A fierce rain pummels out of the sky without any warning. I stay perfectly still as my hair soaks clean through. I cannot move. I cannot process the words that were just exchanged between us.

"You're lying." I'm fully prepared to fight him on this one, but for once in his life he doesn't seem to be in the mood for a quarrel. "Where are you going?" I ask his retreating form. "Hey! Stop!"

But it is no use.

The dead do as they please.

"Should I bother asking what's wrong?"

I bring a finger up to my lips. "Shh. You'll wake David."

Charlie gives me a look. "Don't change the subject."

"Okay," I answer. "No. You shouldn't bother asking what's wrong."

"Is it something that happened in hippie village?"

"Charlie, I literally just said don't bother asking."

Charlie stands in the doorway of my bedroom. It's the same bedroom I stayed in when I first visited the Temple in present day. The only difference is that I don't have wardrobes full of cool clothes, weapons gathered in the corner, or a maid at my beck and call. I watch his figure flicker in the torchlight and cast shadows on my wall.

"So, how is life in hippie village?" he asks. "You never update me anymore."

I'm not in a chatty mood, thanks to my father's revelation. That's not Charlie's fault, but I take it out on him anyway. By the time he finally decides to leave, I feel like scum. David continues to slumber on my chest as I stare up at the ceiling.

I've never looked like anyone in the family. A very little like my mother, but barely. I never questioned it. Not once.

I listen to David's soft snore, but it doesn't lull me to sleep like it usually does. My mind is a whirlwind.

Why would my father tell me he's not my father? Was he lying? Was he just trying to get me all worked up? But why? Why say something so specific, unless it was true?

Soft scraping of wood on stone, and my door opens. "Is he asleep yet?" Richard whispers into the darkness.

"Yes," I whisper back. "Where have you been?"

"Jacob had a job for me."

"Oh? Who was it this time?"

Richard carefully climbs into bed beside me. "Man named John Locke."

"What?" David shifts on my chest, and I tense, but he does not awaken.

"He's not bald yet," Richard comments with a grin. "But other than that he looks almost the same as the day he waltzed into camp to take care of Jughead."

"What does Jacob want with him?"

Richard rests his head on the pillow to my left, his dark lashes fluttering in the torchlight. "I don't know. I just know he wants him here."

"Richard?"

"Yes?"

"What do you know about Hydra Island?"

His dark eyes narrow in thought. "I haven't been to that island since the Initiative built their station. I used to take a canoe to shore and hike there. Why?"

"Do you have a map of it?"

"I could probably get one for you if you need it. Are you planning on paying them a visit?"

I rest a hand on the back of David's head and smooth out the tufts of silky fluff. "Yes. I'd like to know exactly what it is that they're doing."

I whittle my way into Juliet's life, little by little, until she has no choice but to accept shared hammock naps and spontaneous card games and random gifts of chocolate chip pancakes. We talk about nothing and everything. I learn about her past life and aspirations for the future. I study her sense of humor and adapt to what makes her laugh.

I find that if she is happy, I am happy.

"Did Horace ever give you an assignment?" I run my fingers through her golden hair and fold strands into a loose braid. "After you have your baby, how long do you think you can get away with being a freeloader?"

Juliet swivels her arm around and elbows me in the knee.

"I'm serious!" I laugh. "All you do is clean out our cupboards and clog the toilet." I dance away from her swatting hand, and the two of us fold up into laughter. "Have you ever noticed we braid our hair way too often? This is not the Middle Ages. We shouldn't have to play hairdresser to keep from dying of boredom. I feel like a pair of old ladies."

"We should start a knitting circle," Juliet suggests. "Make the transformation complete."

"You laugh, but that's actually not a bad idea."

"When did you two get so close?" Sawyer leans up against the nearest tree and smiles at the two of us.

"We've braided each other's hair and made each other sandwiches," I answer. "It's practically a marriage."

"Well, Thelma, I wouldn't want to be a third wheel."

Juliet pats the grass beside her. "Stay with us, James."

Sawyer reaches up and scratches the back of his neck. "Aw, I—"

"Are you off work?" she asks.

He tosses a thumb back at the security office. "Just got off."

"Then sit with us."

