Wow I love seeing reviews! :D So a few things I'm just going to say. As I have said multiple times I have planned Welcome to Paradise out completely so I won't be digressing from my outline. I know there are team Jack and team Ralph reviewers and I hope that even if the one that you were cheering for doesn't end up with Elise you will still continue to read my story. Right now Elise is attracted to Jack and crushing on Ralph. So it's basically a tie between them…for now. I am proud to say that this is the start of the *drum roll* FUN CHAPPYS! *cue applause* I am SO VERY excited to write the following chappys! :D
Disclaimer: Don't own a thing just my brain…and my laptop! ^_^
Elise POV
Between two lungs it was released
The breath that captured me
After Ralph and I collected enough fruit we clambered down the tree and began to head back. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ralph glancing at me every few moments. I felt my cheeks heat up and the tips of my ears redden. When we stepped through the fronds and into camp we were stunned by the absolute chaos.
The sigh that blew me forward
Jack POV
After returning to the camp I found many admiring looks from the boys. Confused I turned to my trusted follower Rodger. "Rodger why is everyone giving me such looks?" I questioned my tone assertive. Rodger just looked at me for a second his expression bored before answering.
"Well Merridew you and that tart" I gnashed my teeth in aggravation at Elise's nickname. "Have been missing for almost two days and" I cut him off my hand signaling him to shut up.
Cause it was trapped
Trapped between two lungs
"Excuse me? What was that?" I nearly choked as I gawked at him. Two bloody days! What the HELL have we been doing for two BLOODY DAYS? I thought now understanding the looks that I have been getting from the boys. They…they think I shagged her…but for two bloody days? I briefly wondered if we might have been drugged. "I have to set them straight right now" I told Rodger my cheeks slightly reddening.
It was trapped between two lungs
"Merridew if you don't mind me asking; but why? Is it really that horrible if the boys think you conquered her? After she humiliated you in front of everyone? Merridew keep your eye on yourgoal to become chief. To run Ralph off of yourisland. To be worshipped like a GOD. By everyone thinking that you shagged the tart they'll respect and fear you." Rodger whispered his voice painting a picture of me sitting on a throne with all of the boys bowing at my feet and Elise perched on my lap feeding me pieces of pineapple. Ralph off somewhere tied to a rock with the pig and Simon bowing along with the other boys. I felt a smirk form on my face; it was a very pretty picture indeed… "But Elise will never forgive you"! An annoying voice chirped in my head. "Well she will when she sees how powerful and handsome you'll look with your crown and will probably want to shag you right there". The other voice spoke up "but wouldn't you rather have Elise love you FOR YOU and not your status over a bunch of dirty smelly boys?" That voice had a point but wait a minute LOVE? No I do NOT love Elise Everson it's more of a LUST…no I could never love her. Turning to Rodger who looked slightly perplexed by the silent conversation going on in my head I said "alright I will continue the rumor". We shared a calculated smile and I could almost taste those pineapples now. "You're making a grave mistake Jack" I banished the voice away…No Jack Merridew does not hear voices and he will not be going crackers anytime soon.
It was trapped between two lungs
Elise POV
And my running feet could fly
My heart was as heavy as a stone as I gazed at the remains of our temporary home. Ashes were thrown up into the air and scattered by the wind. I felt like somebody had injected ice into my veins.
Each breath screaming
Ralph recovered first and started calling out names. "Piggy!"…"Simon!"…"Jack!" Ralph called cupping his hands together. We both listened in the eerie silence for some sign of life. Wait SIMON! Jack! In my numbed state I had completely forgotten about the fact that they could have been caught in the fire.
"We are all too young to die"
"JACK!" I yelled. Shocking not only me but Ralph as well. "SIMON!" my voice came off horse from the smoke polluting the air. I broke off coughing and spluttering trying in vain to catch my breath.
"Elise we can't stay here…we have to get to the beach and away from all this smoke we will surely get ill if we don't" Ralph said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards clean air. Simon my dear brother please OH please let him be alright! Jack you can't be dead…please. We finally got out of the thick haze when we heard something. The sound was farther off but easily recognizable…the conch. Ralph and I began running towards the sound hoping that we would find the rest of our tribe there and unscathed…
Between two lungs it was released
The breath that passed from you to me
"Simon!" I called as I leapt into his arms. "Oh thank the lord your alright what happened?" I cried gripping him harder. It seemed like these past months fate has been teasing me by trying to take him away.
"El I'm so glad you're alright! Well we were all sitting by the shelters when we heard this strange sound in the jungle so we got up to investigate. When we returned something had lit one of the shelters on fire and soon that entire part of the island was ablaze. Somehow Jack got us all together and we escaped unharmed. We were actually just doing a head count now." Simon explained his blue eyes slightly enlarged from the adrenaline.
That flew between us as we slept
That slipped from your mouth into mine
"Wait someone's missing!" Piggy yelled his face flushed as he came rushing up to us.
"Who Piggy?" Ralph asked his mouth set in a grim line.
"That boy the little one with that birthmark on his face…I believe his name was Adam?" Piggy told us. Wait no that's Arthur!
