I was sitting against one of the tall palm trees that lined the beach, my head resting against the rough bark. The sun was setting over the water, bathing the beach in an orange glow. The smoke that had been billowing from the wreckage had died down for the most part, and people were all ready getting small fires started along the narrow beach. I stared out at the water, forcing myself to focus on the waves as they lapped at the sand, listening to the low murmuring rumble of the ever-churning sea. I was still wearing the tattered clothes I had worn on the plane. Most people were still wearing the clothes they crashed onto this island with. I wasn't sure why.

People had gathered in little groups around their tiny fires. Many of them friends and family they had been traveling with. I watched them at their fires, huddling close. They all still appeared nervous, anxious, like they were anticipating something. I struggled to keep my mind blank, determined to force all images and ideas out of my minds eye. I knew I would just end up sobbing again.

I looked up suddenly, realizing a figure had been standing slightly to my right. She had long brown hair, falling around her face in small waves. Her eyes were piercing, her gaze undaunted by the dimness of the beach. But her smile was genuine, and despite the intensity of her features, I did not feel anxious as she sat next to me in the sand. I didn't want to look at her, and she didn't look at me. We sat in silence for what felt like a very long time.

"I wonder if they even know the plane went down," she said finally, her voice even and calm. I looked at her, studying the upward curve of her slender nose.

"Mm…" I couldn't think of anything substantial to say. What was I supposed to tell her?

"People are taking it better than I thought they would. I guess I figured there'd a lot more panic in a situation like this…" she laughed lightly, glancing in my direction. We locked eyes for a moment before I quickly turned my head, staring back out at the sea.

"…yeah. I guess so," I said softly.

"I'm Kate, by the way," she offered, smiling warmly. I glanced at her, forcing a small grin.

"Abby…" I replied simply.

I guess she figured I wasn't in the mood to talk much, so we continued to stare at the water in silence until the sun disappeared over the horizon. To my surprise, she touched my arm before she stood beside me, walking slowly in the direction of the nearest fire. I followed her out of the corner of my eye until she disappeared amidst the tiny gatherings of survivors.

I didn't remember falling asleep. The clank of the door woke me abruptly and I sat up against the cement, my head pounding from lying on the hard floor. I rubbed my temple as Ben stepped through the door. His eyes never left me as he crossed the room, sitting in a small metal chair he had placed there a few days ago. He folded his hands on his lap.

"Hello Abby."

I hadn't spoken since my fight with Ben a week before. It actually seemed to be getting to them. At least, that's what I was telling myself.

Ben shifted his weight in the seat, leaning forward some.

"We are going to let you out today."

I let my guard down for a split second, my mouth opening slightly. My heart quickened with excitement. Were they going to let me go? I had lost track of the days. There was no way to know how many had passed, locked in the windowless cement prison. Ben smiled lightly, observing my reaction.

"I thought you would like that. As I have been reminding you all week, Abby…there's something…about you. Something that no one on this island can explain…but something we all feel. You have been…chosen. And because of this, we have to follow a set of, instructions, if you will."

I had heard all of this before. Ben and Juliet had been reminding me frequently of my apparent "difference" from other people. I apparently was "supposed to be here", and I had to help them. It was what I was meant to do.

Ben stood up, walking towards the glass.

"I am going to let you out Abby. Will you come with me?"

I watched him. It was difficult to contain my excitement. I wanted nothing more than to get out of this metal and glass tomb. I didn't know how much more of it I could take. The isolation was unbearable. Ben smiled again.

"Good."

He left the room quickly, opening the door in my cell moments after he exited. He peered in the room, beckoning me to him. I walked quickly to the door, slipping out of the small opening. I stood in the hall with Ben, glancing down either end. It was much the same as my room. Cement walls, pipes picking their way along the ceiling, heavy metal doors at each end. Ben nodded once.

"Come with me."

I followed him obediently. I did not want to be put in a room again. I prayed he would lead me somewhere outside. Somewhere I could see the sun. Distinguish between day and night. Sleep in a real bed. We walked up a flight of stairs, towards another metal door. Ben pushed it open, warm sunlight pouring over us immediately. I never thought I would be so relieved to feel the thick, humid jungle air hitting my face. I smiled despite myself, taking a slow, deep breath. I saw Ben glance at me out of the corner of his eye, smiling.

