Author's Note: The previous chapter left us in quite a situation, didn't it? I just hope I'll be able to keep with this story because I really enjoy it and I hope those reading it do too.

------------------

Chapter Six

The thick scent of chicken soup slithered into the room and beneath the sweaty sheets that covered an enervated Ralph. The aroma was so welcoming, almost exactly the same feeling he got as a child at home with his mother. "You could show a little enthusiasm. I didn't hurt you that badly, did I?" Jack's voice mocked playfully from outside of Ralph's shell, drawing the wonderful smell closer. The smiling choir boy traced his hand along the curved mountain of a body on his bed. Slower and slower, he lifted his fingers and replaced them at their starting point, enjoying Ralph's tickled twitches until he pushed himself up into a seated position.

"Would you stop it?! Geez Jack!" Seeing the devious half grin already on the freckled face made Ralph even more ill tempered. "You know what!? I'm tired, sick, and thanks to you, I'm sore as heck!" A grunt soon followed the blonde's semi conscious statement to the amusement of his listener. "Ha ha, you know it was bloody fantastic, but then again, it was your first time…" Their eyes met for Jack to get a closer view of the flush that was apparent on his guest's face. "Right Ralph…?"

What was this? Ralph could hear his heart beat drumming in his ears, the breath escaping hastily. Why is he staring at me? His eyes… The blue light seeped into Ralph's mind and down into his heart, bringing forth a sensational chill through his veins. "I see. Well, I'm glad I gave you something for now. Enjoy," Jack sighed, almost disappointed by Ralph's stoic stare. He peered towards the ticking clock that's face glimmered back at him with a dim light. A set of chiming tones hit the room as well as catching Ralph's attention. "I need to go!"

The neglected soup was jolted onto the nearest flat surface, the stumbling young man swishing every which way as did the broth. Jack lifted an eyebrow, tilting his head the same way Ralph's body serpentined. Such a rush! What was he after? "Come on. You're in no condition to act busy. Just sit down…" Ralph's back remained turned to Jack and none of his words could pass such a barrier. "Listen to me!" The injured Ralph flinched as Jack held his arms tightly, giving Ralph little freedom to move. "You CAN'T GO OUT! You are in no condition and Roger might…"

"What Jack?" Ralph asked, almost out of breath completely. "What about Roger?" "He…he might be around. He's always around…" Eye contact was cut and the light in Jack's eyes retreated to the floor, too ashamed to explain further. "Geez Jack. Come on, it can't be that bad, just lock the door. I'm not helpless anymore, okay? Today was just all wrong." All wrong…everything?

Finally, Ralph was able to squeeze into his shoes that squished and gurgled the remaining water that hid inside his soles. A few curses tickled the edge of his lips with bitter intent while he stomped the liquid out heavily. The loud ruckus carried Ralph all the way to the door, no part of his body turning back to his savior…until. "It's all wrong, right? You mean everything today was wrong, Ralph?"

For some reason unknown to Ralph, he fumbled his words in the air before answering. The question wasn't hard; he knew the correct answer, so why stutter? "Yeah…I mean, you know how I am. I've never been weak. Today just caught me off guard, and I will never let anything like this happen again." The blonde jumped a bit when he heard an odd gasp come from behind him. A cry maybe, a hiccup? "Jack?"

"You really don't want to be with me like today, d…do you?" The almost inaudible query came in bits of sadness, followed by a few more of the odd gasps. A warm sensation tensed the sides of Ralph's face unconsciously, bothering him to the extent of slapping them. "You've known me for a long time Jack. This shouldn't be so hard. You know I'm not…that kind of person. I was caught up and didn't know what I was doing…and I regret what happened…so…let's end it here. It's safer that way, for you, and for me."

Only the dying steam dancing above the soup made a move. The two remained with their backs to each other, hidden expressions on each face. Ralph shut his eyes, cradling regret within his lids, while Jack widened his eyes, letting wet crystals mold with his clothing. His lips tried to fold and form the word, go, but nothing could cease their quivering. It seemed Ralph was forming a similar word…go… "Goodbye."

The door slam seemed to repeat itself, hauntingly looming its unforgiving sound in Jack's ears. "Just another mistake," he whispered to himself, sitting on the mess of a bed behind him. The closest hand traced the rim of the soup bowl he'd picked out for Ralph. Lines of blue ran around the spherical shape, never beginning or ending. "His eyes are exactly the same…" His index finger sank daintily into the clouded soup, his hand cringing as cold heat seeped into his skin. "Is it worth it anymore? Living in this prison…"

His feet turned his body to let him roll completely onto the bed. His knees hid into the comfort of his breathless chest. A grimace revealed the chapped cracks blooming rosily on his bottom lip. "Roger and Ralph…What point is there for me to exist in the world of being used and being hated? Why didn't I die on that island? I deserved it more than anyone else…" Tears jelled together in one long ribbon of wet, crawling down to Jack's cheeks and neck. A few shivered breaths fled into the still air, breaking into the dense depression circling the room.

