I made Ralph's eyes green. Because I can and because I already did! I originally wanted it blue because it could represent that Jack and Ralph, having blue eyes have a similar trait and that is being a leader. But... for this fic, I already started with him having green eyes so, I shall be consistent with that. Okay, you may now proceed in reading.

CHAPTER SIX

Their eyes met once more, melting into a long stare. Two pairs of eyes, a set of blue and a set of green, held the gaze of the other in the dragging silence. The blue ones were afraid, looking down at the bruised boy. However, the green orbs had a small trace of determination as it looked up from his lying position.

"You. Can go. Ralph," and he pointed to himself, "fine."

The Chief bent down so that they were closer now. Their faces were only inches apart. "You're more important than pigs!" He gently caressed the cheek of the other boy. His hand traced the jaw and slid down his neck, past his collar bone and tenderly stroked the wrapped up arm. "Your arm..."

"They left. Catch up."

"Ralph, you sound the least bit of fine to me!" His voice was shrill with infuriation and the wall echoed it irksomely.

"Catch up." He repeated. "Pigs... waiting. They need you."

Jack leaned closer to the boy lying on the bed. "Can I kiss you so that you'll be well?"

"That. No help." He muttered but offered his wrapped up arm to him.

Jack parted the yellow strands away from Ralph's eyes and pressed his lips on his forehead. "Don't do anything silly."

"Says Mr Sensible," was the blonde's sarcastic response.

"I'll try to be back before dark."

"Since when did you care?" He asked before the taller boy could make his exit. "You're supposed to be my murderer. Just like how you murdered my friends. Don't you remember, Jack? Don't play coy, Jack. Since when did you care about someone that's not you?" He wanted to add those but he left it inside him.

The Chief gave him a cold stare. It was the same face he did when he felt the anger surge through his veins upon hearing Piggy's wise words. His mouth opened but not a word was spoken. Then, he sped away and the forest gobbled him up.

~**BBaaHH**~

Ralph sat by the fire, watching the few littluns run around the vast white sand. They were like ants and wild gas molecules in the dim afternoon. The sun was sinking into the ocean slowly and the light soon grew limited, drawing most of the littluns closer to the fire in the heart of Castle Rock.

His green eyes widened. Was his sight not playing tricks on him? There, in their tiny bodies, something was tattooed, stamped, imprinted with disgusting colours. The dark hues sprawled on the dark skins of the children were very familiar to him. He recalled the moment he himself had those marks on his own weak body. But now, his bruises vanished and have been transferred. Those miniscule bodies were the target now.

When the darkness smiled, all the children huddled close by the fire. They all waited for the hunters to come home.

"Um, that is...?" Ralph took the opportunity to ask, pointing at the huge bruise on the nearest boy's arm. That boy shrugged it off like it wasn't significant. But when Ralph's finger landed on the dark spot, he winced and howled in pain.

"I've got the same thing here!" cried a littlun across him.

"Me, too!" Another kid showed his cheek where a dark mark was plastered.

"I have mine here."

"Mine's over here."

"It's all over my legs." A boy stood up and walked around the fire, showing off the little black spots that were dotted in his short legs.

"I got a big one near my eye." And Ralph was surprised. Hadn't Jack seen his face? He looks worse than him and yet he's taking care of him. What is Jack up to, he wondered.

"See my back for them spots!" But this child's back also bore long and angry red marks, as if he was scratched or whipped.

The ring of small children began to blurt out about their bruises and wounds.

"Quiet!"

And the silence that Ralph ordered was given.

"What happened to those? Has something bad happened?"

Small round eyes warily darted around the place.

"You can bet that the beastie's running free."

"The Bigguns always get to have their fun."

They whispered a story to Ralph, something he simply couldn't take in. Their hushed tones didn't rise above the fire. Fear lingered in their words. It was as if they were talking to the wind of their sorrows and misfortunes. The little Percival was about to continue where Johnny left off but the famous chant suddenly emanated and grew near.

Later, they were eating roasted fruits, frogs and lizards. No pig tonight. Ralph couldn't help but notice the wild look the Bigguns had in their eyes. And while they were munching ravenously, they stared at the Littluns in a creepily disturbing manner.

"Ow."

"Oh, sorry." And he bit off the lizard's head that Jack was holding against his mouth.

"It's alright. At least I'm not bleeding." Jack said and kissed the slight throbbing in his index finger.

"Blood."

"Pardon?"

He vigorously shook his head and Jack pretended that he didn't notice the disturbing look Ralph had. The fair haired boy was looking as wild as Roger.