Whether it's because she's pregnant, or just because she has a special charm, none of us seem to be able to say no to Juliet. Sawyer quickly relents and takes a seat next to her in the grass.

"How was work?" she asks, turning away from me.

I take this as my cue to leave.

I wander through the Barracks and try to ignore the snickering coming from all directions. Sitting at a lunch table close to the cafeteria, a group of men in dark blue jumpsuits stare at me as I walk past. Afraid I'll end up kneeing one of them in the groin, I decide to go for a walk out in the field that leads to the fence. It isn't long before I'm pulled out of my daydreams.

"Miss Collins?"

I blink away a million thoughts and turn towards the voice. "Oh, hello Annie. Ben. What are you two doing?"

Annie waves me over and points at a picture of the solar system. "We're reading about space."

"Oh? Mind if I take a look?" I sit on the grass and place the book in my lap. It's one of those larger-than-average hardcover science books for young readers. I scan over the colorfully illustrated page they're on. "Neptune, hm?"

Annie sits up straight and recites, "It's second farthest from the sun!"

"Second farthest?" I frown and flip the page. "Wait . . . Pluto's a planet. Pluto's still a planet!"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

I can't help but laugh. "Back home it wasn't considered a planet anymore."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but back home was weird. What do they know?"

"What's your home like?" Ben chips in.

"Weird," I repeat, handing the book back to Annie. "People back home practically speak in an alien language."

Annie tilts her head to the side. "Alien language? What do you mean?"

I lay back against the grass and start spouting off Internet troll jargon into the sky. "Shots fired! Get rekt, scrub! I straight up no scoped that noob. 420 blaze it, homie. SMOKE WEED EVERYDAY!"

A shadow passes overhead and shades the sun from my view. I squint and see red hair as deep as Annie's. "You must be Miss Collins," the man says.

I scramble up off my back and kneel down in the grass. "Yeah. Hi."

"Daddy!" Annie practically screams and leaps up from her seat in the grass to give him a hug. "I didn't think you'd make it."

"How could I miss my own daughter's birthday?" he asks, feigning horror.

Oh, no. I blanch with embarrassment for not even knowing how old Annie is today. I haven't even wished her a happy birthday yet.

"Daddy, this is my new teacher."

I hold out a hand for him to shake and read the last name stitched onto his lab coat. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Freeman."

"The pleasure is all mine," he says cheerfully. "And please, call me Stephen. Annie has told me all about you. It isn't often that they let me leave my work, but I make time to check on my girl every now and then. I'm sure she's been on her best behavior."

"You work on Hydra Island?" I ask, perking up.

"I do."

"I've always wanted to see it for myself."

"You should sign up for a tour," he suggests. "They happen once a month."

"Really?"

"You should ask Horace. He's in charge of the paperwork." With Annie still wrapped up in his arms, Dr. Freeman nods to me and starts to head home. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Collins. Be sure to alert me if my daughter ever tries to create explosives in class or organizes a rebellion."

Annie giggles into his shirt.

When the two of them disappear from sight, Ben lifts the science book and pulls it into his lap. "She forgot her book."

"It's not as if you won't see her tomorrow." I say it jokingly, but Ben seems to have taken it as chastisement. He shrinks up, pulling the book close like a shield. Backpedal. Backpedal. "It's a nice book."

"I got it for her birthday."

"Well, that was nice of you." I clear my throat, trying to make an excuse for not getting her anything. I decide to quote Ben himself. "I don't believe in birthdays. I believe in unbirthdays."

Ben's nose scrunches up in confusion, and his glasses practically fall off his face.

"Have you ever read Alice in Wonderland?"

He shakes his head no.

"I think I have a copy of it somewhere. Anyway, there's a character in it that celebrates all the days of the year that it isn't your birthday. What do you think about that? Why celebrate life one day a year when you can celebrate it 364 days a year?"

A small smile tugs at his lips. "That sounds like fun."

My stomach growls, and I realize how low the sun is in the sky. "Ben, what are you having for dinner?"

His boney shoulders pull up and then flop back down in a sheepish shrug.

"I'm about to go make some vegetarian lasagna," I say. "You're more than welcome to join me."

"I . . ." Ben looks warily towards the Barracks.

