It was a clear day, the trees moved quietly in the breeze. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Along the sandy beach, a slender woman walked alone. Her long locks of blonde hair cascading across her cheeks.
These morning walks have become ritual for her. Looking out into the vast horizon, looking for ships; or boats, or rafts. The last time she saw a boat; it actually held someone who had been on the island longer than she had.
What was his name? Desmond. As she walked along the ivory shores, she saw someone in the distance. A man. Just the man she had been thinking about in fact.
Claire decided to go and make conversation. Possibly to learn more about the islands mystery man.
Desmond sat alone on a rock formation just out of reach of the breaking waves. He was watching for rescue, or for someone from the Dharma Initiative to fly over. He was looking so intently at the moving sea that he didn't notice Claire walk up.
"Hello." Claire said shyly, almost not wanting to bother him. Desmond looked from his spot in the ocean to gaze upwards at Claire.
"Hello there…Claire right?" Desmond asked in his thick Scottish accent. Claire smiled and nodded as she motioned at the rock next to his.
"Do you mind?" Claire asked, her Australian accent making a nice contrast with his.
"Oh, I insist. Please." Desmond said with a slight smile. Claire sat down next to him and looked back out into the horizon.
"So, where's the boy?" Desmond asked, looking at Claire with curious eyes.
"Aaron? Oh, Sun's watching him so that I could go on my walk." She said as she looked up into his dark brown eyes; which looked confused. A small smile cracked on his face.
"I was talking about Charlie." He stated bluntly.
"Oh…well, I'm not really sure." Claire said as she glanced back the camp down the beach. "Maybe he's with Locke." Claire said with uncertainty.
"Surprise…he's usually at your side all day." Desmond said without looking over at Claire. He didn't see her looked surprised but not exactly offended by his words. She knew he was right.
"I guess. But, were not together all the time. He's not like my boyfriend or anything." Claire said, slightly on the defense. Desmond picked up a rock and tossed it into the crashing ocean. He looked back at her with his soft brown eyes and watched her for a moment. It made Claire slightly nervous, so she started rambling on.
"I mean, what would be the point? We're stuck on a deserted island…it's feels like it would be fruitless to start a relationship." As she rambled on, Desmond politely listened; almost as if he was zoned out. When she was finished talking, he smiled at her sweetly.
"You're right. It may be fruitless…but it's a lot better than being alone." Desmond said to Claire before standing up and walking away from her. Claire watched his back retreating while she contemplated what he had said.
Not just that; but also the way he said it.
To be continued…
