It had been a year since they had been rescued from the island, from themselves. It seemed like it had only been yesterday.
Ralph stared blankly at the mush in front of him that these people called porridge. He felt eyes on him and looked up to see Jack staring at him. Ralph got up and walked out of the dining room and back to his room. Ralph could barely stand to look at Jack after what had happened. Ralph's eyes started to water and he wiped his face with his hand. Whenever he thought about it... he stared to cry.
Jack watched Ralph walk away and looked down at his feet, crest fallen. He felt awful and horrible. The people here and his therapist told him it wasn't his fault. They said the circumstances had been enough to drive anyone mad. Jack shuddered every time he remembered the countless pigs he had killed, the sound the rock had made when it hit piggy's body, the savage murder of Simon...... Jack shivered and his eyes watered. It made him uneasy that he had had so much evil inside him. He knew that part of him still lurked within. He was determined to lock the beast away and never release it again. Simon had been right... the beast was them.
Nowadays he didn't eat meat anymore. He became a vegetarian. Every time he saw meat he had a panic attack and would just break down. Whenever he saw a wounded animal his heart broke.
Ralph didn't know this about him. They had been separated ever since they got to the Orphanage. Most of the children on the islands parents had died because of the war, or they had tearfully refused to take back their children after they had heard what had happened.
Jack missed Ralph. Jack had loved him and still did. But of course he blew it, he always messed up. Roger shook Jacks shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.
"Come on Jack we have to go do our chores." Roger said.
"Ok." Jack mumbled, getting up and following Roger.
Ralph lay on his bed looking up at the pealing ceiling. He had dark circles under his eyes from countless nights of no sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw the horrors that had unfolded on the island.
He missed Jack. A part of him knew that Jack was just a boy like him and the island had just broken something inside of him. It was hard though to forgive someone and trust someone who you witnessed kill two of your friends and had tried to have you killed as well. Jack once told Ralph he loved him. Ralph wasn't sure he could believe that anymore.
After Jack did his chores he met with his therapist. They mostly talked about how he felt and Ralph. Jack would always bring up Ralph and the therapist would look at him hopelessly.
"Is Ralph the only person you care for?" The therapist asked Jack.
"Yes... and no. Because if Ralph hates me... then I hate myself. If Ralph is sad... I'm sad. If Ralph is hurt... I'm hurt. But at the same time I care for other people... but not like I care for Ralph." Jack explained.
By the time his session was done it was time to go to bed. Jack didn't want to go to his bed and lay their until dawn again. So, he snuck through the dark hallways.
He walked by a door and heard sobbing. Jack opened the door and peered in to see a blonde boy huddled upright in bed, rocking back and fourth. It was Ralph.
Jack walked in further and the door squeaked. Ralph snapped his head up and saw Jack standing in the doorway.
"Go away." Ralph hissed between sobs. "Leave me alone you monster."
Jack's voice stuck in his throat as he opened his mouth. He closed it and swallowed, then tried again.
"I don't want to hurt you Ralph." Jack whispered softly, his voice shaking.
"Too late. You already did. Look at me." Ralph lashed out, bursting into sobs again.
Jack looked at Ralph, how his hair was all matted, like it hadn't been brushed in months. His eyes were red and bloodshot like he cried everyday. He had dark circles under his eyes and he was so skinny.
Jack walked toward him and Ralph snarled, "get away from me, you carnivore."
Jack paused and said ever so softly, "I'm a vegetarian now."
Ralph stopped crying and looked up at Jack with soft eyes.
"Really?" He whispered.
"Really. I can't stand meat... every time I see it I break down. I hate to see wounded animals or people. It breaks my heart." Jack whispered, his eyes watering.
"Don't you start crying... come here." Ralph patted the spot next to him in bed.
Jack walked over and got under the covers next to Ralph. They sat and looked at each other for a long second. Then Ralph spoke.
"Remember when you said you loved me." Ralph said.
"Of course." Jack smiled a little.
"Do you still love me..?" Ralph whispered.
"I never stopped loving you." Jack rested his hand on Ralph's.
Ralph smiled. "Me too. I love you Jack."
"I love you too Ralph." Jack reached out and hugged Ralph tightly. Ralph returned the hug and the two boys sat embracing each other. Holding on to each other for dear life.
After the hug they lay down and held each other. Jack noticed Ralph closing his eyes and snapping them open again.
"Do you want me to sing to you?" Jack asked.
Ralph smiled up at Jack. "I'd love that very much."
Jack thought for a second of what song to sing and then he opened his mouth and sweet notes poured out of him. He decided he'd change the I's and me's of the song to them. Him and Ralph.
"We've been down and
I'm wondering why
These little black clouds
Keep walking around
With us
With us
It wastes time
And I'd rather be high
Think I'll walk us outside
And buy a rainbow smile
But be free
They're all free
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
We look around at a beautiful life
Been the upper side of down
Been the inside of out
But we breathe
We breathe
I wanna breeze and an open mind
I wanna swim in the ocean
Wanna take my time for us
All us
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find our way home
So maybe tomorrow
We'll find my way home
So maybe tomorrow..." jack trailed off and looked down to see Ralph peacefully sleeping. He smiled and snuggled up closer to Ralph and fell a sleep for the first time in awhile. Maybe they already found their way home. They found each other.
