Part 125: Dynamics
Seth strode through the beach and found an empty spot near a tree. He walked over and sat down, using the tree as a back rest. He closed his eyes, and listened to the ocean. It felt weird being on this part of the island with all these people. He was slowly getting used to it but he admitted that it felt better when it was just he people they knew.
He shifted over in his back pack, placing his sword to the side. He pulled out the journal, and took the photo out of the back. He looked at Kate for a brief second but stared mostly at Tanya. He missed her terribly. He wondered if she was grieving over him or holding onto hope, surfing on her board and hanging out with her friends at their favorite bar. He kissed the photo and placed it back. He shifted over in his pack, looking at all the stuff he collected. Everything from extra socks to the tubes of peanut butter. He then pulled out his tape player. He pressed play but he already knew the outcome. The batteries made the song sound like it was slowly dying. Seth clicked it off, then placed it back in his gear. He missed it; he missed his music. Rarely had he gone so long without it. He leaned back and closed his eyes; imaging his music playing.
The guitars strings of a familiar song began to play in his head. He smiled, always loving that tune. It was U2’s Sort of Homecoming. Seth couldn’t have imagined a more appropriate song for the way he felt. He took in a slow breath and began to sing.
And you know it's time to go
Through the sleet and driving snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light in the distance
And you hunger for the time
Time to heal, desire, time
And your earth moves beneath
Your own dream landscape
Oh, oh, oh...
On borderland we run...
I'll be there
I'll be there...
Then the guitars strings stopped abruptly. Seth opened his eyes, gasping mildly. There was no reason why the music would have stopped so suddenly unless it wasn’t it his head at all but he was actually hearing it. He then turned around to see if he could spot where the music was coming from.
As he turned, he was staring at a short fellow with a beard, and blondish hair. He wore a sleeveless shirt and in his hands was a guitar. Seth knew him as Charlie, the man who killed Ethan. He had no idea, he had a guitar nor could he play it with such skill. As the young bookstore worker was looking at him, so was Charlie. The musician was fascinated; he never heard a man sing this well since his brother. The two men then finally met eye to eye.
“THAT WAS GOOD!” they said at the exact same time.
Kristy and Martin were walking down the beach, trying to find Jenny. They were both worried about their friend over what happened between her and Jack. Jenny bonded with Kristy when they were both recovering in the medical tent. Martin bonded with the young girl while they were fighting Black Faction and in essence, she saved his life. Both the young black man and the model felt responsible for her. They just wanted to make sure she was okay.
As they were walking, Kristy noticed Mandy hanging out with the young man called Boone. It was how she was hanging out with him that made her blink. The young blonde was chatting with him but he was leaning into him, using him as a back rest. He had his arms around her waist, laughing at any thing she said. She’d lean up and look at him, laughing as well. “Does that look normal to you?” Kristy mentioned to her friend, “I mean, didn’t they just meet?”
“Define normal here.” Martin raised an eyebrow, “I mean, seriously . . what IS normal on this island?”
“Touche.” The model whispered.
The brown-haired model walked up to Mandy and Boone. “Hey, Mandy,” she smiled.
“Hey, Kristy,” Mandy laughed, “Have you met Boone?”
“Can’t say I have.” She said, extending her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Kristy,” he smiled, shaking her hand.
“I hate to interrupt you two but by any chance have you seen Jenny?”
“Uh, yeah, she was heading into the jungle, bought ten minutes ago, that way,” Mandy pointed.
Kristy waved to the blonde, as she and Martin headed into the direction. The jungle trees were swaying in the wind. The smell of the fruit mixed with the grass made the young model smile. It didn’t smell that pretty back on their side of the island. Then Martin raised his hand, as if he heard something. Kristy listened and heard a banging sound, like someone chopping wood. The black man led the way as they past several bushes, eventually finding the person they sought.
Jenny was standing near a giant rock, holding up a piece of wood with her left hand. She had her eyes closed, holding onto it. Then she made a scowl, leaping up and planted her fish into the log, smashing it into tooth-picks. The sight of the little girl destroying a foot thick piece of wood with her hand was enough to send the black man stammering. “JESUS!” Martin exclaimed.
“WHOA!” Jenny jumped back, then leaned on the rock, holding her chest, “God, Marty! Could you not sneak up on me next time?”
“Count on it, “he whispered, “I sure as hell do not want to end up like these pieces of wood here.”
“You okay, Jenny?” Kristy asked.
“Yeah, why?” she said.
“Well, you’re out here in the jungle alone, smashing logs with your bare fists, “ the model rubbed her neck, “By any chance, do any of these logs . . .have Jack’s face?”
“All of them.” She said coldly.
“You gotta let that go, sugar bear,” Martin told her, “All that hate is gonna burn you up.”
“Yeah, maybe you should talk to Jack.” The model mentioned.
