Chapter Ten



It had been two full weeks of being on the island and Katherine was doing better in some ways and worse in others. She was doing better because she no longer felt so home sick, every time she'd have a panic attack Clara would be there to help her. She was doing worse because she still hadn't been getting much sleep and her clothes were worn and threadbare from walking in the jungle so much. The dark circles under her eyes and her ripped sweats (that looked more like shorts now) combined with her see through shirt made her look like a zombie trudging around every where. To make matters worse Jack seemed even more inclined to get on her nerves, whether it be flirting with her or insulting her he couldn't help but try and make her go crazy. She missed that few minutes they had shared looking up at they sky and just taking, she missed that Jack. That Jack wasn't a skirt chasing jerk who couldn't help but tease her every chance she got. His recent attempt at her actually made her slap him which had been the happiest moment of her life:

"Hey Kathy."

"Go away, I'm working."

"Awe but that's no fun, you look to good to be busy."

"Shut up."

"Say, I really like that shirt in you. But you know where I would like it even more?"

"Please don't tell me."

"On the ground. What do ya say? You, me, over by the waterfall where no one could see us. It won't take 20 minutes, all you gotta do is keep those skinny little legs spread for me."

SMACK!

Katherine smiled faintly at the memory of it and practically reveled in the sight of his bruising cheek. The bomb she had once felt in her chest while she was around him seemed to stop going off every time she saw him. It cleared her head more while she was around him and she was able to focus more clearly on trying to make them a permeant camp sight on the beach. So far they had re-built the matts and figured out how to put something over head to keep light rain and sunlight out.

Davids claimed his ribs were better but Katherine could tell by the way he never used his left side that it was still tender. Clara could finally walk by herself and seemed as happy as ever (especially when David was around) Katherine tried not to let that bother her but it was hard. She couldn't stop thinking about how smart David was, and how cute he looked with slightly longer hair and a four o'clock shadow. Of course they had managed to find a razor in another strange suit case that had managed to wash ashore from the storm but David had gotten to busy to care about trying to shave anymore. Him and Clara had recently been trying to come up with some sort of signal they could send up if a passing ship or plane came by. So far they'd managed to come up with nothing and Katherine found herself trying not to stare at David as he drew aimlessly in the sand. She had only talked to him a handful of times since the time on the plane and she had a very distinct impression he was to distracted by every thing to remember she was even there. Though he seemed to have no trouble at all paying attention to Clara, again she fought the urge to hate Clara for that but what could she say? She was feeling a little lonely.

Maybe she should have gone with Jack to the waterfall...

She mentally slapped herself for thinking such a thing. There was no way she was going to let Jack touch her just because she was feeling down about David. She wasn't that kind of person, she just needed to stop dwelling on her own self misery. Then again it wouldn't be too bad to get her mind away from the island and it's horribleness... She slapped herself agin and forced herself to try and focus on David and Clara's conversation.

"So if we used the some of the gas from the plane... that would explode right?" Clara asked looking up at David who was studying the sand drawing with intensity.

"No, it would only explode if the conditions were just right. We need something more reliable, like gun powder." He said drawing something the the white sand with his finger.

"But we don't have any, all we-"

"Why don't you just use the can of shaving cream." Katherine suggested cutting her off. The two looked up at her in shock as if just realizing she was sitting right next to them.

"What?" David asked his hazel eyes full of confusion.

"The can... you know, it's under pressure and all so right before its all gone if you hit it just right and add heat.... It should explode, at least thats what my older brother told me..." Katherine was staring to feel awkward under the stare of the two. "It's just a thought... you don't have to do it I was just thinking-"

"That's a great idea!" Clara said suddenly her face breaking into a grin.

"It is?" David asked dumbfounded and Katherine resisted the urge to slap him just like Jack. Clara shot him a glare and his eyes widened. "I-I mean it is a good idea Katherine but we have the same problem, it has to be under the right circumstances."

Katherine chewed the inside of her cheek as David turned back to Clara.

"It's a good idea but it won't work." He told her as if Katherine had suddenly disappeared.

"Fine then." Katherine snapped startling David and Clara. Katherine's annoyance and anger launched through the roof and she shot to her feet.

"Kath-" Clara said getting up to with the help of David.

"No, just don't! I'm just trying to help, sorry I got in the way of your bonding time!" She said sharply and turned on her heel.

"Wait a second Katherine! What are you talking about?" David called after her as she reached the thicket of the jungle. Katherine ignored him and all but sprinted in the direction of the waterfall, all she wanted was to get far away from David.

She pushed aside giant leaves with spiders in them and jumped over the fallen palm trees and raced through the green. She didn't stop until she almost ran head long into Jack and Crutchie along the path.

"Woah there Kathy where you runnin'?" Jack asked catching her before she smashed into his solid chest. "A little eager to get to the waterfall are we." He said it cheekily but she didn't miss the way he ducked his head as if he was afraid she would hit him again.

