Savagery on the Island

Disclaimer: Copyright laws protect the LOTF, not their characters from being manipulated. Too bad for them ;)

…

Chapter 9 – Surrounded Without Reason

Dark pulses sent waves through my body and chills up my spine. The tendons in my legs began to cramp yet it was my lungs that eventually forced me to stop. Filling them with much needed air I waited for Ralph to catch up. At least I hoped it was Ralph because I wouldn't make that mistake again. My bitterness in no way entertained company yet I was sure I could neither outrun or hide sufficiently for him not to find me. At least the idea of Jack with a black eye and split lip lifted some spirits. Not to mention he couldn't run to fast with a broken leg.

"Laura, it's me Ralph," obviously. I seriously think Jack would be in no position to run. I felt terrible being this mean to Ralph. He did not deserve it. Yet he did not deserve to look at me. My ugly, filthy corrupted self. "'Cmon. Slow down your pace already. I think I might've punctured a lung three miles back."

On the contrary I quickened my pace into a speed walk which made him speed up too. Sure, this act was childish yet it made us avoid contact for a while. He eventually caught up.

"Laura, stop already. Okay?" He sped in front of me yet I quickly tried to maneuver around him. He caught me strongly on the shoulders ending this game of cat and mouse.

"Don't touch me!" I smacked his hand away and separated us. My conscious didn't realize the enormity of what I just did at first but it didn't take long.

Ralph's body immediately retreated. "Sorry Laura. If you want to be alone I 'suppose I would understand."

At that moment my heart split in two. Here I was longing for Ralph so much it made my heart burn but on the other hand I felt so dirty. So absolutely filthy that Ralph's eyes should no longer look at me. He could see into my soul yet what scared me the most was that he would see how tainted I had become – inside and out. Was I truly myself anymore? As soon as you question yourself that is when you lose your existence. Did I cause myself to fade away or am I still shinning bright? I just wanted to be alone and disappear but this is an island and there wasn't any place to go. I remained trapped inside my own body.

Ralph's back was turned as he walked away like a broken puppy dog. What had really happened here? What had happened in there? I asked myself such a simple questions yet no answers came forth. Much had changed in such a short time making it impossible to know if you were growing up or breaking down. My mind shouted that Ralph's predictable nature would make him turn around any moment know. The hand on the clock of time clicked away yet still nothing was happening. He was walking away! Leaving me behind. Any minute now, I was certain of it. He would turn. He had to. He loved me. Any minute now! Ralph was what I needed. Epiphanies had come throughout my life on the island yet I could barely recognize that Ralph wasn't the only one to change. The island changed, the animals died and were reborn, the current moved, the palms never stayed in a standstill. I had changed yet it was mixed with a muck that caused me to become filthy. I had changed yet I did not know if it was for the better. I could not trust myself alone to survive without guidance. Never before had I needed help; only denied it. That was the biggest mistake right there. When I have to rely on others it truly means I can no longer rely on myself. I wanted Ralph yet I wanted guidance even more.

"Ralph, don't go." Ralph stopped in his tracks yet did not turn to face me for some time.

"Laura, what exactly happened in there?"

I did not want to speak about that. It was a mistake! A terrible mistake. Jack took advantage of me. Any lie would be sufficiently. There's that moment in time you know that anything you say could easily be accepted by another. They could call you on your lie yet instead they believe it not for your sake but for their own selfish reasons. After you make more lies to cover for your original that's the point in time you realized no one gave a damn in the first place.

"Please don't go. I'm begging you."

No one said anything for the next couple of moments. No one ran into each other's arms. No pseudo romantic embraces came. We just stood there, and stared at each other.

…

Neither of us can remember who took the first step forward but now we were together again. Distance and personal space were the only things between us. The current erased all footprints that we had ever existed. I wish I could live alone and not deal with the judgment I knew Ralph was bestowing on me. When his eyes glanced my way the flames within them died down some. Sure Ralph forgave me but could I find it within me to forgive myself? Ralph shouldn't be near me yet cooperation is essential.

