Hey, I know it's been forever since I last updated. I've just been so busy with sports and school and band (yup. I'm the awkward turtle that plays the clarinet) that I've been having trouble finding time to write. I'd like to thank everyone who's been so patient! Anyways, I finally have a chapter up and hopefull, it's a good one and you'll all love it to death. Read, love...

Jack's POV

I tried running after Leah, but I couldn't find her. For a girl who was beaten to a pulp just last night, she's really fast. I can't understand why she just ran off like that. Maybe she thought I was one of the boys in the circle. No. She couldn't think I'm capable of that. Could she? Either way, I have to warn the hunters to be more careful next time.

"You guys have to be more careful next time. You beat the crap out of Simon, you almost killed Leah, that can't happen again." I look around at them. They seem to acknowledge what they've done, but there's something missing. There's no regret, no guilt, no remorse. "Don't you even care?" the boys snicker. Roger steps forward.

"Actually Jack. we don't. We've been talking, and things don't seem to be going well for ya chief"

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"It's over for you! You've gone soft Jack! You're weak. YOu don't seem to realize that we can't rest until we're the last ones on the island. You've been kicked out." Roger explains triumphanly. "I'm taking over here."

"You can't do this."

"Who's going to stop us? Their numbers are dropping like flies. We're gonna pick 'em off, hunt them down one by one. Starting with that slutty little bitch Leah," his last sentence fills me with white hot rage. I lunge at him, knocking him to the ground. I punch him in the jaw again and again and again. Once he gets over his shock he hits me in the gut and kicks me where the sun don't shine. I groan and pause, just long enough for Roger to hit me hard with a left hook. I punch him in the eye, then his nose, then wherever I can land a punch. Roger's strong, and a good hunter, but I'm older and bigger and I've been in more fist fights than I'd care to admit. I've got him pinned and he can't get in a hit. Seeing that their new leader is getting the shit knocked out of him, the hunters grab my arms and lift me off him. Even in midair, I'm kicking and swinging my fists and probably looking a like a little kid throwing a tantrum. One look at the boys faces' and I realize the full gravity of my current situation. I'm in some serious shit. Roger stands and whipes some blood from his lip. The boys drop me and I hit the ground running I sprint off into the forest, spears soaring around me. "You've really done it now Merridew! You're a dead man, you hear me? You're next!"

I run to the other tribe's camp as fast as I can. By the time I get there I'm completely out of breath. Ralph runs over.

"Jack, what's wrong? Where's Leah?" he asks.

"She ran away when she woke up this morning. I think she thought I was one of the guys beating her. I was hoping she came here." I explain.

"I haven't seen her. I'm sure she'll come back. Or you and the hunters will find her somewhere in the woods." he reasons.

"Shit! We really need to find her. Soon. Fuck, fuck, fuck." I continue cursing under my breath. He looks concerned.

"What's wrong? WHat are you talking about?

"The hunters kicked me out. Roger's the chief, and he's made it his personal goal to kill everyone who isn't a hunter. First her, then me." I explain.

"Bloody fuck." He swears.

"We have to find her before they do."

We've been searching fo Leah for weeks and there's been no sign of her. We're all beginning to lose hope. After all, how long can a sick, brutally injured girl with twelve blood-thirsty savages hunting her sown survive on her own? Chances are, it's too late to save her. That's what the boys say when they think Ralph and I aren't listening. Logically speaking, they're right. But it doesn't feel true. My gut says there's still hope for that lost teenager from Chicago who fell into our circle two or three months ago.

Leah's POV

It's been a month since I last saw any of the boys, and I'd like to keep things that way. They're monsters, the exceptions being Samneric and Simon, who weren't in on the attack. But they'll be with Ralph and Piggy and the others, so I must keep my distance. I'm barely scraping by on my own. My hip bones are prominent and stick out, stretching the skin on my emaciated stomach. THe vertebrae of my spine protrude noticably, my collar bone pokes out wisibly, and I can count all of my ribs. What little muscle I had is gone. I can hardly scavenge enough food to sustain myself and what little I have rarely stays in my stomach. To say I'm starving is an understatement. THere's only one way to describe what's happening to me. Even if we get rescued, I'll probably be too far gone by then. No amount of medical attention will be able to save me at that point. My only chance is to stop puking and gain a few pounds. Until that happens, I'm walking dead.

Today, I sleep until about noon. I guzzle down water, hoping to maybe reduce my fever. Yesterday, I found a grove of berry bushes with edible berries on them. I head straight over hoping maybe I'll be able to keep these down. ANd, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, I do. I feast on the berries, knowing that it may be a long time before my stomach can hold food again.

I lie down in the grove, finally relaxed now that I've been completely filled. I doze off for a short time, only to be awakened by the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Leah, Leah, Leah. I gotta say, you're good at staying under the radar. Sadly, all it takes is one little slip up." Roger walks up to me. "You didn't think you could hide from us forever, did you?" I glare at him.

"Congrats. You found a seventeen year old girl who snores, talks in her sleep, and occasionally yells at phone companies in the sky. Must've been real hard. Now go on and tattle to your master like a good little lapdog" HIs eyes narrow.

"I'm nobody's lap dog. I'm the chief. Your little boyfriend was run out of the hunter's camp a long time ago." My stomach churns and my heart beats faster than should be possible. If Roger's in charge then how long do I have? I do the only thing I can think to do. I make empty threats.

"You wouldn't hurt me. Not with Ralph and Jack out there. They're stronger than you and you know it! They'll find you!" He smirks maliciously.

"That's the plan."

Huh? So what'd you think? Not too awful right? Did you like the suspense? What do you think Roger's up to? Is he gonna hurt Leah? Gasp! Is he going to use Leah to hurt somebody else? If you are at all concerned for the safety of our dear hero and her ex-boyfriend and her friends, you will review this chapter!