Hey guys. I am so so sorry that this chapter took so long! But AP Chemistry has taken over my life and all my time is devoted to that class. So right now, fall break is my best friend. So lovelies, read and review. If you like something, tell me! If you don't like something, tell me!
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Flies, yadda yadda.
Warning: Language and darkness. I think.
Note: QOTD: Have you ever wanted a boyfriend, but you were so busy that you literally said "Screw it, I don't have time for a boyfriend."?
Chapter 5
"Beth, what happened?" I wail as I clutch my stomach. On her chest is a mixture of blood, pus, and dirt.
"Didn't you tell me that sand and water could clean a cut?" she pants, sitting on the ground. I sigh.
"I said that sand would clean water. It filters water." She groans and vomits behind her. I swallow the bile rising in my own throat and call for Gracie. She pops her head out of the hut.
"Yes ma'am?" she replies.
"Can you go see if the boys have returned from their trip? If so, get Ralph and Jack and come quickly." I order. She nods and runs off. I turn back to Beth and inhale quickly.
"Beth, we have to get you cleaned up." I say. She nods a little and I help her up and bring her to the water. I splash some water on the monstrosity and she winces, turning away. I turn her back and pour more water on her, already washing off some of the dirt and blood. Beth's body is tense and she is on the verge of tears when I hear someone yelling my name. I turn around and see Gracie with Ralph and Jack in tow. They rush over and help me bring Beth back to our hut.
"Avy, it looks like her gash is infected. Really badly." Jack says. He feels her forehead. Then her feet.
"Her forehead is hot, but her feet are frozen. It's getting late. Why don't you guys take fire duty. She can sit and warm up and you can sit and relax." He says. I frown.
"By myself?" I ask. He shakes his head.
"No. There will be another boy up there with you. Ralph'll walk you guys up there. Won't you?" he says, turning to Ralph. Ralph nods and picks up Beth. Before we start to walk, Jack catches me.
"Avy, I don't know if she'll make it to tomorrow." He whispers, looking me straight in the eye. He gives me what I think is a look of sympathy and sends me with Ralph. The walk up to the fire was long and silent. I am stifling my sobs and Ralph is breathless from carrying Beth. We finally reach the top of the hill and I secretly swat away the tears on my cheeks. Ralph settles Beth on the grass in front of the fire. He leans over and pecks my cheek and departs, leaving me in silence. I sit on a trunk the boys had positioned around the fire and huff, wiping away more tears. It isn't until I open my eyes that I see who is on duty with me: Roger.
"Hello Avabeth." he says, his voice deeper than I remembered.
"Hello." I whisper. He stands up and I stiffen. He slowly makes his way to the seat next to mine.
"How are you? Aside from falling out of that tree." he says, smirking.
"I'm fine." I reply, my voice not reaching above a whisper. He stifles a laugh.
"Really? You seem a bit upset. What's troubling you?" he asks in mock sympathy. I grit my teeth.
"My best friend is d-" I stop mid-sentence. Sometimes I hate having feelings. I gurgle out a sob and cover my face with my hands. Through my fingers, I see a surprised frown on his face.
"Oh shit, you're actually upset. Shitshitshit what do I do?" he says to himself. He was counting on me just being uncomfortable around him. He didn't think I was legitimately upset. Through my fingers, I see him debate with himself on whether to comfort me or not. He decided against patting my shoulder apparently, because he retracted his hand.
He sits debating for another second or two before pulling me into a gentle hug.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that she-"
"You didn't know that someone on this island was dying, but you knew my life story? How could you tell them? How could you take thirty little boys and drop them into my world of absolute horror?...how do you even know what happened?" I pause my game of 20 Questions to let him answer. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. His brain stalls and he looks to the fire.
"Your dad. He...he reads it when he's upset. I was in detention in the corner. I guess he forgot I was in there. He-he started reading. I tried to stop him...but he just kept reading. It was horrible. Excruciating." I purse my lips.
"If you thought it was so awful, then why did you tell it to thirty little boys?!" He stutters again, leaving a silence.
"I...I thought it might impress you...you know, make you trust me. I guess not-"
"You're damn right it didn't! It scared me! I didn't know that anyone knew. So when a complete stranger sat and told me my nightmare verbatim, it didn't exactly calm me down. I was...I was-"
"Scared. I get it." He interrupts. I smirk.
"A better description would have been 'mortified'." He lowers his head and I sigh. We don't say anything for the rest of the night.