“I already talked to him and I didn’t like what I had to hear,” Jenny stood up, “Jack’s dad died in Sydney. That is why he was on the plane. I knew Chris . . . . .Jack’s dad. I knew him.”
“Where you close to Jack’s dad, Jenny?” asked the black man.
“No but that’s not the point,” the young teenager approached them, “I want to kill that man. I want to smash his face until there is nothing left but blood pudding. But . . .I can’t. Not after what he told me. He’s . . . .suffering almost as much as I am.”
“Then maybe both of you could heal each other’s pain?” asked Kristy.
Jenny looked at her friends, and smiled. She really did appreciate it that they were both looking out for her. She leaned up with both arms and wrapped them around their necks, hugging them both at the same. They were eager to return the hug. “Thanks for your concern guys, it means a lot to me,” Jenny whispered, kissing them both on the cheek in turn, “But I’ll deal with this my own way. I’ll get over it. I promise.”
Before the others could say anything, they heard a grunting noise of a female. Martin and Kristy turned to look into the distance to see the woman they’ve known as Claire. She was hauling fruit and coconuts in a makeshift blanket but she was having difficulty hauling such a large load. Martin looked at the others and they agreed, it would be best to help her considering she was pregnant. The black man was the first to call to her. “Hello, there!” he called, “May we help?”
“If you don’t mind,” Claire smiled.
Martin, Kristy and Jenny walked over and each took some of the fruit. Claire introduced herself while the others did too. They then began to walk with her back to the beach. Jenny even went ahead and tucked her arm under the pregnant girls’. “Thank you,” she said, “My back is killing me.”
“How much longer do you have, Claire?” Jenny asked.
“Any day now I guess,” she whispered.
“You’re nine months pregnant?” Martin gasped.
“Yes, Martin, she’s nine month pregnant,” the teenager said as if it was obvious, “That kinda thing happens some times, you know?”
“Well, uh . .I mean, uh . . .” the black man stuttered.
Claire giggled at his reaction. It wasn’t the first time someone was thrown back by her pregnancy but it was the most amusing. “It’s all right, Marty,” the Australian girl smiled, “I don’t know when the baby will come but I’m sure it won’t be that big a deal.”
“Yeah, probably not, “He smiled, “You do have two doctors on the island now.”
“True, I am sure Tony will be able to assist in the birth,” Jenny smiled.
“Ar you sure?” she said with a concerned looked, “I mean, no disrespect to the man but he is blind.”
“Tony is still a doctor, eyes or not.” Jenny said proudly, “He saved my life.”
Claire smirked at what the teenager said, “Why do I get the feeling I have to hear this story?”
“Tell you what, Claire,” Jenny grinned, “Show us where to put these fruits and I’ll tell you the whole epic saga.”
“Well, Charlie was supposed to get his stuff for me but I haven’t seen him in the last twenty minutes,” the pregnant woman said, “I wonder where-“
Before she could say another word, she was hearing Charlie’s guitar. The cool rhythms were echoing over the beach area, bouncing against the trees. But what confused the Australian even more were the vocals that accompanied them; it clearly wasn’t Charlie.
LOVER!
I’m on the street!
Gonna go where the bright lights
And the big city meet!
With the red guitar . . .ON FIRE!!!
“Is that Seth?” Kristy paused.
DES-SAIIIIII---YARRRRE
She’s the candle, burning in my room
Yeah, I’m like the Needle, needle and spoon
Over the counter with that shotgun
Pretty soon, everybody got one
And the fever when I’m beside her,
DESIRE!!
The group finally appeared from the bushes, looking at the two. Charlie was busting away on his guitar, while Seth sang with all this heart right next to him. Claire smirked, not remembering since a few days ago, when she saw Charlie so happy. She then coughed, getting his attention. The musician then turned to her, his smile immediately turning into a frown. “OH, GOD, CLAIRE!” he said, standing up, “I am so sorry, the fruit, I forgot, I was just . . .just . . “
“Jamming with a new friend from the looks of it, Charlie.” She said, arms crossed.
“Yeah, well, haven you heard this guy sing?” the short man pointed back to Seth,” He’s a bloody prodigy! I haven’t heard anybody sing this good since John Lennon.”
“Whoa, dude, no well in hell can I compare myself to that man.” Seth held up his hands.
“Don’t be modest, Seth,” Martin laughed, “You should hear him do his own version of Draggin the Line.”
“Well, I forgive you, Charlie,” she said, “As long as you and Seth keep singing those U2 songs.”
“I want to hear some Outkast!” Martin laughed.
The group sat down as Charlie began to play his guitar and Seth started to sing. This time it happened to be Cream’s White Room. Kristy cheered them on as they performed. Claire rested on a pillow, laughing at watching Charlie use his guitar. Jenny smiled at the joy and laughter they were having. Seth was even enjoying himself better than before a few hours ago.