"No! Get out of my way!" She snapped pulling away from him.

"Are you okay Katherine?" Crutchie asked still crutch less and being held up by a tree.

"I'm fine!" She shot at him then felt a little bad when the cheerful smile slipped of his face.

"O-kay, youse wanna come look for a new crutch with me and Crutchie instead?" Jack asked eyeing her like she was crazy.

"No." She said shortly and shouldered past him.

"Okay, see ya later then!" Jack called after her as she ran deeper into the jungle.

She ran until the waterfall came into sight, she found a lonely tree and slid to the ground next to it, maybe she was being over dramatic but Katherine didn't really care any more. This island and changed her so much already she felt like she would never be the same again, here she was about to cry over a stupid boy. Katherine had never cried over a boy like this before, usually she could brush it off like no problem but not now.

"Katherine?" She heard someone calling her name, she instantly knew it was David by the sound of his voice. She blinked away the tears and forced her face into an scowl as he spotted her sitting under a tree. "Katherine what's gotten into you? I've never seen you like this before whats going on?"

Katherine glared at him and scooted away from him when he sat next to her. For once since she had met him she didn't want to he near him, it was a weird change.

"Katherine tell me what's wrong." He urged still trying to get closer to her. She buried her face in her hands and shook her head, there was no way in hell she was going to tell him.

"Your so blind." Katherine muttered bitterly.

"What do you mean?" He asked his voice turning sharp. "Did Jack do something to you? I swear if he tried anything-"

"No David it's not that." Katherine said looking up at him. David shoulders relaxed and he put an arm around her reassuringly.

"Then what is it?" He asked. "Come one Katherine, your like the little sister I never had. You can tell me anything."

Katherine frowned at him, did she really just get sister-zoned? Never in her life had she felt more embarrassed and more hurt, it was like someone had shut something off in her brain.

"It's nothing, I'm fine." She lied.

David frowned back at her but pulled her closer, Katherine suddenly found it not as amazing as she though it would be to have his arms around her.

"Ya know Katherine, you remind me of someone I know." He said patting her back.

"Oh gosh, please tell me its not your mother." Katherine mumbled.

"What?" David asked confused.

Nothing, nothing."

"Anyways... like I was saying, you remind me of a woman I once met back in New York. She was a lot like you in many ways, she was stubborn, very beautiful, and extremely clever. The only problem was she didn't know how to ask for help, she thought she could do everything on her own."

"I know how to ask for help." Katherine said looking up at him. David rolled his eyes and shook her head.

"My point Katherine is that I'll always be here for you. Even when you don't want to ask for help." He said squeezing her gently.

Katherine sighed and laid her head down on his shoulder, she felt stupid for making such a scene. It made her look like she was begging for help and believe her when she said she didn't need help. She suddenly winced seeing the symbolism in Davids story.

"I guess I just want my friend back." Katherine said, it was true in many ways she did want David as a friend, maybe her silly crush was ruining her chance at a good friendship with him.

"Sorry I've been a little distracted lately, I haven't been talking to you very much and for that i'm sorry. Must be heck dealing with Jack all the time, I promise I'll do better." He said ruffling her hair, Katherine smiled and settled more deeply against his side.

They stayed like that for a few minutes just stilling in silence. It was a nice day, not to hot, not to humid, just... perfect. Of course right as she thought that she heard an unmistakable scream rip it's way through the trees. She and David sat bolt up right and looked at each other horrified, the scream rang again and they both shot to there feet in a second.

They didn't even need to speak, together they tore off through the trees racing as fast as they could to the beach. Katherine couldn't tell what the scream was, she initially assumed it had been female and Clara was in trouble but as she heard it again... she could of sworn it sounded male. She forced her worn convers to hit the ground harder as she spend behind David, the thought of anyone one of them getting hurt horrified her. Even Jack...

They broke through the trees at full speed and came face to face with an unharmed Clara. Her gorgeous features looked alarmed too and Katherine guessed she had heard the scream too.

"What happened?!" She asked grabbing Katherine's arm. "Where's Jack and Crutchie?"

"I-I don't... they said they went looking for a new crutch for Crutchie... I don't know where they went!" She said panic rising into her chest. Hopeful they hadn't gone far if they could still heard the scream of pain, Katherine squeezed her eyes shut hoping everything was okay. Just then David grabbed her arm in alarm and pointed to the jungle. Katherine squinted and spotted a figure running at full speed towards them, in there arms was a limp body being jostled as Jack ran back to them fear and panic etched to his handsome features. The limp form in his arms was Crutchie.

He looked dead.

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AUTHORS NOTE: You get two updates today because I feel like I have been slacking lately and needed to make it up to you so... Happy Birthday! Tell me whatcha think! I own nothing. Thank you.

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