Chapter Two

The sour trickles of blood between Ralph's teeth came hand in hand with the throbbing pain that had been pulsing through his tongue. I can't speak. Not one part of his body would move by will. It remained flat and convulsing. I can't open my mouth! I can't breathe! The darkness swarmed around him, choking his existence. Something was speaking to him. "Foolish, foolish boy. Did you think you could escape me? You knew I never left you. I've always been as close, close, close, as I was then. You'll never lose me. Never."

This menacing voice was pulling the suffering from within Ralph's heart, and surviving in the light seemed hopeless. His thoughts were everywhere, trying to ignore the voice. He wasn't strong; he had no will…no heart. Maybe I should have died back then. Maybe I should die now… "YES! YES! Give in to your…" Suddenly, a warm feeling pressed into Ralph's body, snatching him into the light. Warmth…

His consciousness was tickled by long red locks rubbing against his pale cheeks. Ralph's light eyes just barely opened to see the freckled face of Jack inches away from his own. "Pastor, where's the infirmary?" Jack asked, moving his attention away from Ralph. "I believe it's inside the school just East of here. I can have someone else…" "No. I'll take care of it. It should take only a little while." As the two talked, Ralph limply watched them, but nothing helped him figure out what was going on. The next thing he knew, he was being hoisted onto his legs and walked down the aisle he had come from.

The floor challenged the unstable boy, going every which way under his feet. "Are you going to be alright Mr. Kenrich?" Jack questioned in a mature tone, different from the one he'd had during their last time together. It bothered Ralph for some reason, and he felt like he almost…didn't like it. "…I'm fine." He dropped his eyes to his feet, trying to figure out something to say. They hadn't seen each other in five years. There should be SOMETHING to talk about…Thankfully; the infirmary door was being opened before the situation got even more awkward.

"Well Mr. Kenrich," the nurse sighed while propping his chin in her soft hand, "The shock from that faint caused those convulsions. Your teeth bit into your tongue as a reaction. You should be very grateful for Mr. Merridew's actions. Otherwise, you might have lost that tongue of yours." Ralph nodded in compliance, his eyes scanning the room for somewhere else to look. They rested upon Jack, who politely sat in a chair against the wall. He caught Ralph's eyes, smiling sympathetically. Why is Jack acting so…different?

"Why don't you rest here? I have a few errands to run, but I'm sure Mr. Merridew will be able to look after you." "Of course. Take care of whatever you need to," Jack answered with graciousness, following the nurse to the door. Ralph lay back on the cot with his hands drumming his stomach. Ask him…"Do you…?" Ralph started, easing his tone quietly when Jack turned in surprise at the sudden outburst. "Do you remember me?"

His arms held him up so he was able to see Jack's expression. "Do I remember you?" The choir master turned gracefully, cocking his head. "Do I remember you? How could I not remember you…?" A flicker of smile began across Ralph's face, but the red head spoke again. "I just met you." That smile again…That sugary sweet smile. Ralph had grown to hate that smile in the short time he'd seen it. He doesn't remember? This was worse than when he and Jack argued! At least he knew him then. What was this now? Who WAS this boy now?

"Have we met before?" Jack questioned in an interested voice while pulling up a chair to the cot, folding over his robes before seating himself. Ralph had begun lacing his finger around the chain of his golden cross unhappily. He can't be serious can he? He can't be! Not Jack! Not Jack! "Heh, you're joking, right Jack? It's all a joke! You scared me for a second!" The blonde laughed, anxiously waiting for Jack to join him. Nothing. He just sat, a bit drawn back in his chair as he watched Ralph make a fool of himself. "C…Come on Jack! Laugh! Just like you used to do! Be the Jack you used to!" His voice was now a desperate holler, his body language flying every which way. "COME ON!" Where's the Jack I…I…

"Mr. Kenrich! Settle down!" Jack shot from his seat in a hurry to pin Ralph's shoulders against the sheet of the cot. "Please! Remain calm or you'll faint again!" "NO! JACK!" The cot shook violently under Ralph's unforgiving thrashes. There was nothing else he could do. His anger and confusion built up into his heart, dragging it down. Ralph had never been disturbed by such a heavy feeling. It made him insane! It made him want to scream and yell! To do things he'd never done before!

His ranting went on for several minutes, slowly fading into nothingness. Jack kept his eyes with Ralph's, the same expression within them. His hands made their way to his forehead, absorbing as much hatred as he could take away. Ralph felt himself falling back into dizziness, and he just quit. It was over. He was acting like such a child! "I'll go get you some water now," whispered Jack who took to the door. When Ralph jilted to rise, Jack's hand waved him back down. He was alone again...just like this morning.

