The Bamboo Man

Lost island, 1810

“We offer this sacrifice in your name as generations past have done. We ask your blessing on our crops and our people. For all you have given we are thankful. For all we have received we pray.” Richard Alpert stood in front of the assembled villagers, his arms raised in a gesture of supplication and praise. He was dressed in a long brown robe and white sash as his people's high priests had worn for generations. “Look upon us with favor, Great one. Bless us and protect us.” Behind him stood a large bamboo and wood structure. It was in the shape of a man and topped with a crown of vines and flowers. A rough ladder led up the back to a platform where offerings would be left. Two other brown robed priests led a frightened looking man and woman to the ladder. They were dressed in white and their hands were bound with vines. Richard turned and watched as they ascended and disappeared into the figure. “We honor you as countless generations have honored you.” The priests approached the front of the figure. They were joined by several acolytes bearing lit torches. Richard nodded and they touched the flames to the base where branches and leaves had been placed.
As the figure began to burn the gathered people started to sing and chant. The frightened faces of the two sacrificial victims were visible as the flames climbed higher. One of them began to scream. The sound was soon drowned out by the singing of the people and the growing fire.
A short time later all that was left was a pile of smoking ashes. Richard looked at it and solemnly bowed his head. “It is done.”


Lost island, 1976

Richard Alpert stood in the sacred clearing watching as a large bamboo and wood figure was being built. It was nearly time for the festival. He reflected on how little some things had changed throughout the ageless life he had been granted. A sacrifice every 28 years seemed a small price to pay for his people's continued peace and prosperity. That was especially true now that outsiders had come to the island. Richard glanced at the bamboo skeleton then turned and headed back towards the village. He stopped at a hut where two armed men stood guard. Inside were the two sacrificial victims. He could hear them yelling to be let go. “Whatever you do, don't let them out until this evening.” He told the guards. They nodded. Richard listened to the two prisoners' cries with cold detachment. He was slightly ashamed that he felt nothing for these people. They and others like them had been responsible for the sickness and death of many of his friends and relatives. Included in this number had been Richard's beloved wife Ariane. He would never forgive the outsiders for that.
That evening he stood in front of his people and watched impassively as the prisoners were brought forward by the priests. They were a man and a woman dressed in khaki jumpsuits. Their names and designations were printed on the breast pockets above an octagonal logo. “Why are you doing this?” The woman asked. “What have we done to deserve this? We're peaceful scientists.” She was darkly pretty, with straight brown hair and hazel eyes. Her jumpsuit read Charlotte, researcher. Richard regarded her calmly. “This is our way. Your people have come to our island and caused the deaths of many of my people. You were chosen to represent those that wronged us.” Charlotte looked up at him with big scared eyes as she was led up into the figure.
As the bamboo man burned some minutes later Richard looked up at the heavens and offered a prayer for his wife and those who had been sent to the maker before their time. “It is done.” He intoned with tears in his eyes. And so it was, for another 28 years.

Lost island, present day

Richard Alpert sat in his tent and looked down at the slip of paper in his hands. On it were the names of the two people Jacob had ordered be sacrificed at this year's ceremony. Desmond Hume. Athena Alexandrou. He read the names several more times then slipped the paper into his pocket. For the first time in more years than he cared to remember he had mixed feelings about a sacrifice. Pushing those feelings away he stood and walked outside. There were other things he had to concern himself with at the moment. Why Ben had told them to evacuate the compound for one. What he was doing with John Locke for another. Jacob had something very specific in mind for the bald man. Something Ben knew nothing about. Richard glimpsed Mikhail Bakunin sitting at a camp table a short distance away and went over to him. The Ukranian was one of the few people he knew of who had been gifted by Jacob as he had been, and the only non-native.
Mikhail had been given the gift of invulnerability. (The security fence had been set to a lethal level, despite what he had told Ben.) In return he gave his allegiance to Jacob and the island. “Care for some coffee?” He asked Richard, indicating a pot heating on the fire in front of him. “Yes. Thank you.” Richard took the offered mug and sat down. “It's almost time for the festival.” He said. Mikhail nodded. “The sacrifices have just been chosen.” Mikhail looked at Richard. “Who was chosen?” Richard hesitated. “Desmond Hume. He is with the crash survivors. And Athena Alexandrou.” Mikhail raised an eyebrow. Richard returned the look. Both of them were close to Athena and neither of them liked the idea of her being sacrificed. Richard sipped his coffee. Secretly he wished Ben Linus had been chosen. He never would admit that to anyone though. “You seem troubled.” Mikhail said. “I just have a lot on my mind. The festival takes place at the next full moon and there is much work to be done.” He glanced over at Ben sitting in front of his tent. “Add to that what Ben wants us to do and I'm sure you can understand my distress.” Mikhail nodded. “I don't understand Benjamin myself sometimes.”