If you love something, let it go

Summary: in which Ralph is scared.

Warnings: nothing really, yet, but probably in layer chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own lord of the flies.

A/N: So I tried to write some Roger/Simon today and literally just as I was about to finish it it all got erased. So, instead, have some one sided Jack/Ralph. Also, there will be more SL,GA soon! Maybe even some more SIP if I get my butt in gear.

He could hear the screaming, feel the heat of the fire as the island fell about him, fast the fear on his tongue. He could smell the salt and sweat and blood that had coated the island ever since Jack had decided to declare himself chief. He could remember the wide, frightened eyes of SamnEric as they warned Ralph of his impending demise... But all of this paled in comparison to what had gone on just before the ship arrived.

Jack's hunting knife had been pressed against his throat, painfully, threateningly but Jack was stalling. Some of the boys insisted that it was to saver the moment, others said that it was because he saw the steam floating up from the ship, but Ralph knew better. If he could have seen his face he was willing to bet he had the same expression on that he'd had the first time he'd tried to kill the pig. He was no great hunter, no warrior or chief as he would have himself believe. He was a boy and a coward who had a certain way with words.

Even if Jack truly had intended to kill him, it didn't matter, for as the seconds drug on like hours Jack found himself in a rather different predicament. All Ralph could recall was the bite of the blade as it sliced shallowly against his throat, followed by the horrifying warmth of his own blood as it dribbled out of the cut. Somewhere behind him he could hear Jack screaming, followed by a very solid, dull thudding. Of course, Ralph didn't particularly care about Jack's pain - he had been intending to cut off his head after all - not did he care about the sudden cluster of boys that crowded around him. In vain they tried to pull Roger and the now very, very bloody, very jagged rock away from Jack, who rather looked like he'd been chewed up and spit out.

Ralph was instead more concerned with trying to stop his own bleeding and pressed both hands firmly to his throat, trembling ad he tried to focus on his breathing. Having a breakdown wouldn't do him any good. He couldn't hear Jack as he sobbed pathetically, couldn't hear Roger as he used every curse word he could think of as he struggled against the grip of five or six boys. He couldn't hear the smaller, frightened littleuns crying as they watched the whole display, nor feel the hands that took hold of his shoulders just before he slumped over against someone or something. His last, fleeting memory of the island was of the waves as they rushed up the meet him, likely half lodged in the sand, and lapped delicately at his feet.

He was told that they had all been aboard the ship for three days when he finally woke up, and that he should be careful when moving about. He didn't want to pull his stitches, after all. Ralph had just nodded mutely before he was sent on his way, left to explore the ship a bit before lunch. However, Ralph hadn't been in the mood for lunch, nor dinner as it too passed. In fact, he hadn't particularly been in the mood for breakfast as it had rolled around the following morning, but the naval officers on board had insisted he eat and stuck him in a small, peaceful little room. Ralph had downed at least three plates of eggs and sausage before the rest of the ship was even awake, and was very quietly enjoying his toast and marmalade when he heard the rest of the boys stir about.

He disappeared before the officers could come to check on him with the kind offering of orange juice.

Ralph was practically invisible until lunch, for which he had tentatively poked out, only to return to the same room he'd eaten his breakfast in. Then he was off again, returning only for dinner, which had been waiting for him as promised. It was late into the night before Ralph left again however, as he didn't want to run into anyone, and headed topside. The cool night air felt good against his skin and for a moment, the moonlight almost looked pretty as it scattered across the top of the water.

However, it wasn't long before Ralph was acutely aware that he was not alone. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck all stand up one by one as his fear cemented him in place, knuckles white as he clung to the railing. He could just barely hear the footsteps as they came towards him, though he was sure he could hear his heart hammering away in his chest. Why had he left that room? It was safe there... He whimpered as he felt arms wrap around his waist, shut his eyes tight as someone's chest pressed against his back, and bit his lip as he heard the most frightening voice in his ear. "Got you, my little piggy." Jack whispered, chuckling wickedly.

A/N: that's all for now! Leave me a review and lemmie know what you thought!