Perhaps he and these people did indeed have something in common after all.
He shifted over in his back pack, placing his sword to the side. He pulled out the journal, and took the photo out of the back. He looked at Kate for a brief second but stared mostly at Tanya. He missed her terribly. He wondered if she was grieving over him or holding onto hope, surfing on her board and hanging out with her friends at their favorite bar. He kissed the photo and placed it back. He shifted over in his pack, looking at all the stuff he collected. Everything from extra socks to the tubes of peanut butter. He then pulled out his tape player. He pressed play but he already knew the outcome. The batteries made the song sound like it was slowly dying. Seth clicked it off, then placed it back in his gear. He missed it; he missed his music. Rarely had he gone so long without it. He leaned back and closed his eyes; imaging his music playing.
The guitars strings of a familiar song began to play in his head. He smiled, always loving that tune. It was U2’s Sort of Homecoming. Seth couldn’t have imagined a more appropriate song for the way he felt. He took in a slow breath and began to sing.
And you know it's time to go
Through the sleet and driving snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light in the distance
And you hunger for the time
Time to heal, desire, time
And your earth moves beneath
Your own dream landscape
Oh, oh, oh...
On borderland we run...
I'll be there
I'll be there...
Then the guitars strings stopped abruptly. Seth opened his eyes, gasping mildly. There was no reason why the music would have stopped so suddenly unless it wasn’t it his head at all but he was actually hearing it. He then turned around to see if he could spot where the music was coming from.
As he turned, he was staring at a short fellow with a beard, and blondish hair. He wore a sleeveless shirt and in his hands was a guitar. Seth knew him as Charlie, the man who killed Ethan. He had no idea, he had a guitar nor could he play it with such skill. As the young bookstore worker was looking at him, so was Charlie. The musician was fascinated; he never heard a man sing this well since his brother. The two men then finally met eye to eye.
“THAT WAS GOOD!” they said at the exact same time.
Kristy and Martin were walking down the beach, trying to find Jenny. They were both worried about their friend over what happened between her and Jack. Jenny bonded with Kristy when they were both recovering in the medical tent. Martin bonded with the young girl while they were fighting Black Faction and in essence, she saved his life. Both the young black man and the model felt responsible for her. They just wanted to make sure she was okay.
As they were walking, Kristy noticed Mandy hanging out with the young man called Boone. It was how she was hanging out with him that made her blink. The young blonde was chatting with him but he was leaning into him, using him as a back rest. He had his arms around her waist, laughing at any thing she said. She’d lean up and look at him, laughing as well. “Does that look normal to you?” Kristy mentioned to her friend, “I mean, didn’t they just meet?”
“Define normal here.” Martin raised an eyebrow, “I mean, seriously . . what IS normal on this island?”
“Touche.” The model whispered.
The brown-haired model walked up to Mandy and Boone. “Hey, Mandy,” she smiled.
“Hey, Kristy,” Mandy laughed, “Have you met Boone?”
“Can’t say I have.” She said, extending her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Kristy,” he smiled, shaking her hand.
“I hate to interrupt you two but by any chance have you seen Jenny?”
“Uh, yeah, she was heading into the jungle, bought ten minutes ago, that way,” Mandy pointed.
Kristy waved to the blonde, as she and Martin headed into the direction. The jungle trees were swaying in the wind. The smell of the fruit mixed with the grass made the young model smile. It didn’t smell that pretty back on their side of the island. Then Martin raised his hand, as if he heard something. Kristy listened and heard a banging sound, like someone chopping wood. The black man led the way as they past several bushes, eventually finding the person they sought.
Jenny was standing near a giant rock, holding up a piece of wood with her left hand. She had her eyes closed, holding onto it. Then she made a scowl, leaping up and planted her fish into the log, smashing it into tooth-picks. The sight of the little girl destroying a foot thick piece of wood with her hand was enough to send the black man stammering. “JESUS!” Martin exclaimed.
“WHOA!” Jenny jumped back, then leaned on the rock, holding her chest, “God, Marty! Could you not sneak up on me next time?”
“Count on it, “he whispered, “I sure as hell do not want to end up like these pieces of wood here.”
“You okay, Jenny?” Kristy asked.
“Yeah, why?” she said.
“Well, you’re out here in the jungle alone, smashing logs with your bare fists, “ the model rubbed her neck, “By any chance, do any of these logs . . .have Jack’s face?”
“All of them.” She said coldly.
“You gotta let that go, sugar bear,” Martin told her, “All that hate is gonna burn you up.”
“Yeah, maybe you should talk to Jack.” The model mentioned.
“I already talked to him and I didn’t like what I had to hear,” Jenny stood up, “Jack’s dad died in Sydney. That is why he was on the plane. I knew Chris . . . . .Jack’s dad. I knew him.”
