The Island

Piggy

We woke up the next morning squished together in the one hut that remained. Ralph and Piggy went to get fruit and I walked to get water. When I returned they were already dived into the melons they had collected. I set the water down and began eating with them.

"We ought to go to castle rock," Piggy said, his mouth full of food, "talk to Jack; get the group back together. I'll bring the conch. We can have a meeting."

"What's the point?" I asked, rolling my eyes at his silly idea. "He's not going to listen to us. You should know Jack by now- he doesn't listen to anyone."

"Actually Piggy, your idea isn't half-bad." Ralph said. I turned my head towards him, an inquisitorial look on my face. "Maybe if we go over there we can convince him to get the group back together so we can get rescued faster."

"Piggy, Ralph, not to be rude or anything, but that's the worst idea I've ever heard," I said, "Jack doesn't give a shit about getting rescued. He's ready to die on this island. That conch isn't going to do anything to help us. It's meaningless, Piggy." I added. The boys looked deep in thought for a moment and I thought they might agree with me.

"I think it's worth a try." Ralph shrugged.

"I think maybe it will work if we try hard enough." Piggy added. I rolled my eyes and shrugged. I couldn't control them, so why bother trying?

We walked slowly to castle rock. I dreaded going back there to relive the memories of what Jack had done to me, but I followed the boys in silence. I refused to let them go without me and risk getting hurt. 

It was almost as if Jack and his gang were waiting for us when we arrived. They all stood along the path leading to their camp, staring down at us as we walked closer and closer to them. They were all holding spears, as if they may have to use them. Jack was standing a bit farther than the others, looking down at us from the highest part of the rock near a large boulder.

"What do you want?" He called from his spot, peering at us. His face was dirty and tired; he looked as if he hadn't slept for days. I thought about how the thought of killing Simon must have been haunting him. It made me smile- I wanted him to hate himself for it.

"I'm calling a meeting. I have the conch and I want to speak!" Ralph replied, his voice steady and loud. I watched as Jack walked down to path leading down to where we were. He stopped when he was halfway down.

"That stupid conch doesn't mean anything here. Go back to kindergarten you dumbasses." Jack retorted. His comment was followed by a wave of comments from the other boys. 'Go home' and 'Go back to where you came from' was thrown around the group. Some boys laughed; the younger ones stood in silence, waiting to see what would happen.

"We need to get the group back together, Jack! We need to help each other so we can get rescued." Ralph pleaded. Jack walked all the way down to where we were standing and padded over to Ralph, towering over him. He was quite a bit taller than Ralph, and he made sure he knew it.

"Go home, Ralph. We aren't gonna help you." Jack growled, his eyes narrowing. Ralph, who had had enough, pushed Jack back, who stumbled and almost fell to the ground. I rolled my eyes for the thousandth time that day. I knew that was it, and Jack was ready for a fight.

Jack pushed Ralph back, causing Ralph to become even more irritated and push Jack. I wouldn't consider it an actual fist fight. They refused to punch each other, and instead just pushed each other around until they were rolling around in the dirt.

"Stop it!" Piggy yelled, breaking everyone out of their trance. Jack and Ralph stopped fighting and turned to look at Piggy, who held the conch in one hand and a large walking stick in the other. He was sweating as all eyes landed on him, but he cleared his throat and prepared himself to speak, despite the snickers from some of the boys. "I have the conch! I get to speak!" He uttered, his voice loud, but wavering. A chorus of 'go home Piggy' and 'Shut up, fatty' was spread around the group, and a few boys began throwing rocks at him.