It crept between two lungs
It was released
"No his name is Arthur wait are you sure? Well we have to go looking for him!" I cried picturing the sweet little boys face. I had grown attached to Arthur ever since he went into the ocean after me to make sure I was alright. I couldn't even think about if he was dead…he can't be. I started to walk back towards the flames when I felt something strong grip my arm and pull me back. "Let go I have to look for him; Arthur!" I called starting to get frantic. My eyes were closed and as I opened them I found Jack's icy blue eyes looking at me full of concern and compassion. "Jack" I said my voice quiet cracking slightly. I attempted to pull my arm out of his hold but he held on. "Jack I have to…" my voice died out my throat constricting as my vision began to blur with my unshed tears. "Please" I whispered staring straight into his eyes.
The breath that passed from you to me
That flew between us as we slept
"I can't Elise the fire is still dangerous" he spoke his voice grim but firm. At that moment I realized that Arthur was already dead and that I was the last to put it together…that sweet boy was now gone and what was left of him was burning somewhere the fire licking hungrily at his small body. I felt sick. Without another word I tore out of Jack's grip leaving an angry red mark on my arm and sprinted away from them and their pitying looks.
After I felt like my lungs were going to burst I fell unto the sand lying down on my back and staring up at the sky still thick haze. I let the tears fall; pouring out of my eyes…crying for the loss of a family, a future, a life that hadn't even begun to live. I felt something warm touch my shoulder and whipped my head around and saw Jack. His eyes were a lighter blue and full of concern his hand resting on my shoulder. "It's my fault" he spoke the words slowly his hand now drawing a circle on my shoulder. "If I had thought quicker or went back to see if someone had been left…"his voice broke. Watching Jack looking so fragile and guilty my heart started to hurt.
That slipped from your mouth into mine
It crept
I sat up and placed my hand on his cheek his skin was warm. "Jack it is not your fault you were amazing. Simon told me that you gathered everyone together. Jack they're safe because of you" I told him his eyes full of emotion.
Cause it was trapped
Tapped between two lungs
"Lise I was the one that they looked to and I let someone die because of me…I can't" he broke off again and looked at the ground.
It was trapped between two lungs
Now all the days of begging
The days of theft
"Damnit Jack LISTEN TO ME!" I yelled into his shocked handsome face. "It is NOT your FAULT" I spoke each word pointedly. "It's my fault I shouldn't have gone off I should have watched for him" I broke off crying.
No more gasping for a breath
The air has filled me head-to-toe
"Lise there is absolutely no way that Arthur's death is your fault" Jack said reaching over to hug me. After I cried for a while and started to feel a little better I giggled. Jack looked at me a bemused expression on his face while lifting a blonde eyebrow probably thinking I had finally gone around the bend.
And I can see the ground far below
I have this breath
"Do not give me that look I have not gone bonkers I was just thinking that I seem to be in your arms a lot" I told him and then blushed thoroughly realizing too late how that sounded. Jack chuckled and pulled me closer his breath warm on my ear.
And I hold it tight
And I keep it in my chest
"Have you ever considered that in my arms is where you should be?" he whispered causing my spine to tingle and my heart to thump. He stared into my eyes for a moment and I had the odd sensation of drifting like someone had snipped the string that tied me down the earth and I was floating freely.
"Elise!" I heard Ralph call causing the ropes to bind me back to the ground. Jack let go of me and stood up then offered his hand and helped me up. As we walked back towards Ralph and the boys I felt my heart flutter in my chest at my thoughts. Because right at that moment before Ralph called to me all I wanted to do was close the distance between us and kiss Jack. I snuck a glance at him and felt my heart race…it is official I have feelings for Jack Merridew …oh bullocks.
With all my might
I pray to God this breath will last
Jack POV
As I held Elise while she cried for Arthur I felt horrible so vile and awful. I couldn't even believe that earlier this morning I was going to go along with the rumor that would tarnish her name just because of how the boys would see it. How could I do something that wrong to her how can I even fathom doing something like that…
As it pushes past my lips
As I...
After Elise and I returned to the camp and Elise was further comforted by Simon and Ralph I sought out Rodger who was conversing with Maurice and Robert. "Yeah Jack and Elise were gone for quite a long time no doubt they were having a pleasant time" he said as the boy's eyes enlarged and looked at me. I felt sick.
"Yes we were talking and then we both fell asleep the time must have flew by because when we awoke we found out it had been two days" I spoke my voice firm. Rodger eyes widened then squinted his mouth turning into a grimace. Robert and Maurice looked confused then smiled.
"Better luck next time there Jack" Robert teased patting my back. I stiffened and glared at Robert who snatched back his hand and made an excuse to leave with Maurice on his heels.
"What was that" Rodger bit out glaring at me.
Between two lungs it was released
"Leave Elise out of this; I can rule the island without hurting her" I told him my voice full of ice. Rodger just snorted and disappeared into the jungle. No one will ever hurt Elise.
The breath that passed from you to me
Methinks that Jack is going crackers :D But seriously I had FUN writing this chappy (it basically wrote itself). Sorry for the later update but I had A LOT of work/school things that needed to be taken care of. Please if you read my story review it honestly makes my day and for any story you read it makes some smile. =] -see a smiley face
Thank you and Love you long time 3
LiveLoveWrite-93