Part 131: Day 30

The morning had finally come. Everybody slowly got up, moaning as usual. Tony massaged his face, then reached for the blindfold next to him. It wasn’t there. He opened his good eye, trying to see even a blurry image of it. Then he found it presented for him, Eddie’s little hand. “I washed it for you.” He said.

“Thanks, buddy,” he said, taking it and placing it over his eyes.

“I’m ready when you are, Tony,” the little boy said.

“How long have you been up, Eddie?” the blind doctor asked.

“I . .really never slept.” He admitted.

Tony sighed. Of course it was typical for the young kid to go through that; it’s not every day you retrieve your parent’s bodies. “Okay, Eddie,” he sighed, “Let us get some breakfast and we’ll go get your mom and dad.”

John shook his head in approval as well. McKay reached over to their fruit pile and started to pass out the necessary meal for the beginning of the day. Mia had arrived late last night, and simply past out in John’s arms. The archer began to explain to her what they were about to do. The Lakota girl gently patted Eddie on the shoulder, saying it was the right thing to do.


After breakfast the group began to assemble their gear. McKay put on his safari hat, and made sure his short sword was secure it his belt. John didn’t know if his arrows would be needed; but he thought it was better safe than sorry. Marita tied on her hiking shoes, then stood up. Tony was already waiting for her. Yolanda put on her jacket to absorb her sweat and then held out her hand to Eddie. The little boy quickly took it. Then Kate came over with her backpack on, following distantly by Hurley. The brunette waved to them. “Morning, everybody.” She smiled.

“Morning, luv,” McKay said, adjusting his hat.

“It’s appreciative, what you are doing, Kate.” Tony said.

“Yes,” Eddie piped in, “Thank you, Miss Kate.”

Kate smiled, bending over and placing her hands on her knees so she could look at Eddie. “I don’t mind,” she smiled, “it’s the right thing to do.”

“Is . .uh . . is HE coming with us?” John pointed.

Kate turned around and saw Hurley approaching them. He was huffing from his walking into the sand. Kate smirked and shook her head. “I don’t think so.” She smirked.

“Excuse me, dude?” Hurley called, “Mr. Bow-Man?”

John smirked, “What can I do for you, man?”

Hurley then paused and looked at all of them. Judging from their gear and the fact that Kate had on her backpack, it was obvious they were on their way somewhere. The large man wondered if they already had boar hunting in mind. “Are you guys going somewhere?” he asked.

“We got some business out in the jungle,” Tony told him, “Is there something we can do for you?”

“Well, I . .uh . . I just wanted to suggest, . . kinda beg, really . . .dude, are you any good with that bow?”

John chuckled, “I do all right.”

“Excellent, when you go out into the jungle to do . . whatever, if you happen to see a boar or four of them, could you bring us back some meat?”

“Hurley, that is what Boone and Locke are doing,” Kate scoffed.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Wheat-thin but some of us have bigger appetites.” Hurley grunted, “And if these guys are as decent hunters as those two, we have a bigger chance of bringing home the bacon.”

John was finding all this too funny. He patted the large man on the shoulder, “If I see any, Hurley, I’ll bring them back. I promise.”

“Thanks, dude,” he smiled, “I’ll make sure your kids are well taken care of in college trust funds.”

“I’ll hold you too that.” The archer laughed as his joke.

“It won’t be a problem.” The large man smiled, walking away in complete seriousness.

“C’mon,” McKay smirked, “We got a job to do.”

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The group continued their trek through the jungle. Kate led the way with McKay behind her. Tony and Marita followed with Yolanda and Eddie behind them. John brought up the rear, keeping an eye out for any boar.

Kate pushed a branch aside, with McKay walking beside her. “So, Kate where are you from?” he asked.

“Canada.” She said.

“That’s too far north for me.” He shuffled.

“Then why were you on the plane?”

“On my way to visit my brother in Montana.” He smiled, “Now it seems when I get off this island, I’ll be staying there permanently.”

