The Only One

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

Title: The Only One
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A young girl is found in the surrounding forest. She helps the survivors of the crash, but no one knows who she is, or where she came from...
Warnings: Little naughty language, don't know what else yet
Status of Fic: Work in Progress
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I'm not smart, nor am I rich, and I'm only 14, so the characters, or the idea of the plane crash on this particular mysterious island, belong to me. Well, except Tera, I made her up!

Introduction:
A large crash and explosion startled the boar away. Thera cursed angrily. Well, there goes dinner, she thought. She looked up and saw great plumes of smoke rising to the sky. That?s odd?She started to walk toward it. When she reached the end of the forest, she froze. A large metal thing, a plane, she thought it was called, was burning. There were lots of people running around, screaming. Others lay still, red staining the white sand around them. She closed her eyes. This was the last thing she needed to worry about. She hurried out to help the people who were injured.

Chapter 1: Thera
I kept my eye on the strange people that had landed on my island. After I had done what I could to help, I had snuck away in the confusion to go back home. They interested me, but I had been warned to stay away from them, and I listened for once. While some of them seemed to be nice, and they might understand if I were to join them, others, well only one I really noticed, were violent, and stayed away. My survival instincts overcame my urge to help the strangers. It wasn?t that I didn?t want to help; I would just wait until they needed me. And I would watch the Others, and keep them in check, to make sure they weren?t up to anything too awful.
In my free time, when I wasn?t fixing the shelter, hunting, or going about the necessities of island life, I watched them. They were like a sick form of entertainment. I learned their names, some of their secrets. I watched as they argued, made camp, and learned to survive with one another. They discovered some of the darker secrets of the island, like the polar bears, and the nameless thing in the woods even I didn?t know. I was amazed at the way they interacted. It wasn?t with fear or anger, like the few other people I?d known more recently. It was almost like?before this, before the Island.
One day, when I was watching them go at the Caves, as they called it, I heard footsteps behind me. Someone grabbed me from behind before I could move. A rough, callused hand was put over my mouth as I was dragged deeper into the woods. When I was finally released, I spun around, crouched low in defense stance, to face the attacker.
?What are you doing outside camp, little girl? I don?t remember seeing you before,? said a tall man.
It was the one I?d learned was called Locke. He was the hunter. I cursed aloud. It was just my luck to be caught by the one Stranger who knew anything about the woods!
?I was just walking?? I started, trying to look innocent.
?Then how come you were watching us? You?re not from the camp. Who are you??
?What?s it to you?? I spat.
?Well, if it makes you feel any better, my name is John Locke,? he said, offering his hand.
I stared at the hand, unsure of what to do. Was he trying to hurt me? What strange custom was this?
?It?s just a handshake! You?re supposed to take my hand, like this?? Locke grabbed my hand and shook it up and down. I hurriedly snatched the hand back. He frowned. ?How long have you been here, little one??
?Long before you all, I can tell you that,? I stated.
?Why don?t you stay in the camp? It would be safer,?
?I do not trust you,? I said.
?Ah, well, good luck to you then!? Locke waved cheerfully and turned to leave.
?Wait! Um?Would you possibly not tell the rest of `em?? I asked, hating to be in the debt of this man for keeping a secret.
?My lips are sealed.? The odd man gave another wave and disappeared into the surrounding jungle.



Hey, its me now. I dunno if this is any good, I was bored...tell me if its worth continuing or not. The beginning is always kinda boring, but I kinda had an idea involving the Solitary episode that might amount to something...

[HobbitLuvr]

If there's more to be written, write it.

It's good so far and I'd like to read more so don't hesitate to continue it. Seriously.

