Chapter 4 (Timeline 2)

Of course, it would have to be Locke on sentinel duty tonight.

"What are you doing out here Dawn?"

She could smell the bullshit a mile off. She shrugged.

"It's a free island."

Locke smiled. He always smiled for too long, until it boiled over into creepy.

"Thought I might have a look at the hatch actually."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I haven't had a look yet and I figure I'm as much entitled to as anyone else."

"Perhaps in the morning."

"Why not now?"

Locke sighed.

"Okay Dawn. You want a tour? Follow me."

It felt like an eternity since she had been inside a room. The light glared unnaturally and a musty scent curled in her nostrils.

"Jez, don't you guys ever air this place?"

"We're underground Dawn."

She glanced around looking for any sign of the man Charlie had claimed was down here.

"Aren't you going to ask about the computer?" Locke frowned.

She'd heard enough about that damn computer to last a life time.

"No." she replied. "What's in there?"

She nodded in the direction of a large cast iron door.

Locke, who had been leaning against the wall, now stood up straight and unfolded his arms.

"Supplies," there was a hint of panic in his voice.

They stared at each other as Dawn made her way across the room and gave the door an almighty bang.

"What did you do that for?!" Locke cried.

Dawn shrugged.

"Hello?" a thin voice echoed.

Dawn's eyes burned into Locke's.

"Who's in there John?"

"Look Dawn, this doesn't concern you."

"So, you have someone locked down here and it doesn't concern me? Who does it concern?"

"Me and Jack."

"Surprise, surprise - the boy's club."

"Is there somebody out there?" the voice came again - definitely male.

"Let me in there John."

"Why would I do that Dawn?"

"Because if you don't, I'll tell the whole camp that you've been torturing someone down here."

"They'll find out eventually."

"Oh, and that before the plane crashed you were in a wheelchair."

Locke's eyes widened.

"I was behind you at check-in."

He stared at her incredulously for a moment, then handed her a torch and furiously punched the code into the door.