Chapter Thirteen

It was a clear day and the wind was at a moderate speed, perfect for sailing. Perfect for sailing a raft.

Karen sitting under a tree in the cool shade watching the boys put the final touches on the raft before the launch that afternoon. Its was kind of funny because Arzt was babbling on about how they should of launched it days before and Sawyer was throwing random things at him, kind of like what you do when you're trying to scare off a cat.

Karen laughed as Sawyer grabbed the radar and was aiming at Arzt and as he drew his arm back, ready to launch it, Sayid grabbed it from his hands and Sawyer threw some air at Arzt.

Karen had to run to the rescue just as Sawyer toppled off the raft she just barely caught him and Arzt kept babbling on and on about monsoon season.

Sawyer got back on the raft and began making finishing touches.

"It's been raining every afternoon. That means that we are on the cusp of monsoon season." Arzt explained, and Sawyer stifled a laugh, but he had his back turned, so he didn't try too hard.

"Why are we listening to Arzt? You're a damn high school science teacher." Sawyer scoffed and Karen gave a half laugh half sigh-thing and climbed up on the raft to help.

"I was just assuming you didn't want to die." Arzt said a-matter-of-factly and Michael stopped and looked at him, like he figured Arzt had a point.

"So when do we have to leave?" Michael asked and Karen turned around, eager to hear the answer. Arzt shrugged and looked around; he looked like he was thinking. Then he gave his answer.

"Yesterday."

Karen was sleeping, when the camp began to stir. People were getting up, murmuring things to each other. Karen emerged from her shelter to see a woman with dark, frizzy hair wandering into camp. Sawyer emerged from his shelter as well and Michael ran to the woman, trying to stop her.

"Hey! Hey! Hey, hey, hey, stop!" he yelled, the woman ignored him and kept walking. Karen saw Claire emerge from her shelter too, a protective hand over her baby. Charlie followed and took his place next to Claire.

"Slow -- slow down." Michael said.

Sayid came running from the back of the camp, and by now the rest of the camp was awake and well aware of the woman's presence.

"Stay right there." said Michael. Then he pointed at the woman, and spoke to Sayid. "Who is that?"

By now Sawyer had come over and was standing next to Karen. "That's got to be the French chick." he said quietly.

"Danielle." Karen whispered in surprise. What is she doing here?

Then Sayid took charge. "Calm down everyone. It's all right." The he stepped closer to Danielle and said quietly, "Danielle? Danielle?"

Claire's baby started crying and Danielle's head snapped towards Claire and the baby. She stood there watching the two for a bit.

"Danielle?"

She turned and looked at Sayid.

"What are you doing here?" Sayid asked.

Then, plainly, Danielle said, "The others are coming."

People started talking. They were scared; Karen could hear it in their voices.

Karen stood looking out over the sea. In her hands she clutched one of Jack's shirts. She was thinking about what Danielle had said. Before she knew it, Locke was standing next to her, looking at the water too. She snapped out of her trance and looked at him. Then she sighed and went back to washing clothes.

"Do you believe her?" Locke asked.

Karen stopped washing and looked up at him. Then she laughed. "Of course not, John. I've never bought this whole 'others' thing."

Locke looked surprised. "Well, she's been on here a hell of a lot longer than us. Maybe they're real and she's seen them. I seem to remember something about them taking her daughter…" he trailed off, looking deep in thought.

"Well, I'll believe it when I see it." Karen said firmly and gathered up her washing and headed back up the beach towards her tent where she would hang it all up to dry. Locke went with her, walking next to her. Karen then noticed that he had his backpack with him.

"Going somewhere?" she asked him when they got to her tent and she began to hang up her wash.

"Yes I am in fact." Locke answered. "We convinced Danielle to take us the dynamite. We're going to use it to blow the hatch. That's why I came to talk to you, to see if you wanted to come." He then bent down and pick up one of Jack's shirts and fastened it to the line.

"Do I get a gun, John?" Karen asked, she was joking but she just wanted to see what Locke would say.

Locke looked at her, looking surprised and confused. "I don't think you'll need one…"

Karen laughed. "I was kidding, John. I'll come."

"Just one thing though." Locke said. "If you come we'd have to leave soon. That means you'd miss the launching of the raft."

Karen stopped hanging laundry. She wasn't sure if she wanted to miss that.