CHAPTER 1
It had been weeks since Flight 815 had crashed into the ocean, just off a seemingly deserted island. Most of the castaways had been able to get to know the others during the times of desperation. Since the hatch had been blown up, and the discovery of Desmond and some of the new castaways, everyone was working together more, and forming new friendships.
One of the newfound castaways was Ella McClintoch. An Australian girl who had been living between England and Scotland for the past 10 years. Now she was amongst a group of people unknown to her, and quite a large number of those people were men. Ella knew that everyone on the island had their own stories, their own lives prior to the plane crash and ending up on the island. So why should hers be any different? The exception was... it was different. It was so unlike the others.
Ella hadn't exactly made friends easily, but when she had started speking to people, she found she conversed easily with the women of the group. They had helped her set up her own tent, amongst some large trees and not too far from the others. It was amazing the number of resources they were able to find on the island.
"Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it," Ella said to them, once Kate, Claire and Nikki had finished helping her set up.
"Think nothing of it. We're always happy to help a new castaway. Would you like to come with us, we're going to find some fruit to bring back for everyone," Kate told her, leaning down to pick up some bags laying on the ground, to be used to carry the fruit. Ella accepted obligingly.
"Of course I'll come," Ella told them, and took one of the bags from Kate's hand. Claire, however, didn't take up the offer of food collecting.
"I'd better stay and look after Aaron. Charlie's talking with Desmond again. I think Desmond's visions are still worrying him. He's at his tent," Claire mentioned, nodding her head in the direction of Desmond's tent, which was next to Ella's.
"Oh, I didn't realise that Desmond was next door," Ella told them, sounding slightly worried herself, and slightly more Scottish than usual.
"I wouldn't worry about him. He's a good guy, slightly odd, but he's very friendly. That's fine Claire, you stay here. I think Paolo wants to come with us," Nikki told them, as she indicated to Paolo who was heading in their direction.
"Actually, I might stay with Claire. I'm sorry, but thank you again for helping me with my tent," Ella said, before quickly following after Claire and her bundled Aaron as Paolo caught up with Kate and Nikki.
"Is Ella alright? She left in quite a hurry," Paolo noticed, slightly disappointed that she'd left. He found her very attractive, but so far hadn't been able to speak to her. Everytime he made an effort, she would leave and head in the opposite direction. He didn't understand why.
"I hope you don't mind me staying with you, Claire. I just... didn't exactly feel like heading out to get fruit," Ella admitted, sitting down on the sand and holding Aaron for Claire. Claire shook her head.
"Don't worry about it. I'd much prefer the company on the beach anyway. As long as Charlie stays over with Desmond for at least another 10 minutes," Ella gave another anxious glance across at the men, and then forced a smile back at Claire.
"So Ella, whereabouts are you from? I hear a Scottish accent and a bit of English too," Claire asked, as she took Aaron from her and settled him into his cradle. Ella laughed lightly.
"Well, I'm Australian. Originally from Melbourne, but umm... I left and moved to England. Then I went to Scotland for a while and I'd been travelling between the two for around 10 years. My accent's a bit strange, I know. I sound like a mutt I guess. If I get angry or worried then I guess I sound more like a Scot, but I don't mind," Ella told her. Claire nodded understandingly.
"So what's your story then, Ella. What brings you to the island?" Claire asked, glancing at Ella.
"There's not much of a story. There's nothing to tell," Ella said, anxiously.