Part 207: The Coming Gathering

The group of survivors stayed together within the bunker. Ana-Lucia massaged her arm, as she looked outside wondering when the soldiers were going to come and escort them to get food. John sat down with his back against the far wall, gently touching his bruised face every once and a while; testing to see how much it hurt. Jack didn’t move either; especially with Kate resting on his shoulder. He hoped to get them all out of their cage in some form or another. “Is he tough or something?” Clay asked.

Jack turned to his right to see the man known as Clay staring out one of the barred windows. The doctor blinked and looked up at him. “I’m sorry?” he asked.

“Your friend, Locke,” Clay looked down on him, “Is he tough?”

“In what sense?” the doctor was confused.

“He’s been in there with Pristine for over 25 minutes and he hasn’t screamed once. The blind doctor screamed several times.”

Kate leaned up, opening her eyes. “He’s right,” she whispered, “I just now realized that Locke hasn’t screamed at all.”

“Oh, My god,” Mia whispered, “Have they killed them?”

Jack then stood up and then looked up into the distance from the window Clay was looking at. In the distance was the building where they escorted Tony too yesterday. The doctor stared at it for a while; then the lights flickered in the building. It was the sure indication that the electricity was being pumped elsewhere. “How long has that been going on?” Jack asked Clay.

“Like I said, off and on for about 25 minutes,” the millionaire responded.

“They haven’t killed him, Mia,” Jack turned to her.

“How do you know?”

“Something tells me they wouldn’t electrocute a dead man over and over.”

Then the door to the bunker finally opened. The group all stood up and began to move toward the back. Two soldiers then walked down the slope and approached them, silenced rifles pointed at them. John held his ground, standing in front of Mia. Jack did the same, standing in front of Kate and Ana-Lucia. The soldier looked them all over and then his eyes fell on Barbara. “You, the red-head,” he commanded, “Pick two more girls and get your buckets.”

“I’ll go,” John mentioned.

The man then immediately stuck the barrel of the rifle in John’s chest, making Mia yelp. “I said two girls, and last I checked, you ain’t got breasts,” the soldier grunted.

“They only let women pick the fruit, John,” Barbara mentioned.

“That’s kinda sexist, isn’t it?” Jack smirked.

The soldier then pointed the rifle at Jack. “You want your face to match his?” the solider pointed toward the archer, “You keep making jokes.”

Barbara then picked up a bucket. Before she was forced to pick anybody else, Jilly immediately picked up the second bucket and took her hand. The older woman smiled at the girl she felt was like a daughter to her. Then Kellye took the third bucket and walked forward. The soldier motioned for them to head out the door. They slowly walked in a single file like and then up the slope and out the door. Within seconds they closed it and locked it. The survivors walked toward the barred windows to watch their friends being led into the jungle. “Why . . .why don’t they let guys pick the fruit?” Hurley asked.

“Cause when Bobby made his valiant attempt at a rescue call, “Clay muttered, “He was just done picking fruit.”

“Will they be okay?” Jack asked.

“As long as they don’t piss off the guards.”


Barbara, Jilly and Kellye walked a few more steps toward the outer reaches of the outpost. “Wait here,” one of the soldiers said.

The three women paused as one of the soldiers went to go talk to another soldier. Then another soldier came out of one of the barracks, with a bandana around his head. Kellye immediately recognized him from the torment he had given them for several days. “Oh, man,” she muttered, “It’s that skinny bastard.”

“Hey, guys, I will lead them out,” Titus said.

“You sure, man?” the soldier said, “I thought after what Belmont did, you’d stay in-“

“I’m fine, jackass,” the skinny soldier grunted, “It’s my turn to lead them out anyway.”

“Why, so you can rape them?” Frakes said, walking up toward them.

Titus rolled his eyes, and massaged his head. Barbara turned around and saw the third-in-command walking up to them. The skinny soldier walked up to his superior officer and got right in his face. “This is my duty, Frakes, BUTT OUT!” he grunted.

“You must be suffering from amnesia, “the man looked down on him, “After what Belmont did to you, I would have thought you wouldn’t look for another chance to piss him off.”

“You better stop pushing me, Frakes,” Titus warned.

“I will not let you cause another incident here. If you wish to think of it this way, I am saving your ass.”

“Saving my ass?” the soldier scoffed.

“Yes, cause when you take these women out, shoot them in the head and rape their dead bodies as I know your sick ass would, Belmont will use his abilities to turn you inside out. Or maybe he’ll just make you shove your head up your ass and name you Buttview The Dog?”

Titus grunted, then slowly placed his hand on his sidearm. Frakes immediately grabbed his gun by his side. “Pull that gun out and see what happens,” he grunted.