"I can ask for your father's permission, if that's what you're worried about."

"I don't know," he mumbles. "I don't think it's a good idea."

I understand his reservation. There was once a time when I rejected most party invitations because I was too afraid to ask my father's permission to attend. "Come on," I say cheerfully. "The worst he can say is no."

I was wrong.

The worst thing Roger Linus could have said was yes.

Having to sit across the kitchen table from him has made my stomach break out in a mad frenzy for food. I shouldn't be this hungry. I've been working so hard on not making food a reward for being stressed out, and now Roger has to go and ruin it all.

I look over at Ben and watch him scarf down the dinner I made. Poor little thing. When was the last time he had an actual meal? With every forkful of noodles and sauce Ben shovels in his mouth, the strangest sensation washes over me. I'm no longer hungry. Watching him eat has satisfied the need to gorge myself.

I place my fork down against my plate and wipe my mouth with a napkin. "Please, have some more," I insist, plopping another helping of lasagna on Ben's plate.

"I'll have some more," says Roger.

I shove the dish in his direction. It slides across the table and stops right in front of him. He frowns.

"Look at you, Miss Popular."

I jolt up at the sound of the familiar voice. I almost choke out, "Dad?" But then I see him standing over by the sink. He steps up behind Roger's seat and scowls down at him.

"Is there one middle-aged man on this damn island who doesn't want to sleep with you?"

I push back in my seat, scrapping the legs loudly against the cheap linoleum flooring. "Would you excuse me?" I ask a startled Ben and Roger. "I have to go check on something. I'll be right back." As soon as I shut Sawyer's bedroom door behind me, I turn to face my father. "What are you doing?"

"Talking to you, apparently."

"You've been gone for days. Where the hell have you been?"

"Okay, so I've been thinking."

"Yeah?"

"And . . . and you're right." His whole body seems to sag. "You're right. I was a shitty father, and I'm sorry."

I feel my right eye twitch. "That's it? You leave for days on end and that's all you can come up with? You still haven't even told me who my real father is."

A bitter edge has returned to his voice. "What do you want from me, Cora?"

"You want to be useful? You want to win my forgiveness?" I open the bedroom door and make for the hallway. "Help me break into Hydra Island."

I never knew I have a problem with seasickness until I was out at sea. I stand gripping tightly to the side of the boat, leaning over the railing in case I vomit, which could very well be any second now.

I'm all too pleased when we run ashore and shake hands with the doctor giving us the tour. I'm in a group of five other curious members. Dr. Freeman, Annie's father, starts by taking us on a tour of the island itself. I scope out the different pathways and rock formations and exits and entrances to all of the buildings and infrastructures.

I wish I had a map.

"This is where we conduct experiments on the cognitive functions of the brain." Dr. Freeman leads us into a laboratory, and my blood instantly runs cold. A million animal voices scream over one another, each emitting a frantic cry for help. Chimps lay dormant in metal cages, already haven given up the fight. A large bird rattles its cage and tries to bite the nearest scientist. My eyes land on a mother fox, screeching for her babies. She claws frantically at her glass cage, begging for her children back. I catch sight of a scientist holding one of the fox pups and all I can think about is Todd. When the man in the lab coat sticks the pup with a needle, I completely lose my shit.

I end up being escorted out of the facility by security members. Dr. Freeman finds me outside and pulls me aside to calmly explain that all of the animals are treated with respect and are not exposed to prolonged experiments that induce pain.

I'm so worked up I don't even hear half of what he says.

"Calm down," my father warns. "You let them think you're crazy now, and they'll suspect you later when you conduct your little jailbreak."

And he's right. So I close my eyes and steady my breathing as I force a smile and apologize.

"Annie has asked me numerous questions about the welfare of our experiments. I understand your concern." Dr. Freeman smiles. "Ready to finish the rest of the tour?"

Richard hasn't even asked me what's wrong before I hide my face in his shirt and begin to cry. I cannot escape the desperate pleas for help, pushing against my skull from all sides. Deep voices, shrill voices, some more desperate than others, but all of them begging. Let me out.

"What do you want us to do?" he asks after I explain what I saw. "I can send someone over to—"

"No," I interrupt, taking a step back. "I won't turn this into a war. I can't break the truce. I can't jeopardize our safety like that."

