Author's Note: WOW! It feels like forever since I've written. I hopefully will find some inspiration this summer for some new chapters! UGH! I'm still getting out of the icky style I was going into during my creative writing class. I will try to get back on track!

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Chapter Thirteen

"HELP ME! HELP ME!" Ralph's feet dashed between flames, his entire body burning with fear. He rushed through the dream he'd had almost every night, painfully aware of his surroundings. For some reason, this dream wasn't ending. He'd already run past the last trees and he could already see the ocean and hear the screaming. "WHY WON'T I WAKE UP?!" His eyes opened to the arms of a soldier with a tense jaw. "Are you alright?"

Ralph tried to speak but his body moved itself as if he was following a scripted scene. As he turned, the sand flew into the air with the rough feet of warrior boys armed and ready. They poured like ants out of the trees, raising their spears and screaming for Ralph. He hid his face within the warmth of the protective navy coat while he heard a soldier scream what he'd repeated in his head so many times before. "Boys, please calm down. We're only here to help you. Just come with us, and you'll be alright." "No no no no no…"

Each boy must have seen something in that man that reminded them of home and Ralph could hear the clang of their weapons hit the sand. His eyes widened as he attempted to cover his ears, forced to turn around again. "No more…" "NO! Don't defend that traitor! Let me kill him now! NOW!" The much leaner Roger had his spear raised and Ralph could almost see the animalistic gleam in his eyes. His blood froze cold at the sight and thought of the growling boy, even if it was a dream. "Wake up…wake up…" Unable to snap himself out of the nightmare, cries filled Ralph's ears. "GIVE HIM TO ME NOW!"

Roger's thunderous yells spread the carnivorous instinct within the boys who now rushed with dry eyes towards Ralph and his saviors. The beat of their feet was too loud, the ocean's waves crashed too hard, the air was too thick, and the fire was too hot. It was all too much, even in a dream! "STOP IT!"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Still unable to wake himself, Ralph felt a sweep of nausea pass over him as he watched Roger speed past the other boys, closing in the distance. His eyes were filled with rage and stared right into Ralph's. Behind him, Ralph could hear a fast click and a soldier's scream. Then…Jack…"ROGER! ROG…" Palm trees cracked and smashed into the ground, rumbling the island as Roger slipped to the ground slowly in a circle of fire like liquid. Ralph could feel gravity pushing him down as his eyes rolled back. "Finally," he thought, "finally out of this nightmare…" He fell below the water, eyes wide open.

"Hey Ralph, what are you doing?" Ralph could feel the flow of the water beneath him and a hand slightly tapping his chest. The voice was gentle and quiet, so motherly and far away. "S…Simon!" Ralph's eyes opened to the island, completely silent and covered with tropical flowers. He'd never seen it like this before, but it was more beautiful than ever. His fingers pushed up into the sand as he looked at the smiling boy sitting cross legged beside him. "Hi Ralph," Simon said bashfully. Ralph could feel tears building in his eyes. "SIMON!"

He felt the warmth of Simon's fragile skin as he hurried to wrap his arms around him. It was hard to believe he could even do that! "What are you crying about Ralph?" Simon rubbed his back, listening to Ralph's sobs. "S…Simon!" He was too surprised to ask any of the questions he'd kept in his mind for the past five years. All he could do was lie in those soft arms and catch the scent of island flowers and the ocean breeze. "Ralph, you're not happy…" Ralph remained still for another moment, eventually pulling back and hurrying to rub his eyes.

Simon's light eyes stared while he listened, just as wide and sad as always. "What are you talking about? Of course I'm happy. I have a girlfriend and school…and there's J…" Ralph put his hand over his mouth before he could finish. Why would that name even come to mind? Simon folded his hands, smiling. "What about Jack?"

"I…I never said anything about Jack!" Ralph protested, rubbing the back of his neck as the warmth of his lovebite began radiating again. "Come on Ralph, it's just me. There's no one else here," Simon whispered with another sheepish smile, holding his hair against his face as the wind blew. Ralph stared for a moment, remembering the quiet wisdom of the thin boy. What couldn't he say? "How did you know…?" He sighed, rubbing his burning cheeks.

