Not sure how many chapters this will be, but I have a feeling this will be a long one. :)
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CHAPTER 1
"Be safe, Sawyer."
He slowly opened his eyes, waking from the dream he'd been having every other day for the past month. This time was different, however, in that he wasn't jolted awake in such a violent way that his first instinct was to grab the gun he kept under his mattress. Sawyer never understood why he always reacted in that way, after hearing her voice saying what ended up being the last thing she said to him. He also didn't understand why these dreams suddenly came about; it had been 4 years since the plane crash, since the stay on the island, and since they had all been rescued. Now, as he lay there feeling rested for the first time in a month, her face graced his thoughts like it did practically every night on the island. Sawyer smiled a little, but quickly took his hands and ran his palms up and down against his face. Get a grip, boy. You done forgot about that damn island years ago. He looked to his right; 6:15 a.m. He grunted a little but knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. Sawyer looked ahead at the TV directly in front of him, a little further away from the foot of the bed. Is there anything even ON at this time of the day? He knew there was, but he was sure it wasn't anything he'd be remotely interested in. He sighed in defeat, however, and turned it on. Sure enough, it was the morning news. Blah blah.. The traffic report coming next.. Blah blah. By the time they got to the top stories of the morning, Sawyer had had enough and was dressed and heading out his apartment. The front door closed behind him as the anchor started the top story.
"After four years in a correctional facility, Katherine Austin, the fugitive who became one of the most famous plane crash survivors in recent history, will be released today. Our crew will be there to cover this story, and we will give you a full report at 5:00."
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Sawyer didn't get back to his place until a little after 11 p.m., and he wasn't alone. The bleached blonde was decked out in Dolce & Gabbana but reeked of cheap liquor and cigarettes. It was turning Sawyer's stomach, but it didn't stop him from pawing at her even before they got to his door. They finally made their way inside, past the living room, and into Sawyer's bedroom. He was obviously distracted, not noticing the TV was still on. She backed away from his grip on her and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"This is a nice place," she said as she slid her shoes off, using one foot to take off the other. "I thought you'd be taking me to some sleazy motel or something." She looked up at him, smiling wryly yet seductively. Sawyer was in his element; a beautiful woman in his bed, willing and able to give him exactly what he wanted. Yet at this moment, this wasn't where he really wanted to be.
"Guess you had me all wrong then, sweetheart." He grinned, as only he could, and inched towards her. "I guess we'll have to put the sleaze in ourselves." She giggled knowingly before he kissed her hard enough to push her down on her back. In no time, Sawyer's hand was nearly up her dress when a face flashed across his thoughts. His lips moved away from hers for a second and he whispered. "Kate.."
"What?" She moved her face away a little.
"Huh?" Sawyer was sure he hadn't said the name out loud. He played it off. "I didn't say.."
"You said something." She reached for where his hand was, about ready to stop it in its tracks.
"Baby, I think the alcohol is messin' with your hearing. I didn't say a damn.." This time, it was Sawyer who heard something; a familiar story, and then a name. He turned his head around in the direction of the TV and it was as if he was dreaming again. That face. That brown wavy hair that never looked out of place, even though it never really looked neat, either. He wasn't even paying attention to what was being said, but something did come through that caught his attention. Released.
"What is it?" She propped herself by her elbows and glanced to where he was looking. "You know her?" He wasn't moving or responding. She suddenly felt invisible. "Well, I guess this night is over." She muttered under her breath, turned sideways and was now sitting up, putting her shoes back on. Only then did Sawyer notice.
"Where you goin?"
"It's been fun handsome, but it looks like you got something else to occupy your night." She shot a glance at the TV and then back to him before walking away. "I can find my way out." She said, dryly, with her back facing him.
Sawyer heard the front door close and after getting up to turn off the TV, he just sat there. He had no idea what had just happened, if he even saw what he saw. Yet he knew what he was feeling, so it had to have been true. Kate had been released. Suddenly, all these thoughts came flooding in. It was too much at first, and he found himself on his back with his eyes closed. It only took a few minutes before he fell asleep.