Charlie hurries into my room, agitated. "When did you get back? Nobody ever tells me a bloody thing." His expression softens at my tears. "What's wrong?" When I tell him about my visit, his face sets in a determined frown. "When do we leave?"

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. "You're not coming with me, Charlie."

"Sure thing, ma."

"I'm going alone," I say. "If I keep up this island deity disguise, I won't have to worry about anyone suspecting me, or any of my friends from the Initiative, or any of you. If the Initiative tries to accuse you of breaking the truce, you can tell them I'm not affiliated with you. You can blame it on . . . I don't know, island magic, or something."

"You have a serious hero complex, love, and I for one don't think you should allow it to get yourself killed." Charlie throws up his hands in exasperation. "At least take Richard with you, Cora. No more lone wolf suicide missions to the ends of the earth and back. We're supposed to be your best mates. Ask us for help!" Charlie sighs when I reach up to pull him into an embrace.

Charlie genuinely cares about me, and he's not the only one. I used to think what made a good friendship was someone who was simply willing to put up with me, but I've never had friends quite like the ones I've met on this island. We take care of each other and openly care about one another more than my own flesh and blood ever did, and I am overwhelmed with just how thankful I am to have him in my life.

Charlie wants to protect me, but, more than anything, I want to protect him. I would rather die a thousand gruesome deaths than be responsible for one more person's demise.

"I know I've made a lot of . . . rash decisions in the past," I muffle into his shirt, "but I've seen everything there is to see—entrances, exits, pathways that lead back to the beach. I can retrieve animals faster if I go alone. I can do this, Charlie. But when the time comes that I do need help . . . " I lean away from his just enough to grasp his face in my hands and smile my gratitude. "I'll be sure to ask you for it."

"I would prefer you take someone with you," Richard affirms. "Do you at least have a map of their building layouts?"

I lock eyes with my father standing alongside Richard, and he nods in affirmation. "I have a map," I lie. "What I need you to get me is a canoe."

"There are two men at the end of this path. Keep quiet."

I crouch down low and hide behind the wide tree stump. There is an unsettling silence on this island. No wild animals talk to one another in the dark. The only sounds come from a few night bugs surviving off the lack of birds in the area. I can barely see a thing in this darkness, thanks to the small sliver of moon lighting the way. Thankfully, I have something better than moonlight. I have a dead father.

Well, that came out weird.

"Go," my father orders. "Keep running until you reach a fence. There's only two guards patrolling the area, and they're both out of range at the moment. You're in the clear."

My eyes are the only visible body part on my entire being. I shift the wrap to adjust my vision and charge forward into the darkness. I reach the fence and wait for new orders.

"The doors to the lab are clear, but you need a passcode to get in. Hold on while I try to find out what it is." Disappearing into the trees, my father returns with a triumphant smirk. "Follow this path down to the doors. Password is 13720."

I make a break for it, heart pounding furiously in my chest. Every inch of my body pulses with nerves. If I get caught, I'm screwed. So much is riding on my safe return home, and I'm not even sure what I plan to do once I get into the laboratory. Even if I free the animals, what would I do with them? How would I get them back to the mainland?

Flattening myself against the laboratory door, I take a quick glance around and punch the numbers into the keypad. The door clicks, and I push it open to reveal a cold, metal wasteland. Everything is sterile and medicinal. The regular lighting is dimmed to help the animals sleep, and I'm forced to move around the room slowly so I don't bump into anything and wake people up.

"Where are you keeping them?" A furious voice demands. "Where are you keeping them, human?"

I spin around to find a fox staring at me from behind glass. "What?"

Her sharp teeth glisten in the poor lamplight as she growls at me. "Where are my babies?"

I walk closer to her cage and squat down. "I'm here to rescue you," I tell her. "You and your babies."

"Where are they?"

"I don't know," I admit. "I was hoping you could tell me."

My dad eyes me curiously. "What does the fox say?"

"Help me find her pups. They're not in her cage, but they must be nearby. I saw them in this room earlier today."

"Over here."

I walk over to a metal cage in the corner and throw a hand over my mouth. All three of the pups lie limp and responseless. I gently lift one up and check for a heartbeat. I feel one. They've been sedated.

