Something was different.
Hurley stood further up the beach watching Ben pick up a backpack that had washed ashore. The mist from the ocean smelled as it always had, but this time it felt right. He closed his eyes unconscientiously and took in the air deeply, calmly. As he started to let out the relaxed exhale, Ben spoke quietly in his ear, startling him.
“Hugo.” Hurley quickly opened his eyes and jumped slightly.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that, dude.” Hurley replied, now wiping the mist from his face. “I know, it’s a lot to process. He still looks stunned by it.”
“We should get moving, there isn’t much time.” Ben advised Hurley strapping the backpack on.
“It shouldn’t take that long to get there.” Hurley replied as he started walking toward Walt, “It’s hard for him, ya know? Coming back, after all this time. It’s not gonna be easy. This has to be done delicately. We can’t afford any mistakes this time, Ben. It’s not like it was before.” Ben followed Hurley to the seashore assured that Hurley knew what he was doing.
Hurley called to Walt, “Little dude. We have to go. They’re waiting. Are you okay?” Without a reply, Walt walked to shore, eyes glazed over, blank stare, as he had just relived his time spent here.
“It is good to see you back on the island, Walt” Ben exclaimed. Walt halted and reacted with a look that stopped Ben from smiling and sent him straight to confusion. The glare was so cold and angry as if the very look was equal to the throw of a knife into Ben’s heart. Walt, not saying a word, continued to walk past. Ben eyes followed him, still confused. Hurley rubbed his chin and let out a slight chuckle. “Told you this was not gonna be easy. Stay here.”
Hurley walked up the embankment to where Walt had sat with his arms folded over his knees. “Can I sit?”
“Why? I don’t get it.” Walt muttered.
“So that I can sit?” Hurley humored.
“I mean about him.” Walt explained looking over at Ben, who was throwing small rocks into the ocean.
“I could explain that to you,” Hurley started, as he sat next to Walt, “but that won’t change anything you’re really feeling. I know that it is hard to let go of the bad things that happen in our lives,” Hurley put his hand on Walt’s shoulder, “but the first step is forgiveness.”
“I don’t know if I can.” Walt choked, “I remember everything that I had forgotten. What he and his people did. Are you …”
“Ben’s a different person now,” Hurley interjected, “He's not the man you remember. He has changed.” Walt glanced at Hurley unconvinced. “I'm not defending his actions. I’m just asking you to give him a chance so that he can prove that to you.” Hurley smiled and stood back up. “You’ve come this far, Walt. I’m asking you to trust me. There’s a lot I want you to see. Walk with me.” Hurley held out his hand.
Walt lightly scoffed, “Okay,” grabbing Hurley’s hand, “but I don’t feel like having a conversation with him just yet.”
Hurley pulled Walt up, waved Ben over and assured, “its okay, you will…eventually and on your own terms.”
The three walked into the jungle. Walt and Hurley walked together with Ben a few steps behind. They did not speak. Only wildlife could be heard. Walt took in his new surroundings. The sun, still hot, was darkened from the tall trees. The leaves were moist from the humid air.
The smell of ocean mist dissipated and was taken over by a stale scent. A little over an hour had past. Hurley glanced back to look at Ben. He was following a few steps behind looking jaded. When he noticed his boss was watching, he straightened up. Hurley nodded in the direction they were walking. Ben shook his head in acknowledgment. Hurley slowed his pace, “Walt, take a break for a sec.” he said, sounding out of breath. Walt stopped and Ben kept walking, dropping his backpack as he passed them.
"Where is he going?” Walt asked.
“Checking the road ahead. Don’t worry; we’ll catch up to him in a minute. Drink some water.” Hurley said pulling out two water bottles from the backpack, handing one to Walt. “So, any of this coming back to you?”
“Actually, no.” Walt said shockingly, “Where are we going anyway?”
“Well, it’s not much farther.” Hurley explained as he opened the bottle, “There’s a clearing up ahead, then a little bit more brush.” After taking a gulp of water he continued, “Then we can set up for the night. It’ll be dark soon. We’ll eat some food, get some shut eye, and then start our day early tomorrow.”