The red head stretched his arms on either side of him, his head rolling to one side to gaze out the window. The vision of the faraway church remained blurry, but its tolling bells were as clear as day. "Oh heavenly father, what have I done? Have I not prayed to you daily and spoke of your word? Did I not repent for the unfortunate sins I walked this earth with? I've tried and tried, prayed and prayed. What more do I need?" Each passing word began tightening Jack's already uneasy voice a bit more, yet he continued speaking.

"I want me life back. I want to be Jack Merridew…the one who can be with someone without being abused or rejected. The one who doesn't know what blood tastes like. The one who can play music and pray to god without needing redemption or release…Why can I not be him?" A pale hand clenched firmly around the fading gold cross hanging lazily near the groove made from Ralph's body. "Did I press him too hard? I forcefully took his purity right here…"

Letting go of the cross, Jack watched it roll as far as it could go, stopping as the leash of a chain yanked it backwards. "God, is this a sin? Loving such a child, a boy nonetheless? Taking away the purest virginity since Mary herself…Ralph…" His hand traced the shape left behind, so gentle…almost as though there was a sleeping body beside him. "Am I using you as Roger is using me? I brought you into such an unholy hell of pain and suffering. I almost got you killed, and now that Roger knows where you are…he won't stop. Why didn't I tell you this before I…"

"I can't believe I'm gonna be late!" A clumsy run shot into a desperate sprint as Ralph dodged faceless people on his way to the familiar place he'd spoken of previously. The endless England streets curved every which way under his feet, changing from pavement to grass to cobblestone and back again. Luckily, the rain had stopped and the sun was attempting to shine through again. Just ahead, a curving black gate began to shut. "NO!"

A stern looking man covering himself with a long leather trench coat turned his head slightly to see Ralph rushing full speed towards him. "A little late today, aren't we?" "PLEASE SIR! Just let me go in and see them for a little while! Please!" The determined look never left Ralph's watery eyes, and the man just smiled slyly. "You know the way out. Make sure you lock up when you finish, ya hear?" "Thanks!"

After stepping into the large stretch of land, Ralph took a few moments to catch his breath. "I'm here…thank god I made it…" The fog had eased up, and walking among graves became something Ralph was used to, so maneuvering through the cemetery was no problem. He knew the way all to well. "There you are…"

Drops of dew dove into Ralph's already damp pants as he knelt in the grass before two graves. His eyes scrolled downward, reading over the inscription that had already been memorized in his mind. He noticed a few new cracks in the stone markers, and a small ditch in between them where an animal seemed to have dug. A small pool of water, strangely clean and clear, had partially filled it. It's peaceful again…

"S…So. How have you two been?" Ralph listened to himself speak, shaking his head in disbelief. "Can't believe I'm still doing this trippy stuff. I just wish I could sit with you guys in person…wherever you are now, cuz I need your help. I think I screwed up somewhere. You'll never believe what happened to me today. I found Jack…just like I was kinda hoping I would before, you know?"

Peering around him, Ralph grew a bit more comfortable as he realized he was the only breathing being around. "He's changed, I mean, really changed. He's soft now…I mean…" Ralph blushed as he looked upon his fingertips that had pressed into such tender skin. "But he doesn't smile as much anymore. He's kind of like the kids back on the island…He clung to me a lot…But that's not too bad, right? He cared for me and he sings really well. He's even with a church now, just like me…I'm rambling though, aren't I? You probably don't need to hear all this, either of you."

Though he knew no response would come to him, Ralph sat on his knees quietly and stared in front of him. The silence, however, was unbearable, and his mouth opened a few moments later. "I…uh…almost saw Roger too. He's done some really psychotic stuff to Jack, and he wants me too. Jack told me all this stuff, and he seems to regret a lot. We talked for a really long time…and…he…we…I don't even know how to say it guys…"

Ralph seemed oblivious to the cries coming from his lips and how violently his body had begun shaking. Loose drips of rainwater scurried down the gravestones as if they were crying for his pain wordlessly. It's alright Ralph… "We slept together…Oh god…the first time I have…and it was with him…and I liked it. I mean, I…I don't even know what to say. I liked feeling him hold me into him. He's so warm and familiar. I shouldn't feel like that…People always tell me being…a homo is wrong…so what am I doing?"

A sudden wind stung the side of Ralph's cheek, almost as if someone was disagreeing with him. "What are you guys thinking? I mean, that's what everyone tells me…but…" His heart thumped faster, its beat pumping into his entire body all at the same rhythm. "I wanna feel it again. That rush and all the heat. I wanna feel his hair again…and his chest. Everything… Something just seems…"

"Right…He must have gone right," Jack pondered to himself, buttoning the top of his heavy jacket as he paced outside of his building. His front teeth grinded nervously against his lips, aggravating the chapped cracks even further. "Where would he go around here? He doesn't even live in this section of the city," he sighed heavily. Keeping to himself, Jack continued his debate, not noticing he was being crept up on.