Suddenly my father stiffens. "Oh, shit. Get up, get up! Someone's coming! We need to get out of here!"

"Wait," I panic, looking back at the mother fox.

"We don't have time for her! You have about thirty seconds before someone finds you. Get out the door!"

I tuck the three tiny fox pups in my dress and bolt for the door. Cold night air makes the goosebumps on my arms intensify until I'm shivering with adrenaline.

"Hold it," my father orders. "Change of plans. We have to go the long way around. The security team is making their rounds on the far side of the jungle. Go this way."

I follow him deep into the jungle, the small forms of the foxes warm against my chest.

"Stop. Stop!"

I halt and crouch down in the dirt at the sound of a voice. When I have the chance to get a closer look, I groan internally. Dr. Freeman and a man in a regular jumpsuit stand in front of one of the polar bear cages that I was thrown in during my trial. The two of them wave their arms at the polar bear sleeping inside the cage.

"Second day that he won't eat," says Dr. Freeman. "I want you to begin injections tomorrow at the scheduled breakfast time. It should wake up his metabolism and get him eating again. We can't afford to lose another bear."

"Dad?" I whisper.

"What?"

"Are they the only two people within earshot?"

"These are the only two people within half a mile. If you're quiet, you can just go around—hey, what are you doing? Cora!"

I dart out into the open. It takes a few seconds for the men to notice me, but when they do, they both fall silent.

Dr. Freeman pales, which only serves to make his red hair look even redder. "Okay, just . . . just hold on." He raises his hands out protectively and takes a small step backwards.

"Is that the thing who killed Olivia?" the man in the jumpsuit whispers to Dr. Freeman.

I hold out a hand and wiggle my fingers. When neither of them move, I point to the cage.

"I think she wants the key," the man in the jump suit offers.

"Here," says Dr. Freeman, and he tosses the keys to me in a high arch.

I catch them before they hit the ground and walk closer to the cage, stopping short when I realize something. I have to explain what's going on to this polar bear, but I can't risk letting these men hear my voice. Dr. Freeman has already heard my voice, and he might recognize it if he hears me speak now. It's too risky.

"What are you waiting for?" my father prods. "They have video cameras pointed at this place! Hurry up before someone sounds the alarm!"

In my head I say an apology to both of the men, and then I knock them unconscious.

"Wake up," I tell the bear. "Hey, wake up."

"What do you want?" the bear groans. "It's not even morning yet. Can't you people just leave me alone?"

"I'm not a scientist," I tell him, and he lifts his head up. "I'm here to rescue you."

"What do you mean you're here to rescue me? What's the catch?"

"No catch, but I need you to hurry. The people that keep you in this cage are coming. We don't have much time."

The bear snorts and rests his head back down on his massive white paws. "Why should I believe a human?"

I jam the key into the lock and pull it open. "Have you ever met a human who could understand your language? Listen, I can get you out of here. I can get you away from these experiments to somewhere safe. Will you come with me, or should I close the door?"

"If you really are here to rescue me, then rescue my wife, too."

"Where is she?"

The polar bear stands up on his hind legs, towering above me, and I start to regret opening the cage. "I do not know. You humans took her away from me. I don't even know if she has given birth to our cub yet."

"Cora," my father begs, "two men are almost here, and they have guns. Forget the bear, and get out of here!"

"Come with me," I tell the bear. "Let me keep you safe, and I promise I will come back for your family."

"I won't leave without them!"

"You have my word. I will return for them. Your wife is safe for now," I explain. "They don't experiment on pregnant bears."

"There she is!" someone yells, and I hear the clank of a bullet ricochet off one of the metal cage bars.

"Run!" I urge the bear, and to my great relief, he gets up and follows me.

"Someone's coming down the left path," my father updates. "Keep going straight and turn right at the fork in the road."

Sirens start to blare in the distance, and I beg my already strained legs to push me faster. If I make it out of this alive, I swear I'm going to start religiously working out again, like I did with Jacob.

We reach the beach, and I shove my canoe into the water, paddling with all my might over the high tide.

