from here, though, I heard mentions of Ethan kidnapping two of you, so I set about tracking him down. I have a grudge to settle with him anyway. I followed him throughout the night, and I would have followed the man that took the pregnant woman, but I saw Ethan was planning to kill the man, so I stayed. They seemed gentler with the pregnant woman, anyway. So I stood there as a support for him so he could breath. I was afraid to cut him down; he might?ve been hurt even worse. Then I heard voices, so I hid in a tree, but I forgot my bag. When I tried to get it, those two caught me,? Thera finished, resentment filling the last sentence.
?We?Jack?thought she had something to do with Charlie?that?s why we?you know,? Kate said apologetically to me.
I had listened to their tale quietly. I was overjoyed to find Thera was safe, but Charlie and Claire troubled me. Why would they only want one? Had Thera done the right thing when she stayed with Charlie? If Ethan was planning to kill Claire, and knew Thera was watching, could Charlie only be a distraction? Could Thera?s instincts have led her wrong this time?
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