Savagery on the Island

Disclaimer: This is a disclaimer.

Chapter 11 – Empathy

I am running through a field of flowers. The open air rushes through my lungs as I breathe in and out. It becomes a steady pace as my legs pick up. I don't know why I am running. Am I running away from something? Am I running towards something? I simply can't remember all I know is that my body needs to continue running.

I see a road coming off into the horizon with a small stone building. I must run there I thought! But in my haste and quest for speed my long limbs get tangled and I crash into the ground. Luckily, I manage to catch some weight on my hands but my knees still land. Why did I think I was lucky? I really can't remember. I start to push myself off the ground to avoid getting myself dirty. Daddy always said I shouldn't ruin such a lovely white dress. Oh yes, I was going to dinner. Daddy said he had an important announcement to make. I wasn't really interested in anything except books and the garden so I don't understand why I was so eager to go. Perhaps it was because daddy talked so proudly about his job as a school teacher and less about the oncoming war.

My eyes had noticed something, a flower of the deepest scarlet that stood out from the others. It had an inane beauty none of the flowers I possessed could achieve. Eager to get closer to it I reached my hand out. Ouch. My finger felt as if it got bitten by something on the step. I draw my hand back intrigued by the ruby line just on my fingertip. I study this new fascination as it slowly seeps down my skin. It was coming from inside me.

"And what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"

My dad is at my side helping me afoot. He has a smile on his face. It has been a long time since I've seen him smile.

"Daddy, what is that and why did it bite me?"

This time he showed his teeth near the edge of laughing. He smoothed my hair down and brushed off my dirty knee.

"It's a rose, Laura. Don't worry though it didn't bite you."

"But look daddy! Blood. I've never had blood before."

I point my finger out to him to prove my new discovery.

"Silly Laura," this time he did break down into a chuckle, "every rose has a thorn. Once you see true beauty we all find ourselves admiring it from time to time. Something so beautiful must have a way to protect itself, don't you think? Otherwise venturing girls will get lost near the meadow and never return to dinner."

"Daddy, can I have a rose?"

He shook his head in a silent amusement.

"Laura, Laura, Laura. Can't you see there are plenty of other flowers to be admired besides the rose?"

"Like what?" How could anything be more nice than what was before me?

My father got up and headed closer to the stone house. At first I believed he was leaving me but then he turned and motioned for me to come beside him. I quickly crouched by his side. My dad looked toward the ground of a white, withering flower, slowly becoming discolored by the dirt.

"Laura, this is the prettiest flower you will ever see."

"But it's so ugly!" I stuck my tongue out in disgust.

"You only say that from its appearance. If you give it enough care it will turn into the prettiest flower."

"Prettier than the rose?" My eyebrow shot up daring my dad to question it.

"Yes. It all matters how much your opinion changes of the thorns."

"What is it?" Now my interest was piqued.

"It's a lily, Laura. Now lets hurry towards the kitchen."

I pouted in protest. "But daddy its so pretty outside!"

"Yes, but there has been talk of war lately. We never know when any air raids could sound."

"But nobody wants to hurt London. We haven't done anything to anyone!"

My dad was suddenly serious again.

"Looks can be deceiving, Laura. Now its time to get inside."

And that was the last time I would ever think of London again. How naive I was back then.

There are many mysteries of this world but how Jack had managed to save me is far beyond my comprehension. I regained my life one moment at time.

The dirt had accumulated on my body along with the caked blood from an injury I guess I hadn't noticed when I acquired. My skin was cracked and my rib cage stuck out. Yet somehow someone had enough hope that I'd survive. Either that they felt I was worth living, maybe even a fighter, but could you say I was still beautiful? Never. To this day I do not understand what anyone could see in me.

My fever broke just in time to let my body feel the pain of my other illness. I felt as if the only reason I was surviving is was because I was too cowardly to give up. There was nothing for me to live for anymore. My home I knew before had surely vanished; we had been gone so long that the prospect of being rescued wasn't much. My love, the light of my life, had left me to circumstance with this tyrant of a man. Still even if Ralph had managed to save me from this we had grown distant from the passing days. Does my heart still pound in my chest at the sight of his sandy blonde locks? It does but there was a part of me that felt I was missing something. We had a similar attitude and he was very easy on the eyes but he's changed. Or maybe I am the one who had really changed- a fact I am not willing to address right now. Loneliness consumed my heart with a pang of guilt. Ralph never deserved my distance. In fact he cared for me more than I ever should. I was filthy, dirty and completely reliant on another human being for survival. Yet still he had said he loved me, accepted me regardless. I would try to remain faithful to him as much as I could.

