Part 291: Calm before The Storm

The night had enveloped the jungle as it had done so many times before. Seth wondered why he didn’t hear any bats or birds in the night but he realized, it probably wasn’t that type of jungle. He was only thankful there were no polar bears left. John leaned over to the boar that was roasting over the fire and cut himself off another piece. “You cooked the pig well, John,” Seth said, then burped.

“You’re excused,” John smirked, “Yeah, I had a good teacher. McKay is something else.”

“You really think they are gonna be able to find a boat?” his younger friend asked.

“We’ll soon see, won’t we?” the archer replied, taking a bite of meat.

“I mean . ..they’ve been gone four days, almost five. What if they get there and they don’t find nothing?”

“Seth, there is no sense in worrying about. We can’t predict the future.”

“Then if they don’t get a boat . . .we are stuck here.”

“You don’t know that,” John corrected him, “There is always another chance that a boat or a plane might one day pass over this place.”

“Yeah, just like Gilligan’s Island. They didn’t have a chance either.”

“We got a chance. Tony, Jack and the others took it. We can only hope it pays off.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Seth threw a piece of chew up boar meat into the fire.

“Is there something on your mind, Seth?” John finally asked him.

“No . . .well, kinda . . .I want off this Island.” He gruffed.

“We all do.” The archer quickly pointed out.

“Yeah but if we don’t make it, you got Mia to be with. I got nobody . . .except maybe Kate.” He rubbed his hair.

John raised an eyebrow and gave a confused look. “Seth, I . . .I had no idea you were that close to her.” He whispered.

“She’s special, I don’t deny it. I suppose if there was anybody I could leave Tanya for . .it would be Kate, but . . .I don’t want to, you know what I saying?”

“I know exactly what you are saying and I respect you for it.” John smiled.

“Aw, never mind me, John . .I am just venting.” Seth leaned back into his makeshift bed.

“You’ll get home, Seth. You’ll get back to Tanya, you’ll get married and have a wonderful life together.”

“Thanks, John,” the singer said, closing his eyes, “Say . . you ARE marrying Mia, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” he chuckled, “Why do you ask?”

“Just want to be sure I am a groomsman. Unless are you doing that quickie wedding like Tony and Marita? The Las Vegas thing?”

“Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead.” The archer admitted.

“Oh, right. Get off the Island. Yeah.”

The bushes started to rustle and Alexander came back, with two dead boar over his shoulders. John chuckled at the sight of the successful hunt. “You are something, Alexander.” The archer replied, “I hope you find a home in the real world when we leave.”

“John,” Alexander replied, then pointed behind him.

“What? What’s back there?”

“That way leads toward the Outpost.” Seth said, “I thought we agreed to NOT go there.”

Alexander then closed his eyes, trying to form the words. “Ground.” He whispered, “On . .the ground . . .something . ..new.”

“You saw something new on the ground . .at the Outpost?” Seth said, trying to understand him.

“Yes,” the wild boy replied.

“I don’t know what he is talking about but we should probably see what he wants us to see.” John stood up, taking his arrows.

Seth then grabbed his sword and followed John and Alexander into the jungle. High above a thunder clap echoed in the sky. Already they were feeling the forming mist of the rain. It would take them a few minutes to get to the Outpost but hopefully, whatever Alexander saw won’t take that long to understand.


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Isabella placed the plates around their makeshift dinner table. The table wasn’t meant to house that many people, so Desmond moved another table and connected it with table cloth. Sebastian climbed into his highchair and smiled, waiting for his portions of food. Marita came over with the vegetables and set them down. Tony smelled her lovely scent and gently took her shoulder. She turned to him as he held out her car-keys. “A present from Desmond.” He smiled.

Marita’s eyes threatened to bulge out of her head. She took the keys and looked at them. “You . . .you saved them?” she asked Desmond.

“Must have known you were coming.” The stranger laughed at the fate.

“Thank you so much, Desmond.”

“Just answer me one thing, sister. It says from Nana, who called you her one true angel. May I hear what that means?”

“It’s from my grandmother who we called Nana,” the Latina stared at the keychain, “She gave this to me when I got first got my stewardess job. She said . .I was her true angel cause I could touch the sky.”

“That’s sweet,” Isabella smiled.

“I like it. Then it makes me happy I was able to get those back to you.”

“I didn’t like you when I saw you again, Desmond, due to what you did . .but thanks to this . .I truly forgive you.”

“May God always be with you on your journey, sister,” Desmond toasted her.

“To fate.” Tony held up his glass.

“Fate.” They all repeated, toasting to their new friendship.



McKay then jerked abruptly, from his slumber. He sighed, rubbing his face. The bald man looked around in the cabin, seeing Sawyer standing post by the window. The Australian then stood up, massaging his neck. “How long did I sleep?” he asked.

“Just about twenty minutes.” His friend replied.

“Anything out there?”

“Naw, just . . .looks like rain.”

“Well, it’s been a while. Probably was bound to rain eventually.”

“McKay . . .you . .you coming to America when this is all over?” Sawyer asked him.