Teamwork was needed to build a decent shelter and it was I who asked Ralph for help after blotching it up for the umpteenth time that day.

"Bollocks to this, I quit!" I really didn't because you couldn't. A difference in words was the biggest difference of all. "I can barely tell my right hand from my left."

Ralph gave a sigh giving up on his half-decent but still not sturdy shelter to come help me. The coastline could only hide one hut sufficiently anyways. With the harsh sunlight reflecting off the horizon we only had a limited time before one of us had to give in.

"Bloody hell!" I screamed indignitivetly. Things like this always happened to me but my sour mood sure wasn't helping. My lips were becoming parched matching my cuts that had started to scab over. How Ralph could see a girl past this grime was beyond me.

"You may be able to tell your right hand from your left but obviously you tied it to the wrong foot." Glancing down I pulled the thick vine from my ankle. His words came lightly off the tongue but still had some scorn in them.

"Do it yourself then," I really didn't wish to give Ralph this attitude at all. Its just I am so inadequate for him. I couldn't even build a shelter for god's sake. For once in my life I should be the one supporting him. Why is it always me that messing things up on this island?

Ralph quietly worked away humming some small tunes and asking me to help hold something here and there. Time had a habit of drifting quickly on this island but for once it didn't feel that fast. My face showed detest but my body was full of pride. We could build something as a team with no words spoken between us. Could I strengthen that invisible bond which connects our mind? I had better start soon because things looked like they were taking a turn for the worst.

…

When I first arrived on this island the sunset was seen as a thing of beauty- a rare spectacle. After enough had passed I now see it as just another day coming to an end.

…

The universe was compelling me to reconcile with Ralph. Some may call it the universe and others call it the lack of body heat on a cold night. Either way an apology was made.

"Ralph, can you bare looking at me for a moment?" I was nervous about the reactions from us both.

Ralph's head lifted up from the languid strokes he had been drawing in the sand. "Sure… about what?" You could feel the hesitation of his body.

"I'm sorry."

Those words were the only ones I knew how to say. Supposedly that was the answer he was looking for because he immediately relaxed. His attention was finally diverted from the sand pattern. My lip was sure to be swollen if I bit it any harder. This apprehension was about to drive me crazy.

"Am I forgiven?" I have no idea what I would've done had the answer been no.

"Yes, of course." Relief at last. "And here I was thinking I should be a man and apologize to you."

That one caught me off guard. "Why, you've done nothing wrong, far from it."

"I just kept thinking maybe I had hurt you when I pulled you out of the cave. And afterwards I let my temper get the better of me. It took all my being not to stay there after Jack and…"

"That was the reason I wasn't talking to you." I rolled my eyes downward. "I thought you'd think I was disgusting –that I would purposely…"

"Don't say that!"

"Why not, because you don't want to hear it or don't accept it?" This was rising to an argument somehow.

Ralph embraced me into a hug.

"Laura, never say that. The past is the past; and please leave it there. What happened was a… mistake, or so I hope. Otherwise I would have to accept you're decision anyhow. Laura, I love you."

Science has never proven why the strongest emotion, love, always comes out during a heated argument but I was not sure if I could accept it just yet. Ralph was ready to bury the skeletons in his closet but I needed time to cleanse my inner soul. Sure, my heart pounded in my chest with a roaring fire in my heart but I did not honestly know the answer so I didn't give one. The emotions were different before. The unadulterated, unfiltered lust from before had slowly been left behind and was replaced with a soft hum in my heart. It almost made me feel like laughing yet I held back. Things can never return just yet to the way they were. Gradual, baby steps could replace our shattered trust and I expected nothing less. Silence still filled the night air.

Ralph withdrew with a little less ego than when he had started but at least now our relationship was on leveler grounds.

"Ralph," he turned. "I just don't know the answer to that just yet. Could you give me some time? My heart burns for you but my soul just isn't sure. I just need time."

