Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 16: A little bit of consoling

"Blondie, you're shakin'. I've got ya."

She had a haunted look in her eyes.

"I don't think you'll ever leave this island James."

She was still shaking and continued her thought.

"Just shut up and hold me James."

She didn't know why she'd gotten cross with him, only that she had. What had this dream puzzle given her this time? Was she going to float out to sea and be rescued? Her alone though? Her mind was still in panic mode and she got out of bed, reaching for Cara. Swallowing down a gasp, she looked over every inch of Cara. She was now screaming at the top of her lungs.

"James, Cara has hives."

Juliet didn't give James time to form a response and was out of the tent within less than a minute. Stomping down the beach towards Jack's tent, she knew the whole camp could hear Cara howling by now. A few of the survivors curiously looked outside their tents, while other's gave pity. Juliet didn't need pity, she needed them to understand. She found Jack yawning as he filled up his water. He looked up when he saw Juliet come towards him.

"Little early for her to be having colic yet isn't it?"

Juliet felt her stony expression fall away and the tears were beginning.

"Jack she has hives."

Jack taking wide strides led Juliet back to her tent.

"Are you sure? Could be heat rash."

Juliet shook her head no at Jack and felt a couple of tears drop against her cheeks.

"I know what heat rash looks like Jack. This isn't it. Heat rashes don't have defining characteristics really. But hives do."

Entering her and James tent, Juliet felt the panic wrapping around her throat and cutting off her oxygen supply.

"Is she having any trouble breathing?"

Juliet shook her head and swayed a bit on her feet. Jack took Cara from her arms and James held her steady.

"I don't know."

Jack looked her over carefully with the light from the rising sun. He frowned as she grew quieter.

"She's having a reaction to something. But I can't pinpoint its source. Is there any kind of plant she could've been next to while you were doing laundry the other day?"

Juliet sat on the edge of the bed she shared with James and looked at her daughter who'd gone quiet.

"No. I keep her away from the plants at the edge of the tree line. Do you think...? Do you think I gave her something?"

Jack grew very concerned and looked Juliet dead in the eye.

"I'll need a blood sample from you and a small sample of your breast milk to test for any sort of bacteria or contaminants."

Now it was Juliet's turn to worry. Could she be sick and not even know it? This island really did have it in for her. Just like it always had.

To Be Continued...