“Well . . .yeah, actually,” he replied, placing his pistol in his beltline, “The more I thought about it, the more it makes sense. My only living family left is in Montana and Taylor is going back to her home in California. So, yeah, there isn’t nothing left for me in Australia but I got plenty of reasons to move to America.”

“Good answer,” the redneck sighed.

“What’s the matter, my friend? You thought you were gonna miss me.”

Sawyer shook his head, and slowly smiled. “Yeah, I think I was.”

“Whoa,” McKay blinked with a chuckle, “Sawyer getting all mushy on me. I might get choked up here. Seriously. There might actually be tears.”

“Ha, ha, butthole, “the redneck playfully pushed him, “I am sure as you are well aware . .I ain’t ever been good with people. But you . .you and I had to fight each other to get our respect and what we’ve been through with the Liberation . . .I think I could honestly call you my friend.”

“You are my friend as well, Sawyer,” McKay said, shaking his hand, “ I know you are standoffish to the majority of our friends but that’s just your style. I’ve seen how you react when the fan is buried in crap. You protect your own. You may be a selfish redneck moron some times but deep inside there I know there is a man of integrity and honor. It just took him a while to come through.”

“Thanks, McKay. For everything.”

“Just watch my back and I will watch yours. We’ll get through this.”

Then behind them the door to the cabin slowly started to open. Isabella came in with a bright smile and a tray full of food. “Hello, boys,” she smiled, “I wanted to make sure our guards got something to eat.

“Mighty nice of ya.” Sawyer said, helping her with the tray.

“Thanks, Isabella,” McKay said, helping himself to some beans.

“It’s my pleasure. Now . .who wants Cashews?” the Spanish woman said, as she pulled out a small canister from her jacket.

Sawyer paused in his eating of the green beans. The redneck smiled a little bit. “That’s funny,” he said, swallowing his food,” I was craving some cashews.”

“Is that right?” she grinned, handing him the canister.

“Wait a minute. How did you know?”

“I didn’t. Sebastian did.” She smiled, “He stuck them in my jacket as I was coming out. I naturally assumed he knew one of you wanted cashews.”

“He’s a bright kid for three.” McKay mentioned.

“Yes, he is,” she said, leaving the cabin.

McKay and Sawyer said nothing as the Spanish woman left their sight. They proceeded to eat the food. The redneck popped open the cashews and began to chew them. Sebastian just simply knew he wanted them? It reminded the redneck of Walt and the gifts he saw that he had, which is why the Liberation wanted him begin with. Sawyer definitely wanted off the Island.

He was getting creeped out by kids who knew more than they should.



Alexander stumbled onto the dirt area of the ground where the Outpost remained. The rain was coming down in a slight drizzle as the two friends followed their new tracker. The wild boy walked a few paces and then pointed to the ground. Seth click on his flash light and shone it to the ground. “New,” Alexander repeated, “On ground . . new.”

“Those are foot prints, Alexander.” Seth told him, “You are sure . .those are new?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“How long? How long ago?” John asked.

“Not long. New.” Alexander said.

“John, do you think these are the Rogue guys?” Seth quickly asked.

John looked around as the rain began to slowly soak his hair. If it was the Liberation members, what were they doing here? They weren’t due for another three days. The archer then grunted when he remembered the Colonel saving Mia from being hung, because he was a few days early. “It is them.” He whispered.

“You sure?” his singer friend asked, “Then . .our friends who went for the boat . .”

“No,” Alexander said, as he leaned up from kneeling down the dirt road area.

“What?” John turned to the wild boy, “Alexander, you find something else?”

Alexander pointed toward the area that led to the dirt road and eventually Broadway; shaking his head in disagreement. He then motioned with his hands, showing the movement of the soldiers. Then he twisted around and showed their direction back up into the jungle, where there was torn undergrowth through a section of the jungle. “What kind of a vehicle does that?” John whispered, looking at the torn bushes.

“Boat.” Alexander replied.

“Are you kidding me?” the archer retorted.

Alexander held his hands over the strange tracks the vehicle made; long and flat. “Boat.” He replied.

“Alexander, boats don’t work on land.” The archer tried to educate him.

Seth then raised an eyebrow. “Uh, actually, John, there is one kind of a boat that does,” he interrupted, “It’s called a Hovercraft.”

“What? You think . . .the Rogue is a Hovercraft? That’s impossible.”

“Well, what if it is? You willing to take the chance that that sled tracks is Santa and his damn reindeer?” Seth yelled out to him.

John wiped the moisture off of his face. He turned toward the torn jungle. What if it was a hovercraft? Then Jack and Tony will never find a boat. However, he had more worries at the moment. He could tell the direction in which the hovercraft had gone too. He looked to Alexander and pointed toward the path. “Beach?” he asked.

“Yes, beach,” the wild boy agreed, knowing the direction in which they were headed.

“The beach?” Seth panicked, “No! There’s no reason . . ..WHY would they go to the beach???”

“Like you said, I ain’t taking the chance it’s Santa,” John began to run toward the path, “Let’s hurry. If we run, we can make it back by morning!”

“But John they will be there way before that!”

“Then let’s hope they don’t kill anybody.” The archer replied as he began his run through the jungle.