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

O good, I'm glad its not too awful...here's the next two chapters...
Chapter 2: Sayid
I stared around, tense, on guard. Whispers were everywhere, in the trees, just behind me?but there was no one there. I kept thinking back to what Danielle had said, about the voices. And about being lucky if it was just a polar bear. My leg ached something awful, and my head was spinning. I hoped agains hope I wasn?t too far away from camp. I hated going back, after what I had done to Sawyer, but I had no choice. I had to warn them.
Suddenly I heard a sound different from the hushed voices. A yell came from my right, and I braced myself as a young girl dashed out of the trees.
?You let him be! He?s yet to do any wrong to you all, so you just get!? she hollered, ?Oh, and don?t bother coming `round tonight, looks like I?ll have company!?
The woods had suddenly gotten quiet. I stared at that wild thing that was looking at me. She had wild brown hair that was unevenly chopped to about her shoulders. It was wildly curly, had a mess of things in it, and it looked like it hadn?t seen a brush in decades. She was dirty; her lightly tanned skin was a shade or two darker because of the mud, and I couldn?t guess the original color of her baggy shirt and jeans, and they were both full of clothes. I would have said she was crazy, except for her eyes. They were a clear gray, like storm clouds, and there was a calm intelligence about that that was scary in a way. While she couldn?t have been more than 15, those eyes had more maturity than I?ve seen in many adults.
?Um?do you speak English?? I asked.
?Doesn?t everyone?? she replied hastily, ?Now come on, that?s the wrong way!?
?No, the others are this way?? I said.
?The Others will most certainly get ya if you go that way! You can stay with me tonight, its not two far, only an hour walk??
?Only an hour? As apposed to what??
?By the time you get back to your camp, it will be after nightfall, and after what just almost happened, I wouldn?t advise you to go out after dark. Are you planning on coming or not?? she asked, turning and starting to walk like she didn?t care either way. But I saw her pause and her eyes flicker behind her with the curiosity that fitted her age.
We walked a while in silence. The girl?s eyes kept looking at me. And I kept looking at her. She could be pretty, he guessed, if she was clean. Question hurried through my mind. What was she doing here? How long has she been here? She couldn?t have been on the plane, could she? Finally I couldn?t stand it anymore.
?My name is Sayid.?
?That?s nice,? she grunted.
I paused for the rest of her answer. When nothing came, I went on, a little harshly.
?Normally, that?s where you introduce yourself. But it seems you were raised out here, so I will forgive any lack of manners.?
The girl spun around. Anger flashed in her eyes as she glared at me.
?You don?t know jack shit about me, about why I?m here. My name? Is that what you wanted? I?m Thera. You think I?m manner less? I might be. But manners have to give way to instinct if you want to survive out here. This is a lot different from wherever the hell you came from!? she hissed, turning around again, and as suddenly as she had spoken, she started walking quickly again.
?Not that different, although ?hell? was awfully close,? I murmured. The girl snorted.

Chapter 3: Sayid

We walked without talking to each other for a while. Thera?s shoulders were hunched, and she was muttering angrily to herself. I could only catch bits and pieces.
?Stupid?who?s he think he is, anyway?...Doesn?t know anything about me, about who I am!....should have just let the Others get him!?
?Who are these others you keep speaking about? Do you stay with them?? I questioned.
?Stay with them?? Thera laughed harshly. ?Oh, wouldn?t they like me too. I did, for a time. But then they?never mind. Dunno who they are, what they are. They just are. They were here before me, before the crazy lady, too. I think you met the crazy lady. She speaks a funny language sometimes.?
?Do you mean Danielle??
?Yeah, I think that?s her name, I just call her the crazy lady. I avoid her,? the girl said, as calmly as if discussing the weather. ?So where are you from, Sayid??
?Iraq.? She gave him a questioning look from over her shoulder. ?It?s a hot, desert country in the Middle East.? She still didn?t look like she got it, but she nodded.
?I?m from?.? She blushed a little. ?I don?t really know, but Mom always wrote it ?us??
?Oh, U.S.? That?s the United States of America!?
?America?yes, that sounds right. I lived in a big?house, I think they called it. And it was made of funny red rocks.?
?Bricks?? I asked. She shrugged.
?So where are your parents, Thera?? I asked again.
She stopped dead in her tracks. ?They?re gone.?
?Dead?? I questioned softly.
She started again, and he heard sorrow in her voice, ?Gone.?
We finished the trip in silence. When we finally stopped, I was exhausted. The camp that Thera called home looked like it was from a story book. A small wigwam-like structure stood in a clearing next to a little stream, for water. She had some kind of bed made up of odds and ends: over stuffed chair cushions, pillows, blankets, and even a bean bag. She had a supply of snacks I recognized from the plane. A little garden grew in one corner of the clearing. There was a little tree fort with a sign that said ?Thera?s Tree? in messy, faded letters. Wet clothes were strung over a low hanging branch, along with a miniature bow and some homemade arrows. Today?s kill was hanging from a tree by its hind legs. An odd collection of pottery that looked ancient surrounded the place, and pictures cut from magazines and drawn by a small child covered the walls of the shelter. A cheerful fire crackled in the center.
?Welcome home,? she said softly.

