Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 60: The island comes to reclaim us

Juliet was reorganizing the living room and had Mayra inside a blanket tied over her shoulder. She knew maybe she shouldn't be so worried about things and put her down for a little while. But she had a feeling someone was watching her. She couldn't shake that feeling. She stopped organizing the picture frames on the mantel, and looked around the room. Someone is watching me. But who? She didn't see anyone at first, but a minute later she started hearing whispers. The whispers she hadn't heard since the island. Her eyes widened like dinner plates as the figure of Edmund appeared in front of the mantel. There he was standing before the mantel in the same suit he'd died in.

"You think you can escape me Jules? I'm always here."

At first, Juliet could only stare. What's going on?

"What are you doing here Ed?"

Ed crept closer to her and gave a twisted smile.

"So, this is the child you gave birth to behind my back?"

Narrowing her eyes, Juliet frowned and held Mayra closer.

"No."

Juliet turned when she heard a plate break behind her. Hayley was standing in the doorway stock still. She could only stare at the image of Ed who was still standing by the mantel.

"So, she is the one you gave birth to behind my back. We could've done great work together Jules. You and I. We could've had Champaign on ice and have four jets, and three houses. I could've given you everything if you had just collaborated with me."

But Juliet knew that this was always the Ed she'd known. He'd offer her everything, including money just to shut her up and to weasel his way into her research. She could feel his hot breath against her face, he was now only mere inches from her.

"You will always belong to me not matter where you go."

Juliet scoffed at Ed, but he stood where he was and reached for her wrist.

"I am not that same woman anymore Ed. You have no control over me."

Letting go of her wrist, Ed stepped away from Juliet and towards Hayley. Juliet tried blocking her from him.

"Stay away from her! I won't let you touch her."

Ed gave a smirk and looked around. Giving a disgusted sort of laugh, he rolled his eyes at his surroundings.

"My god Jules, what is this shack your living in?"

Juliet stood tall and proud. Ed had no control over her here. She was a completely different woman from what she was nearly 21 years ago.

"I am not afraid of you anymore, you have no control over me. Get out!"

James came into the living room when he heard Juliet raise her voice.

"How the hell did you get in our house?"

He recognized Ed from the various newspaper clippings he'd seen Juliet go through. Ed smirked still and gave one final thought before he disappeared.

"Don't think this is over Jules."

Ed's seemingly mangled form disappeared and Juliet sunk into the couch, burst into tears. James took a seat on the couch next to her.

"It's alright blondie. I've got ya."

Hayley hadn't moved from her spot from behind the couch, the broken plate still at her feet.

"Mama? He's not coming back for me is he?"

Juliet's eyes grew wide before she looked down at Mayra and then Hayley. Then she looked James in the eye.

"James, we have to call the cops. Tell them what happened here."

She knew that was an absolute fruitless idea.

"Yeah, and what are we gonna tell them blondie? That a dead man broke into our house, your ex, and he threatened you? They aren't gonna send two cops to watch over the house for someone matching his description."

Juliet was now starting to question whether Ed had really died or not.

"But I saw a body. I identified him. He was dead. What if he's still alive?"

The insane thought crept into her head and wouldn't leave her alone.

To Be Continued...