The price of the passage (LOST plot)

[aquatic mammalian wh0re]

4EE2EC
C3FDB8

Everything is happening so quickly, and I'm starting to panic. Nick doesn't look well at all - I don't know if he's tired or just losing too much blood. I silently pray that it's just sleep consuming him, taking him over. Lexi is suddenly taking very serious action - sterilizing the knife over the fire, laying him down, removing his bandages. Oh, God, what's happening? Nick seems to be wavering in and out of consciousness, and it's really scaring me. He seems to get out a few words, but I can't make out what he's saying. He makes eye contact with me momentarily, and we sense each other's pain, I can just feel it. I hate seeing him like this, and clearly he isn't enjoying himself either. Finally, he nearly shouts something, and I understand. "Wait, wait, wait, I'm not ready!" he insists. His eyes meet mine again, and I inch closer to him. "Take my hand... and hold it down!" he instructs. I hesitate for a moment, my mouth slightly agape, but I'm not doing him any good just sitting here. He's about to feel a hell of a lot of pain, so I take his hand in both of mine and squeeze it - hard. I only hope it comes across as comforting. A friend - yes, friend - there when he needs one. Lexi's about to do it. She has to. The bacteria can't stay in the wound, or it could kill him. Awaiting the inevitable, I act on instinct. I don't give myself time to think. I just do it.

I bend over Nick's helpless form, my face inches from his. "I'm sorry," I whisper gently. Then I shout, "Lexi, now!" before locking my lips on his. A stupid move, maybe, but perhaps it'll provide a distraction. Whether he likes it or hates me for it, he damn well is going to be aware of it. I keep his arm pinned beneath my knee now, so he can't move, can't fight me or Lexi off. This time, we are helping him, and there won't be anything he can do about it.

[Sher is back :)]

Suddenly Nick jumps to life, seeming he knows what's going on. I think this would all e much easier with him passed out but that wouldn't be too good for his health either. I look at his face, eyes full of panic and worry. He briefly looks away, and says okay, so as I near with the knife, he starts yelling at us again. I roll my eyes because of this nonsense and yell, "God damn it Nick were trying to save your fucking life here!"

He asks Salem to hold him down, which gives me a lot more control over the knife. As Salem holds him down I can feel Nick slightly shake underneath my grasp on him, he doesn't know what's coming. Out of the blue, Salem yells now and plants his lips on his. I grin evilly and nod to him, Nice move I think. As soon as I could I plant the hot metal on his still bleeding, raw wounds. I try to shut myself out the noises around me and just keep myself focused. The flesh burned underneath the intense heat of the metal burning off the bacteria and germs with it. After that cut is done, I move onto another, and another, all of them looking pretty dirty and bloody. Luckily the burns seem to help clot the blood better so he doesn't loose much more in the process. Momentarily, I look back at Nick, his face twisted in pain and jaw clenched. I winced at the sight, this isn't exactly my cup of tea either, but It was for his own good though.

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[Jack Lexington]

If I had known what I'm in for I a) wouldn't have asked Salem to get close to me and b) not agreed to Lexi's plan.
I'm not quite sure what's worse, that salem suddenly places his wet manlips on mine and doesn't let go anymore or the mindnumbing agony Lexi is inflicting in me with that glowing knife.
I swear I've never felt such pain in my life. Instinctively I'm flexing every muscle I have and try to struggle away from Salems and her grip. I scream against Salems lips, not just once but over and over and toss my head around but he's got me pinned down with the whole weight of his body and I have only that much strength left after swimming in a storm and loosing half of my blood.
Lexi knows better than to give in to my screams and keeps burning away at my cuts. My whole arm is on fire but the pain is everywhere, all the way through my chest and to the tips of my toes. It's swallowing me up completely and chews me up just to spit me out whining and broken. Why can't I just pass out. The purple spots dancing in front of my eyes are promising but deceiving.
"Let go." I whimper to Salem with contorted features. "Just let go!"
But he doesn't. So my whole agony turns into hate against him. With my veins almost popping out of my neck I scream. "Let go!"
How can he pretend to care for me and then take part in this?
Burns have to be the worst kind of pain because it just doesn't subside. It's like somebody poured pure acid on my flesh.