Feeling slightly better than vegetable I shifted my face to look at my surroundings. I had never been here before, that is for sure. A hammock lay off to the left corner of the cave (I will call it that although it only seemed to have three walls and a roof of stone) woven from thick tree leaves and branches. A small circle of stones had been pilled up to create a type of water basin although some still seeped through the cracks of mud causing a light drip to sound inside my head. A boulder that was noticeably big in size had been pushed across into the center making a makeshift table. Lastly, the brightest, warmest fire casted shadows on my bed of dried out leaves and bird feathers bestowing me with warmth I hadn't felt in awhile with this dwindling tropical climate.

I didn't get much time to assess the caved residence because soon Jack's form consumed my entire view. I meant to get up and be furthest from his body but it came out being a pitiful strain on muscles that just weren't there. Whatever he wanted to do would be met with little resistance. I deeply, truly hoped he was happy seeing me in this state; after all it was what he wanted all along. I could barely fight off the after effects of the poison adding Jack would be too much. I braced myself for whatever sadistic punishment he had in store; my best strategy would be not to anger him. I had learnt quite well over the past couple of months that it did me no good to push his limits.

He had noticed I was awake some time ago so it would do me no good to feign sleep. He had made his way beside my makeshift bed and crouched beside me. Slowly he grabbed the hem of his shorts and ripped off a sizeable portion. So this is how he would prolong my torture, slow, long and torturous. I groaned out loud.

"You really are a stupid girl."

That comment had caught me off guard. His temper had calmed greatly since my last encounter. Mind you everyone was in a panic during that time. I expected that he would soon claim my body in lust like he threatened so many times before but nothing came. Perhaps it was the concerned look he had on his face that scared me more than his rage ever could for he almost looked… well, human I suppose. He put the cloth down in a water bowl and pressed it against my forehead. The liquid was cool against my head, which felt as if it had been burned for hours. It was a welcome sensation.

"You're fever has finally broken." Jack didn't say this to me but more as a statement to himself.

"Why are you doing this?" I was cautious of my position. I personally was quite happy he wasn't forcing himself on me like his overbearing presence normally did. He seemed to have this technicality around himself. He was… different in all sense of the word. I repeated my question again, "Why are you doing this?"

His eyes seemed to flicker to the ground but soon bore into mine. His expression quickly fell back to his arrogant habits. "Because I wouldn't get any pleasure from a dead body, now would I?" His lips stretched into his classic grin but a small amount of emotion had reached his lips. Suddenly my attitude was as defensive as it had always been. He could always manage to rile me up even when I was on the brink of death. My anger for what he had done to me so many times before could never twist into love. It wasn't hate either but came pretty close.

"The fact that I asked you for help meant nothing." Might as well clear that misunderstanding up. I would fight him to the end if that is what needed to be done.

"Except that your freedom is gone." His statement had all the wisdom in the world. I understood the risks that would come with my life. His haughty superiority was coming back. Maybe I misread his previous comments.

"You can't escape me, not anymore."

I didn't doubt his words for a second. He had made that mistake. He had made it twice. I was on a fine line to accept any type of freedom. I trembled whether it is from fear or anticipation is beyond my comprehension. I could at least hope the others were doing better than I was.

His lack of temper had caused me to be lulled into a false sense of security.

"What happened to Ralph and the others?"

So we couldn't last more than a couple of minutes without an argument. Maybe I was a stupid girl for making that comment. This got Jack revved up as his famous temper came back up. Almost immediately he forced himself onto me almost as if to prove a point.

Soon his hands were across my body, anywhere and everywhere. I tried pushing hard against his pressing form yet there was not even a possibility of it being matched. My body had taken quite a beating lately. After several futile attempts I submitted. He had taken off my bra and exposed the majority of my body to the dawn-hued air. The change of temperature seeped through my skin and left my throat with a harsh amount of pressure. My lungs felt tight against my chest. My heart, my lungs all wanted to rip out of my rib cage, which was ironic because someone was lying onto of them. I broke down into yet another coughing fit coupled with trembles.

"Just do it quickly." I spluttered between breaths. The sooner this was over the sooner I could try to regain some ounce of dignity. He would have me being complacent, but not reciprocal. It would be worse than trying to make love to a dead rock that much I would assure.

The strangest thing was that Jack didn't seem to like me being complacent to his demands. As suddenly as he forced himself upon me he pushed himself off of me. He threw my bra to the other side of the room in a furious rage.

"You are going to make me sick and we can't have that." His body gleamed furious red tones. "Eat something! I don't like my women quite so skinny."

With that he made his grand exit and I sobbed alone for even a madman could not want me.

I hadn't seen Jack in awhile, which was a good thing I suppose. It was quite lonely in here by myself. All I could do is sleep and eat the nice (nice for this island at least) meals that waited beside my bed whenever I woke up. Jack probably got one of his choirboys to prepare it while I was asleep. I suppose I'd better thank them if I ever did catch them. Still, maybe he was being serious when he said he didn't want to catch a cold from me? I curled my legs tightly against my chest and went on to think about another thought.