"You told me, remember? I know everything you've told me. Everything from the past five years. It's okay." Simon sat, waiting for Ralph to speak. Ralph, who could feel the eyes upon him, just sat and blushed for several minutes. He hadn't been able to figure it out himself. "You really want me to say it for you?" Simon scooted closer and sighed. "You need to listen a little better Ralph. You're thinking a lot when you really don't need to. Nobody is on the island anymore. We don't have to think for everyone. You can be a little bit selfish." Simon said this so plainly, Ralph felt even stupider for denying it. He knew it, but couldn't act on it…

"How would you know Simon? You haven't been here for the past five years! You haven't heard all the stories I've just been told! Jack and Roger killed you! THEY KILLED YOU!" The frustration from Simon's puzzling words pounded Ralph's head, watering his eyes. Simon hadn't protested, he just listening quietly, still smiling. "Simon, you're dead! How could you possibly know?!"

"Because I'm still listening Ralph. I always listened." "Simon, you're dead! DEAD! YOU'RE DEAD!" Though Ralph's voice was raising, Simon remained seated in the sand, his hands still folded neatly. "Ralph, you died long before I did. The truth hurts, I know that, but it's for the best. Let go of Piggy, let go of the island…let go of me too. There's still someone breathing in your world. His heart is beating for you, and yours may be too. You don't have to be dead Ralph, I know that for sure."

"Simon…" Ralph stretched his hand out, letting the tears flow freely now. Simon, who seemed slightly paler now, took Ralph's hand, nodding. Ralph could feel his cross growing warm and it began to rise as if a gust of wind was playing with it. "Ralph," Simon began again. Before he could finish, a buzzing sound drowned out his calming voice. Ralph rubbed his eyes, trying to grab Simon's shoulders. He gasped as he pulled back a bloody hand. Simon had begun falling every which way, pouring out blood as holes and bitemarks began reappearing on his weak body. "Ralph…" The flower petals that had decorated the island began flying with an upturn in the wind, while ashes showered onto the now lit sand. Ralph covered his eyes, crying out as loud as he could as the images seemed to fade away. "SIMON! SIMON!" "Ralph…"

Ralph flew from under his bed sheets, his forehead hitting in the center of an unfamiliar hand. His eyes, wide with terror, gazed at an unrecognizable face wearing sunglasses. "Good morning," the boy, completely unaffected by Ralph's fear, said.

"How…How did you get in here?" Ralph whispered, his throat sore.

"I picked the lock."

"Wh…Where are Sam and Eric?"

The boy decided not to answer and stood up to stretch. Ralph bit his lip as he learned the boy's height. He's even taller than Jack…He felt his forehead, trying to make sure he was still awake. The boy was well dressed. He wore a black tie and a matching black vest. His white buttoned shirt sleeves were rolled up and his shoes were off, making Ralph worry even more. How long has he been here..? "HEY! I asked where Sam and Eric were!" He nervously sank into the sheets as the boy turned and laughed. "In the closet."

Ralph began crawling out of his bed, not finding the joke funny. This guy is trouble… The boy noticed the sudden mood change and shifted closer towards the bed, smiling coolly. Ralph narrowed his eyes, taking one last deep breath. If I can just pin him down…

Finding his footing, Ralph lunged forward, his legs pushing towards the sunglasses. To his surprise, the boy simply reached out his arms and caught him, laughing deeply as he spoke. "You're very light, aren't you Princess?" "P…Princess?! WHA…" Ralph could feel his cheeks burning as a hand extended his leg. "He describes you well. Very leggy." "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING A…" "Nicol…please don't upset him…" Ralph immediately stopped speaking at the sound of that familiar voice.

The tall boy sighed and began walking over to Sam and Eric's bunk bed, putting Ralph down beside it. Peering into the bed's shade, Ralph gasped as he saw Jack lying on the bottom bunk. Even though it seemed impossible, his skin was paler than its usual ivory hue and it looked to be dripping with sweat heavily. His eyelids were dark and ringed as if he hadn't slept in days and his pupils were as large as marbles. As he saw Ralph, he gave a faint smile, attempting to reach towards him with an unsteady hand. "Ralph…"

Ralph sat on his knees, staring at what he couldn't believe was Jack. It had been two days since they had last seen each other, and Jack looked sick then, but now he barely looked like he could walk. He shut his eyes as two clammy hands held the sides of his face and a husky voice spoke to the boy watching them. "Can we have a minute?"