"Excuse me!" A bubbly voice called from behind, taking Jack by utter surprise. "OH! I…I'm sorry!" Turning around, Jack stood before a young girl with sandy blonde hair and eyes the color of Italian olives. She twirled a parasol of pink, her giggle lighting the grey sky. "I hope I didn't scare you! You just seemed a bit lonesome." The choir boy found it hard to explain himself to her cheerfulness. It would ruin it for her. "Are you looking for someone?" She asked with her head tilted, hoping to catch his gaze through the curtain of red.

"Yeah, but he ran off before I could…" "OH! That's okay! I bet I could help you! I'm looking for someone too, and he's always in the same place." Her splayed fingers flashed in front of his face while she waved them wildly. "I'll help you find your friend if you escort me to mine. I bet you're a gentleman, so it'll be fun!"

Denying the hyperactive girl before him would have been impossible. Maybe she can help me… "A…Alright then." "YAY! Let's go!" Before Jack could protest, the young lady's arm looped around his and dragged him across the way. He watched her hair fly against the wind and the smile that grew on her face each time he stumbled. She reminds me of someone… "You never told me your name. I bet it's really pretty," she suddenly chuckled while turning her head to him. "Ah…It's Jack…Jack Merridew…and you?" "My name is Angela Tasna."

"That's a very pretty name. Your last name does sound familiar as well…" "OH! It's not very common, but maybe you've heard of my father. He's very prestigious in his field of work!" Jack thought back for a moment, unable to think of quite the right person. "What work does he do?" "Oh…oh! It's not important!" She reassured with another fast wave of her arm. "Oh…Alright…"

"Is he who you're looking for out here?" He questioned suddenly, trying to find any information that he could. "Nope! I'm looking for a friend of mine. I haven't seen him in awhile, even though he promised he'd be around, you know? He's a flakey kid. Always running from me and such." This time, they both shared a laugh. "I know just the kind of person. I'm looking for someone just like that…even though he probably doesn't want me around."

Angela's eyes lost a pinch of their sparkle, her arm holding a little bit tighter. "Are you sad? Did you have a fight with your friend?" "Yeah…I suppose I did," he replied slowly as if he wasn't sure of it himself. "Well, I bet your friend will be happy that you came after him. You seem really worried, and that'll make him feel better!" She exclaimed cheerfully. They took another few turns, leading them towards a heavy looking gate. "How do you know that?" "Hee, I just do!" As they continued along the path leading up to the plains of the dead, Angela seemed to pick up her pace just a bit. "Why are we going this way? It's a cemetery!" "Don't worry! I…"

"Know. I know…I'd better get back to my life. I'm sorry I bothered you guys with all of this." The tired blonde rose to his feet slowly, shaking out his numb legs and regaining his balance. "Simon…Piggy. You know I miss you guys and I'm really sorry I couldn't…prevent anything that happened when you were still alive. I just hope you can forgive me for that…"

Without another word, Ralph departed towards the entrance. Everything he'd known seemed to remain in the decay of the cemetery. All his feelings stayed with the two graves of his once true friends. He felt himself sinking deeper into his own self depressive quicksand, agony tearing at his feet. "What's the point of going on like this? Geez…" He slammed the gates shut rougher than usual, struggling to push the key into the lock. His hands trembled as they always did when he left that grim place. "I ca…" "RALPH!"

Whirling around to the melodious voice, Ralph's eyes widened. In seconds, the shadow of a pink parasol revealed a doll like beauty, and he was hugged tightly. "Angela!" He gasped, holding on to her as they teetered back and forth. He stiffened silently as the sight of an out of breath Jack found him. "J…" "I knew I would find you here! I thought you would wait for me silly!" Angela scolded, giving Ralph no time to explain before a kiss came his way.

Once she'd had enough, the giggly girl held Ralph's hand, catching her breath. "I'm sorry! I forgot! Ralph, this is my friend Jack Merridew! He helped me find you!" Ralph could see Jack's hands shaking beneath the folds of his coat, his throat constantly swallowing. "And this Jack, is my boyfriend Ralph Kenrich!" Jack could see the pink growing on Ralph cheeks, but he never let her hand go. The graveyard behind them couldn't have echoed the words anymore. Girlfriend.

-----------

Author's Note: I'm really sorry I haven't updated in a long time, but school has been keeping me away horribly. Yeah, so this has much more dialogue in it, but I hoped you enjoy it. OH! And see if you can figure out what's goin on with Angela's last name! XP I'm so lame! Anyway, I really hope you liked this chapter, because this is probably the best one I've done so far, in my opinion at least. And I have a lot of ideas going around, and if there is anything you'd like to see or find out, please IM or e-mail me with your suggestions. I'd love some feedback on what would make this story even better!

THANK YOU FOR READING THUS FAR!