OOC: Couldn't have found a better pic

[Sher is back :)]

I could faintly hear the skin sizzle under the heat on the metal. Not many things make me cringe, uit this did. I couldn't imagine how unbearable the pain was, I was just glad it wasn't me under the knife. Once I made sure all the wounds were properly burned and cleaned. I let my self fall back on my legs kneeling. I told Salem to get off and actually pushed him off with my bloody hands. I took a deep breath ad looked at his arm and back at him. Obviously in searing pain. "Okay, now I just need to close the deepest of the wounds." I said to the two of them. I looked around my self and snatched the fishing line, cutting a thin strand off with the knife. How was I going to get it through the skin though? I looked around again and picked up a lone fishing hook. Carefully, I straightened it to make it make shift needle. To make sure to get the bacteria off, I held it over the fire letting it turn a glowing yellow as the knife did. Letting it cool first, I wrapped the fishing line around it to make sure it wouldn't slip off and looked at Salem nodding to him to hold him down again so he didn't hurt any of us. I was merely surprised he actually didn't pass out.

"Were almost done with ya." I said calmly. I made the needle's way through the partly burnt skin, the line following. I did this until it was along the length of the wound and was almost completely closed. It looked pretty painful as well, but hopefully wasn't as bad as the burning part.

I took deep breath and collapsed ob the sand. Exhausted from the whole ordeal I closed my eyes for a second and just lay there calming myself down. I sat up again and looked at Nick, "So how do you feel?"

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[aquatic mammalian wh0re]

4EE2EC
C3FDB8

Never have I felt someone else's pain so much like this before. Nick is screaming into my lips, surging me with every ounce of despair and sadness. I want to let go of him, let him be free of this pain, but I know I can't. For his own sake. And, technically, for mine. Because if we don't do this, he could die, and where the hell would I be if that happened? Depressed. Angry for not doing something sooner. What am I talking about? He's not my responsibility. I never had any obligations to him. Yet, here I am, praying that he won't die. Because I have feelings for him. Because... I love him? Why though? He doesn't love me back, as far as I know. I'm just some kid. He doesn't care.

I finally let go of the kiss, because his screams are starting to overwhelm me and I'm surprised he hasn't bitten down my lip or anything yet. I look him in his eyes, full of despair and rage and pain. I don't let myself cry, no matter how much I want to. I know that my staying strong just might encourage Nick, and pull him through. He tries telling me to let go, but I don't. I can't. Eventually, his wish is granted, because Lexi pushes me off of him, and I land with a small thud in the sand. I take several deep breaths, glad I'm done seeing Nick like that. Except, I'm not done. Lexi's already one step ahead and is about to stick a needle in him. I begin to panic. Is he going to hurt her if she does this without warning? I practically fling myself onto Nick. As awkward as it is, I straddle his chest, putting all my weight on him. "You're gonna let her do this... It's almost over," I mutter to him. I grab his arms too, pinning them down over his head. There's no pushing me off, now. I feel terrible for doing this, but what else can I do? Everything will be better once it's over.

[Jack Lexington]

Salems weight is so heavy on my chest and I've been screaming so hard that I have a hard time breathing. Maybe that's why the pain gets a slight bit duller until it's almost barable. Lexi finally rescues me by pushing him of me, which gives me the chance to draw a long wheezing breath. I clutch the upper part of my arm as if I could divert the pain and try to calm my breathing but instead I suck in air much faster than can be good for me.
My eyes open wide when a female voice let's me know that she'll 'close the deepest cuts'. Oh goodness, how did I get my arm so sliced up by the reef?
She gives me enough time to calm my breathing that I won't pass out...but why?
For a moment I close my eyes with the oddest thought. "How can the teenage girl sleep through my screams?"
Next thing I know Lexi grabs my arm again and Salem straddles me. And once again I wonder what's worse. I can feel his whole weight on my hips, then he grabs my arms and pins them down above my head, which brings his face awefully close to mind again. If he kisses me again I'll bite him. "Don't you dare!" I growl weakly.
As if I had another chance than to let her go ahead and stitch it up. Can you imagine what it feels like to stick a needle through burnt flesh?
Instead of biting his lip I bite my own and push my jaws together so hard that I can taste blood.
Against what I thought would happen it's not Salem, the laughable weakling, that's starting to cry but me because I can't handle any more. I never cry and now I have tears running down the side of my face. Fuck this. Looking into Salems compassionate eyes makes me sick to my stomach so I squeeze my eyes shut.
My shoulders don't get stretched out anymore because Lexi is done and suddenly I let go of all the emotions, pain, fear, sickness and start balling my eyes out. I can't help it. I am so weak and crying like a little baby, gasping, sobbing and terribly embarrassed.
I cover my face with my elbow for a good two minutes until I get a grip on myself. His face is still there. Salem. I give him the most evil frown and then turn away.
Lexi come into view and cracks a joke. A joke. What the fuck?
"What the fuck?" I gasp and break out into laughter. What a relief.
I turn back to the boy straddling me and touch his abdomen, slightly pushing him "You can get off now." Finally I can give him a smile.

