A/N Again, I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I wrote it while on vacation, and I didn't have much time to write, but I did want to have something finished for my readers when I got home. So, I hope this chapter will suffice!

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing other than Riley.

Betrayal: To be false or disloyal to.

"I'm calling a meeting. Now," Ralph stood up rigidly. He had said this in a very commanding voice - out of character for him. He started to walk away, but then changed his mind. He walked towards where I sat. I tried to duck my head in some kind of attempt to hide myself. One that obviously would not and did not work.

"Riley, would you please join me?" He asked in a way that left no room for rejection. I sighed as he held his hand out to help me stand. I ignored it, and stood on my own.

He slumped his shoulders slightly after that, but recovered quickly. It reminded me of earlier when I had pulled my hand away from Jack and he didn't seem to care at all. He was stone - showing no emotion at all. I couldn't tell whether I liked that or not. It could go either way. There was the feeling that if he showed no emotion towards that, would he be willing to show me how he felt? But, then again, it showed he had confidence in himself. And confidence was important.

I could see Jack staring at me out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't dare look at him. I didn't look at Ralph on my other side, either. I couldn't. I resolved not to look into Ralph's soft, caring eyes. Otherwise, my words would fail me and there was no way I could follow through on my plan. I looked towards my bare feet, and tried not to look up.

We had just walked into the edge of the forest when Ralph opened his mouth to speak. Then he proceeded to close it, and stayed silent. I fought off the temptation to speak by biting my tongue.

"Why did you go hunting?" He finally blurted out. I was hoping we wouldn't have to talk. I kept my eyes on my feet, focusing on a large piece of dirt on my big toe.

"Because Jack invited me," I replied quietly, not wanting to add to that statement.

"But, yo-, I mean-'" Ralph seemed to be choking on his words. He took a deep breath, and restarted, "You're not a hunter."

I decided at that moment to just pretend I liked Jack more. It would be easier, the way the conversation was heading, "Why can't I be? Is it because I'm a girl? Because Jack looked passed that!"

"I highly doubt he looked passed the fact that you're a girl," Ralph muttered. I felt a blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks. Damn blushing. It always gave me away.

"But if you were hunting, you knew no one was watching the fire. And I just don't know why you - of all people here - would neglect the fire. At least you understand how important fire is. Because without it, we're never going home. Never," Every word he spoke was completely true. Every word hit me hard, making my heart sink more and more. I was about to go and completely hurt him when I knew he was the one I wanted to be with. And I knew he was right. Jack didn't understand about the fire. Would it really be safe to be with someone who didn't care about any rescue? I knew that I, personally, was considering that the island might be better for me than my true home, but my thoughts were outweighed by the group's needs. And they needed to get home. Jack wasn't helping them with that. He was obsessed with hunting and just killing pigs. Maybe he did want to go home, but he was being blinded by the draw of the hunt.

But, I had made this decision already. Right now was the time to set it in stone. Some time during this walk I had to tell Ralph, and he would have to get over it. I would have to get over it.

"I'm sorry, Ralph," I started. This wouldn't be my only apology to Ralph tonight, "It was a mistake."

"Whatever," he mumbled and looked towards the ground. He started to kick around a pebble, avoiding eye contact.

"Ralph," I started, "I have to tell you something. And you aren't going to like it," Now was the time. I had to get it out now. No more beating around the bush.

After a long pause, Ralph finally muttered a near-inaudible, "Go ahead."

I took in a sharp breath before saying what had to be said, "You, me. We're just not going to work out, Ralph," I could feel each and every word burn my throat as they slipped past my lips. It really hurt me to be saying this. I was about to say something about Jack and I, but Ralph began speaking before I had the chance.

"Let me guess, this has something to do with you and Jack, right?" He spat bitterly, reading my mind. Well, not completely. He read the situation. If he read my mind, he would know the real reason to my betrayal. Protection, power.

I froze for a moment, searching for any words to say. When I couldn't come up with any, I mutely nodded my head.

Ralph's face twisted into an expression of hurt, anger and betrayal. Wordlessly, he stormed off, leaving me to fend for myself in the forest. Again, unlike him. Although he was one of the only boys on the island who wasn't obsessed with hunting, he still seemed to be changing. Becoming a harder and colder version of himself.

I had to find my way out of the forest now. I walked in a straight line until I had to make a decision - left or right. I chose right, and the continued choosing random ways to walk. I didn't care about getting to the assembly any more. I just wanted to find a secluded part of the island - possibly the clearing Simon and I had - so I could just sit down and cry. The acid-like tears were already brimming in my eyes, but not yet spilling over the surface.

As I wandered deeper into the forest, the trees starting to thin out. I could see a cave in the distance. I decided to head in that direction - I doubted anyone could find me there.

When I reached my destination, I noticed there was a cliff leading up to a large cave with boulders surrounding it.

I trekked my way up the cliff, slipping a few times, scraping my knees and hands, causing a little blood. I ignored the bleeding, determined to reach the large cave.

When I finally got to the top of the cliff, I walked towards the entrance of the dark cave. There was a large boulder in the way, so, using all my strength and force, I pushed it hard. It barely moved, but it did open the cave a little more. I tried to roll the boulder, and successfully opened the entire entrance to the cave. It rolled towards the edge of the cliff, but didn't fall.

I made my way into the cave and headed into a back corner. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I allowed my tears to run free. I didn't care anymore. No one could see me. Not Ralph, not Jack, not my mother and especially not Roger.

No longer did I consider the possibility that the island was better for me than home. At home, I never hurt anybody. But now, I had hurt Ralph - emotionally, of course. Ralph, who was one of the purest, truest and most reliable people on this island. I had hurt him just for a chance to get back at Roger. And now, I was about to use Jack for my own gain.

I was turning into a monster. No, wait, much worse than that. I was becoming a beast.

A/N I'm not really sure how much I like this chapter, but please review and tell me what you think.