That entire night Ralph gave me lots of time and even some distance. I didn't want one and the other one was not mine to give away.

…

Dawn had long since come and gone but with the darkening air came sparks of light. Without the spectacles it was almost impossible to make a spark on dry twigs yet somehow Ralph had managed the impossible once again. Still it barely rose more than a candle but I suppose that Ralph did make a point to not alert the hunters to our whereabouts. Secretly, I think he couldn't make it bigger. I let him keep some of his ego on that one but I still wished there could be a little more warmth.

Absentmindedly I picked up a dry stick from the clump beside me and threw it in. The wave of fire quickly consumed the stick and licked up my arm. Sparks flew off into millions of directions, like fireflies during their fading hours. Instinctively I recoiled but the sheer beauty of the flickering ashes drew me in. The flame had shot up for only a second and the crackling fire since returned to its normal state.

"Watch it okay? I don't want to see you burnt."

"Don't worry I am fine alright." I really could handle myself just fine. The pain only slightly lingered on my fingers. I knew to be careful around the fire yet I had thrown it in anyways. Really, where is my common sense going these days?

This time I reached for the thicker stick to coo the fire. My fingers gave off a painful pulse and I shot backwards off the log as a reflex.

Ralph was quick to play the hero at my side.

"Laura, what happened?"

My golden tresses lay mingled with the island sand. My palms lightly grazed over the dirt. Omnisciently I looked towards the sky and still some flecks of dry wood were mixed with the stars. One could almost mistake it for the night sky falling down towards you.

Ralph offered me his hand. I rejected it and gazed up into the universe.

"Do you know this is really the only time I've ever really appreciated the sky?"

Ralph looked puzzled but once again jut out his hand as an offer of assistance. I promptly refused and shook my head in the sand.

"C'mon. You are acting crazy. Now get out of the sand or I'm sure you'll regret it later."

"No, you're crazy." I didn't at all say that in a bad way, more like in a drunken stupor. I was teasing him and I'm sure he knew it. "What I mean is, isn't it always the simplest things that you never realize are there? Back in the country I use to stare at the stars all the time with my mother. We counted them, made out constellations and pictures. Every so often we'd see a shooting star or comet pass the sky. Once we moved to London though, that all changed…"

I trailed off like something else had gained my attention or if I had forgotten what to say.

"How so?"

This time it was Ralph imploring about my life. We had both broken the unsaid code.

The damage had already been done so I continued. It took me awhile to get my thoughts in order I must admit.

"Well, in London you can never really see the sky. Not the true sky anyhow. There are always buildings; so far up they'd cause me to cower in fear. Or smoke so thick you'd swear it is always night because its so grey. You can never leave London itself because it is unstable elsewhere. I always wanted to look but just as I thought I'd get the chance the air raid sirens would sound. Its different here; just you, me and the sky. No airplanes or smog to set us apart, just us and the sky."

The emotions had swelled through Ralph as he too collapsed in the sand beside me.

"You know who would really appreciate this?" I turned my head towards his. "Piggy. He always seems to understand. Right now he is probably looking up at the sky. I can feel it, you know?"

And for the first time in my life I saw Ralph burst into tears.

…

I let his tears mingle with the dirt, the sweat, and the rolling ocean in some type of silent condolence. Hopefully my just lying beside him would be enough comfort for it was all I could give. I had an inkling about what might've happened yet no one had given me a clue.

The sky had wavered in and out through my vision. The sand was feeling rough against my hair. My fingertips were puckered as if the flame still bit against them, yet I stayed silently by his side. A comet traveled across the pitch-black sky, which I used as a sign to pull me out of this aura. My head turned towards Ralph once more.

"Whatever happened to Piggy?" I asked gently as if millennia could pass and I could still be awaiting an answer.

Ralph's shallow breath dissipated as he rolled out from his brief rest. It seems I had given him enough time.