The island had been the quietest I had ever experienced, that was until Jack stormed into my quarters. After weeks of not seeing each other we had both regained our typical position, him demanding and me doing everything in my power to try to defy his demands. I had never really tried to comply, that is until he threw a men's choir jacket hurling towards my head. I caught it quickly before it managed to wrap itself around my face. Now I was thoroughly confused.

"What are you giving this to me for?" Yet another argument was coming on.

"Just put it on, that is unless you don't want it." He looked my body over although lust did not darken his eyes. Maybe I had turned him off after all. Quickly he looked away in what appeared to be disgust. That merely confirmed my suspicion but had my body really changed so drastically? I shoved both arms into the sleeves and fully stood up to see the edge fall to my knees. This jacket could double as a dress but thankfully it covered the good majority of my body. It was a relief having substantial clothes on again. Forgetting that it was indeed Jack who gave me them in the first place I turned around.

"Thank you."

That caught the both of us off hand. I quickly lowered my gaze to not see the look I knew would be on his face. Although he did deserve a thank-you for saving my life I suppose. I would never willingly want to give him thanks again but at least the past had been done.

It was silent for a while but Jack broke the silence first.

"Come, unless you want to miss dinner."

He was curt, he was bold but most of all he was commanding. And this time my feet betrayed me at the mention of food.

I slid down the first rock that lead up to the entrance of the cave. It was then I realized I had been here before. Not this exact location mind you, but the landscape was very familiar. I was at the top of Jack's fortress that became known as Castle Rock. The memories of why I hated Jack came flooding back and even with his more civil treatment I could not forgive him for his last trials.

"Sam!" I saw his silhouette in the distance and made to catch up to him. Jack was still a few meters behind me but I was certain as soon as I got close enough Sam would grab my hand and lead me to Ralph.

I ran as fast as I could soon doubling Jack's strides behind me. It was close but if I could just make it to Sam…

Sam immediately stepped beside me but instead of grabbing my hand as a guide he clutched onto my arm and pulled to the side allowing my full (but minimal) weight to collide into his chest. Jack was only seconds behind.

Seeing as my momentum had been stopped he backed away so Jack could administer his punishment. Unfortunately he went straight for my neck, lifting me clear off the ground with a single hand. My eyes shot open in surprise of the pure lack of air my lungs were receiving while my clutched fist beat uselessly across his chest. I was slowly running out of air and with it my strength.

I skidded to the ground crashing onto the bad side of my ankle causing it to roll in and sprain. Still that didn't feel nearly as bad as the red fingernail marks that were sure to be horizontally around my neck. I rubbed them to feel that he had actually squeezed hard enough to leave an indent in my skin.

"We will not be trying that again, now will we?"

It was a rhetorical question but I shook my head in understanding as much as my bruised neck would allow. Note to self: never, and I mean never, try an escape attempt with Jack on your heel. I would have thought I would have learnt that already but I was sure not to do it again. It wasn't as easy to escape from him anymore.

He forced me onto my feet, which burned with pain and soon collapsed leaving all my weight staggered on my right foot. Thankfully I didn't fall which would only piss Jack off more. Sam seemed to move beside me like a dog that had just caught the stick that was thrown. I thought he was loyal to Ralph and our side? It was probably the fact that Jack was on my heel and we couldn't escape anyways. I don't know exactly why I was justifying Sam's actions but Eric would definitely provide me with a reasonable excuse. The later showed up just minutes after his brother.

Jack leveled his gaze to the older twin. "Good work." No pat on the back, no Medal of Honor but Sam sure look like he had gotten one.

Eric rounded around his brother's bulkier form. "What's going on here? Laura?"

It had taken him a pause to notice Jack and myself. He was sincerely happy to see me and I him. He looked a lot better since we had been together in the cave. The color had been regained in his cheeks but it was a friendly smile.

"You look better." Eric went to touch my face but Jack nimbly shoved himself between us. As if violence was the answer to everything he shoved his palm into Eric's shoulder causing him to crash into his brother for support. I winced even though Eric was the one who got hit.

"What did you do that for?" Eric had done nothing wrong and I was seriously worried about his well being if that was the way he was treated.

Jack swung around on his head. "Do you need to learn any more lessons today?" His eyes darkened and his lids lowered to peer into my face. I had forgotten how much power he held so I held my tongue in place.

As a public display of affection he gave me a love bite on my collarbone for all to see then roughly pulled up the gigantic choirboy jacket that was falling off my shoulder. I hadn't noticed it coming off during my sprint to escape.

He moved his mouth beside my head. "As much as I enjoy seeing you practically naked it is for my eyes only. I can't have you tempting the boys too much. You're mine and only mine."

