Stranded

Chapter 8 ~ Cassie

I get dressed in one of the old outfits. I don't care if the boy's meeting hasn't been called yet, I'm going. Several other girls have the same idea, and are putting on clothes a little away. Everyone wants to come, but I'm only taking the group that was selected for this last night. Rules are rules, and no matter what comes up, they will be enforced. The new watch is set up for the signal fire, I think they may have already left, it is getting around the time we usually leave, so we won't be too early. I finish and start down the beach.

                                                                      ***

I arrived at the platform, many are already gathered around there, but not in position yet. Rachel, Selene, Alexia, and Hannah sit down facing the 'chief's' seat.

"Where's Ralph?" I ask.

"He was over there somewhere," Simon says. I nodded a thanks and walk in the indicated direction. I find Ralph pacing back and forth. His hair, as are all the other boys,' is long, not as long as any of us girls, but still. They also have developed tans, like all of us. They all wear shorts that have been torn from undergrowth like all of our cloths. They are very uninventive.

"It's too late," I say to him.

"It's not too late for a meeting. I just need to think," he responds.

"It's too late to enact any type of power over your group.... I sent some girls up to watch the fire. It's not just your group's responsibility anymore," I turn and head back to the group.

"If I don't have power, then where did you get yours. I have the conch," Ralph says. I pause.

"I saved my group's lives and been the main person to give ideas to make our camp better. They recognize this and do their part," I say before I continue walking back.