[Sher is back :)]

Once I let go of him, he lost it and started wailing and sobbing. It was a bit amusing but I felt bad for the guy also, nothing to reduce the pain. Once I cracked the poor joke, he shot me a glance and replied, "What the fuck?" and started laughing. The poor guy, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I just giggled along a bit and put the 'surgical tools' away in a safe spot. His arm already looked better looking despite the charred spots on his flesh.

"Sorry about that, but it had to be done." I replied a bit cockily. I sighed and leaned back resting on my hands and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. I turned my leg around to look at the cut I had, not a drastic as Nick's but it was still pretty nasty. I grabbed some bandage and wrapped it around my calf using little as possible just to keep any further dirt out. The damage I received in the storm was luckily mostly centered around my leg and the small cut on my head I got when the wave slammed me against the cabin. It didn't hurt anymore ad much as it ached a bit, I would just have to suck it up and get over it. Elizabeth was sleeping and Salem was also laying in the sand, I hope no one else would need the extensive procedures I just preformed.

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[aquatic mammalian wh0re]

4EE2EC
C3FDB8

I hold Nick down throughout the entire excruciating ordeal. I frown when blood begins trickling down his lip from biting down on it so hard. I even whisper a few soothing words, but I doubt it makes any effect on him. I want to tell Lexi to hurry up and get this all over with, but I know from experience that it's not that easy and not that fun.

I'm looking into his pain-filled eyes when tears begin to build up in them. Man, it kind of hurts seeing him cry. He seems like he would hate to be seen in this state, and he shuts his eyes, cutting me off. Lexi must be almost done by now. Nick must know that too, because he seems to be letting her do it so she can just finish and be done with it. Finally, she finishes up and backs away, and Nick just starts crying. Sobbing, even. I'm astounded by his sudden rush of emotion, and it even brings a few hot tears up behind my eyes. I stare at him in disbelief, and I let go of his arms. He covers up his face with the elbow of his good arm, and I move my face away from his to give him some space.

Of course, I'm sitting there on top of him for another few minutes, but I don't mind, and he doesn't seem to either. I guess he cries himself out, because he uncovers his eyes and they meet mine. I smile, but he looks away, to Lexi, before he can see my lips. I guess she said something he didn't like, because he returns a slightly rude comment, then starts laughing. Uhhh... what? He turns back to me, and plants a hand on my bare chest. "You can get off now," he says with a gentle push. And then he actually smiles at me. I look at him, a bit surprised, before returning the smile. I roll off and lie on my back only inches away from his still weak form.

I can't stop smiling.

[Jack Lexington]

I'm so glad the worst is over but have to admit that the 'not-worst' isn't much better. The pain lingers on like it's found his way into my bones and is making a cozy home in there.
Exhaustion is taken over and the adrenalin slowly wearing off leaving me tired and worn out.
I clutch my sore limb to my chest but stay on my back since I have no strength to sit up any more.
If only I could pass out but the nasty treatment wired me up too much.

When my head rolls to the side I can see Lexi take care of her own leg. "No burning for you?" I wonder. From here I can't see how deep or dirty her wound is but in my book it'd be only fair and safe for her to do the same thing but instead she wraps it up. She's got my complete and udder respect. That girl is not only tough as nails but also had the heart to do what needed to be done even when she was in danger that I might break her arm just out of agony...
the same thing goes for Salem. I hope for his own sake that he only kissed me to confuse the hell out of me and distract me.

The last of my tears run dry.