On the beach, the group continued their rest. A few were awake but most were asleep. The people who stayed together were huddled against the approaching wind, able to tell there was a storm coming. Chance gently stared at his wife as she slept, moving the hair away from her eyes. The Texan then heard something behind him. He turned around, only to be greeted by a silenced rifle barrel. A man with night vision goggles stared down at him. “Wake her gently,” he warned, “Or you’re both dead.”

Chance slowly woke Arizona, then placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming. The soldier then motioned for them to get up. As they did, they saw that more and more soldiers were on the beach, waking up everybody else. As they woke Yolanda, she had to cup her mouth to keep from screaming. Walt jerked a little bit and grabbed her, huddling for cover. Micheal stared angrily at the soldiers, putting his arm around both of them.

Hal grunted as he was shoved to a nearby area of the sand with Dutch. The surfer turned around to make sure Karleigh was by his side. Hal looked at all the soldiers, recognizing them from the Liberation; their style of jackets. The cop then felt a soft hand slide into his and he immediately squeezed it. He knew Libby was by his side. Others behind them were being shoved down.

Joscelyn slowly woke up in Hurley’s tent and looked at the noise that she heard. The sight of more soldiers made her gasp. She quickly reached over and shook Hurley away. “Hurley, we gotta go. Now.” She grunted.

“Dude, “ the fat man whispered, “Come on, we’ll head to the caves and wait for Jack and the others to get back.”

Hurley took her by the hand and proceeded to run out the tent. However, by the time he got out of the tent, two soldiers with rifles shoved the barrels into his face. Joscelyn squeaked, grabbing him by the shirt. “Take your girl and join the others, fat man.” The soldier ordered.

“Dude, chill. It’s cool. We’re going.” Hurley turned around and placed his arm around Joscelyn, guiding her toward the others.

The large man fought the urge to pass out. Things had changed; Joscelyn was with him and he had to protect her. She didn’t like the violence any more than she did. She held onto him, trembling like a leaf in the wind. When they joined the others, Kellye also put a reassuring hand on her friend’s arm, as they sat down with them.

Mia looked at all of them as they forced more survivors around her. Eddie gripped onto his kangaroo toy as he stayed with his mother and Jilly. The Lakota girl looked them briefly then studied the soldiers. They were dressed in typical Liberation fashion, green jackets and various fatigues that looked like they hadn’t been washed in months. Mia then noticed their method of transport. It was a medium sized hovercraft, resting on the beach. They snuck up on them and didn’t even know it. One soldier then removed his goggles and slid back the hood he was wearing. “Eve, find it.” He ordered.

“Copy that.” A woman nearby him said, pulling out a box with an antenna on it.

Mia stared at the soldier that seemed to be in charge. He looked familiar to her and as a result, it’s entirely possible she may have seen him before. She didn’t take anything on the Island for granted anymore. The woman called Eve walked into their Tent City and then made her way into Locke’s tent. The box she was carrying was creating a loud beeping sound. She then came out of the tent, holding Fender’s Journal. “Got it, Frakes!” she called.

Mia was shocked to learned that the journal was bugged but she was thrown back even more when Eve called the man Frakes. That’s how she recognized him! He was related to the soldier named Frakes. Barbara recognized his family resemblance too. “I hope he doesn’t know his brother is dead,” she whispered.

“Barbara, be quiet.” Mia whispered back to her.

Frakes took the journey and held it up. “Whose tent did we retrieve this from?” he asked the crowd.

Nobody said anything. Frakes continued to ask how they even recovered the journal. Still nobody said anything. Mia looked at the other soldiers and then paused when she saw a particular one. There was one soldier who wore a strange bandana; it was in the shape of a jaw from a skeleton, making him look like a horror figure. The Lakota girl realized the connection all most immediately. “The Skull Man,” she whispered, remembering what Brendon said.

Fate continued to fall into place as the Skull man walked over toward the area where Hal and his friends rested. He looked them all over, doing his guard duty. Then he stopped when his eyes met the police man. Hal slowly looked up at him, wondering why he was eyeballing him. The soldier then slowly kneeled down in front of him, balancing on his silenced rifle. “This can’t be coincidence,” the Skull Man whispered through his bandana, “You . . .were the last person I expected to find on this Island.”

“Who are you?” Hal asked.

“You still tracking me down, Mancuso. You shouldn’t have come out here, “ the Skull Man then removed his night vision goggle and slide his horror bandana down, “Cause I don’t think I will be able to let you leave this Island alive.”

Hal nearly lost his breathe staring at the face of the soldier; a face he easily recognized cause he hunted the man to Australia. “Embry?” he whispered.

“Hello again, Hal,” the soldier smirked.

Libby was starting to panic. She wasn’t expecting this to happen. She clearly remembered the name, James Embry. The hit-man who killed Hal’s son. Embry then stood up, rubbing his eyes. “Yeah, this ain’t coincidence, it can’t be.” He said, pointing behind him, “How more of my enemies did you bring here, Hal?”

Hal didn’t know what he was talking about. The cop turned around to see who Embry was pointing at and was amazed to find the familiar Latina staring at the hit-man in complete rage.

How did Ana-Lucia know Embry?