A mound of white fur surfaces in the ocean next to me. "You are going too slow," he says. "I will help." The bear disappears into the darkness, and then suddenly the boat lurches forward, and I slide off the seat and land on my back. We are a safe distance from Hydra Island before I notice lights bobbing on their beach. Even if they were to retrieve their boats, we have too much of a head start.

Richard, Eloise, Widmore, Charlie, and a dozen Others are waiting for us when my canoe runs ashore. The bear is less than pleased when he notices the group of strangers. Standing up on his hind legs, the bear lets out a furious roar that roughly translates to, "Get away, or I attack."

"It's okay!" I yell while motioning for everyone to lower their weapons. "It's okay! They're with me!"

"Get them away!" the bear orders. "Get them away from me!"

"They're not scientists!" I explain. "They're here to help you. They're here to help us get your family back. Hurry, we need to hide you before the scientists come looking."

The polar bear has no name, which seems an inhumane crime to me. I name him Bosco after the Earth Kingdom's bear on Avatar the Last Airbender. Bosco doesn't feel comfortable being alone, and he doesn't trust the people at the Temple, so I stay seated on his back when I enter through the walls. I'm greeted with startled cries and wide eyes. One woman actually drops a vase of water without even realizing it.

It's a difficult task, ridding on the back of a polar bear. I have to dig my fingers into his thick fur to steady myself and keep from sliding off. If I had been one of those spoiled rich kids growing up, I would have at least known the basics of horseback riding. Unfortunately, my inner thigh muscles need some defining, and by the time we enter the Temple, both my legs are screaming. I try to slide off so I can go take a nap, but Bosco huffs dissatisfaction.

"Where are you going?" he demands.

"You're safe now." I wave a hand around to signify the entirety of the Temple. "You don't have to worry about experiments anymore. Feel free to walk around."

"I don't want to walk around," he growls. "I want my wife and cub."

"I know. But we can't retrieve them tonight. Soon, I promise, but not tonight. Follow me. I'll show you where you're sleeping tonight."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Brandon asks.

"Almost sure," I answer and shut the door to the room I've designated as Bosco's personal chamber. "He's been through a lot, Brandon. Let him rest." I make my way down one of the long stone hallways and find a seat near a wall of chiseled hieroglyphics.

Brandon sniffs at the slumbering baby foxes in my arms. "When will they wake up?"

I run a finger over one of their little black noses, and the nostril flickers. "I don't know. Soon, hopefully."

"Next time I tell you to run, you run." My father looms over me in the darkness, arms crossed, and a deep frown on his face. "Almost got captured by a bunch of pot smoking lunatics. Don't ever ignore me like that again!"

"Thank you," I say calmly, cradling the foxes in my lap.

All the anger in his voice disappears. "What?"

"Thank you for helping me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Oh," he says, slightly surprised. "Well, you're welcome." He stands around for a few minutes before continuing. "I suppose my one good deed was not sufficient enough to warrant your forgiveness?"

I am grateful for my father's help, but he's right. One good deed cannot undo years of pain. However, when I look at him now, I don't feel quite so spiteful. "No," I answer. "But it's a good starting point."

"Lady Cora?" A young woman dressed in a worn cotton dress approaches from out of the dark hallway.

"Yes?"

"I . . . I'm sorry to disturb you. I just . . ." She holds out a shaking hand. "My name is Cecily. Ohhh," she coos at the sight of the fox pups, "how precious."

"I'm waiting for them to wake up," I clarify, nodding down at the foxes. "They've been drugged."

"I'm glad you were there to take them out of that horrible place. We think you did a very noble thing," she says shyly. I look behind her and notice that a small group of girls have huddled close. "We were wondering . . . if maybe, I mean, if you wouldn't mind . . ."

"Would you like us to make you a dress?" a girl near the back of the group asks.

"A dress?"

"For you to wear when you go out on missions," Cecily explains. "We could make you a beautiful one. It would look so much better than that sheet you wrap around yourself."

I rest my head back and laugh.

"I didn't mean to insult you," Cecily stutters.

"No, no, it's fine. By all means, please, make me this dress. I would be honored."

The girls huddle even closer together, humming with excitement.

I glance up at my father, but he only rolls his eyes. "Don't look at me," he complains. "I don't know a damn thing about fashion."