“Where you close to Jack’s dad, Jenny?” asked the black man.
“No but that’s not the point,” the young teenager approached them, “I want to kill that man. I want to smash his face until there is nothing left but blood pudding. But . . .I can’t. Not after what he told me. He’s . . . .suffering almost as much as I am.”
“Then maybe both of you could heal each other’s pain?” asked Kristy.
Jenny looked at her friends, and smiled. She really did appreciate it that they were both looking out for her. She leaned up with both arms and wrapped them around their necks, hugging them both at the same. They were eager to return the hug. “Thanks for your concern guys, it means a lot to me,” Jenny whispered, kissing them both on the cheek in turn, “But I’ll deal with this my own way. I’ll get over it. I promise.”
Before the others could say anything, they heard a grunting noise of a female. Martin and Kristy turned to look into the distance to see the woman they’ve known as Claire. She was hauling fruit and coconuts in a makeshift blanket but she was having difficulty hauling such a large load. Martin looked at the others and they agreed, it would be best to help her considering she was pregnant. The black man was the first to call to her. “Hello, there!” he called, “May we help?”
“If you don’t mind,” Claire smiled.
Martin, Kristy and Jenny walked over and each took some of the fruit. Claire introduced herself while the others did too. They then began to walk with her back to the beach. Jenny even went ahead and tucked her arm under the pregnant girls’. “Thank you,” she said, “My back is killing me.”
“How much longer do you have, Claire?” Jenny asked.
“Any day now I guess,” she whispered.
“You’re nine months pregnant?” Martin gasped.
“Yes, Martin, she’s nine month pregnant,” the teenager said as if it was obvious, “That kinda thing happens some times, you know?”
“Well, uh . .I mean, uh . . .” the black man stuttered.
Claire giggled at his reaction. It wasn’t the first time someone was thrown back by her pregnancy but it was the most amusing. “It’s all right, Marty,” the Australian girl smiled, “I don’t know when the baby will come but I’m sure it won’t be that big a deal.”
“Yeah, probably not, “He smiled, “You do have two doctors on the island now.”
“True, I am sure Tony will be able to assist in the birth,” Jenny smiled.
“Ar you sure?” she said with a concerned looked, “I mean, no disrespect to the man but he is blind.”
“Tony is still a doctor, eyes or not.” Jenny said proudly, “He saved my life.”
Claire smirked at what the teenager said, “Why do I get the feeling I have to hear this story?”
“Tell you what, Claire,” Jenny grinned, “Show us where to put these fruits and I’ll tell you the whole epic saga.”
“Well, Charlie was supposed to get his stuff for me but I haven’t seen him in the last twenty minutes,” the pregnant woman said, “I wonder where-“
Before she could say another word, she was hearing Charlie’s guitar. The cool rhythms were echoing over the beach area, bouncing against the trees. But what confused the Australian even more were the vocals that accompanied them; it clearly wasn’t Charlie.
LOVER!
I’m on the street!
Gonna go where the bright lights
And the big city meet!
With the red guitar . . .ON FIRE!!!
“Is that Seth?” Kristy paused.
DES-SAIIIIII---YARRRRE
She’s the candle, burning in my room
Yeah, I’m like the Needle, needle and spoon
Over the counter with that shotgun
Pretty soon, everybody got one
And the fever when I’m beside her,
DESIRE!!
The group finally appeared from the bushes, looking at the two. Charlie was busting away on his guitar, while Seth sang with all this heart right next to him. Claire smirked, not remembering since a few days ago, when she saw Charlie so happy. She then coughed, getting his attention. The musician then turned to her, his smile immediately turning into a frown. “OH, GOD, CLAIRE!” he said, standing up, “I am so sorry, the fruit, I forgot, I was just . . .just . . “
“Jamming with a new friend from the looks of it, Charlie.” She said, arms crossed.
“Yeah, well, haven you heard this guy sing?” the short man pointed back to Seth,” He’s a bloody prodigy! I haven’t heard anybody sing this good since John Lennon.”
“Whoa, dude, no well in hell can I compare myself to that man.” Seth held up his hands.
“Don’t be modest, Seth,” Martin laughed, “You should hear him do his own version of Draggin the Line.”
“Well, I forgive you, Charlie,” she said, “As long as you and Seth keep singing those U2 songs.”
“I want to hear some Outkast!” Martin laughed.
The group sat down as Charlie began to play his guitar and Seth started to sing. This time it happened to be Cream’s White Room. Kristy cheered them on as they performed. Claire rested on a pillow, laughing at watching Charlie use his guitar. Jenny smiled at the joy and laughter they were having. Seth was even enjoying himself better than before a few hours ago.
Perhaps he and these people did indeed have something in common after all.
posted by Jason | 2:36 PM
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