Chapter 2 (Timeline 2)
She could have easily missed her flight. It wouldn't have been a tragedy. But of course, she had ran the entire length of the airport only to arrive at the gate just as the final final call was being made. The embarrassment had painted her face red as she marched up the aisle, determined not to make eye contact with any of her fellow passengers.
If only she had made a wrong turn or tripped or…but there was nothing she could do about it now, she thought, as she gazed over at the smouldering remains of flight 815 in the distance. It was highly doubtful anyone would have even noticed she was missing. No one left waiting at arrivals, no one left wondering what had become of her. But then, that was the way she had wanted it. "Streaked stubborn as the sun," her mother's voice whispered in her ear.
"Mum?" she jumped up.
The crash of the waves were her only reply and a sudden chill crept over her. It was then that she remembered the snatch of conversation she had overheard that morning.
"They have one of the others in the hatch," Charlie had whispered to Clare. "…Torturing him for information…secret."
Torture. So that was what Jack and his motley crew had resorted to now. She pulled herself up, brushed off the sand and guided by the half-light, made her way toward the hatch.