Salem lies in the sand nearby smiling like a fool. Did he enjoy my pain? Or is he happy I pulled through? "What are you grinning about?" I wonder wiping the last of the wetness from my face. Thank goodness I'm too dozy to feel any sort of embarassment, anger or resentment.
My eyes close for a moment and I'm ready to welcome sleep but it's not embracing me into its warm darkness just yet.
Half conscious I mutter. "I hate you both..." With that I take one more deep breath and finally pass out.

[Sher is back :)]

"No burning for you?" he asks. I look at him and shrug, [\color]"The day will come, but my wounds are nothing compares to yours." I explain a bit lazily with a yawn breaking up my sentence. I guess I didn't realize how tired I was till now. Elizabeth was passed, Salem was looking drowsy, and Nick looked half asleep. "I hate you both..." he mumbled as he drifted into a nice sleep. I softly laughed at the comment and lay down on the sand too, laying my head on my arms. It wasn't long before sleep caught up to me and brought me down with it.

I don't really know what woke me up, the chilled ground or the gull standing in front of me. I quickly shooed it off and sat up yawning and running my fingers through my tangled hair. I looked around camp, everybody was asleep. I could tell te sun had risen maybe an hour ago because the morning dew still hung in the air. I didn't really know what to do so I just started walking, maybe hoping to find some wreckage washed ashore my the strong tide. The sky seemed clear today, a gentle baby blue with a couple clouds hanging around, a good day to get our bearings I suppose.

Soon I came onto a small tidal pool at the base of an over hang. The waves gently rolled in and out of it, bringing the anemones and starfish to life. Another thing caught my eye, some crabs danced around the rocks. Uhg, what I would give for something to eat. Even though the fire was burned out, raw crab meat would make a nice meal. I kneel next to one of te larger rocks and watch as the scuttle around and about, trying to hide from the predators above. I positioned my hands infront of the rock, and as soon as I saw one, I lunged for it. No luck the first time, all I got as some skin scraped off by the sharp edges. I tried a couple more times with no luck. Finally, maybe ten minutes later, I snagged one. Its claw clamped onto my skin on my hand, and it wasn't exactly weak. I grit my teeth and toughened up, Just a crab Lexi, just a crab. I though to myself securely. I cupped the thing in my hands, still hanging onto my flesh, and jogged back to camp painfully and happy of my catch, even though it wasn't much.

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[Jack Lexington]

I heard Lexi walk away earlier and opened my eyes slightly to see her walk away. She probably ahs to pee or something. Me on the contrary, I desperately just want to go back to sleep althought the early morning light and sounds of birds are trying to wake me up. For a brief moment I cannot remember what happened the day before but the throbbing in my arm brings everything back to me so I queeze my eyes shut and drift off again.
The damn sea gull keeps hopping around my head and wakes me back up only ten minutes later. Angrily I shoe her away. "Bugger off."
Unfortunately the bird managed to chase the last bit of sleep away and although I'm really tired, I'm wide awake now.
Next to me I spot Salem sleeping peacefully. Vividly I remember what he did last night, three times his lips were on mine....damn fool. If I had know he'd get that confused I would have not played that trick on him. Yet I cannot be mad at the guy. He can't help the way he feels. How many times have I fallen for a girl, who wanted nothing to do with me. I was desperate...not a nice feeling.
I watch the small motions on his face and wonder whether he's dreaming of me, us maybe? How is it so natural for him to think of two guys together? i don't get it. For me it seems like against everything i believe in. Truth be told, I don't believe in much. I'm a scumbag, wanderer, bad captain...I don't give a flying fuck about any rules and don't have any goals other than getting rid of my debt to live a safe life again. But to think of Salem as my boyfriend grosses me out, yet I think about him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Lexi return with something in her hand. It looks like a crab or some other shellfish, grey and hard.
With a little effort I sit up and rub my face tiredly. "What you got? Did you come across any water source...I'm so thirsty."
She looks somewhat revived and in a pretty good mood. How can she after what happened.
Absentmindedly I let my eyes roam over the uneven fishing line stitches and partly soared skin. It looks incredibly ugly but I can still move my fingers, so I look her in the eye and say. "Thank you...you might have saved my arm." So far nothing has been decided. But within a day or two we'll know more.
My expression becomes very serious. "You had the gutts to do that, that's...admirable. Could you do me one favour? If I get blood poisoning you'll have to cut it off and don't let me talk you out of it!" It's an aweful thing to ask of her but I know I won't have the balls to ask her if it really comes down to it. My hopes are it won't.
"Any signs of life on this island?"

