Claire looks up into the drak night sky before checking the patch of grass beside her. She weakly smiles, seeing that Aaron was still asleep. She sighs, looking over Locke, Alex, and Hurley's sleeping forms. She raises a hand to her blonde curls and fiddles with a strand of hair. She cannot sleep ever since the previous day's news. It felt so cold to have no one close to your side. Especially on a cold night like this.
"Pssst!"
Claire jerks her head around at the sudden sound. She feels her throat go dry with fright.
"Who's there?" she whispers frantically.
"Pssst! C'mere!" the voice calls in a hushed tone.
Claire rises to her feet, looking down at Aaron one last time. She tip-toes into the dark forest. Once in the shadows, she comes to a stop. She sees someone's back. It was a man, he was seated on a fallen tree. She sneakily approaches, making sure not to rustle and leaves. Looking at the figure, she frowns. Why would anyone wear a leather jacket in the tropics?
"H-Hello?" she stutters meekly.
The figure breathes heavily before slowly rising to his feet. Claire intently watches. The man turns to face her gradually. A pair of shades cover his eyes and most all of his face is hidden by the night's shadows.Keeping a few feet between herself and the man, Claire peers at him oddly. The man slowly steps into a patch of moonlight. It brings his face into perfect view. Claire's hands fly over her mouth to hold in a scream of both joy and horror.
"Hello, luv," he whispers, pulling off his shades.
"Charlie?" Saying his name casues tears to spring into Claire's eyes.
He nods, taking a few steps towards her, filling the gap between them.
"But--You're dead." Claire utters.
Charlie nods. " AM dead, but I am here."
"No, you're not!" Claire bawls hysterically. "No, you're not."
Charlie reaches out and cups Claire's chin in his hand.She freezes. Using his thumb, Charlie wipes away her tears.
"Claire," he murmuirs.
She nods.
"You have to get off this island. You have to leave." he tells her.
Claire furrows her brow. "What?"
"When you see--or hear--a helicopter, take Aaron and get on." Charlie instructs.
She slowly nods. "Why? What's going to happen?" she asks.
Charlie sighs. "Bad things, Claire...But you have to get on the chopper...okay? Promise me you'll get on?" he says, a sad look in his blue-grey eyes.
Tears roll down Claire's cheeks once more. "I promise," she sobs.
Charlie smiles before leaning forwards and kissing her lips softly. He pulls away with a sigh. With a wave, he turns to leave.
After he walks a few feet, Claire calls out, "Charlie?"
He stops and turns to look back at her.
"Did you--Did you know that you were going to die?" Claire falters.
Charlie purses his lips together before nodding.
Claire's eyes overflow with tears.
"I did it for you, Claire...I love you." Charlie calls back to her, a tear rolling down his own cheek.
"I loved you, too," Claire sobs. She blinks back tears, but by then, he's gone.