Hello there. This is the last chapter of my story Welcome to Paradise. This moment is very bittersweet for me and I found myself wishing it could go on forever (or at least till I got bored). But alas that just cannot be. I have loved writing these incredible characters and feel like I'm saying goodbye to dear friends…boy I will miss them. I want to tell you all what inspired me to write this story. I was reading LOF fanfictions when someone was "singing" a song in a story and the song was Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy. I am now completely obsessed with that song. That song made me want to write my own story of love on the island but I did not want to fall into the cliché (girl on the island) fix so I hope that I accomplished that. I want all of you who read this to keep an open mind and have faith that I am not as cruel as you might think I am. I am a sucker for happy endings. So if you want to tar and feather me then please just wait…and if you are still not satisfied then…well I will fight you if you try anything funny :p I want to say thank you …but I'm pretty sure you all want to read that at the end so I will wait.

I do not own Lord of the Flies but I have had the most amazing time with Golding's creation.

Thank you my fantastic beta Lauren Kassidy!


Jack POV

I'll sing it one last time for you

Have you ever heard of that corny sang? You know, the one line said at the end of some stupid play or film? And that sang sums up the entire thing…wraps it up in a pretty little bow. Well, I have always scoffed or groaned when someone said it. I have always thought it was phony or just some stupid cliché sang with no meaning. I have always felt that way…until now. So here it is. The first and last time I utter these words… Someone came into my life and changed me…and I will never be the same again.

Then we really have to go

Her name was Elizabeth Everson. The only girl I have ever, and will ever, love.

You've been the only thing that's right

In all I've done


Previously

Elise's scream died off as I continued to race through the jungle. I could have sworn I heard her near castle rock…that's where she must be. When I arrived panting, I found out two things. One: Elise was not here. And two: I had just stepped into a trap.

Roger swung the pistol around his fingers like a sword. On his face he wore a gleeful childlike smile. And I swear to god, for one heart stopping moment, I thought I must be looking at the devil. Because his eyes that had once been brooding had changed into deep, dark pits and glittered with malice. He had the eyes of a murderer. Someone who could slit your throat while whistling…and that thought chilled me to the bone.

I stepped back cautiously and Roger mimicked me like a deadly shadow.

"What are you doing Roger? Have you gone completely mad? They will hang you or send you to the chair!" I yelled at him, trying to get through to the last remaining part of his humanity.

"Oh Jack, you are so dense. Take a look around-" he swept out his arm, "-do you see any adults? Any police? Any rules? How 'bout any consequences? Because I do not…all I see is freedom." Roger responded.

"Freedom to murder! Freedom to torture!"

"Freedom Jack…to do whatever or whoever I want," Roger sneered. I knew immediately that he was talking about Elise…my Elise. And I will admit that rational thought left me a moment because all of a sudden I forgot that Roger had the upper hand. I stomped up to him, our chests pressed together, my fist clenched - ready to make a happy meeting with his smug face.

"Don't you dare lay a single, dirty, disgusting finger on her or I swear to God I will kill you!" I ground out. The blind rage like a fire swept over me and all I saw was red. "I am still the leader and you will obey me!"

Roger's eyes burned like hot coals as he raised his gun and stuck it in my chest. "You cannot tell me what to do anymore, Jack. You are powerless against me."

My brain finally caught up with me. Then, I backed up a few paces, never taking my eyes off of his gun. If Roger killed me, then no one would be here to take care of Elise…there was no option - I could not die.

"Where's Elise?" I asked, trying to remain calm.

Roger's brow lifted his face mockingly innocent "Who?" Then he laughed darkly as a wide smirk spread across his face. "Oh yes, the tart. She is great. No wonder you didn't want anyone to have her…you wanted her all to yourself. But don't worry; I'll make sure to satisfy her when you are gone." He said, like he was doing me some big favor.

My blood felt hot in my veins as I stared straight into his eyes…I wanted to kill him.

And I can barely look at you

But every single time I do

"So this reunion has been fun, but I have some unfinished business with your girlfriend…" he trailed off suggestively.

I started to take a step towards him. Damn the gun. I was going to strangle that son of a bitch.

