Locke visits Hurley at Santa Rosa, Sphinx painting

Locke's next visit is to Hurley at Santa Rosa Mental Health Institute. Hurley is sitting outside at the table where he spoke to Charlie in "The Beginning of the End." Hurley is painting a watercolor of a desert scene with a Sphinx. When Locke first approaches him, Hurley thinks that Locke is dead and visiting him like Charlie, Ana Lucia and Mr. Eko. Once the nurse confirms that Locke is there, Hurley momentarily has a mild freak out. Locke then makes his pitch but Hurley tells him that it is unlikely anyone will return, specifically sighting Sun and Kate who have children to look out for. That's when Hurley notices Matthew Abbadon by the car and warns Locke that they are being watched. Once Locke tells Hurley that Abbadon his with him, Hurley really freaks out telling Locke that Abbadon is evil and mentions the encounter he had with him in "The Beginning of the End." Hurley then leaps up and puts his fingers in his ears and asks to be taken inside, which the nurses/orderlies do.

After Locke is back in the car, he asks Abbadon what exactly he does for Charles Widmore. That is when Abbadon mentions the encounter the two of them had after Locke was pushed out of the window by Anthony Cooper. Abbadon mentions that he told Locke to go on the walkabout that led to him being on Oceanic flight 815 which led him to the island. Abbadon then says "I help people get to where they need to get to John. That's what I do for Mr. Widmore." Locke seems somewhat satisfied with this answer though he still looks a bit puzzled.

So, is Matthew Abbadon similar to Eloise Hawking? They both seem to help people get where they need to go. Also, what is with Hurley's painting of the Sphinx. the word "sphinx" is derived from the Greek word meaning as "strangler." Is Hurley foreshadowing Locke's future?