His eyes were like an omniscient god when explaining everything. They saw you physically but otherwise you would wonder if they really could see right through you.

"Piggy died." He tried to pass it off as meaningless but it was a failure in that aspect. Ralph had lost a comrade, friend, sensibility and a small part of his soul. I did not know Piggy that well but Ralph's reverence made me wish I knew him better.

"You were captured by Jack during this time. There was nothing I could really do on my own to be honest. I thought I had lost everything. Jack took you, the members of the tribe and most of our possessions. It seemed like there was no point in trying but we had to get at least something back."

"Piggy and I decided to live in our civilized tribe separately. We lasted a few days at most. We couldn't hunt because I'd object to it. We couldn't fish because we had no supplies. The trees weren't producing fruit as much as they use to. Most importantly, Piggy was lost without his spectacles, which we also needed for a fire. Many others joined Jack's side not as favoritism but out of necessity. Eventually Piggy and I were the last ones left. This is what Jack wanted the most. It doesn't matter if he broke our bones because they could grow back. Once our pride was crushed I had a hard time rebuilding it."

The story became staggered off into different parts leading up to the event.

"…We had to go to Jack. If I couldn't retrieve you at least I should bargain for the glasses. After all, since Jack took over the fire on the mountain has been stopped. He needs to see reason."

I could barely see the mountain and had just taken notice that there was not even a single flame from the top.

"We climbed Castle Rock and after scouring its steep slopes and eventually were guided to a ledge were Jack sat on a carved stone throne. He didn't seem concerned in the slightest of our lacerations and near starvation. In fact it seemed to humble him. Piggy begged for the glasses. He begged on the dirt floor. I did too!"

It seemed that both Ralph and I had something to be ashamed of. Everything is always Jack's fault. The more we both try to escape him the more he gets entwined in our life.

"Then he got up. Behind him Roger held the spectacles out. At first I thought he was just mocking us but then he actually told us we could have it. Just like that. Piggy was the only one with enough common sense to realize there was a condition."

"What condition was that?"

"You, Laura. Piggy and I would get fire, protection and food if I were willing to give up you. All I had to do was hurt you beyond repair so you'd hate me. I would have to willingly submit to Jack in front of you and become his slave. I just couldn't do that. I would never harm you. Never."

While most people would cry at this moment I tended to always defy standards. "You could have saved Piggy and yourself! What were you thinking? Can you risk your soul for this worthless, tainted, dirty body I possess? Am I really worth that?"

"You are worth more, Laura. I slammed my fist into Jack's face. I could feel his nose break under my knuckle. I tried to wear him down as much as I could. Laura, giving you up was never an option. I got to pre-occupied fighting Jack that I didn't see them pushing a boulder until the last second," his voice picked up speed, "You know what? I killed Piggy! If I didn't lose my composure I could have pushed him out of the way in time. I saw my own friend die before my eyes."

This was beyond anyone's condolences. It pained me to see him this bad. Still weary to human contact I clasped his hand hard in mine.

"Ralph, that is more than you need to see in your lifetime. Why can't you see? The horrors of this island are changing us the most. I can barely tell who I truly am anymore!"

"Laura," he spoke in a softer tone; softer than I had used earlier, "I tried to protect you from the horrors of this island. Please. I have made a contract with the devil and let me pay for it."

"You have paid your dues- it is not your burden to bare."

He stared me straight in the eye. "But I must bare this alone. Understand? If you get hurt it will all be in waste. Please look at me because reason says are days together are limited."

"Don't say that Ralph," this talk was beginning to move into darker tones. "Just say that you will always be by my side."

"I'll always love you."

With that the wind blew, the ocean rolled but all that mattered was Ralph, myself and the pitch-black sky.

…

Ralph tentatively nudged my shoulder causing my eyes to flicker open.

"Mnnn…what time is it anyways?"

"Laura. C'mon. Wake-up, it's important."

"Ahh…a'right. I'm up." I was definitely not a morning person yet slowly adjusted my brain to the surroundings.

