It's so hard to make these things shorter…-sigh-

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Ralph stared up at his ceiling, but wasn't really looking at it. His mind was clearly somewhere else. His eyes danced across the canopy and pulled his hands out from under his head, unbalancing his head, causing it to fall back and for his forehead to touch the cold mahogany headboard with a small thud. Ralph sighed and closed his eyes. He was in a real pickle. Not only was he planning to go to a party hosted by his hated enemy, but he had the responsibility of the whole night to keep Kathy by his side and away from the animals that would easily target her. And he didn't mean the animals in the woods surrounding Jack's house.

Ralph opened his eyes and hoisted himself up into a sitting position. He remembered the knowing, cruel look Jack had given him just before heading to his ride. He knew what Jack was doing when he invited Kathy. Ralph had been stupid to think that his rival couldn't see the feelings he had for the girl, and obviously used her to lure in the blonde. That had been crystal clear.

But that last glance. It was a look implanted in his mind through the drive home. It was also a recognizable bearing but one underlined in mystery. For the first time since he parted with Jack Merridew, he was at a lose for what he was up to. And this scared the blonde more than it should.

"Ralph!"

Ralph perked and darted for his door, opening it wide and letting in the dim lights of his hallway. "Yeah, mum?" he called.

"Someone's on the phone for you!"

Henry! That was just what Ralph needed. A good distraction. Henry had said he would call for his help in geometry, Ralph's best unit. The blonde went for his red cordless phone. His father had bought it for him so that Ralph wouldn't get attached to the new-found technology called 1G (AUTHOR: What they used to call a cell phone in it's earlier days…this is still like the 1970s, people!) which could disrupt his studying like it had done to other teenagers.

"Hey Hen-"

"Yo, Ralphie!"

Ralph stopped dead in his sentence and bit his tongue automatically. What the hell?

"Jack…"

"One and only."

Ralph couldn't remember the last time the red head's voice had stopped him in his tracks. But more importantly:

He gulped. "How did you get my number?"

There was a small 'hmph' then, "Your precious littlun, Henry. Roger hadn't even touch him before he started singing like a canary for us. Not a great friend you have there, Ralph. Nope, not at all." And Jack laughed whole-heartedly. Ralph gripped the edges of his desk and dug his nails into the wood, gritting his teeth.

"Keep away from him from him, Merridew."

"Oh? Who says?"

"I say. You played a dirty trick."

The red head laughed again but longer now. He really thought this was a game.

"Enough with the role-playing, now, Ralphie. I've got another invitation for you" Jack's voice quieted a bit, like he was trying to talk without someone hearing him. "Let's meet down at Carlies Creek in 10 minutes. I don't think we ever got to properly chat like old times."

"I don't want to chat with you." Ralph spat the word 'chat' out like venom.

Jack's voice was sickly sweet. Ralph wanted to throw up. "Then would you rather me pick you up? I'd love to meet your darling mother! Does she look like you?"

The blonde knew where this was going with that last comment and it made him feel relieved a bit. Maybe now he could read the red head. There was nothing better then understanding your hunter the way he understood you.

"I'll be there," he mumbled. Better to tango with the devil when he can see him.

"Great! See ya then!" and Jack hung up, leaving Ralph alone and suddenly cold.

"Invite him over someday!" Mrs. Falun chirped happily and kissed her son's forehead. Ralph had grown taller then her and now he needed to bend down to get a kiss. He smiled and patted his mom's arm. "This is so great Ralph! Maybe with a friend, you can open up more in school."

Jenna Falun was a slender woman with well-built shoulders and short glossy blonde hair, a few shades lighter then Ralph's. Her blue eyes were tender and her face was soft and almost young looking. Ralph adored his mother's soft skin and it was one of the many things he had missed dearly while on the island.

"Be polite and all!" she called after him as he made his way down the sidewalk. Ralph waved at her, smiled and said no more. If only his mother knew. This could be the last time she saw him.

The whole situation was suicide. He realized that fully. Being alone with Jack Merridew? At an abandoned creek no less? It was obvious that Ralph might as well be walking to his execution. Perhaps this was the day the red head would get rid of his last prey once and for all and be done with it. Then he could join Piggy and Simon and they could play together again…he wondered if they would recognize him…

Ralph hadn't realized that as he contemplated that thought, tears formed against his eyelids and slinked down his cheek slowly.

The annoying summer sun beat down on Jack as it began it's descent across the horizon. His red hair was hot to the touch and he knew he'd have an unusual tan at the back of his neck. The sky was highlighted in purple and blue, and the earlier stars began to twinkle. He scratched his arms and slapped a mosquito that had landed on his hand. Of course, he caught it, made a face and threw the dead thing on the ground, clasping his hands together to futilely clean them. Jack groaned and looked down the sidewalk.

Ralph was late. 20 minutes late. Merridew wondered if he had chickened out or something. That thought angered Jack so much; he kicked a rock near him hard, having it tumble down the wet, green bank and plunge into the brown water, making a rather loud sound and frightening small fish. Ralph was not allowed to turn down an invite from his Chief. Who did he think he was!? Jack let himself relax and loosen his tight muscles. A large hand raked through his warm red hair and he growled ferocity.

"Losing your temper, Jack?" a low cracking voice sounded.

Merridew turned and saw Ralph standing a little rigid, eyes dilated and a little puffy. His cheeks were red and his hair a little messy, bangs falling against his forehead. He reached up and pulled them back in vain as they fell back down again. He was dressed just as casually as Jack, in worn our jeans and a black long sleeved shirt, clearly showing the outline of his upper form. Merridew wondered if Falun had been eating well lately or not. He looked as skinny as he had when on the island as a 12 year old. But instead of looking like an up-and-coming boxer, Ralph was slim in a fitting way for his age.