He drew his lips away as swiftly as he closed in and motioned away in his cocky attitude. I could see Sam stare with his eye scrunched together but Eric broke him out of his glare by tugging lightly on his arm. So he did hate Jack because surely that glare wasn't directed at me.

I was made to follow behind the dominant presence but my weak leg made me teeter to the right. Jack seemed to notice and his impatience took hold.

"Are you coming or trying to escape me again?" He slanted his regal eyebrow but he didn't seem like he was making a joke. Not wanting to disappoint him (I knew he might decide to give harsher punishments) I put pressure on my left leg giving a small yelp that would have gone mostly unnoticed had you been not listening for it. Almost like he had heightened reflexes he heard it. Why did he have to be the leader of the hunters?

"Sam, pick her up."

Wasting no time to contemplate that plan Sam lifted me onto his shoulders and followed at a good pace behind Jack with Eric slightly in front.

"How are you?" I whispered to Eric not wanting to feel guilty had I hurt him.

He mouthed back I'm fine before Jack could give him a sharp grunt and a deathly stare.

A vine whipped itself against my cheek and I picked up my surroundings once more. We were heading to the underbrush of the jungle but hadn't Jack said we were going to have dinner? We should be heading to the beach… It took me just a moment to combine the afternoon sun and Roger with two bloody spears in his hands together. We weren't going to be eating dinner, just catching it. And with that Jack started his ferocious game.

All of the tribe had made it to the thicket, all that is expect Ralph. I glanced from face to face. Some names I knew, others I didn't. All I knew is that this was their tribe, tribe of many when I belonged to a tribe of one. Would it be possible to balance them again?

I cascaded off Sam's shoulders going towards the ground, as he did nothing to ease my fall. Why is he being so distant? I suppose Jack was beside me in a second and he was following orders. I even stayed in place with the sight of Roger and his spear.

"And now, we hunt! Kill the pig! Slit his throat! And we shall have a mighty dinner tonight!" Jack's voiced soared into the canopy above. His hunter's were ready. They gripped harder to their spears. Their eyes squinted with desire. They all looked to Jack to take the first lead.

"Wound it but not kill it. Tonight Laura will be the one to kill the pig!" That was his final command. Roger tore into a savage scream and sprinted into the darkness like a madman. The others were soon on his heels. My feet were dug into the ground unsure of what to make of it. I would not kill the pig. I could not kill the pig. My conscience would not allow me to do so.

A sharp blow was given on my cheek. His knife was at my throat.

"You must come." Jack tugged hard on my arm and dragged me behind. It was not long before I learnt that every step I took would cause me to avoid a blow. Soon my stride was with his. I was learning quickly.

The hunter's were not far ahead of us and we managed to catch up quickly. It was no longer an aggressive rampage into a forest but a stalking of the quiet, the innocent. Jack remained at the back of the pack, myself included because I had to remain his entourage. He insisted it was because the hunt was better from back here, I believed it was still his foot. He seemed to be too concerned with his knife right at the moment for me to make a fuss.

Suddenly the tribe stopped.

"Jack, what's going on?" Fear was replacing confusion. Some still said there was a beast on this island. What would cause hormone fueled boys to stop so quickly?

"Shut up." Those were Jack's words.

As abruptly as we had stopped Jack tore into a break-neck pace towards the trees. He staggered and weaved over everything in his way and suddenly he soared through the sky and leapt like a tiger. His body came crashing down with a sudden force making the pig squeal for escape. It was over. The pig was trapped. The final blow was just about to be taken by Jack's knife.

"Bring her here!"

Jack had hesitated killing the pig and remembered his previous command. I could not comprehend what was going on. Why did we need to kill this pig? What had it done to us? This situation was completely surreal.

"I said bring her here!"

Jack still had his body wrapped around the struggling pig. Roger took my arm along with another choirboy whose name I did not know. I dug my heels into the ground but they had the strength to drag me anyways.

I was above the pig. It squealed and kicked as it fought to get free. I had sympathy for this animal. Here was a creature that had no place to go and had done nothing to afford this cruel fate. It knew it was going to die. It knew its ending yet still fought against it with all its might. This pig was like me. I had empathy for this creature before my eyes.

"Laura, kill the pig and that is a command!" Jack would not take back his command.

"I…I can't…it…it's just a pig…why does it have to die?" My body was sobbing now in an uncontrollable rage against the hunters. Couldn't they see this nonsense?

"Laura, it is either end the pig's life or yours. What is your decision?" Roger brought the spear to my throat and placed the knife in my hands.

The pig had finally become tired of its struggled and admitted defeat it was then it had looked me straight in the eye. The pang of guilt washed over me as I felt as if it were saying goodbye. Here was death facing it straight in the eye yet it was brave enough to accept it. Even this island pig was better than me.

"Just do it," grunted Jack, his position getting uncomfortable.

And so with the hunger in my stomach and the knife in my hand I had slit its throat and killed the pig.