"Ralph! Oh my god. What time is it? I thought I said to switch watch at daybreak! Why didn't you wake me sooner?"

Ralph just chuckled. I stared at him quizzically. Was something wrong with me? I glanced down at my bra and tattered shorts. My clothes were as ratty as they always were. Maybe it was my hair that-

"It seems like your back to yourself. That's good. And you were sleeping so peacefully I didn't want to wake you. We all know how rare that is on this island."

Now that he mentioned it I hadn't gotten a good sleep in awhile. Yawning, I stretched my legs to almost impossible lengths. Few cracks were heard as everything fell back into place.

"What about your sleep though?"

Ralph had managed to decipher my incoherent mumbling. "'s okay, I couldn't sleep much anyways."

I went to take in another deep yawn. Ralph clamped his hand over my mouth while I was inhaling. A human touch was still severely uncomfortable so I withdrew and shook his hand off.

"What was that for?-"

He put a single finger up towards his lips to motion to be quiet.

"Shh. Listen hard now. Can you hear that?"

A strained my ears as hard as I could yet still could not make out a single sound.

"Hear what?"

"That is exactly my point. It has been dead quiet for the past hour except these abnormal bird calls every now and then."

Ralph's logic confused me. "Yeah, now that you mention it I did hear that bird call. What's so unusual?" I still hadn't clued on to the reasoning.

"Okay, try to comprehend this. Normally the activity on the mountain would cause some sound to cascade to the forest. Berry-picking, pig hunting, even little'uns chasing animals is bound to fall down to the canopy. Nothing. Which would bring me to the conclusion that those bird calls are Jack and the hunters. They had a talent for them, or so I've heard."

The pace of the atmosphere quickened. "Are you absolutely sure? It could just be us over reacting." The panic of being caught slowly started etching into mind. "Ralph NO! He can't find me! Not after things have gone the way they have." We were well concealed so if you passed by you would notice us but if you were looking we could be easily spotted. It was only a matter of time before they found us. Oh god, we needed more cover.

"I'm not 100% positive but pretty close. Even if it is just us over reacting I'm pretty sure we can't stay in one place too long anyways. Best to move. If my guess is correct they are far enough that we can move safely and still have enough time."

My nerves were shot. Panic attacks were now becoming as frequent as smiling, if not more so. Ralph steadied my head as my shifting eyes refocused calmly blowing air into my face. I drew back and let myself become composed. His embrace told he wanted to hold me but his eyes showed pity. Maybe his soul had conflicting emotions? Whatever they were they were swept aside, as retreating from the hunters became the top priority.

…

About a week and a half had passed although the concept of time is quite difficult to ensure on this island. Emotions had run high and low yet my tears never seemed to dry out. Not that I was prone to crying its just Ralph's reluctance to do anything more than "my comfort zone" was quite vexing. It was my own amount of personal space yet it was he that denied me. I could understand the awkwardness before yet now more than ever I should be proving that Ralph is better than Jack. There is not even a comparison between the two of them! If Ralph wasn't so… nice…although I really couldn't wish that.

He should be back already! How long has he truly been gone? We have had two very close encounters and now is not the time to be alone. Could it be that I am lonely, scared even? I addressed this thought as best I could. Ralph was essential to my protection so it wasn't a want and more of a need. The ocean breeze picked up speed as it wavered through the forest. Goosebumps slowed rose across my arm.

"Ralph, when are you going to get back already?" I had said this more to please myself than to anyone in particular. The rumbling in my stomach had long since been ignored. My rest bound eyes were doing he last closing flutter just as Ralph parted his way through the bushes and into our small hut by the limbs of a tree.

"What took you so long?" I arched my body into alert even though my body protested. Soon my task would be to take watch for the night. I wasn't about to make that mistake again.

"Why did you leave anyhow?" Ralph hadn't answered the first question but I persisted anyways. "You've been doing that a lot lately now that I think about it." And I had been thinking about it quite a lot lately.

