Roger looked back and forth between Jack and the naval captain. Jack didn't seem to know what to do; he was just standing there with his mouth open. Ralph was talking to the man all dressed in white, gesturing with his hands and crying hysterically. All of the littluns were bawling too. Roger reached over and took Jack's arm nervously. The officer kept looking at him. Jack put his hand over Roger's and watched as the man began approaching them. The littluns were all hugging each other now, wailing to the officer that they were sorry their appearances were so improper. He gently patted the boys' heads to calm them. But he kept coming towards Jack and Roger.
He stopped before the two older boys. Ralph stood behind him. "You're Jack?" he asked as he pointed to the redhead. Jack nodded slowly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to even be known as Jack anymore, after the things he'd done. The man turned his blue eyes to the dark-haired boy. "And you're Roger," It wasn't a question. Roger nodded slightly. The man reached for his small hand. More and more sailors were beginning to flood the beach, each taking a boy into their arms and welcoming them back to society. No one came for Roger. The captain tried to take him by the shoulder, but he flinched away and held onto Jack. A sailor stood behind the captain now, waiting for Roger. "He's very far gone. You can almost see it in his eyes." the captain told the shipmate. "From the things I've heard about him, he's going to need to go to St. Michael's for a long time. He won't even come when I call for him or try to touch him." The shipmate nodded understandingly. Jack seemed to comprehend what they were talking about. Roger didn't. A sailor in a blue uniform came for Jack, hugged him, and began taking him away. The redhead reached out for the captain. "Please! Please let me explain things to him! Just one moment, please, sir!" he cried out, tears leaking down his face. Roger screamed when he felt Jack's hand leave his own. The two men jumped back slightly, as if they were afraid of the small boy. The man in blue let go of the redheaded boy so he could go to his friend. Jack laced their fingers together once again just to get Roger to stop screaming. He put his head close to the dark-haired boy's. Roger was now crying because of the confusion and lost-feelings he was suffering from so suddenly. "Roger," Jack whispered. "You're going to go away for a little while-"
"Where?!"
"Shh, shh, shh…it's a nice little place called St. Michael's Institution, and they're going to-"
"Jack, I don't want-!"
"Roger, Roger…keep listening to me. Shhh…just be calm. It's going to be alright. They're going to take good care of you there and they'll be very nice to you-"
But Roger was already panicking. His breathing had quickened considerably and he was clawing at his own face. Jack struggled to keep him from being like this, though he knew he couldn't help it. Jack stroked the pale face that now had red lines running down it and hushed him gently. "It'll be alright, Roge. I'll visit you. I won't leave you. I won't leave you." he assured. Two men came and grabbed Roger's skinny arms. Roger lost it. He thrashed and kicked and screamed at the top of his lungs; screamed for Jack to save him. Everyone on the beach was staring. The twins held onto each other as they watched their tormentor suffer. Roger actually did manage to hit one of the men in the jaw, but it didn't get him far, because they then had to resort to wrapping his delicate frame in a tight binding cloth so he couldn't move his arms anymore. They began to carry him back to the ship. He screamed so hard for Jack. He begged. He sobbed. Jack watched him go, shouting, "I won't leave you! I won't leave you! I won't leave you!"
When the boys got on the ship, Roger was allowed nowhere near them. They didn't even see him at all after that. Each boy was given a shower that could last however long he liked, and they were all given a hearty meal. Jack felt an absolute pit in his stomach the whole time. He knew Roger was somewhere down in the bottom of the ship, being regarded as an animal, not getting any of the treatment they were receiving. He felt disgusting.