ADJUSTING

Chapter One

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lord of the Flies, nor any of the characters contained within. Don't sue.

Ralph walked slowly down the exit ramp of the boat, stepping off the ramp to place his feet on the solid cement of London's streets. After the long boat voyage, his legs felt rather wobbly, but he tried his best to ignore the feeling, and walk normally. After three weeks at sea, his rescuers' ship had finally pulled into port. Ralph hadn't said much during the voyage. Instead he had closed himself off from his former schoolmates, preferring instead to seek solitude in his small room on-board, strenuously rebuking all attempts at contact. He sighed, almost imperceptibly, and quickened his pace.

He kept his eyes firmly trained on the ground, refusing to look at any of his companions, preferring instead the dull grey of the cement beneath his feet. He had taken to counting the number of cracks in the pavement, desperate to think of anything apart from the red-haired boy who walked only five paces behind him. "One, two, thee," Ralph muttered under his breath, struggling to bring his voice under control. He thought he heard a snicker behind him. He ignored it, and drew a deep, shaky breath, "Four, five, six," he continued. Someone snickered again. Ralph felt hot breath on the nape of his neck.

"Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness, Ralph."

Ralph froze. He willed himself to turn around and face his tormentor. Cold grey eyes and a supercilious smile awaited him.

"I hardly think you're qualified to pass judgment on madness, Jack." The smile disappeared, and was replaced by a cold frown.

"It doesn't have to be like this, Ralph…" The tone was more menacing than friendly.

"Be like what?" Ralph answered, frustrated.

"We don't have to be enemies," at this Ralph snorted with disgust. Jack continued eagerly, "You and me, we're the same. We're leaders, we're strong, we need to stick together. We're the only ones who really know what it's like to be in power," Jack walked closer to him, eyes shining with poorly concealed excitement. "We can be friends, Ralph, like we were, before…"

Something in Ralph snapped. "Before you killed Piggy?" Jack recoiled, as if struck. "Before you mutinied? Before you destroyed our island, before you and your hunters–"

Here Ralph's voice dropped to a low, steely, whisper. "Tried to kill me?"

Jack frowned. "I had to!"

Ralph sneered at him. "You had to do nothing. You did only as you wanted. If you want a friend, find Roger," he paused, remembering the dark, sullen boy, and continued, "you certainly have enough in common." With that, he strode away from Jack, towards the front of the group, ignoring the pleading looks the young'uns were throwing him, and the dark scowl Jack was now wearing.

Ralph turned to the large officer who was escorting the group to where they would meet their families. "How much longer until we arrive, sir?" He inquired, politely. The officer smiled and looked down at him.

"We're almost there."

After about five minutes, the boys and their chaperone arrived at what was to be their home, until a family member claimed them, or they turned eighteen. Ralph looked with a sinking feeling of dread at the large, uniform, grey building before him. It looked more like a prison than a school, Ralph thought, despairingly. The officer, however, did not seem to share his melancholy attitude.

"Right, boys, this is our stop! Come on, then, everyone inside." He ushered them into the building jovially. Once inside the large grand foyer, Ralph looked around, craning his neck to see the ceiling. A large staircase awaited them at the end of the foyer, and he could see a few doors on either side. Ralph chewed his lower lip nervously, and he was not the only one. The young'uns looked close to tears, even Jack seemed disconcerted by this intimidating school. Ralph heard a door open behind him, and whirled around. A distinguished-looking man in his early fifties—A professor? Ralph wondered--had come out of one of the doors to the right of him. He was a stern looking man, it seemed as though it he ever smiled, his face might very well crack in two. He strode up to them, and his severe air did not dissipate.

"Welcome to Pencey Preparatory Academy," He intoned briskly. "I am your headmaster, Professor Griffin. You may refer to me as 'sir,'" This man was doing nothing to calm the nerves that were making Ralph feel violently ill. "If you behave yourselves," Here he stole a look at Jack, who had a very bored expression on his face, and was pretending to clean his fingernails, "You will find your experiences here to be quite enjoyable. If you behave poorly, I will not hesitate to discipline you as I see fit." He paused in his speech for a minute, and surveyed the rather motley-looking crew. "Follow me," and with that, he turned on his heel and began climbing the staircase, the boys followed him, albeit more slowly. The headmaster led them up the stairs and to the right, and stopped in front of a door labeled "New Arrivals." He turned to face them once more. "This is where you will sleep. One to a bunk. Lights out is at nine; dinner is at six, if you are late, you do not eat. Classes begin at seven and end at three. You will find your schedules on the bunk assigned to you. Bunk assignments are posted on the back of the door. That is all." And with that, he left, leaving the boys very much alone in their new environment.

A/N: This is my first fic, please leave a review, even if it's just a flame. I want to make this story as good as it can be. Thanks for reading!