"Here, I've got some fresh berries and unfortunately I only caught two fish –I hope you like them raw." Ralph clumsily passed them through his fingers. You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out he was keeping something from me. You didn't even have to pinpoint clues from his body language.

"Just tell me please." I lightly touched the palms of both his hands and turned them upwards. If only he'd open up a little to human contact.

"You won't like it."

"What?" I swear he has acting like a little'un. My interest was peaked though.

I could be very demanding when I want to be. Strange enough I had just noticed.

"I've been watching Castle Rock."

That was the most depressing joke I have heard in my life.

"You've been doing what, honey?" The sarcastic tones could probably make my joke a political satire.

"At first I was only in the area to gather supplies and happened to come close. Then I realized while everyone had been busy trying to find you, it was ridiculously easy to find them."

I realized it was not a joke. "Now why would you do something as stupid as that!" Let me emphasize the word stupid.

"I've gained quite a lot of information, especially on Jack and the others. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to hide effectively for so long –will you please calm down already?"

"Calm? I'm bloody fantastic thanks for noticing. You've been skipping guard duty to play hide and seek. This isn't a game!"

"And that is exactly why I want you to come with me tomorrow."

If I could scream to wake up the entire island I would. The unfortunate compromise however was to sit near the branches and keep watch with a scowl firmly etched on my face.

…

"Be careful! Watch your foot!" Ralph's voice sounded raspy as a whisper. "It's still quite dangerous."

"I know," I mouthed back to him then glanced up to the entrance of Castle Rock. The bushes leading up to the cliff were quite low, not providing us with sufficient enough cover except the night sky. It must be at least midnight already.

Ralph gently picked up a small pebble and threw it towards the escarpment. It made a slight sound as it bounced off the rock. Quickly we both ducked.

"Who's there?" I could tell it was one of the twins as the glimpse of red hair searched the landscape from the top.

Ralph threw another that hit the twin's shoulder.

"Ralph, is that you?" The second twin joined the first as they lowered their voices significantly.

"Everyone else is either asleep or hunting. Were good Eric." Sam crouched down to drop to one of the lower rocks.

At this message Ralph got up and carefully made his way over the jagged rocks.

"Ralph, it is you!"

"Shhh…Eric be quiet."

Ralph's grin flashed across his face yet disappeared moments later.

"Nice to see you guys again. How are you?"

That probably wasn't the best question because Sam directed his eyes to the huge cut in his shoulder and black eye.

"Keeping alive. You? How did you know that it would be us on duty? Anyone else and they would have killed you on the spot."

"I know. I have to make this quick. There haven't been many attempts to find us. What is going on? To be honest it is quite unnerving."

"Us? Is Laura with you?"

"Yeah," he quickly shot me a glance to stay were I was. I didn't trust the other boys just yet anyhow.

Sam and Eric seemed to get the clue.

"Here, give this to her," Eric tossed a small portion of meat down to Ralph, "we don't get much considering Jack is still suspicious but it should help."

"Any news on Jack?" Ralph was trying to keep the attention off me and onto the reason why we came.

"Jack ended the search about a week ago," Sam confirmed Ralph's suspicion.

"That's great news Ralph!" I couldn't help whisper something in my excitement.

"What about Roger?"

"What about Roger? Actually now that you mention it he has been away lately. And its getting more frequent. The last time he 'made sure our loyalties were in the right place' was about a week ago. Around the time Jack came back."

"Jack hates to lose."

"And Roger always wins. Are you sure you haven't seen him lately?"

"These bruises are almost healed. Yeah, I'm sure."

"Brilliant," I could tell Ralph was close to swearing but he would never betray his English ways. "Just what are they planning?"

"I don't exactly know," Sam seemed to be more levelheaded of the twins. "Our loyalties still lie with you. I will gladly join you to defend against Roger."

"I would like to have a fair go against him," Eric piped up.

