Lord of the Flies

Chapter 13

The island was fully engulfed in flames as the ship pulled away. The thick black smoke rose high up into the sky and the once full forest was now a ball of yellow and orange. Gazing back, all the memories came flooding into Ralph's mind. The first day on the beach, exploring the island, and the glamour of being in an exotic place. Then he remembered everything else. Ralph looked away then turned to see all the boys standing across the deck. The horrible things that had happened, Ralph could not block those out. Simon's death and the gruesome picture of Piggy's —

The naval officer that had been on the beach was now standing between Ralph and the other boys. He looked around at them, "You could all use a bath and some new clothes." The boys stood looking down at themselves. "A haircut would help too", the officer laughed. He turned and made his way through a door, stopping to signal for the boys to follow.

They wound through thin grey corridors and came to what looked to be a shower room. The boys stirred in a sort of confused state. Then they swarmed like the plague. It had been a long time but none of them had forgotten what a real shower was. They jumped around and squealed with delight.

As they gathered around for dinner, a new officer took down all their names. Ralph sat by himself off to the side and the "tribe" gathered around Jack in the centre. Now the boys were having a real feast. The dining hall was filled with laughter and giddiness but still there was a dark cloud looming overhead. Sam and Eric glided over to where Ralph sat.

"We're sorry —"

"For ratting you out."

"We didn't mean-"

"They…he was going to —"

"We're sorry, Ralph!"

Ralph turned and stared at them with hazy eyes. The twins scurried back to the group. As Ralph, motionless, stared at the others, he noticed something. Jack sat back from the group and was looking towards him. Their eyes met and something sparked between them. Ralph stood and began to walk forward. The curtain flashed in Ralph's mind and the next sound was that of a boy screaming. One with fiery red hair.