[HobbitLuvr]

It's getting more interesting as you continue so definitely keep it coming. :)

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

Chapter 4: Thera
I made dinner for us. Sayid ate hungrily, raving all the while about the meal.
"What is this? It?s amazing..." he said.
"Just boar," I said simply.
"You're not very talkative, are you?"
"No."
We sat in silence again. I sighed; I knew the man was confused by me. I didn?t blame him, really, in his position, I would have felt the same. But it was more complicated than he realized. I hadn?t been around people in years?my solitary habits were hard to overcome.
?So, who are you? No, not your name, I know that, you, where are you from? What was life like?? I asked
?It is complicated?? he said, eyes shifting nervously. I knew immediately there was a reason he didn?t want to answer.
?Isn?t life? It?s alright, keep your little secret, I was just trying to talk,? I said, adding with a bitter smile, ?Trying to work on my manners.?
Silence for a moment. Then Sayid asked, ?So what about you? What happened, how did you get here??
?Its complicated?? I mimicked. I had developed a wicked tongue from talking with the Others.
But then Sayid looked at me with his big brown eyes. And they said things words couldn?t. They said he cared. And I don?t know why, but I suddenly found myself telling him everything. About my parents, who were archeologists. About the accident on the way back from a dig. All three of us had survived the crash; we made a camp, and we waited for someone to save us. No one ever did. My dad went out hunting and never returned. I later found out he had been captured, but I didn?t know who did it. They killed him, and they killed my mother later. But I had been young when we crashed, and I learned the ways of the island more quickly than my parents, so I was able to keep out of the clutches of the ones who had killed my parents. And they left me alone for the most part. By the end, I was crying softly, and I tries to wipe away the tears.
?And Ethan?is he one of these Others?? he asked.
?Yes?he was the one that did it?? I said softly.
Suddenly I stood up. Angrily, I glared at Sayid.
?Why did I tell you that? You shouldn?t know, I shouldn?t have told you!? I roared.
?Thera??
?Don?t call me that! Just leave!? I yelled.
?I?m sorry, I didn?t mean to upset you,? he apologized, ?I didn?t have to great of a time, either. I fell in a bad way, and had to join the Republican Guard. But you don?t know what that is, do you? It was the army of the leader of our country. The things we had to do?? he shuddered.
I calmed down. I sat down and looked at Sayid, really looked at him. He had been through some awful things as well. But he confused me almost as much as I confused him. I felt deep down, like a tug, or an ache, that I didn?t understand. I didn?t know why I?d told him anything. But suddenly it didn?t matter as much. It had felt good to talk to someone after so many years.
?I?m sorry, Sayid,? I said.
?Its alright, I don?t blame you, you?re only a child?? he said softly, ?It is a sad thing, little miss; you had to grow up to fast.?
He put his arm around me, and I allowed myself to be pulled to his embrace. I started to hum, it was a song my mom had taught me, a long time ago. Sayid recognized the tune, also from his youth. Suddenly he started singing, in his native language. And I joined in, in my English tongue. And we harmonized together, two very different songs with the same thread, both lost in the darkness.

[HobbitLuvr]

Awww . . . .

That was so sweet!

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

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.

