I could see Ralph's face burn with adrenaline, as his strong knuckles collided with Jack's freckled cheekbone. Unsure what to make of the situation, I scrambled backwards, in a startled state of amazement. Were things starting to get violent? Did Ralph hate Jack that much? Was Ralph protecting me?

Jack's face contorted and rived, eyes filled with hatred and anger, I found myself almost scared of how he would retaliate; what he would do to Ralph.

"You little…" a loud voice bellowed, causing the birds to scatter from their trees.

Jack stormed directly towards Ralph at quite an incredible speed; I think he had even surprised himself. A clumsy fist scraped harshly into Ralph's golden locks, his head yanked to the side with a wave of power.

Ralph let out a muffled yelp, signifying the pain caused by Jack's knee, which fatefully collided with his groin. Ralph partially collapsed to the floor, only held up by the firm grasp Jack had on his hair. I could see he was attempting to stay strong for my sake; yet failing to mask the look of pure, white ecstasy, creeping all the way throughout his veins.

"You see blondie, that's what you get when you try and ruin my fun!" Subsequently, his knee repeated the same action with multiple blows. Ralph screwed up his face in a flustered endeavour to hold his composure, "Keep off my woman," Merridew screeched in an unappealing manner, "She's my property… that's right MINE!"

As much as I felt obliged to thump him straight across the face, I knew it wouldn't exactly offer aid in this circumstance, not to mention that I was virtually frozen to the spot; controlled by an awful paralysis, brought about by the briskness of the situation. Never in my entire life, had I seen two people face each other with such a level of unadulterated hatred.

Luckily my input wasn't needed as Ralph finally started to show signs of defence, gaining a small level of composure, oddly only when 'I' was mentioned.

"Yours? You truly are a narcissistic clod!" Ralph spluttered with all the vigour he could possibly muster.

Jack's face stifled hurt, though it soon repossessed a vulgar grin, flecked with hints of a barbaric mirth and disgust.

"Ah, but the truth is Ralph, I'm not the one who needs to be concerned," He spoke in a dreadfully calm manner, "Dear Nellie over there, just told me that she has a thing for me."

Ralphs expression grew pained, though it was clear that he was determined to appear unfazed.

"She may seem innocent, yet she truly is like a bitch in heat; practically begging for more," The red head lied convincingly, "Unfortunately for you, I happened to steal that girls first kiss... Her lips where ever so soft you know… and her tongue was…"

"Shut up, you... pathetic jerk", a loud voice echoed. I had assumed it was Ralph, yet to my horror, both he and Jack were staring directly at me.

A dull ache tremored down my throat, as I came to the realisation, that it was in fact myself that had caused both boys to stop in their tracks.

They looked at each other and then back to me, where I was now stood, planted next to a large creeper.

Soon the snobby tone of Jack broke the painful silence, "A jerk? If you sincerely thought I was a jerk then you would have thought twice about telling me all those things about you… and allowing me to touch you. Am I wrong?"

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Ralph's face flush with a rather obvious annoyance.

I tried to respond; to come back with some witty remark; it was hopeless. All I could manage was a stifled splutter. The truth was, Jack was right, I had told him many things about my childhood (Things I was yet to tell Ralph), I had allowed him to consume me with kisses, even after I had told myself that I liked Ralph. And the worst part was that Ralph knew that I had betrayed him… he knew that I had trusted Jack, even after he told me to be wary. He probably hated me now.

I broke down in tears and fell to the filthy earth, sobbing with a build-up of sadness. I missed home; my mother; my old friends, and yet somehow, more than anything I missed talking to Ralph. I had only known him for merely a month and somehow his presence had replaced everything that was dear to me. The utter thought of him loathing me, sent me into a wave of miserable hysterics. I couldn't stop my eyes from flooding out their salty tears.

But soon I was enclosed between strong, warm arms, I nestled deeply into their familiar scent… the smell of boy, the calming odour of… But no, I looked up in desperation, as the metallic smell of dried blood entered my nostrils.

A fair-haired boy stumbled into the distance, as my eyelashes fluttered through a messy bonce of ginger curls.

But I was too tired, too weak to pull away. I hesitantly rested my head onto the strong shoulder, collapsing from exhaustion.

There were so many things that I was desperate to tell Ralph, so many apologies that I needed to make. The question was, would his forgive my foolishness?

It was clear that he must have felt something for me; if he didn't care then he would not have punched Jack. I could hardly blame him for walking away, I wasn't exactly showing myself in the best of colours.

It occurred to me that if I was to ask for forgiveness, it would have to be soon. However, when my eyes flicked open, it immediately came to my attention that I was no longer being embraced by Jack.

My stomach churned in an immense fear, as I saw the vulgar face of Roger looming over me; far too close for comfort. Where had he come from? I decided that Jack must have gone of hunting and left me with his companion. Stay calm I told myself. He was probably just looking after me.

Then it hit me. Not just the realisation of his nearing proxemics; but the fact that his chapped lips were suddenly pressed firmly against my own. I wriggled and writhed under his grip – attempting to free my arms which were forced rigidly by my sides. There was no way for me to free my head (at least not without concussing myself on the tree behind me. Who did Roger think he was? Did he have some kind of God complex?

After a few lengthy minutes of his grotesque chops scraping against my mouth, he finally pulled back. I gasped in the fresh air around me; which was unfortunately mingled with the warmth of his breath.

"Ahh so you woke up," he hissed deeply, "well in that case, I suppose we can take this to the next level!"

"No!" I screamed, "Get off of me!"

A dark countenance encapsulated his face. Without hesitation he crushed me further into the tree. "What was that?" His face grew all the more menacing, "Did you say something... woman?"

A rapid wave of realisation washed over me. To these boys I was nothing more than a girl. Just someone they could project their hormones onto. Each and everyone one of them. For a split second I had trusted them. Piggy; Simon and even Jack. And… and Ralph. Surely, he was different. He had never been forceful or evocative; just pleasant and amiable. But even he was a boy. Even he had the capability of giving in to his inner beast. A close stranger of whom I had learned to trust far too quickly.

But at that moment, nothing. I needed to get Roger off me.

I flailed my legs in to the air, attempting to kick him in the shin; I was still held down firmly.

"ahh", my eyes widened as something wet made its way into my mouth. This couldn't have been happening. I struggled to prise myself from him, but he was not giving in without a fight.

There was only one solution. I bit down hard.

Roger, allowed a muffled shriek to secrete from his lips, subsequently loosening his grip around me. This was my chance.

I shoved, ran, sprinted, jumped. Anything to simply be rid of his presence.