“You got no reason to go back to Australia?” she asked.

“Nope,” he smiled, “My family is in America. Really only proper that I be in America too.”

“Don’t let him fool you, Kate,” Marita laughed, “he’s really going to go live in America for a woman.”

The girls then all whistled at the comment. McKay just smiled, waving his hands to quiet them down. “All right, all right, enough of that.” He smirked.

“Don’t let them pick on you, McKay.” Tony chuckled, “It’s as good a reason as any.”

“Thank you, mate,” he said, proudly.

“So, who is the lucky girl?” Kate asked.

“Taylor Lowe.” The Australian smiled, “She’s been the type of woman I’ve been looking for quite some time.”

“Sounds wonderful.” She smiled.

“You got anybody in your life, Kate?” McKay asked.

Kate looked at him briefly, then a momentary glimpse of sadness. McKay blinked at her unusual facial expression. “No, no one right now.” She whispered.

“Did I say something to offend you?” he quickly asked.

“No, McKay, it’s not you” she said, patting his elbow, “It’s just . . .complicated. Like the majority of my life.”

“It’s only complicated if you let it be.” Tony piped in.

“Amen,” Yolanda agreed.

Before Kate could say anything to that, she turned a corner and heard the water fall. She quickly skipped forward and arrived at the massive lake. In the distance, the waterfall crashed against the rocks below. Kate then pointed toward the area near the massive stream wall. “I remember they were near it.” She said.

“Then it looks like we got some swimming to do.” McKay said, starting to take off his shirt and pants.

John immediately then began to remove his quiver and his shirt, plus shoes. Kate took off her backpack and removed her pants. Yolanda removed her jacket and then proceeded to remove her pants. Marita stayed with Eddie and Tony. After McKay pull his belt with his sword back on, he reached into his knapsack and pulled out his small shovel. He then handed it over to Tony, tapping him on the arm to let him know. The blind man the took the shovel and pulled down his blindfold. He wasn’t able to see clearly but he felt it didn’t matter if the ground was blurry while he dug the graves.

McKay walked over to Eddie and took off his safari hat, putting it down on the little boy’s head. He playfully squeezed his nose. “We’ll be back soon.” He smiled.

“Be careful, Uncle McKay,” Eddie whispered.

“Yeah, McKay,” Tony sighed, digging the grave, “Do your best.”

“Will do, Mate.” The Australian replied, turning and going into the water.

John, Kate and Yolanda were already in the water, on their way toward the waterfall. They continued to swim and stroke even further. Normally they would have been enjoying the coolness of the pond but today they were there on a mission. John was dreading how the two dead bodies would look after being in the water for nearly a month. He grunted, steeling his nerves. He had to remind himself he was doing this for Eddie.

Kate swam ahead and then looked around. She then took in a deep breath and dove into the water. John waded in the area, while McKay and Yolanda swam toward him. The black stewardess took in a deep, wading the cool liquid. “Dear God in Heaven, “ she gasped, “Are we really doing this?”

“Hang in there, Yolanda,” John breathed, “It’ll be over in the next ten minutes.”

“We can do this,” McKay assured them, “For Eddie.”

“For Eddie,” the archer agreed.

“Yeah, “ Yolanda gasped, “For Eddie.”

Kate’s head then plunged up from the water. He gasped, wiping the water out of her eyes. “I found them, “ she gurgled, “They are down there right where we found them.”

“Okay,” McKay said, taking a deep breath, “Let’s get this over with.”

The Australian then held his breath and dove into the water. John quickly followed and Yolanda followed at the same time with Kate. The four friends made their way into the depths of the water. Luckily it was not that deep. McKay saw Eddie’s Parents. They were indeed still sitting in their airline seats. Eddie’s dad’s face was blue, with white skin. His mother’s blonde hair was flowing the current. John felt like he was gonna hurl but he had to do this.

