Chapter 3: Tabula Rasa

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The group was still going through the woods, heading back to camp. Isabella was at the back, trying to ignore the look Sawyer was giving her. He didn't believe her story, but he also was the only one who actually saw her come bolting out of the jungle.

"Getting dark," Boone said needlessly.

"Then pick up the pace," Sawyer commented, not taking his eyes off of Isabella.

They'd reached an open space. A few more steps and they would be in the jungle again. The small clearing wasn't huge, but it would work. Sayid stopped and looked to the darkening sky. "We should make camp..." Sayid said.

"What? Here?" Shannon asked, looking around.

Kate, Isabella, and Charlie exchanged a knowing look at the thought of entering the jungle...

"I'm not stopping. Y'all have a nice cookout," Sawyer said, reaching the tree line.

"Excellent. Walk through the jungle in the dark..." Sayid muttered.

"Ooooh. You think the trees are gonna get us?" Sawyer said, turning around.

"No," Kate said. "What is knocking down the trees will get you."

Sawyer reached to the back of his jeans and pulled out the gun. "You're so worried about me, how about you give me the clip back?"

Sayid looked down to the magazine tucked into his pocket. He was already shaking his head as the debate was silenced by Kate. "Put your gun back in your pants, Sawyer." Sawyer grinned, but he did so.

"Sayid is right," Isabella said. "We need to stop, put the mountain at our back so we 're protected on one side. If you keep walking, you won 't make it to the beach."

"Yeah? Why's that?" Sawyer said. Isabella stared right back at him.

"Trust me," she said. Sawyer just stared at her, knowing how ironic that statement was.

"This where you came from?" Sawyer asked, stepping closer.

"I don't know," Isabella said. She forced herself to look him in the eyes. If she looked away even once... "Maybe. This whole jungle looks the same. I was running, really not paying attention to what was around me. Just the ground so I didn't trip on a root or something."

Sawyer kept his eye on her. She wasn't sure if it was because he didn't trust her, or if it was because he recognized her. Maybe it was both. Sayid was working with Kate to get a fire started, while Charlie, Shannon, and Boone were gathering tinder and kindle from the edge of the jungle.

Sawyer was sitting with Isabella, and finally she got the courage to ask, "You keep looking at me. Why?"

"Does it matter?"

"Either you recognize me, or you don't trust me. I'd like to know which," Isabella demanded. Sawyer didn't answer. "Is it both?" He still didn't answer, however he looked back towards the fire when she asked her question. It was both.

"I had a sister named Isabella," he said. Isabella looked over at him. He sounded wistful, remorseful.

"What happened to her?" Isabella asked.

"I don't know. She... she left me a note, then vanished." He looked at the grass. "It's been ten years, and I haven't heard a word. I think it's my fault she's avoiding me, if she's not... if she isn't..."

Isabella wasn't sure what to say. He thought his sister... he thought she was dead.

For the first time since the crash, Isabella noticed a silver locket around his neck. He was leaning forward, and it slipped out. He didn't seem to realize.

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