The boy clenched his jaw, leaning forward towards Jack so only he could hear what he was saying. "If you feel worse, we leave. We have more to do, okay?" Jack gave another weak smile and nodded. "I'll try my best."

"Don't try. Just do it," Nicol warned, tapping his fingers lightly on Jack's forehead before turning around. Ralph glared as the tall boy bent down, lowering his shades. The chill of his nonchalant grey eyes stung at Ralph. His hand grasped the young face glaring at him, speaking slowly into Ralph's ear. "Don't do anything stupid…See you later," the cool voice whispered in a fierce tone. Waiting until the door shut, Ralph turned wide eyed to Jack. "Why would you hang out with a guy like that?!"

"He's not that bad. He just…shows his feelings diff..."

"Who was that guy?! And just who does he think he is grabbing me like that! AND CALLING ME PRINCESS?!"

"Ralph…Ralph!" Jack watched as Ralph began pacing the room, his face flushing in anger and embarrassment. He thought of the sarcastic tone and cool expression…and that awful hand! And why was he with Jack?! "What a bloody…" "RALPH!"

Ralph stopped his raging once he noticed how weak Jack seemed to become just from yelling. He hurried back to the bedside, scratching his head. Before he could apologize, Jack interjected, getting straight to the purpose of his visit. "Do you remember what I told you in the hospital?" Ralph immediately turned red again. "Yeah, so?" "You never answered my question…"

"Jack, I told you I don't love…"

"That's not what I asked you!"

"Oh…well, I guess I don't remember…"

Jack shut his eyes, struggling to breathe against the effort and slight disappointment of Ralph's response. Lines of sweat raced down his cheek as he attempted to open his mouth again. Instead, he rubbed a hand over his eyes, searching for the right words. Ralph could feel the distance between them, even though Jack was right beside him. The sound of the sickly breaths made him want to hold his ears as hard as he could. "Ralph," Jack groaned, struggling for several minutes to push himself against the small wall space beside the bunk bed. Ralph could see Jack's clothes soaking, clinging wetly to his body. "If you won't answer me that, can you at least explain what you're thinking right now?"

Ralph ran a hand through his hair, standing again. "I'm thinking a lot of things right now. What kind of question is that?" He walked to the window, pressing his hands against the sill. Calm down, calm down…

"If you just tell me something…anything, then I'll leave you alone. Is that well enough?" Jack whispered, aching as he turned his head towards the stubborn blonde. "I'm thinking…I'm confused and it's your fault." "My fault?"

"Yeah. After we got off the ship leaving the island, I was fine. Sure, there was the court case and all, but…" Ralph bit his fingernail and trailed off until Jack asked him to finish. "But what?"

"Nothing. I was just fine. I mean, I guess I want to know…" Their eyes connected for the first time. "Why did you wait until now to come into my life? It's been five bloody years and I have a girlfriend, I have a religion…I was SURE that everything in my life was under control. Then you come back in and everything just falls apart. People are apparently threatening my life," Ralph began, pacing the room and counting on his fingers. "You're working with Roger, you're acting like a Christian, you smoke, you sing, you play violin! You said all those things to me…and we…"

He began stuttering as he always did when they brought up that incident. The very thought of their bodies so close, so confused still left his mind blank. "Ralph, we…" "DON'T SAY IT!" His bangs slightly brushed his face as his hands came down upon the table. "Please don't remind me anymore! I don't understand it, and I don't understand you, Jack! You shouldn't have done that! WE shouldn't have done that! I'm confused enough as it is, and now you…you make me act against the lord…"

"Act against the lord?" Jack repeated. "Ralph, you can't believe…" "Jack! Be realistic! How many bloody boys do you know who can say they've slept with another? I don't understand how you can be so calm in this situation!" "Because I like you…"