“How long is this entire journey gonna take?” Walt asked, also drinking down some water from his bottle.
“As long as it takes.” Hurley smiled, putting the bottle cap back on.
Suddenly, the sounds of the jungle went eerily silent as if all surrounding life ceased to exist. A cold breeze moved about the trees. Faint whispers could be heard, soft, low, and incomprehensible, as if they were carried on the wind. Walt looked at Hurley, concerned and confused. Hurley smiled back, calmly and peacefully. The whispers grew louder and the phrase 'He’s back' was barely audible. Immediately, a rustling came from the foliage ahead. Something was coming, and fast. Walt’s heart rate steadily increased as he watched nervously. The whispers grew louder, resonating in the breeze, now repeating in unison 'He’s back. He’s back'. Hurley, seemingly unfazed, watched Walt as Ben came rushing out from behind the brush. The whispers were silenced instantly and the sounds of the jungle returned. Ben stopped short, panting, out of breath. He noticed the look on Walt’s face.
“We are clear to go.”
Hurley chuckled, “Thanks,” handing Ben some water, then moving closer to Walt, “Relax little man. Whether you believe it or not, you are getting closer to your purpose here.” Placing his hand on his shoulder, Hurley led Walt forward, “C’mon, something you will want to see.”
Ben strapped the backpack on again, and the three of them walked through the brush and into the clearing to reveal the tall poles for the sonic security fence. Walt stopped suddenly and looked in awe as Hurley and Ben kept walking. There was now a warning sign posted at each pole that read ‘Warning – Sonic Fence Will Cause Serious Injury – Do Not Enter’
“It’s okay, Walt,” Ben assured, “I deactivated it for us.”
Walt continued forward slowly, waiting for Ben to walk through first. Once Ben passed, then Hurley, Walt stepped through. Ben stopped at the control panel and activated the fence. Walt quickly stepped ahead upon hearing the electronic whir that the sonic field created.
“We do not wish to have any unwanted visitors.” Ben smirked, standing up to continue onward.
“This way,” Hurley urged, motioning to the slight grassy incline, “We’re almost there.”
They crested the hill and walked back into more woods and brush. Walt, starting to feel tired said, “This, I certainly did not miss. Walking … everywhere… being dirty all the time and nothing around but jungle.” At that moment, all three picked up a scent. It smelled a little like something was burning, but smelled good. As they kept walking, the scent grew stronger.
“Right through here” Hurley advised, pushing away brush to expose a clearing. They had arrived at the DHARMA barracks. It was kept clean, and did not look abandoned.
“You live here?” Walt asked, “…and is someone cooking?” Walt finally showed positive emotion for the first time since joining Hurley and Ben. He wanted to ask more questions but was interrupted by the sounds of something hurdling towards him. “It can’t be...” Walt knelt to the ground, “Vincent????”
The yellow Lab jumped on Walt as if to hug him. His tail was wagging as fast as a whip at a circus.
“Everyone knows we are here.” Ben quietly advised Hurley, “and I mean everyone.”
Hurley responded even quieter, “We heard. You turned on the fence, so we’ll be okay. Why are you so nervous now?”
“He remembers.” Ben whispered looking at Walt, who was still consumed with the wound up dog.
“No. Not yet, but he will.” Hurley whispered in confirmation.
Walt instantly looked up in shock, as if he heard them.
Hurley simply exclaimed with a smile, “Welcome home, Walt. Welcome home.”
 |
| The Adventures of Hurley and Ben |
Next week, on LOST: The Adventures of Hurley and Ben....
“Home, Part 2"
“Welcome back Walt,” said a soft female voice. Walt, inside one of the barrack’s houses, turns around with a look of shock…
“…and behind door number 1 is…” Hurley says, opening the secret ancient door in Ben’s closet…
Two unidentified men in an unfamiliar outdoor diner, sit at a table eating. One states to the other, “That boy is the key to everything!”
Namaste.