[aquatic mammalian wh0re]

4EE2EC
C3FDB8

Drowsiness is coming over me, and I welcome it warmly. It beats sitting by the diminishing fire, shivering to death. "What are you grinning about?" Nick sputters at me. I almost laugh, but I don't really have the energy to. I turn my head slightly so I'm looking at him. He looks exhausted. He's a lot paler than when I first met him, and his eyes aren't staying open. I barely manage to get out a response before he drifts off.

"You," I whisper. His eyes close.

~~~~~~~~~

Crash! A flash of lightning illuminates the gloomy world around me. A vast, gray ocean, with one lone ship out in the distance. I'm floating on the mysteriously calm ocean, almost enjoying myself. I'm wearing a life jacket, but I know I'd never drown here. It's too peaceful, despite the oncoming storm. The water stays obediently below me, below my small raft. It's actually more of a hunk of wood, it's so shameful. I needn't worry about anything, except... Minty? I hear her voice. It's calling for help. Salem! Suddenly, everything has become hectic. My peaceful world comes crashing down, matching the suffocating waves. My raft is as good as nothing now, and I find myself swimming. Propelling myself in no direction that I can figure out. Calling Minty's name. But she's gone. Not only has her voice disappeared, but I can feel it in my gut. She's been taken by the brutal ocean, with it's waves that hunger for human flesh. Gone.

Am I next? The terror of the moment is worse than the gulps of ocean water that are forcing their way down my throat. I should be nearly drowning right now, but all that hurts is my heart. I ache for something. Dry land? No, it's more of a hunger. A need. Suddenly, my life jacket is gone, and I'm plunged beneath the gray surface. Into darkness. Crash! Lightning again. I gasp for air as I find it again, somehow. What's happening to me?

My blurry eyes catch sight of the ship off in the distance again, and it might be coming torwards me. Somehow I know exactly what that ship means. His name escapes my lips before the meaning even registers fully in my brain. "Nick!" I don't think he can hear me. There's too much going on. The waves and the thunder drown out my hearing, and I feel sick to my stomach. There's no saving me now. I yell his name a few more times, longing for his help. For him to comfort me. But it never comes. Only a cold darkness beneath the gray.

[/i][/blockquote]

~~~~~~~~~

My eyes open to find, not gray, but a soft, gentle blue. The sky. There's a dull ache in my head, but other than that, I feel fine. A lone seagull circles my vision, far above me. Living a carefree life. It warms me slightly. Actually, the sun is providing the first true warmth I've felt in a while, and I cherish it.

"Any signs of life on this island?" says the voice. Nick's voice. It brings a sharp pang of hurt to my chest, along with a flood of memories from... what was it? A dream? It all seemed so real. But I guess this is reality. Better than drowning anyways. I rise slowly, getting on my hands and knees. I look up to find Lexi and Nick already awake. As my eyes come back into focus, I see the girl has something in her hand. A healthy gray crab. Food. Life. My eyes stay on it for a while, then drift over to Nick. He looks wide awake, and much better than last night. I feel a pained expression register on my face.

Why wasn't he there for me? Why did he let me suffer? [/color][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

[Sher is back :)]

Nick asks me what I brought back as I sit beside him in the sand. I layed it on the ground, carefully detaching it's painful grip from my hand. Before the little bastard could get away, I took the knife and stabbed through it's shell, killing it. I picked up the limp body with the knife. "Crab, a nasty one at that... And no, I haven't found any, I suppose we could evaporate it" I say referring to the water and examining the tiny cut in my hand. Then Nick started thanking me for the work I did on his arm. I shook my head, "It's no problem, really. If I didn't, you would have died." I said nonchalantly. Not that it would be a bad thing... I thought amusingly. I looked back at him and flashed a small grin.