"What the heck was that for!" He grumbled to himself, slapping his forehead in a scolding matter. "What is wrong with me?" Ralph glanced toward the ceiling light. His hair used to cover any light he saw. It protected him. "Stupid hair, I hated it. I like it short. I can see everything." That last sentence wasn't assuring the seventeen year old. Yes, his blonde hair let him see everything, but it was also dangerous. They all see everything I am. I can't hide my eyes like Jack can. I'm…jealous…

He didn't want any of those people to see him. If they knew his emotions, they'd take control of him, stringing him up on his own broken wires. Trust was gone from his life. It was crushed just as his wise friend was. It was torn, just like his truthful friend had been. It was lost, like every other person on that island. Darn this life of mine! This angst he went through night and day and night and day stopped him from moving on. That life he lived, it was the ball and chain that brought him down.

His black shoes hit the floor and took him to the gateway to the outside. A small bird sang a cheery tune to welcome the world to morning. Ralph pressed a finger against the separation, wishing to be that bird. Free from troubles and society. Free from religion, free from judgment. "Heh. You're so lucky that you're ignorant," he said through a half smile. "Oh? You think so?" At first, Ralph couldn't believe his ears! A bird talking! Then he realized that he'd been caught by the returning Jack who came to his side. "I…I was just…" "Ha ha! It's alright. You're just not close enough."

The older boy sat a dripping cup of styrofoam on the nearby desk, rolling his long white sleeves. He pushed the window open, extending a hand forward. In no time, the curious bird had hopped its way onto its new perch, letting itself be drawn inside. "You really think this bird is lucky Mr. Kenrich?" Jack questioned as he sat upon the windowsill, the light framing his red hair like a halo. Finally! A different conversation! Ralph was surprisingly eager to respond. "Yeah, I do. It gets to go and do what it pleases all the time. It has nothing holding it back. No past, no nothing. I envy that bird…"

Angling his finger, Jack studied the ruffling brown feathers of the creature he held. "Is he really that lucky? He has nothing. All he has is a pair of wings, some eyes, and two small feet. What does he have to live for? What brings him back to his nest every night? Who or what does he run to when the weather takes a turn for the worse?" Ralph swallowed a lump that had settled itself within his throat, choking him as he listened to words of sage like status. They made his heart beat. They made his breaths shorten. They made him…feel.

"I'm sorry, am I going too far?" "NO! No…keep…keep going." Another smile appeared between the freckles on Jack's face, and he happily went on. "A bird is considered lucky to us because he has nothing, but we, Mr. Kenrich, are lucky to him because we have everything. We have society and government to protect us. We have family and friends to run to. We have comfort, happiness, sadness. We have emotion, the key to a life. And most importantly, we have someone waiting for us, wherever we go." My heart is beating so wildly… "Someone we cherish most, and someone who returns that feeling. Someone we lo…"

The small bird fluttered its wings as it became startled by the sudden movement, taking off into the unknown. Jack was thrust into a blind spot. Just as he had gone to form the letters 'v' and 'e', two hands caught the holy colors of his wardrobe, two lips reaching for a destination. A kiss. That's all he saw. That's all he felt.

The jingle of his cross made Ralph fully aware of where he was and what he had just done. He retracted shamefully, trying to force down the weight that remained in his throat. His light eyes widened at the sight of an outstretched cup of pure liquid that was offered to him. "Listen I…" "Why not rest a bit more Mr. Kenrich, hm? I must return to the choir now," The hasty red head said. Ralph nodded solemnly, looking at his reflection in the water. The situation returned to its former position, awkwardness. Why would I…?

While Ralph's gaze glazed over with thought, Jack backtracked his steps to his former spot at the door, shutting it gradually behind him before he took off in a fast walk. "Damn it," he cursed beneath his red hair as he began digging through the robes that hung around his thin neck. "He remembered me..." His lips quivered at the very thought of Ralph's. He hated that warmth. No. He liked that warmth… "I promised myself I'd forget him…Ralph…That idiot. That fool…That…" His index finger extended, stretching a golden chain that had been resting within the cloth. A small cross made its way down the necklace, shimmering against the church light as Jack walked among the stained glass saints that looked down upon him.

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Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter (If you're still reading that is!). It was a bit short, but I got in the symbolism I was hoping to add. The next chapter will most likely be more from Jack's point of view than Ralph's. I love angst! See you next chapter!