Andrea Goldstein
Roger sat on his usual perch where he sat as the guard of the savages' campsite. After an eventful day, he was much too tired to stay awake for his shift, yet too timid to stand up to Chief Jack. He yawned, stretched his arms, and brushed his wooded spear against his head. He fought drowsiness for some time, nodding his head as he dozed, and flinching himself awake. Soon realizing that Ralph's tribe was sleeping on their side of the Island, he gave in to Sleep…
…After a concert, the choirboys went into the town, still wearing their black togs. Jack, Roger, Bill and Maurice walked down the street together, their capes billowing in the breeze. Jack announced, "I want candy."
Bill decided, "So would I."
"Have any of us any money?" asked Maurice
All four boys answered no except for Bill. He only had fifty pence, not nearly enough for candy for all of them. Roger had not had candy for months, and he could almost taste it in his mouth. Jack, always the smart one, had an idea. He suggested that they go in to the news shop, and pretend to look at the magazines. Then, while Bill bought a copy of British Boys Monthly, distracting the cashier, he, Roger and Maurice would stuff candy in their pockets.
As the boys entered the shop, Roger began to feel like he should not follow the others. He did not even think that they could get away with shoplifting candy, but he went in with them anyway, not expressing any of his doubts.
The boys pretended to laugh at a comic book, and then the funnies in a newspaper. They started to look at British Boys Monthly, and Bill said, as if on cue, "I'm going to buy this."
Roger had made up his mind. He did not want to steal, and for once, he did not care what the other boys thought. As Bill approached the cashier to pay, Roger left the shop, and stood outside. He peered into the store window, to see Maurice and Jack swiping candy from the counter. He turned his back to the store window.
The town suddenly turned into the island, and Roger was chasing the Beast with Jack, Bill, and Maurice. Then they saw it, sleeping. The Beast had wings, claws, and huge teeth. Jack pushed Roger forward, and commanded, "You kill it."
For a moment, Roger felt that he had something to prove, but then backed away. Jack looked astonished. Then he glared at Roger, and announce, "Come on boys, we have a beast to kill. They advanced forward, but Jack looked back to Roger, expecting him to follow. Roger turned around.
He was looking in the store window again, and he saw Bill paying for the magazine. He saw Maurice looking back at him, and putting the candy back in its place. Jack, looking exasperated, did the same. Roger, knowing that he had, for once, not followed Jack, smiled…
Roger jumped, aroused by a tap on his shoulder. It was Bill. Bill said, "It's my shift on guard."
Roger went and joined the sleeping others in their circle, knowing that in the morning, Jack would be surprised at Roger's new attitude.