Part 187: Exodus Part 5

Eddie watched all his adult friends around him. They were packing their gear, getting ready to move to the caves. The little boy wasn’t really sure of the threat; he didn’t know who the Others were. But he remembered what Tony told him to do; stay near Uncle McKay. The little boy was going to do like he was told.

The Australian then came over with the small child’s backpack. He motioned for Eddie to turn around and he did. He gently put it on his arms and got him saddled up. “You okay, little man?” McKay asked him.

“Yeah,” he said quietly, “I miss Tony.”

“Don’t you worry, partner. Tony will be back before you know it.”

Taylor and Mandy came over with their packs, fully loaded and ready to move out. Shanna had come over with her gear and looked to Eddie. She playfully messed up his hair, which made him laugh. Seth came over, taking off his backpack. He quickly shoved Brendon’s sword in the side, hooking it with the straps. The straps were normally supposed to be used to carry a water bottle; he never thought he’d have a sword by his side. As he stood up, he looked to his right. Charlie was talking to Sayid about something; more like arguing. Something about Claire and her being protected. Seth though for a minute that he should go talk to him about it, but he changed his mind, opting to stay with Shanna, Mandy and Eddie first.

Seth then felt Eddie tugging on his finger. “You miss Mia?” he asked.

“Naw, I don’t miss her,” he winked, “She was beginning to be a certifiable pain in the ass.”

“Geez, Seth, “ Mandy groaned, “Could you watch your language around the boy?”

“Oh, c’mon, he knows I am joking! I’m just trying to lighten the mood here.”

“I was just wanting to know if anybody misses anybody like I miss Tony and Marita.” The boy sniffed.

“Don’t miss them, Eddie. They’ll never leave you. They’ll be back soon and you guys will be sharing bananas and fish before you know it.” Seth promised him.

“You think Tony is having a good time?” he asked.

“Sure, “ Seth laughed, “I’m sure he’s having a blast!”

------------------------------------------------,

Tony kneeled down in front of the box of dynamite. Sweat dripped on his nose on to the ground. Jack was on one side and Locke on the other. “You guys ready to listen to me?” the blind doctor.

Locke waved his hand,” Tony, we-“

“Poteet didn’t listen to me and got eaten by the Polliwog,” he interrupted the bald man, “Underwood didn’t listen to me and his brain popped. Now Arzt didn’t listen to me and he was vaporized. People who don’t listen to me seem to have a habit of dying.”

“We get the point, Tony,” Jack whispered.

“Okay, now that you two get it . . .PLEASE . . .pick up the dynamite sticks that have no yellow residue on them.”

Behind them, John, Mia, Kate and Hurley sat down on the log. Mia had finished wiping her face with a towel getting the blood off. She was doing her best not to freak out. Neither was John. He had already seen some strange things, happening here; however, a man exploding he never thought he would see. Kate then looked to Hurley who was just staring at the ground. “That was messed up.” He finally whispered.

“Yeah,” John said blankly.

“You okay?” Kate asked the large man.

“He just . . .exploded in front of us. He was just trying to help . . . this is because I came.”

“What was that?” Mia said, overhearing what he just said.

“I'm kind of bad luck.” The large man confessed.

“Hurley, don’t talk like that.” The Lakota girl assured him, “It was an accident.”

“An accident? Yeah . . .right . . .”

Locke slowly removed a stick of dynamite at a time. He followed Tony’s advice and removed each stick that was the cleanest. He slowly put one down and began to remove another. “How many do we need to blow the hatch?” Jack asked.

“Truth is, I wish we didn’t have to carry any of this crap.” The blind doctor wished, “We are going to need at least two to rupture it . . .probably three to be safe.”

“Safe?” the other doctor said it as if the word had no meaning at the moment.

Locke could tell the tension was building up. “You guys ever place Operation?” he asked.

“Yeah, don’t touch the sides,” Jack responded.

“I always got caught on the funny bone,” the bald man then picked up a stick and said, “BZZZTTT!!!”

Jack flinched and Tony grunted. “JESUS!” the blind doctor grabbed his chest.

Locke smiled as he placed down the dynamite and then reached for the fuse. “You like games, John?” asked Jack.

“Absolutely.” He smiled with his massive grin.

----------------------------------------------------,

Mandy, Taylor and McKay led the way for the others to regroup with Sayid. He was going to lead the group toward the caves. As they past, Mandy then looked around for the others and immediately spotted Shannon. The tall blonde was hauling at least three suitcases and trying to hold onto Vincent the dog. She continued to struggle, until Sayid walked up to her. Mandy quickly broke off from the others and ran to the girl. The Iraqi looked at her. “Do you really need all that?” he asked.

“Yeah, I do.” She hissed.

“Why do you have to bring so much?”

“DON’T YOU HAVE A HIKE TO LEAD?” she grunted back.

As she continued to move, she dropped one of the suitcases and it spilled out. Mandy then came over and proceeded to help her. The blonde then stopped when she realized she was packing male clothes. Shannon grabbed them and began to put them back. “I’m fine,” she squeaked.

“These . . .these were Boone’s clothes?” Mandy asked.

“I need these things. I can't just leave them.” She then began to cry, “What are we doing? Hiding? As if they won't find us. It's just . . .it's too much. It's too much.”

Sayid began to stroke her hair. She looked at him, still crying. “It won't be too much if I carry it for you.” He whispered.

The Iraqi then touched the handle but Mandy stopped him. He looked at her, only to be returned with a smile. “It’s okay, Sayid,” she said, “I’ll help her. You lead us out of here.”

Sayid shook his head. “Stay close to me.” He ordered.

Mandy quickly helped her pack her bags. She gently took Shannon by the arm and pulled her up. The tall blonde mouthed Thank You to her as they started to walk toward the crowd. Taylor came over and helped them get into the group, ready to move out.


Jenny quickly packed her bags. Martin and Kristy were reminding her to move out. They had already joined the others in the group, ready to hike to the caves. The teenager then stood up, placing on her pack. In her view of sight, she saw Charlie running toward the other direction. The young girl blinked when she realized Claire was not with him. That was odd. Jenny then walked down to the beach area. She looked to see her short friend running toward the crowd as if something was wrong.

Then Jenny heard a yelp.

She quickly ran toward the sound, fearing it sounded like Claire. Then she heard the little baby crying. Jenny as hard as she could, feeling her leg muscles strain. Within seconds, she arrived at the beach area where Claire and Charlie camped. The teenager panicked seeing Claire on the ground unconscious. Then she looked up toward the distance and that French woman, Rousseau, was running into the jungle and a familiar baby crying echoed with her.

Jenny then threw off her pack and ran toward the woman. She crashed through the bushes and trees as she hauled toward the woman. The teenager was thankful that the baby was crying, otherwise she might not be able to keep track of her through the jungle. “GIMME THE BABY!!” Jenny screamed.

Rousseau turned and saw that the young blonde was getting closer and closer to her. She head to run harder but in order to do that, she would have to drop her rifle and that wasn’t an option. The older woman looked. The eyes on Jenny were on fire; determine to protect the baby at all costs. Danielle, for a second, admired such noble loyalty. “IF YOU DON’T STOP!!” Jenny screamed, “I PROMISE I’LL KILL YOU QUICK, BITCH!!!”

Rousseau continued to run. The only advantage she had over the teenager was that she knew these jungles like the back of her hand.