Chapter 13 LOTF

Chapter 13 Home at last



The naval officer stood on the sand in front of Ralph, still dumbfounded. They could see a large ship creeping up to shore from a distance. It was the most magnificent thing Ralph had ever seen.
“Come on boys lets get on that ship.” The officer said with a hint of urgency in his voice. When the ship got close enough to shore, they jumped into the water. A hand reached down and grabbed the boys, one by one, onto the ship. Finally, the boys were able to act like children. The men on the ship gave them food, water, and clothes. Ralph was able to look like a handsome young boy again, instead of a dirty, rugged, savage.
Jack was not exactly thrilled about this transition. His face was permanently stuck in a grimace. He still looked at Ralph with hate, and murderous intentions. There was hope in the air, hope for a long successful journey. Ralph looked around worriedly, noticing that some of the boys were not there.
Knowing that there were boys alone, on an island caught on fire, dampened the pure feeling of happiness and relief. If only everyone could go home. Ralph couldn’t wait to get home to his family, to be able to go to school, be a boy. He didn’t have to fear for his life, or take care of himself anymore. Sam and Eric were jumping up and down, thrilled to see something other than false hope and murder. For once in many months, they slept like babies. The naval officer that rescued them shook Ralph in an attempt to wake him up.
“What is it?” Ralph asked.
“Did you know a boy named Simon by any chance?” The officer asked.
“Why yes, I did, do you know him?” Ralph replied.
“Yes, he is my nephew.” The officer replied. Ralph put his head down in condolence.
“Simon didn’t make it.” Ralph said sadly. The officer’s nostrils started to flare. He walked away. Ralph walked down to the crew’s courtiers of the ship. A man with Dark hair, friendly eyes, and a cleft chin, sat on the bed. He was looking at an old photo of a lady. Ralph walked up to him slowly.
“Hi…I’m Ralph.” He said slowly. The man turned around. He ran up to Ralph quickly, and cupped his face in his hands.
“Son, I know who you are.” He said, crying tears of happiness. Ralph cried with him, they held each other. On the island Ralph knew he would never be able to see his father again, but fate proved him wrong. Some of the stuff that happened on that island was blocked out of his memory, because it was so traumatizing.
Jack was sitting on the deck, teary eyed. Knowing that he would have to go back to being a choirboy, with no power, made him sweat. Deep inside he knew that this was a no good world, that took away everything that fulfilled him. He will continue to sing to a nonexistent being while the others go home to their normal lives.
For the first time in the whole time he was alone, he wept. Ralph sat, cuddled with his father, and looked at the journey ahead. He will never forget his island, his leadership, and he will never forget the Lord of the Flies. The mighty beastie, who kept them so afraid, was only their own reflections. Their animal instincts took over their young, fragile minds. They were a group, but they were alone. So let their story be carried on. Their wall of society crumbled, they were not even human anymore, until now.
Ralph could see a dock in front of him, filled with people of different ages, and sizes. A woman stood there with a handkerchief, the same woman in the old photo, it was Ralph’s mother. Ralph couldn’t wait to get on shore, hug his mother, and show his friends that he was alive. If only Piggy was with him, smiling at his auntie holding a bag of candy. But Piggy didn’t make it, all because of Jack. Jack’s grimace still stood on his face, but you could see he was ecstatic to see his family.
“Mum!” He yelled.
An old woman with white hair, wrinkled cheeks, and a warm smile turned around. Her eyes lit up.
“Jack! My baby boy is alive!” She screamed in excitement.
As they returned to their homes, bidding each other goodbye, they couldn’t help thinking about their island, and the boys they left behind.