Jack looked the teenager up and down before smiling. Ralph openly shivered and this enticed the red head even more. His skin looked unfazed by the sun and was pale with tints of yellow here and there. It was obvious he had been crying for one reason or another. This didn't really bother Jack. The littleuns used to cry a lot while under him. For many different reasons, of course. Jack scratched the bit mark he had gotten from the mosquito and gestured to Ralph to join him down at the wetter part of the bank, his hands returning to the pockets of his black denim pants. With a slight hesitation and a muscle twitch in his hand, Ralph approached his enemy and came to stand right by him. Jack looked out onto the small creek.

"You know, they say this place is haunted," he began, his smile turning sly and secretive. "A Russian spy had been murdered here by a Brit man with a gun. His name was Carlies. That's where it got it's name."

Ralph had a feeling the red head was just stalling. But why? To heighten the tension? He clenched his hands into fists and bit down on his tongue. He narrowed his eyes cruelly at Jack who could feel the glare on him like the sun, hot and angry. He hoped his face wasn't giving anything away. That would ruin the fun. And the surprised.

"I think it's just stupid that the Soviets tried to get in on the British technology," Jack laughed and finally met Ralph's brown eyes with his ice blue ones. "We never had anything special for them to spy on, don't you agree? How's your history mark?"

"Cut the crap," Ralph hissed.

"And I'm the one with the temper?" Jack laughed again. He stepped a little closer to Ralph till his face was mere inches away from the blonde. From here, he could see those large eyes more clearly. They were in fact the colour of hazelnut, not dark chocolate as he had thought. The two rivals had a small stare-off before Ralph broke the silence.

"What do you want?"

Merridew's eyes wondered, as if he was thinking about something, "Are you coming to the party?"

Ralph made a face. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on Ralphie! You know what I mean," Jack's fingers lightly brushed the other's chin and Falun stepped back. "I'd hate to think what would happen to Ms. Williams without her knight there. You know I can't control everything that happens at my parties…"

"I'm warning you Jack. Stay away from her."

Jack stepped forward and pressed against Ralph's shoulder. "So you're gonna be there?"

There was a hesitation. The red head could see Ralph's eyes search his face, looking for hints and cracks to strike at. But in all honesty, this was not a trick question. Ralph just thought it was. Which was pretty funny as he sub- consciously scrunched his face up, lifting his cheeks and pouting his lips. Jack's mouth twitched.

"I already promised her that I would," he finally said, and titled his head to the side.

The sun was now barley an outline of yellow and orange, shimmering like a dieing lamp light against the darkened sky. A wind picked up and ruffled some scattered leaves, shaking the branches of near-by trees unsteadily. The moon peeked out at looked down at the two boys from an impossible height, while crickets began their song.

"You must really like her," Jack commented finally, scratching the bug bit and frowning at it. "I'm not exactly sure what you like about her though. She seems really naïve, and clueless. Isn't it annoying?"

"Just cause she doesn't date you doesn't mean she's stupid, Merridew" Ralph chewed, turning away from the other.

"Oh, on the contrary, Ralph, she is smart. Too smart. That's why she's annoying." Jack watched as Ralph's eyes shifted from the creek to the bank then up to the sky. "Bimbos are the way to. They don't bother you about stuff and listen when you have to say something."

"That's definitely what you love, Jack," Ralph was now glaring at him in a calm deadliness, "being listened to. No criticism from anyone. No room for any opinions. Always pressing your beliefs on others."

Jack shook his head. "I'd thought you knew me better then that, Falun."

Ralph gave him a half confused half annoyed look. Before he could even retort, Jack took one more step and, with his arm, shoved the blonde on the ground harshly. Ralph fell like a boulder, his elbows sinking into the soft soil underneath. His black shirt and jeans were instantly wet and splashes of mud attack his cheek. He breathed hard, the wind having been knocked out of him, and struggled to make himself less vulnerable. But that was impossible as Jack was on him at an instant, pressing his strong hands against Ralph's chest. The blonde soon ceased his shifting, knowing full well that with Merridew's weight on him, he wouldn't be able to get up. He instead continued to catch his breath and stare up, trying to see the face of his enemy past his messy bangs.

"Don't worry, though," Jack finally spoke, "we'll get to know each other real well soon, Ralphie."

"Merridew!" Ralph gasped angrily.

Jack's hands were know trailing up the blonde's chest, over the collar of his black shirt, and onto his neck where they stopped. Suddenly, pressure was being added to Ralph's oesophagus and he coughed as Jack's thumbs dung into the flash. A maniacal grin laced itself against the red head's face and he cackled out loud.

This was the end. Ralph knew it. And he was scared to death even though he saw it coming. But in the humour of it all, he had really expected Jack to be a little more creative. Strangling was so old-school. Was he just going to dump his dead body into the river? Where was the agony of death? What happened to the Jack Merridew from the island?

Well, no bother trying to figure that out, he thought as he coughed again. Ralph closed his eyes and waited for the final push, the last added crushing that would make him see white dots against his eyelids before he lost all oxygen and died with a headache. But it didn't come, and Ralph was getting more annoyed then scared. What was going on? What's with the stalling again!?

Ralph opened his eyes and prepared to face Jack's lets-torture-you-a-little-longer face. Yet he only met with blue eyes, glazed like shining diamonds. And suddenly there was pressure. But not from where he had expected. Ralph's eyes widened, his cheek burned, and his mind finally followed, kicking in and panicking. Oh. My. God. Jack Merridew was kissing him.

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Hope you liked it!