When Choices Are Lost

LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST ~ LOST

Chapter 10 (Sayid POV)

“10, 9, 8…” A bright light from the ceiling starts to shines down on me. “3, 2, 1…” There’s a flash and then darkness.

Even before opening my eyes, I knew I was no longer in darkness. It takes a few moments before they adjust to the bright light once I open them. Realizing I’m not on the island but in an Airport, I’m immediately on my feet looking for the others. The terminal is void of all human life. Picking a random direction, I start walking in the hopes of finding the others. After only a few steps, I hear a noise behind me and turn quickly.

“Hello, Sayid.” Sitting in a row of chairs, is a woman I’ve never seen before.

It takes my brain a few moments to start working again. “Who are you?”

Without thought I reach into my waistband for my gun and then remembering remove it for the jump.

“My name is Atiya.” Pointing at my waist, “You won’t need that here.” I wonder how she knew I was reaching for a gun.

Slowly I start walking toward her so I can get a closer look. Sitting with her legs crossed she’s wearing a brown pin-strip suit and brown high heels that match perfectly. Her long jet black hair is pulled back into a bun with a few curly pieces framing her face. Her skin is the color of caramel and her eyes are the deepest blue I’ve ever seen.

“Who are you?” I know I asked the question before but even with a name I still don’t know who she is. “Where am I? And what’s going on here?”

Patting the chair next to her, “Come sit with me and I’ll try to answer your questions.”

I’m not sure what I should do but I remember she is the only person I’ve seen since I woke here—wherever here is. Deciding to take a chance, taking the seat next to Atiya; I finally get a chance to take a good look at her. She reminds me of someone but I’m unable to figure out whom.

Atiya points out the terminal window and I see two airplanes, which I’m pretty sure weren’t there at first. “Let’s just say I’m you flight attendant and you have a flight to catch.” She looks quickly around the terminal. “And thisplace is just a lay-over for you.”

“The last thing I remember was being in Alaska, preparing for the jump to the island,” I walk over to the window and stare at the planes. “Now you’re telling me I have a flight to catch. What’s going on here?”

“Oceanic Flight 815 was supposed to arrive at LAX on time without any problems. Do you remember when Shannon first told you that?” I give her a look that should let her know Shannon’s off limits. “That look doesn’t work on me. Shannon’s part of this; if it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here now.”

“I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that.” I take a few deep breaths to calm myself before I start talking again. “Can you please just tell me what’s going on?” I ask for the second time in hopes she will finally answer me.

“Well in a nutshell, the Universe is fixing a huge mistake. Your flight was never supposed to crash and none of you should have ever step foot on that island.”

“That flight was over three years ago,” Three long years, “now the Universe wants to make everything right.”

“You weren’t ready yet.”

“What do you mean, not ready yet?” That’s such crap. “The universe screwed up but I wasn’t ready? Give me a break.” I realize I’m channeling Shannon and I laugh to myself.

“Time’s passes differently here, Sayid.” Atiya comes and stands next to me at the window. “In three hours Oceanic Flight 815, will be preparing for take off from Sydney, Australia, gate 23 on On September 22, 2004, at 2:15 local time.” She motions toward the flight list. It’s already boarding. “But you have a choice to make.”

“What do you mean? What kind of choice?”

“If you take the plane on the left, Oceanic Flight 815 will arrive at LAX, on schedule.” I turn my head to look at Atiya and run my gaze to the left and back to her deep eyes. “If you take the plane on your right, the plane will never leave Sydney.”

“I don’t understand. What difference does it make?”

Atiya was quiet for so long, I figured she wasn’t going to answer the question. “You can’t have them both.” She turns to face me, “And it’s your decision. You make it alone.”

Finally, I understand what she means. The options ring in my head like an alarm. My choice is really between Nadia and Shannon. I could change it all. Without any real thought, her name pops into my mind. And I know my decision is already made. Atiya was right. A few months ago I wouldn’t have been able to do that, let alone three years ago.

“Final boarding call, for Flight 208.” The PA voice explodes the quiet room. “Final boarding call, for Flight 208.”

Atiya points at the PA system, “You’ve made your choice. Now it’s time for you to leave.”

We stop once we arrive at gate B, “Thank you, Atiya.” She just gives me a warm smile.

“You’re welcome. Now go. You have a plane to catch.” With one last look; I turn and start walking towards the plane and my future.

TBC……………………………Enter Lost Music


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Atiya ~ A gift.

A/N: Can anyone guess who Atiya is?