Ralph awoke. He still held Jack's prized possession against his chest. He knew he could use this to manipulate the boy... but he wanted to return it. It would be wrong to do anything to it.
Ralph moved his hands to the hat. His finger gently stroked the soft fabric before he moved it underneath the leaves. He sat up to check on Piggy. As he left the hut he saw the pile of berries sitting in front of the door. Piggy was bathing himself in the sea not too far away. Ralph's eyes swiftly darted away no one wanted, nor needed to see that sight. He sat down on a tree trunk as he grabbed a few berries. He gently peeled the skin off the fruit before placing it within his mouth. He bit down letting the sweet juice run down his throat. He knew he'd regret eating any, but the hydration to his mouth felt heavenly...
"Im gonna go out for a few seconds Piggy!" Ralph yelled out. He saw Piggy look over, and well that was enough for him to assume an acknowledgment. Ralph made his way over to the hut reaching under the mattress and grabbing Jack's choir cap. He stared at it for a few seconds. He didnt know why he wanted to...but he slowly lifted it before placing it upon his head. It was a bit big and drooped on his forehead but it felt nice, plus it blocked the sun from getting into his eyes. Ralph immediately understood why Jack always wore it. The boy would remove it from his head before making his way over to Jack's tribe.
Ralph admired the surroundings, well more so gazed about at them. He swore he could see the view with his eyes closed. He knew the beach like the back of his hand. The small village that Jack's tribe was soon appeared into view. Seemed everyone was asleep, most likely in preparation for the next hunt. Ralph gazed at the sleeping figures searching for a certain redhead. A certain redhead that wasn't there. The situation gave Ralph a sense of déja vue, but he couldnt pinpoint why.
Ralph would make his way into the forest a bit off Jack's tribe. Maybe Jack was in the forest already, or maybe he was washing up in a nearby river. However as he heard a soft snore his eyes darted over. He saw Jack's figure sitting against a tree. He had one eye open and one closed...yet he snored. Ralph walked closer before bending down and waving...no reaction. Had Jack learned to quite literally sleep with one eye open. Ralph slowly placed the cap back onto the hunter's head. He gently adjusted it to rest perfectly upon the hunter's red mane. Ralph would then walk quietly away, unaware of the second eye which had opened.
"Thanks..." the sorrow filled voice spoke.
"...i thought you were-"
"Asleep? I was but you woke me up... sorry for... last night."
"What are you sorry for?"
Jack opened his lips to speak but decided against it. His gaze gently moved down as he looked at Ralph's body however he would soon look away. Ralph feeling a bit weirded out by Jack's behaviour began walking away once more.
"W-wait!"
Ralph would feel a calloused hand grab onto his own. His eyes moved down his arm, down his wrist to Jack's hand. It gently held Ralph's own. His fingers interlaced with Ralph's.
"Uhm...im hosting another feast tonight...if you wanted to come that is..."
Jack spoke with a slight... tone of nervousness to his voice. The two were so close before, but now they were so... awkward towards each other.
Jack quickly let go of Ralph's hand. He looked around to make sure no one saw.
"Go on then freak. Go run back to your dumb fatboy. Let's see how far you'll last with him. You'd be off so much better if you..." Jack's gaze broke off the eye contact. "If you...you...j-join my tribe."
Jack slammed his spear into the ground. "Join my tribe!" Jack spoke quite loudly, most likely to cover up that pitiful excuse of a request a few seconds ago.
Ralph quietly responded "Why should i. Im not a savage like you guys. You all act so high and mighty." Ralph took a deep breath before he continued "You're all just boys with sticks!" After his words left his mouth he began back to Piggy. What a waste of time this was, he should've just left Jack's cap to hang in the tree.
