Lord of the Flies 2: Chapter 7

(told in Ralph's POV)

I nod. "I uh... I have something for you..."

"My! You didn't have to do that, dear." she smiles a bit. I'm glad I could cheer her up, even just a little.

I pass her the black box.

"Thank-you" she says. "Shall, I open it now."

"Yes." I say. "I'd like to tell you a little about it..."

"Oh, okay." she replies, sliding off the cover of the box.

She slowly pulls out the tissue paper and takes out the conch. "Wow. This is... beautiful." she gasps. I can tell she's a little confused. "You know, Freddy's friend had something like this... when you blew into it, it made a sound. Freddy wanted to ever so bad to. 'Course he couldn't with his asthma..."

I nod. "He told me that... the two of us, we found a conch on the island. It was just the two of us then. He spotted the conch in the water, and I dove for it. He taught me how to make the sound and that's how we found the others... It meant a lot to him, it sort of kept us..." I shrug, not being able to find the words. "It helped us a lot on the island, it helped us all stay together. Pi-um... Freddy helped us a lot. This isn't the one...it actually got um, destroyed... but I think it would me a lot to uhh...Freddy."

"Oh! Of course! He always had a fascination for these things. I'm sure it would helpful on am island, they're so loud!" she chuckles. "Where did you ever find this? they're so valuable. Gee. I hope you didn't buy it. This means a lot, thank-you Ralph. Thank-you for being such a great friend to my Freddy."

I feel a pang of guilt. "I-uh actually... I wasn't a very good friend, not really... I was sort of... sort of mean to him at first..."

She looks at me shocked

"I called him, Piggy the whole time... we all did, no one ever knew his real name." My eyes begin to blur. "He told me not to, I thought it was funny... at least at first..." I feel the tear coming, I let them fall. They quickly stream down my face. "I was a horrible, awful, friend really... and all he was, was nice to me. I never deserved to have a friend like him... He never deserved to have a friend like me... We got closer after and I didn't make fun of him so much... only joking really. I tried to get the others to be nicer... But I-I never apologized...ever. I don't think he ever knew how important he was to me... and then..." I think back to castle rock and shudder.

"There, there." she pats my shoulder. "All is forgiven. Freddy was never one to hold a grudge. You are a good friend...maybe not in the beginning, but you were there for him in the end, right? You care so much about him, I can tell... I'm sure he could to. He understood people... and to bring me a gift, like this... that was a great gesture, you're kind."

She pulls me into a hug. I hug back.

"I just wish I had a chance to tell him..." I say.

"I know you do." She says. " Do you think..." she adds. "Would you maybe... maybe talk a little... about Freddy to everyone. You don't have to... but it sounds like you two became sort of...close and..."

"Of course," I say. I sort of feel like I owe it to him.

" Oh! Would you? Thank-you so much!" she gets up. The priest it going to speak in a bit, we should go take our seats, you should find your parents."

"Okay." I say, and with that she walks away.

I wipe my eyes on my sleeve. I can finally see clear again. Just in time to see Jack walking toward me. I quickly search the room for my mom, but I can't find her. Jack's getting closer. He calls out my name. I run, and stumble into the bathroom.

I lock myself in a stall. Wait! Why are the walls...pink? Oh no!

I dash out bumping into a skinny lady in a lacy black dress, who lets out a small scream. I run past a confused looking Jack, and I take a seat next to SamnEric.

The priest begins talking about Piggy soon after. He tells about his family and his many academic achievements.

Afterwards a few family members come up and tell stories about Piggy. A few classmates and teachers of his go up too. Most of his classmates apologize for making fun of him at school, and tell about how nice he always was.

I go up last. I tell about how helpful he was, and kind. I tell everyone the story about the conch, and how he was always such a great friend. I confess to making fun of him, and I cry a little too.

I was afraid his family would be mad at me, but they don't seem to be. Aunt Peggy mouths me a thank you, and I return to my seat.

Afterwards people slowly begin to leave. I continue the search for my mother. I decide to go outside to see if she went there to look for me.

Bad idea.

Jack sneaks up on me from behind and taps my shoulder.

I can't move.