Chapter 16 (Timeline 2): The Others
"Who's Alex?"
"My daughter," Ben replied nonchalantly.
Dawn processed this information for a moment.
"What about her mother?"
"She's not around," he said picking up the pace.
"Not around?" Dawn frowned, widening her stride to match his.
"She died."
"In the balloon?!"
Ben shot her a withering look.
"I'm sorry but I'm having a bit of a hard time knowing what to believe right now! And where exactly are we going anyway?"
"My house."
Dawn stopped in her tracks. The place Tom had taken them to had been no more than a shed.
"You have a house?!"
"Yes Dawn. It's just over there."
She followed his gaze across a stretch of wilderness to what appeared to be a small village.
"There will be more questions. Just tell the truth and you'll be fine."
Obviously news of their eminent arrival had already reached the others as they quickly found themselves surrounded by a small crowd. A tall blonde woman stepped forward.
"Ben, you're back! We were so worried."
Dawn sensed a note of insincerity in her voice.
"I find that hard to believe Juliette. Where's Goodwin?"
A look of fear flashed across her delicate features.
"I think he's at the lab. Who is this?" she quickly motioned towards Dawn.
"Juliette, this is Dawn. She was one of the passengers aboard Flight 845. She helped me escape."
"Hi Dawn," Juliette smiled holding out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Dawn shook her hand and returned the smile. "Hi."
"Thank you for bringing Ben back to us. We're very grateful."
"Ben?" Dawn said, slightly puzzled. "Oh yes, you mean Henry. I mean…Ben."
"It's been a long day for you both. Why don't you let me see to that shoulder. Aidan, can you find somewhere for Dawn to stay?"
A tall, dark haired man appeared at Dawn's side.
"That's very kind of you Juliette," Ben smiled thinly, "but Dawn will be staying with me for the meantime."
"I see," said Juliette, somewhat taken aback. "Well, Alex is at home, she can take care of Dawn for an hour or two while I see to your wound."
"You're a doctor?" said Dawn.
"A fertility doctor."
Dawn nodded, before turning to Ben.
"Go with Juliette - I'll be fine."
Ben looked skeptical.
"You haven't met my daughter."