McKay quickly swam toward the woman. Kate had already arrived at the body of the man. She quickly reached under his waste and unhooked the man’s belt. He moved slightly and then began to float to the surface. John grabbed him and swam up with him. McKay tried to pull the belt off of the woman but it wasn’t budging. Yolanda joined in but no go. Kate even attempted to help but it seemed that the buckle was rusted. The Australian then slowly pulled out his sword, bent downward and proceeded to cut it. Within seconds, the belt was loose and Mrs. Trascal began to float up to the top.

The three friends followed her upward and then emerged from the water, gasping for air. Up ahead, John turned around, briefly looking at them. He was guiding the floating body of Mr. Trascal back to the edge. “YOU ALL RIGHT?” He called.

“We’re fine, John,” McKay called back, “Keep swimming.”

John continued his swimming. Kate began to swim ahead as well. Yolanda took one last look at Mrs. Trascal and saw a steady stream of some sort of swimming bug coming out of her ear. “OH, JESUS,” she squealing, looking away.

“Yolanda, it’s okay,” McKay told her, “Swim ahead, I got this.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, luv, it’s okay, Just swim.”

John grunted as he got closer. He saw at the land part where Tony was resting on the ground, and Marita had taken over the digging job. Eddie held his hands together over his chest as he got closer. He was trying not to cry but it wasn’t able to be helped. Tony held back his arm and Eddie quickly ran to him, embracing him. The blind doctor hugged him, kissing him on the forehead. “It’ll be over soon, Eddie.” He whispered.

John then emerged from the water. He grunted, grabbing Mr. Trascal by the arm and pulling him out. Tony walked over and grabbed the other arm, helping him. The archer grunted from the strange smell the body was giving off but the doctor was used to this sort of thing from long ago. The two friends then flipped the body, turning it around. Eddie sniffed, wiping away the tears he had left. His father laid cold and motionless; just blue and white. “Goodbye, Daddy,” Eddie wept.

Tony tried not to cry. He was growing weary of seeing the poor boy suffer; but he wanted to see his parents one last time. He knew he couldn’t deny him the request. John wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, trying not to vomit. “Uh, Eddie,” he pointed to his father’s wrist, “Do you want his watch?”

Eddie didn’t say anything; just shook his head in agreement. John gritted his teeth and removed the watch best he could. It was difficult cause the fingers were not moving. Once he got it off, he walked over to the lake and watched it best he could. He decided to take his time, cause he had to watch his hands as well.

Tony then grabbed Mr. Trascal’s body and dragged him over to the grave. Marita dug as much as she could, then stepped out of it. The doctor grunted as he pulled the body into the hole in the ground. They managed to only get about three feet but it was enough. Tony grunted again, pulling himself out of the grave.

John came back and gave the watch to the little boy. Eddie wiped off the water from the face, realizing it wasn’t working. He turned it over and read the inscription on the back of the silver plating.

To Edward; May you always shine. Dad

“This was a gift from my grandpa.” Eddie sniffed, “I never met him.”

John had no words, just shook his head. Yolanda and Kate finally crawled out of the lake, soaking wet. The black stewardess quit ran to the side and started to cough heavily. Marita ran over to check on her. Kate understood why they were feeling sick. She admired them for doing it too; all for the love of a boy they met a month ago. McKay grunted, hauling in the body of Mrs. Trascal. He quickly sat her down and started to cough and hack himself.

John took in a deep breath and walked over to the body. He gently twisted it aside. The dead woman sloshed around, her hair soaked. Eddie slowly walked over to the body and looked at it, gripping his dad’s watch. He blinked at the sight of the dead woman. “Who is that?” he asked.

John slowly turned to look at him. He wasn’t expecting the boy to say that, after what he just went through with his father. Kate came over, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Eddie, I know your mama looks back, “ she whispered, “But there wasn’t anything we can do about that.”

“No, you don’t understand, “The boy whimpered, “That’s not my mama. My mom was wearing a red dress, not a blue one.”