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

Chapter 6: Thera
I ran back to my camp, making as much noise as I could, hoping they would follow me. Glancing back, I couldn?t see anyone. When I got to my little hut, I rummaged around, and found my mom?s black travel backpack. I tossed some of my food and as many valuables as I could from my hideout into it. I doubted I?d ever see the rest of my things in one piece again. Then I ran out of camp, unsure what to do next.
I wandered around for a while, and soon found myself close to the new people?s camp. Sayid?s camp. I poked around to make sure Sayid was safe. I found him in a cave, asleep, luckily, with everything taken care of. As I snuck away, voices caught my attention. They were talking about Ethan, and people named Claire and Charlie. The word ?taken? jumped out time and time again. I knew Ethan; he was the one who always came to find me, he did the Others? dirty work. Claire and Charlie sounded familiar, too, Sayid had mentioned them. I decided they were friends of his, and I had to go rescue them! I tracked their footprints, and luckily Ethan was still trying to force them into doing whatever it is he wanted, so I could follow his harsh voice as well. Getting down on my knees, I peered through some underbrush at the odd group. Ethan was standing with a blonde pregnant woman and an unshaven young man. Both of them were tied up and blindfolded, and Ethan was prodding them along. So I followed.
I followed them all day, and watched as they made camp. Another one of the Others showed up, and led the pregnant lady away in the morning. She struggled, but she was no match for his strength. And Ethan dragged the other man, Charlie, I guessed, to a tree. I was about to follow the pregnant woman when Ethan knocked Charlie unconscious. He looped a vine, tied in a noose, around the man?s neck and heaved him up a tree. Ethan stood watching his victim struggle for breath with a sick grin on his face before he disappeared into the wood again. After making sure he was gone, I moved quickly. I didn?t want to risk cutting him down, the fall might kill him. I also knew he wasn?t dead yet. So I held his feet on my shouders, providing a platform so the noose wouldn?t choke him.
I don?t know how long I stood there, but it seemed like days before I heard the people. A man and a woman were talking, arguing. I waited as long as I could, and then let instinct take over and I fled to the woods, hiding up a tree to watch. I cursed silently as I noticed my bag lying on the ground at the edge of the clearing. But it was too late, the man and woman walked into the clearing. I knew the man as the doctor, but I didn?t recognize the woman. She screamed at the sight of Charlie?s lifeless body. They worked together to cut him down. The doctor pounded on his chest, trying to beat life into him while the woman stood next to him, sobbing and yelling.
?Stop! Jack, just stop! He?s dead?stop!? she sobbed.
But the doctor, Jack, didn?t stop. He pounded harder. And Charlie choked. And he gasped. And started to breathe. Rough, ragged breathes, but breathe all the same! Jack gave Charlie instructions, and the woman let out a cheer. I slipped out of the tree and snuck silently to my bag. It rustled through the underbrush, and their heads snapped up. Damn, I was caught.

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

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?

[*~*PermenantlyLost*~*]

Chapter 10: Sawyer
Sayid was back. The little black boy had told me. I had to go talk to him. On the way, I saw the girl that had come from out in the woods. Doctor Goody-Two-Shoes had put some people up to watch her in secret. Apparently it didn?t work.
?You, what?s your name?? Thera asked, striding up to Scott, who was trying to watch her discreetly from behind the bushes when she was on the beach.
?Um?uh?Scott,? he stuttered.
?Pleasure to meet you, Scott. Now, I know you?re watching me. Who put you up to it? The doctor?? she asked cordially.
?Doctor? Jack? Not him??
?So you are watching me, then!?
?No, I didn?t mean?that!? Scott tried to backtrack, but it was too late. The kid didn?t miss a beat.
?So it was Jack. Ok, well, I?ll make your job easy. I give you my word I won?t leave the camp unsupervised, deal??
?But he said to make sure you didn?t do anything,? Scott said.
?Right, well, make sure I don?t do anything, I don?t mind. Just thought you might like a chance not to have to. But whatever,? she said as she turned and stalked off down the beach, making poor Scott dash after her to catch up.
I chuckled to myself, watching them leave. I liked the way she acted, she was more brutally honest than the rest. But there was something deeper. Most of the others thought I was an ass, and I?ll be the first to admit that?s what I am. But I have a reason for what I do, and I thought she did, too. I continued on to see Sayid.
?Well, well, well. I don't know if you Islams got a concept of karma but I get the sense it just served you up a heaping platter of cosmic payback.? I said with a smirk, as I walked in.
?What do you want?? Sayid asked, staring at me with distrust.
?Doctor D-Right doesn?t trust me with his antibiotics so I got to hump it up here everyday to get my meds?? I paused, ?You know, a less magnanimous man than I might just be thinking that he could beat the ever-living snot out of you right now without fear of reprisal.?
?You want a shot? Take it. But know that I left this camp out of shame for what I did to you. It was never my intention to return.? he said, his voice full of feeling.
?Sorry, fresh out of sweet forgiveness. If it wasn?t your intention to return, than why did you?? I asked, not wanting to let it go.
Suddenly a voice interrupted us. ?Hello Sayid.?
?Hi Thera,? he said sullenly.
?Well, if it isn?t Miss Wild Child herself,? I smirked and looked at the girl, who looked a lot better for her stay with us. Someone had helped clean and brush her hair and braid it in two pigtails, and she had on clean clothes.
?Who are you?? she asked bluntly, with a cold glint in her eye.
?Name?s Sawyer, pleasure, I?m sure,? I turned back to Sayid, ?So why did you come back??
?I was taken prisoner by the French woman,? he explained.
?The one who?s been sending out a distress signal for 16 years? She?s alive?? I asked, not believing it for a minute.
?She was on a science expedition. She said they shipwrecked.?
?She alone??
?She said that there are others on this island.?
?Her people?? I asked.
?No, she believed they had all gotten sick. She murdered her entire team,? Sayid said, frowning.
?Right. And these others, who the hell are they?? I asked, slightly shocked.
?I don?t know, she?s never seen them.?
?Oh, she?s never seen them but she knows they?re there.? I said sarcastically. That explained why she killed her team.
?If you believe her,? Sayid said.
?Do you??
?Maybe. Maybe not. But on my way back?I heard something in the jungle, surrounding me.?
?Damn right you did,? the girl added.
?Something like what??
?You don?t believe him?? the wild child asked, eyeing me with dislike. Sayid put his hand on her arm and gave her a look.
?Have you got something to say to me, Sawyer? Or are you going to continue asking me questions you know I don?t have the answers to?? he asked angrily.
?Tide?s coming up the beach. Plane hull?s almost in the water. Kept your signal fire burning.? And with that, I picked up my bag and left the cave.