Titus gritted his teeth and then finally turned around; walking back to the barracks. The third-in-command slowly pulled out his gun from it’s holster. He turned to the three ladies. He merely motioned for them to start walking toward the jungle. Barbara took Jilly by the hand and started to lead them on. Kellye took a deep breath and followed them. Within a few minutes, Barbara turned back to the young soldier. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Your gratitude is not required,” Frakes said coldly, “ I am merely trying to keep peace within our Ranks.”

“All the same, Thank you.” The older woman repeated.

Frakes paused for a second and sighed. “You are welcome.”

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Eddie paused for a second, panting for breath. He had been running most of the night, led by his mysterious toy. He was incredibly thirsty but he knew he had to get to his mom within an hour. He coughed, feeling his throat incredibly dry. “Eddie, you see that vine to your left?” Mr. Kangaroo whispered.

Eddie looked up and saw the thick vine poking form the trees to the ground. “Yeah, I see it.” He told him.

“Put me down and rip it open,” the toy commanded.

Eddie temporarily put down the toy and walked to the vine. He gently grabbed the vine and strained to rip it open. Within seconds, he tore it in half in and a liquid began to pour out of it. “It is safe to drink.” The kangaroo whispered.

Eddie put the vine to his lips and began to drink. The liquid filled his mouth and he drank heavily, pleased at the taste. “It’s kinda sweet.” He giggled.

“It’s a side effect of the honey suckle within the vine.” The toy whispered, “ Many hunters have used it to stay hydrated.”

Eddie suckled the vine a little more then shook it. No more liquid came out. “It’s out, I think,” he sighed.

“Yes, they do not contain much. Do not worry. In a few more feet, you will more water.”

Eddie picked up the toy and held him close. “Which way?” he asked.

“To your left.” The toy commanded.

Eddie turned to his left and walked forward. He continued walking on, bypassing several bushes and trees. He kept walking and walking, imaging himself as Captain America, off to rescue his mother. He hoped his father would look down from Heaven and be proud of him. The boy was happier than he could imagine; he was about to have his mother back. Then he would lead her to safety and then lead McKay back to Tony and Marita, then things would be okay. He just knew it would be.

Eddie then paused when he heard laughter and a splashing sound. “Wait here.” The toy commanded.

The little boy stopped and looked past the tree he was hiding in. In the distance was a lake similar to the one he found his father in. There was two people frolicking in the water; a woman and a man. Near the area where they were swimming was their clothes, not to mention their weapons. “Holy dog crap,” Eddie saw the guns.

“There are four guns in their pile of clothes.” Kangaroo whispered, “The woman carries a small pistol. You will need it to save your mother.”

“But . . .if I go for the guns, they will see me.” Eddie whispered.

“Do not worry about them. I will make sure they don’t warn anyone.”

“How?”

“I am sending a friend to deal with them.”

Eddie looked into the distance of the people swimming. Then in the distance, a swell of water began to swirl and then migrate toward them. The little boy looked at it; being reminded of a Lock Ness Monster movie that showed the creature swimming and creating waves in it’s wake. The two people then saw it and tried to swim from it. Within seconds, they were both dragged under; their screams silenced. “Whoa.” Eddie whispered.

“They are taken care of,” the toy whispered, “Grab the guns.”

Eddie then quickly ran toward the pile of clothes. He quickly grabbed both rifles and placed them on the man’s black vest. He grabbed the two full canteens resting near the soldier's pants and placed them on the black vest as well. He picked up the soldier’s pistol and then picked up the woman’s pistol. Indeed, it was small and Eddie was able to hold it in his hand. “Drag the guns to a safe distance.” Kangaroo whispered, “Your mother will be appearing in the field to your left in twenty minutes.”

Eddie placed down the toy onto the vest and then picked up the vest by one side, dragging the guns into the bushes. He continued to drag toward the direction that his mother would be. As he grunted, he continued to pull the vest. “I ain’t killing anybody.” Eddie felt he should mention to the toy.

“I know Eddie and I do not want you to,” the Kangaroo toy said in a pleasant tone, “Your soul is pure and I wish it to remain that way.”

Eddie stopped pulling the vest. He then reached down and picked up the toy; embracing it like a puppy. “Thanks, Mr. Kangaroo,” he smiled, kissing the furry toy on the cheek.

“You are welcome . . .my friend,” it whispered, “Now go toward your right a couple of more feet.”

Eddie walked a little more ways, the bushes were higher than he was. He moved them out of the way and continued on to walking. He gently stepped over a fallen tree in his way. “Rest here,” his strange toy told him, “Your mother will be along shortly.”

Eddie then sat down, cross legged, holding the toy in his lap. He looked at the gun and then placed it down at his side. The little boy calmly rocked back and forth; anxious to see his mother again and rescue her from the bad men.