We walked through the jungle for a time in silence. I walked behind him, but he did not look back. Not even once. Did he really trust me that fully? I was still shocked I was not restrained in any way. He seemed to not be worried at all about the situation. The jungle suddenly gave way and we stepped onto a vast green lawn. I gazed around the clearing in awe, scanning over the stout yellow houses that dotted the landscape. White picket fences surrounded the small yards. A jungle jim sat between a few of the homes, flowers and bushes scattered amongst the landscape. People walked up and down the sidewalks that created a grid through the neatly trimmed grass. Ben had been staring at me since we entered the clearing, but it took me a few long seconds to turn to look at him.

"Is this…where you live?" I asked. I was surprised by the hoarseness of my voice. It almost hurt to speak. It dawned on me that I had not spoken in days, maybe weeks. It felt strange. Foreign.

Ben chuckled.

"Yes. This is where we live. Me and my people. And now…it's where you live, too."

My mouth fell open for the second time.

"Wh…what?"

"I'll show you to your house," he said simply, stepping onto one of the neatly trimmed sidewalks. I hurried to keep up, trying to take everything in all at once. No one stared as we passed. A few waved, smiled. But it did not seem out of the ordinary, me being there. It was like I had always been there, like I was supposed to be there. And it wasn't just their demeanor that made me think that way. I…felt it. I felt as if I somehow belonged.

Ben turned towards one of the yellow homes, walking up the few steps to the white front door. He reached out, grabbing the silver knob, pushing the door open. He held out a hand, leaning over slightly.

"After you," he offered with a small smile. I looked at him uncertainly.

"I get…a whole house? I don't need this."

"Oh you do Abby…you're important to us. We want you to be comfortable."

"Then why did you keep me locked up in a cell for God knows how long?" I asked quickly, an edge to my voice. Ben chuckled.

"That…was necessary. You'll understand, in time. Please, go have a look," he gestured again in the doorway.

I timidly stepped into the house, gasping slightly. The walls were decorated with modern looking sculptures and paintings, a couch and loveseat nestled around a small coffee table. The shelves were stocked with books, DVDs and CDs. The kitchen appeared also fully stocked, the glass cabinets filled with plates, cups, bowls, mugs. A small vase held a bouquet of purple flowers on the small bar that extended into the living room, four stools perching beneath it in a row. A small table sat in the dining room, four wooden chairs encircling it. I glanced down the small hallway beyond the dining room before turning back to Ben.

"It's…beautiful."

"And it's all yours. Please, make yourself at home. You'll meet everyone soon. They all know who you are all ready, of course, but they are all eager to meet you for the first time," Ben explained.

"…thank you," I said. I could not believe those words were coming out of my mouth…to him. Ben nodded, still smiling. He took another step toward me, slightly closer than a comfortable conversational distance. I felt the heat spring to my face as it had what seemed like a lifetime ago, when I had attacked him in the cell. My heart skipped a beat as I felt his hand brush mine, hid fingers lingering on mine for a moment before he pulled away again.

"I'll be back to check on you later tonight," he said, his voice soft. I stared into his blue eyes, my throat tightening. I nodded once. He turned towards the door, shutting it softly behind him. I stood motionless for a moment before falling onto the couch. I stared at the ceiling. What was happening to me? What was going to happen? For the life of me, I could not figure these people out.

Nor could I figure out the strange feelings Ben awoke in me. It was completely unexpected, but it felt…natural. But my mind kept wandering to Jack. And for some reason, when he came to mind, I was overcome with a feeling of guilt that made my stomach turn. I felt as if I was betraying him, betraying the people back on the beach. But, when Ben had come to talk to me during my days in the cell, he made me somehow feel comforted. He was concerned with me. Concerned with my well-being. He would just talk, sit in that chair and talk. Did he need to be with me in that room for such extended periods of time?

I closed my eyes, suddenly overwhelmingly exhausted. I let myself drift off, unable to get the image of Benjamin Linus to leave my mind's eye.