"Oh, be careful now Jack! If you get too close, my finger just might slip," Roger taunted.

I was forced to stop as I tried to quell my murderous thoughts. "Well…well. Jacky boy, look who is in charge now! Yes, you don't deserve power, you have never deserved power. You are too weak."

My hands were in tight fists as I understood what he was insinuating, and I could not help but shout. "Roger, you are a bloody lunatic! Go to HELL!"

Then Rogers arm rose, his gun poised to strike. No...no. I could not die. Elise needed me. Elise loved me. She needs to know how sorry I am. How much I love her and need her.

How much she has changed me…Elizabeth.

I know we'll make it anywhere

Away from here

"Goodbye Jack!"

I tensed. There was nothing. Then I heard a tremendous crash from somewhere behind me. And suddenly, like my thoughts brought her, Elise was there. Elise was grabbing me. Elise was looking at me.

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Those eyes, the little oceans, churned with so much love.

BANG


Present

Elise was clutching her side. Elise was slipping…falling through my arms. The red began to blossom on her shirt…spreading.

Louder louder

And we'll run for our lives

Elise! Elise!

"Elise!"

"No!"

No, no, no, no! This was not supposed to happen! No, no! Elise…she was dying! Her pale hands were gripping me. We were falling to the ground.

"Elise no! You can't! Elise please! Elise, I love you! I'm so sorry!" the shout tore out of my chest painfully and distantly I realized I was choking on my own tearless sobs.

I can hardly speak I understand

I laid her down holding onto her. Pumping her chest…her failing heart. Blood was all over her…spilled like paint…like the juices of the berries that had once adorned my face. Now it pooled around us.

The first day I had met her and the day I had saved her life played over again in my mind as my lips met hers. This time my efforts were in vain.

Her face was gaunt; her eyes half closed. Coughing…she's coughing crimson. Her lips are dark with it…My lips now stained with it.

Why you can't raise your voice to say

Why! Why, Elise, why?

Her eyes were closing…her breathing shallowing…shallow…no breath. No, no! She could not die!

No, I love her… Please don't take her away, please!

To think I might not see those eyes

Makes it so hard not to cry

I wanted her to open those fathomless eyes of hers, to grab her hand and pull her to me. And we would run…run like we were flying…run like the whole world was on our heels…

I looked up as I cradled her.

Her heart continued to beat…her breath barely there.

And as we say our long goodbye

I nearly do

Roger stood still…his face white…his eyes bulged like a dead fish. The gun was at his feet. Imbedded through his chest was a freshly sharpened spear.

No one was there!

Roger's body made a thud as it hit the ground.

I swiveled my head…but there was no sign of his killer…

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Elise's body trembled violently as she coughed up more blood. Her eyes were closed and her forehead creased with pain.

Louder louder

And we'll run for our lives

I heard a collective gasp as Maurice and Robert appeared with the three younger boys in tow. Sam and Eric were behind them with an unconscious and heavily bleeding Ralph on their shoulders.

No one spoke…

I can hardly speak I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say

One of the little ones pointed behind me…but I paid no attention. Elise was dying in my arms.

Her life slipping through my fingers… I wanted to marry her. I wanted to start a family with her. I wanted to kiss her every night and wake up next to her every morning… I wanted to love her.

Slower slower

Her eyes opened and her shaking hand found my cheek. A ghostly smile formed on her face. "Ja…" she broke off, coughing.

We don't have time for that

"Sh, I'm here El…I won't leave you. El, I love you so much…please forgive me. I should have never left you. I believe you! Oh god, El, I believe you and I'm so sorr…" I couldn't finish as my throat felt so tight.

All I want is to find an easier way

To get out of our little heads

"I…love you…-" she coughed, "-of…course…I…forgive…you." Elise managed to say.

"Please don't go, El…I need you…please!"

Have heart my dear

We're bound to be afraid

She smiled once more at me before her hand slipped from my cheek. I snatched it and held it tight against me. I held her close. My forehead resting against hers…

"What's going on here?" I gruff deep voice asked.

Even if it's just for a few days

Making up for all this mess

There, standing on the beach, was a tall naval officer. His uniform promised order from this chaos.