Chapter 11: Thera
?Asshole,? I fumed.
?Calm down, Thera, just let it go,? Sayid said, trying to get her to relax.
?But he came here to pick a fight! You should have let me go after him!? I exclaimed.
?You need to get that temper under control,? Sayid said, with a small chuckle.
I slumped against the wall. ?It?s not funny.?
?Oh yes it is, yes you are!? Sayid said, smiling at her.
?Hmph!?
?What are you doing here? You should be out there, having fun, doing something!? he said.
?I can?t, that damn doctor?s got people watching my every mover except when I come in here,? I sighed. ?I miss my freedom. That?s why I didn?t want to come here.?
?I?m sorry, it?s my fault. But why don?t you go out to the beach and meet some people??
?Because they all think I?m insane,? I interrupted.
?Well then show them you?re not!? Sayid said, with a laugh. ?Go on, get out there??
?All right, all right?? I sighed and got up. ?Will you talk to Jack about removing my own personal guard, though??
Sayid chuckled as I left the cave.
I went to the beach, followed, as normal, by Scott, who was starting to drive me insane. I sat down in the sand, and he sat a little while away. I missed the way things were before they came to the island. It had been relatively peaceful before the crash. I buried my head in my hands and started to cry softly. I hated it here. I hated these people. Most of them treated me like I was diseased, and the others, like that Sawyer, thought I was some kind of circus freak. Suddenly a hand touched my shoulder. I jumped and looked up to see Mr. Locke with a young man and a boy, not much older than myself. I quickly wiped my eyes.
?Are you ok?? he asked kindly.
?Fine, perfectly fine,? I said harshly, and then remembered what Sayid had said, so I added more calmly, ?What do you need??
?This here is Boone,? he said, gesturing to the young man, ?And this is Tom. Tom wanted to meet you, but he?s a bit shy, so I said I would introduce you two. And Boone and I wanted to have a short word with you as well?if you wouldn?t mind, Tom??
The boy, Tom, walked off a ways and watched as Locke and Boone sat down next to me.
?Alright, Miss Thera, I need to ask you something,? he started, looking her in the eyes, calm and serious, but still kind. ?I need to know if you know anything about something underground??
?Underground, like a tunnel or something??
?Yes, like a tunnel. But it has a metal hatch as an opening. Boone and I stumbled upon it and have been trying to open it. We thought you might know something.?
?Sorry, never heard about it?but I will tell you anything is possible on this island,? I told them. They got up to leave and Tom came back over, ?Just be careful.?
Locke and Boone walked off and Tom sat down next to me. He watched me shyly, but not angrily or frightened like most of the others.
?Hi, I?m Thera,? I said, trying to be friendly.
?Tom?its nice to meet you,? he said.