"You had the gutts to do that, that's...admirable. Could you do me one favour? If I get blood poisoning you'll have to cut it off and don't let me talk you out of it!" He expressed in a serious fashion. I pay attention to this, he hasn't been serious in a while. I took the complement to heart though, I didn't show the emotion too much, but it really meant something to me. Never been called admirable, I guess nobody really payed any attnetion to my actions anyway, not that I really did anything good. I couldn't help But blush a little, trying to hide the small smile on my pale face. "Thanks, that's nice of you. Trust me though, you can't talk me out of anything." I replied seriously as well. Then he asks if I have seen any life, "My do you ask questions, but unless you count the annoying gulls and mean crabs, then I guess not. I don't think I would like to run into any natives unarmed though." I explained giving him a bit of sarcasm.

Suddenly, I noticed Salem watching us, a sad look in his eyes. I started to crack open the crab, being careful about not getting the meat dirty. "You okay Salem? Looks like you could use some protein." I offered cutting off a nice piece of white flesh holding it out for him to take. I cut another piece off and handed it to Nick and did the same for myself, being sure to save some for Elizabeth. I sat back and ate my crab meat slowly enjoying the succulent taste of it. It refreshed me a little. I looked out onto the Ocean, secretly wondering where everyone else ended up.

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[Jack Lexington]

Now Salem wakes up as well and looks like somebody chewed him up and spit him out. The storm and last night have taken their toll on him just like everybody else. I feel a little sorry for him because technically it's all my fault. "Did you get some sleep?" I ask tying not to sound too compassionate but still letting him know I didn't mean that I hate both of them.
"You look pretty bad." I let him know with a small grin.

Then I turn my attention back on Lexi and her crab, who not only found the strength to organize some food but also her sarcasm again. "Well, we'll have to find some water soon but I'm sure there's some from last nights rain. Are you going to share that?" Before my question is finished she hands everybody a piece.
Not often do I eat raw shell fish because of the potential disease in it but today I just need to get something in my growling belly. I"m glad she peeled it for me because it would be hard with one hand. That's when it dawns on me: Without them, or at least her I'd be lost on this island. I need them...her...him, well both I guess.

That's when I notice that Elisabeth is gone...wasn't she here when I first woke up but now she's not. I look around but can't see her anywhere. "Where's that young girl?"

I don't give it much more thought but bite into the greyish meat. The taste assaults my tongue and makes my mouth water. It's strange at first but I don't care and swallow the meat eagerly. When I look over at Salem I see him look at the piece of meat with caution. "Eat, Salem. You'll need something in your belly."
When I'm done I lick my fingers and sit up completely.
Time to take organize some water.
I grab the old bloody fabric that was wrapped around my arm before, shake it out and try to make a sling out of it.
Then I slide it around my neck and stick my arm into it. The pressure hurts a little but I'm worried about getting more dirt into the cuts.
Standing up is not as easy as it seems due to dehydration and blood loss. My vision goes black and my legs feel like rubber so I sit back and wait for another moment before I try again but have to wait until my vision returns. "Holy shit...that was a pretty close call last night I think...." I lower my voice. "I didn't mean what I said. You know that, right?" I'm mostly adressing Salem now because I think Lexi understand anyway.

[aquatic mammalian wh0re]

4EE2EC
C3FDB8

Lexi and Nick notice me awake, and they're handing me meat from the crab, and Nick actually says a few kind words. Enough to make me smile. They are both encouraging me to eat the weird meat, so I figure I just bite right into it. I've tasted better seafood, but the crab actually isn't half bad. It doesn't quench my thirst, though. I could drink an entire lake at this point, honestly. Nick must know that we're going to need water soon, because he brought it up just a moment ago.

I finish off my portion of the crab and notice him making a small attempt to get up, only to slump back down in the sand. "Holy shit...that was a pretty close call last night I think," he exclaims. You think? You nearly died and left me, I mean, us, alone. Then he says something I know is directed towards me. "I didn't mean what I said. You know that, right?" I frown slightly. I don't like thinking about it. Until right now, he's mostly been trying to avoid me or be rude when he can. Maybe it was just him being irritable from his wounds and stuff, but I don't know...

"I'm just glad you're alive, Nick," I say grimly. Then, without warning, I get up slowly and step over to where Nick is. I hold out my hand to help him up. "Come on, we've got some water to find. I want to give Lexi a break today," I say as cheerfully as I can.

{ooc: I probably won't have internet all weekend, or at least until Sunday evening (Sunday night, for you Jack). So, if you reply now, I may be able to get one more in before I leave for the weekend.}