"Are there any adults-any grownups with you?" He asked, not yet noticing Elise. The boys shook their heads. "Wait! You all must be the missing children from the evacuation plane! Yes, that's it! Well, this is swell! Your families will be so happy!" The officer exclaimed. "Everyone accounted for? Nobody killed, I hope? Any dead bodies?"

Sam and Eric chose that moment then to walk out with Ralph. I moved over, showing Elise and Roger's body. As one of the little ones decided to speak up. " I'm…I'm" He could not remember his name.

So I spoke up then. I stood holding Elise in my arms, extremely aware of her fading pulse.

Light up, light up

"Sir, there are four dead and two severely wounded. Would you mind taking them back to the ship to get treated?" I spoke icily. The officer looked horrified, his eyes darting from Elise to Ralph…both looked quite gruesome.

As if you have a choice

"Yes…of course, right away. Well it looks like this experience was nothing like Coral Island."

Elise's pulse stopped and her chest did not rise.

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Please El…stay with me…I'm right here…stay.


THIRD POV

As the naval officer watched one of his comrades and the physician attend to the dying girl, he heard a strange sound. He turned around to see that all the boys were crying. Their cries like lost children…and the officer was both moved and embarrassed by their show of emotion so he turned his head and watched the procession of the life boats.


Wow so I am now really crying…this is no good! TT-TT I hope that you have all enjoyed this story as much as I have. The journey I went on to get into these characters. I truly appreciated every single one of you! Even the ones who don't review because you still read this which I am thankful for. And before you all go stark raving mad…within the following week I will be posting a one-shot of "after the island" which will hopefully answer any questions and tie this story up with a perfect little bow.

Thank you to my beta Lauren Kassidy she has saved me from my grammatical errors and helped me greatly she is not just my beta she is my friend. Please go read her stories they are absolutely amazing.

Thank you to my mom and dad and cousin Rachel. They have been the ones I read my story aloud to (to the in person reaction) they have helped me and involuntarily given me ideas. They have supported me and all my late night writing sessions.

Thank you so much to my reviewers!

SideshowJazz1 (my first reviewer)-Lauren Kassidy-Rachel Mantegna-RueJay-katmerridew-anons-allaboutthewords-gaarsaku4ever-SOSlove-teartea123-tetris and insanity-thealecagabrielle-The Blonde One-CocoSushi-Viol8-DragonWriterZZ-Chick-With-Whip-Hand (Ecjarecke11)-Ujemaima-Autumn Ray-Hammsters-Enked-Haeli Elizabeth-A Fellow Taylor-MEEEE-QMu142857-Misslytheranian-living for others-Anna

Thank you for all of my favoriters! (made up word :p)

Autumn Ray-AvalonDrinaBxoxo-Chick-With-Whip-Hand-DragonWriterZZ-Haeli Elizabeth-Hammsters-I got mugged by a penguin-i-luv-zack-James Maslow is Mine-Lauren Kassidy-lorkay-Milli3-Misslytheranian-PosionThorn1407-QMu142857-RueJay-SOSlove-tetris and insanity-The Blonde One-TheSweetiePrincess-totaalt-trekkiekidmaddie-ujemaima-Viol8-xXFoxy Scorpion BlossomXx

Thank you for all my alerters!

Alexis loves you4554-AthenaPersephone14-Autumn Ray-Azula Malfoy-Chick-With-Whip-Hand-Elisabeth Fray-Future Trunks Lover-gaarsaku4ever-Haeli Elizabeth-I'm the Girl on Fire-katmerridew-living for others-Lord Dragon-Makumi Chan-Misslytheranian-RueJay-shadylady105-SOSlove-SummerFeally-tetris and insanity-The Blonde One-Viol8

I know most people don't do the favoriters and the alerters but I am so thankful for them! Every time I got an email telling me that I had a new favoriter or alerter I smiled and it made me want to write more.

So thank you everyone! Thank you so very much because of you all I have more confidence in my writing and I am sad to say that the one shot will be my last time on fanfiction for a while because now I am going to focus on my book. And who knows maybe one day people will be writing fanfiction with my own characters?…well a girl could dream :)

Please Review!

Love you all and thank you!

LiveLoveWrite-93

Taylor