Tony raised his head. “Eddie, are you sure?”

“I remember, Tony.” He shook his head, “The day we were heading back to America, my mom was wearing a red dress. And her hair is black, not yellow.”

“If this isn’t Eddie’s mom, then who is she?” John asked.

“Was my mom still down there?” the little boy looked to Kate.

“No, there were only these two people.” She whispered.

“I don’t get it. If she was sitting next to Mr. Trascal, where was Mrs. Trascal sitting?” Yolanda asked.

McKay looked at the body again. There was a weird indention sticking out of her stomach, square shaped. He kneeled down and gently touched it, feeling like it was a belt buckle. He then took his sword and began to cut open the woman’s dress. “McKay, what are you doing?” Yolanda asked.

The Australian didn’t bother to answer. He continued cutting until the tan belt buckle was visible. He quickly unbuckled it and then slid it out from her waist. When he brought it into view, it was obvious what it was. “A money belt?” Marita said.

The stewardess were familiar with the object; many passengers made use of such an item. So they wouldn’t worry about airline workers taking liberty with their money. McKay pulled the belt aside and found the side pouch. He quickly unzipped it and checked inside. Out of the belt, came nearly 700 dollars, and a stack of credit cards, plus a driver’s license, and a passport. He looked at the drivers license and then sighed. “Loretta Stanly.” He muttered.

“That’s not my mom.” Eddie quickly pointed out.

“Then it would appear Mrs. Trascal is still missing.” Tony sighed, putting back on his blindfold, “I am sorry, Eddie.”

“Maybe my mom is still alive?” he asked.

Tony sighed. More than likely his mother was dead as well but thanks to the dead woman, the boy was given a glimmer of hope. The blind doctor saw no reason take it away; once again, believing he had suffered enough. “Maybe.” He sighed.

“What do we do with her, then?” John asked.

“Lets bury, Mr. Trascal, “ Tony said, “Marita, Yolanda? Gather up some straw, dry leaves and twigs. We’ll burn Loretta here.”

The two women decided to go do what Tony said. John walked over, picked up the shovel and began to move the dirt back into hole. McKay walked over to Kate, handing her the belt with the contents inside. He took his hat off Eddie, and placed it back on his balding head. Eddie walked over to watch them bury his father. Kate was left standing alone. She slowly looked at the contents of the belt, especially the passport.


Loretta’s corpse burned on the pyre; her ashes floating up into the sky. John scratched on a rock with a another rock, creating a tombstone for Mr. Trascal. The other were finishing up washing their hands and arms. McKay, once again, was smart enough to bring soap and a disinfectant he had found earlier but had no use for. Kate smirked, at the man who seemed to be prepared for everything.

Tony stood up, taking his cane. He then felt Eddie’s hand come over and gently take his. “You ready to go?” the blind doctor asked.

“Yeah,” he whimpered.

The others grabbed their gear and began to back up. Loretta’s body continued to burn but since they were so close to the lake and far from the woods; it was okay to leave it alone. Yolanda came over and placed down some purple tropical flowers she found on Eddie’s father’s grave. The boy saw it, bringing both a smile and a tear to his eye.

The group began to walk back into the woods, to begin their journey back to the beach. As they almost reached the beginning of the jungle, John saw movement to his left. Two boars came snorting out of the jungle, toward the fire. The heat and color had attracted them. Kate looked over and saw the boars. By the time she looked at them, two arrows were flying through the air and struck them in the heads at the exact same time. “WHOA!” she squeaked.

McKay laughed. He already knew how good John was. The archer smirked at Kate, as he began to walk over to the two dead boars. McKay joined him, with the brunette quickly behind. “He killed them both.” She whispered.

“Yep.” The Australian smiled.

“At the same time!” she added.

“Yep,” McKay repeated.

“John, you are the best shot I’ve ever seen!”

“Thanks, Kate,” he smiled, “you should see me play darts sometime.”