"Sorry guys, but this is not a safety in numbers thing. The more of us, the easier we are to spot. Still I have a job for you. Find up what Roger is up to, his disappearance unnerves me greatly."

"They don't trust us but we'll try our best."

"You two, what's going on!" The next guard could be heard from the distance.

"Shit, hurry before getting caught."

Ralph quickly sprinted to my side. I got up and followed suit. We both looked back in concern.

"Bye Laura," Sam chided and blew me a mock kiss before hastily climbing up the last rock. Ralph's face quickly flushed and he pulled me into the dense foliage, only the sound of a broken spear and a scream following us in the distance.

…

It was about the thirtieth time I had asked that question today:

"Are you sure it is safe?"

"Yes, Laura. I am positive. The last path we set was a decoy trail that'll lead Roger off course for at least a good few hours. There is no way he would be able to track us here.

"Okay, just making sure. Now turn around would you and keep watch."

I began to unclasp the back of my bra.

"You're going in there naked?" Ralph spluttered with blazing red cheeks as he faced me.

"Well yeah. How else am I supposed to bathe?"

"What about Roger…or Jack…they might come…and…"

I have never heard Ralph stutter before and to be honest it was kind of cute. Our relationship had a new dimension to it.

"You just spent the past three days reassuring me that there's no way they could follow our trail. Plus, I feel filthy. A girl does need to get rid of this grime. I'll be quick, just keep watch."

"Sure. Yeah. Right."

"And no peeking! Or else!" I playfully threw a stone that hit his shoulder and rolled onto the mossy floor. By the time he picked it up to send it right back I was already under the deep water enjoying the refreshment on my skin.

By the bank of the oasis were some flowers that I smoothed onto my skin in hopes to get the dirt away. My skin just felt so dirty that I continued to scrub down to my raw skin for good measure. Blood was starting to surface and mix with the fresh water. My skin felt gritty. All the spots the Jack had touched still burned on my skin. Every trace of his touch needed to be removed. That never existed. He doesn't exist. My desire to be clean was overwhelming and I was continuously scrubbing away. As I was about to grab another handful of flowers something managed to catch my eye. A patch of snow-white lilies and lilacs had coated the shore. There presence in itself gave me hope that something as pretty as this could survive. Gently I grabbed the lily by the stem and tied it into my hair. Its soothing aroma surrounded my body as I relaxed all tension. My thoughts began to drift.

"I've always liked the name Lily." My thoughts had roamed to pleasantries. "Maybe I'll name my daughter Lily. Such a pretty name…" My thought process had to get off from there. Was not getting off this island anytime soon it seems. Not allowing depression to kick in once more I lay on my back to relax with the water and shade. The small current drifted me back and forth until I was almost asleep. My mind wandered to the hole in my heart. There is no denial that Ralph will eventually fill the gap yet why was I being so hesitant? Am I afraid of falling in love? That could not be the reason. There was that one kid…I suppose I never have been in love. I felt like I was trying too hard to process my emotions and for once I should let them just fall in place. Love can't be forced nor would I let it be. My eyes opened with a new sense of life. The sky was the clearest I had seen in awhile. A good omen I suppose but I always had sucked at interpreting signs.

"Er…um…I think I heard something in the distance."

It was definitely Ralph's voice that caused me to fall quickly into the water as an effort to cover up. Ralph wasn't looking anyways, just standing blindly by the bank. I swam a bit closer so the edge would shield me from view.

"You can look." His blush was a furious red as he turned to face me. Realizing I'd covered up he focused on my eyes (or tried to at least).

"It's probably a bird or something." I wasn't about to allow this nonchalant distraction ruin my bath.

Ralph's stern face caused his eyes to darken quickly. This was not something to joke about.

"No. I definitely heard the hunters. The something in question was the sound they were making. Hurry up and get dressed- they can't be too far now."

"How?" No other word got answers quite like this one.

"That's my guess too. I don't know. I think they were just blindly combing the island and happened to follow one of the trails. Unfortunately, this one leads to us. They just got lucky. We'll have time to think later. I think Jack is in this group."

