Title: The Innocent
Author: jade_melody
Characters: Ben, Richard
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Damon and Carlton own Lost
Summary: Richard tells Ben about the purge.
It was a quiet afternoon. Tall tangled trees cast cold shadows over the ground diving the earth into darkness and light. Richard sat cross-legged in a patch of sunshine, eyes closed, his expression unsettlingly peaceful. Occasionally his closed eyes would move, as if he was communicating with the jungle around him.
Ben approached slowly, careful not to disturb the other man’s meditation. He sat down next to Richard on the warm grass, smiling and eager. Happy to be away from them. Happy to be someone important. Trusted. Relied upon.
After a few moments, Richard opened his eyes.
“Benjamin.”
Ben met the older man’s gaze with his own steady one.
“Have you heard anything?” Ben tried to control his tone so as not to sound too impatient. Richard was always reminding him of the importance of patience.
“Yes.” Richard replied, turning away from Ben. “We’ve come to a decision. The Dharma scientists have disrupted our work on the island for too long. It is time for them to be purged.”
Ben’s smile faltered.
“Purged?”
Richard turned his body towards Ben, a new expression playing over his face.
“Benjamin. Remember when I told you that it wasn’t time yet? That you weren’t ready? Now is the time. If you have changed your mind—“
“No! I just – what do you mean
purged? You aren’t going to –“
“We will do what we have to do to keep the island safe.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed as he watched Ben.
Ben broke from his gaze. As if searching for help, he turned away and surveyed the trees. Richard could see the conflict and turmoil threatening to erupt just under the surface. Flickers of pain seemed to shoot across the young man’s face, creasing his forehead and making his lip tremble slightly. He turned back to Richard, allowing him to see the pain pleading in his eyes.
“Some of them are innocent.”
“It is not for us to decide the innocence of those who threaten the island. Sometimes there must be sacrifices.”
Ben opened his mouth to speak, but then paused. He looked away again trying to gather his composure.
“Some of them could be spared.” Ben spoke softly, his eyes lowered. “I could help them get away before… Before you come.”
“Oh, but you misunderstand. It is you who must lead this purge. Before you truly become one of us, you must make a gesture of commitment. You will have to kill your father yourself.”
Ben looked deep into Richard’s eyes but found no sympathy in them.
His mind raced, trying to find a way out. A way to avoid killing so many, but also to preserve his own life and future. Ben knew that if he didn’t pass this test – and it was always a test with Richard – that he would be discarded and share the same fate as the rest of the Dharma Initiative. When Ben faced Richard again his face was calm and his voice low and resolved.
“When?”
~fin~
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