"Who cares?! I liked you before any of this started! So…" Ralph covered his mouth in awe at his own words. He could feel his eyes watering. Damn it! Through his misty eyesight, he could see Jack struggling to stand, a smile of relief on his face. He drew closer, using the weight of the table to keep him stable as his hands touched Ralph's cheeks. "That's the only answer I needed. As long as you're willing to give me a chance or even…just help me in my situation...That's fine. I'm satisfied if you're around, so I know you're not dead…and neither am I." "D…Dead…"

Ralph's light eyes glazed over at the dream he'd had about Simon. "Ralph?" Jack turned his face over in his hands as the expression drained away with the blood in his face. "RALPH?!" "You…you tricked…me…You killed Simon…I can't…I can't…" Ralph had said too much and Jack had told him too many things. And that dream…All the questions and mysteries they were speaking on now were rushing to his head as his blood seemed to rush to his feet. Simon…

By the time Jack was able to get Ralph onto his bed, he was crying, but aware. "You killed Simon," he muttered with his head down. "We all killed Simon…" Jack added.

"I never hurt him…never…" Ralph ignored the weight as Jack sat on the bed, trying to look him in the eye. "He's probably hurting now if he's seeing you like this…Ralph, you look so exhausted. Your fever hasn't left either. I shouldn't be here. I'll come back tomorrow, you just rest." Ralph, who had not yet looked at Jack, clenched his teeth as he could hear Jack's rough breathing. He sounds horrible.

Jack dragged himself up, slowly stepping towards the door with a stone in his stomach. I don't have enough time…"Ralph…even if you don't see me for awhile; I still care about you…" Just as he reached the door, two hands pressed into his back. He could hear quiet sobs before the door began opening. "Jack…please…don't ever come back here." "But Ralph…" "NO! I can't think straight! There's too much going on! Just lea…" Ralph's eyes widened as Jack's weight pressed him into the wall. Jack's lips were able to silence him for only a moment, as neither of them were well enough to hold their breath.

"I know Ralph. I'll leave you alone. Just please, even if you care about me just a little bit…find me before it's too late. Okay?" Red locks traced over the wet streams falling down Ralph's face as he swallowed, nodding and sobbing at the same time. As soon as the weight left him, he hurried to bury himself in his deep blankets, sick with confusion and fever. What am I supposed to do?! The door shut, leaving behind two books, one with a familiar address written on the paper just long enough for Ralph to see.

"Jack? Jack?! JACK!" Jack shook his head, wincing at the pain that welcomed him to consciousness. "What happened?" He peered up to see a hint of worry in the grey eyes of Nicol. "You passed out. I tried waking you up for ten minutes maybe. I told you this was bad idea." Jack sat up from the pillow of his friend's knees, thinking for a moment before wiping his face. "No, I think...something I did in there was right. Either way, it's Ralph's choice now, not mine. Let's go back." "Are you su…?

"I'm fine Nicol!" The pale boy reassured as he inched up the wall until he was finally on his feet. He ignored the footsteps following him and the voice that kept calling his name. He was too preoccupied with the thought of Ralph. I didn't have enough time to tell him everything…what happens next is all depending on him tomorrow…

Nicol extended his arm around Jack's shoulder, interrupting his thought. "Did you ever think you were trusting the wrong person? I really don't know about that one…He has attitude…" "Nicol, don't worry about it." Jack paused, trying to hide the fact that he couldn't see straight in front of him. "D…Don't worry about it. Ralph always made the right decision. I'll see him t…tomorr…" "JACK!"

Nicol caught Jack's sinking shoulders, turning him around. His eyes were still extremely dilated, but seemed to be ready to escape into his head at any moment. Sage was right…The strong boy put Jack over one shoulder and took off as fast as he could. Just one more day, Jack! Just one more day!

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Author's Note: I forgot to mention before, but flashbacks are italics. I'm a little relieved I finally let Ralph get angry. He's going to be more frequent, though the chapter ends with Jack and Nicol. The next few chapters are going to be leading up to more action and such. I'm exhausted. Darn creative writing class! : P