No mentioned name could have more meaning to me. I didn't want to know why he thought Jack was a part of the group. Whatever he said would not make me believe Jack was in that group. He could stand in front of me and I would still not believe it was him. I denied every plausibility of Jack's appearance because it confirmed two facts; one, that he wasn't dead like my imagination had reenacted many times and two, that he was coming to get me. This was no game of cat and mouse more like Jack was the mouse and I was the cheese just waiting to be taken. My only hope would be that a mousetrap could get him first. Life didn't work with luck for me, just very unexpected coincidences.

…

As the adrenaline coursed through my veins I pushed my body to the limit. It felt as if the flesh was tearing from the bone yet still the hunters stayed in pursuit. From the sound of their war cries they were getting closer and they knew it. My lungs could not get enough air and with one deep breath I slammed into a low branch. Instantly I was knocked to the ground. Ralph detoured back to my side. They were coming.

"Laura we have to move."

"I," I could barely make words, "am almost at my limit. I don't know how much longer I can run. Go on without me, at least they won't get you."

"That is nonsense, Laura!" He quickly glanced around the thick creepers for a clue.

"Up there! I'll give you a boost!"

I looked up and saw there was a grungy looking tree that would cover me sufficiently while they ran by. Unfortunately, it looked like it could only hold one and just barely.

"Stay up there and once I lose them I'll come back for you."

"Don't leave me Ralph," I couldn't bare to be separated from him again, especially with the hunters on our heels.

"I'll be safe. If anything happens do not leave this spot. I will be back to get you."

He quickly boosted me up and rearranged the tree to hide me.

Don't go I mouthed to him while giving him a chastise kiss on the cheek. It was too late because he had already started taking off deeper into the island while the hunters were mere meters behind.

Only seconds had past and the clearing broke to expose hunters running by. Jack past by me only slightly ignoring the small limp his ankle gave. He was passionate about getting Ralph at all costs. Yet his eyes showed that he had no desire to catch Ralph but to possess me. I had seen that grin before to know what it meant. He was coming closer to my position. Maybe he had spotted me climbing up here. I could see the sheen of his sweat and his intake of breath. A low, feral growl ripped from his throat as he could tell he was closing in on Ralph and I. My hand tightened on the cracked wood from the tree. If I swung the branch hard enough it should buy me some time. Ralph could use that time to double back and rescue me. Ralph was in severe danger because Jack was no longer a little boy lost on this island but a man ready to kill.

I couldn't help my instincts as they all rushed past me.

"RALPH!"

Bill was the last in line but could easily hear my voice. He and Robert turned in my direction.

It seems they hadn't noticed me after all. They did now as swung one of the tree branches down and it landed on one of their comrades. I did not deliver as much damaged as I hoped. That misjudgment would cost me dearly.

"Look up in the trees!" Bill commanded.

Panic took me worse than a deer in headlights and I quickly dropped to the ground. As soon as my feet made contact I took off in the direction of Ralph, my only chance to be safe.

"After her! And Jack said he wanted this one alive!"

I had a slight advantage as they needed to gather their bearings but it would only last so long. As soon as they saw a glimpse of me there would be no way I could outrun them. I had been sprinting for more than an hour and my strength was leaving me fast. Not only that but I was heading straight for a clearing.

"Shit!" This entire time I had thought I was deceiving them from our path yet did not even realize that I had been manipulated. Within the clearing stood Ralph with extreme caution, slowly being surrounded by the rest of the hunters. In the meadow there was no cover and no escape. They had meant this all along. How could I have been so stupid? Trying to correct my mistake I turned away to see Bill heading straight for me. The only option was to run straight.

"Ralph!" He was the only person I could run to seeing as we were both in the same situation.

And directly facing me was Jack.

"Nice to see you Laura," he licked the fresh blood off one side of his spear, "and it will be nice to see your little boyfriend die."

...