The B(F)east

     



       

       All was at peace in my side of the island, I was leader and everyone did as I said. The day was winding down and we managed to make a fire. Our gift was in place and we were able to make some dinner and eat some meat. Finally, some more meat. Everything was calm, until we saw the ominous grey clouds roll in. An imminent storm was upon us. As we began our feast, we heard voices, we had company. It was Ralph and his gang. Ah, yes the ex-leader. The mere thought of it was satisfying. They wanted to join our feast and eat our meat, and he was with Piggy. I thought of rejecting his plea, but after realizing I had the power, I gave in. All i needed was for him to need something from me, because now if I needed something... I lost my train of thought. The juices of the pig dribbled down my chin as I ate the chop rapidly like a cave man. I was hypnotized by the red of the meat. The red that I had previously been scared of, was instinctive to me now. I felt at ease ripping the flesh from the bone. Ralph was looking annoyed, I didn't know why. I'm chief, he said. Your chief!? I thought. I gave you food, you needed me to survive, chiefs dont rely on others I thought. He pulled out the conch, saying his catch phrase, I got the conch. Clever, I accidentally blurted out. He began to tell me about the imminent storm. Whose clever now he taunted. I filled with rage, let's do our dance I said. Our dance was more of a play, we played the hunters, and Roger played the beast or a boar. The dance calmed me down. As we danced, something crawled out of the forest slowly, could it be? The beast was right there for the taking, our dance became a formation that we had used to hunt pigs with a lot of success. We became a horseshoe and not a crooked oval, crowding around the animal. It talked, it talked I heard it. It said something about a man with a parachute. This wasn't a beast, this was a human. Where is Simon? I thought. Just then I caught a glimpse of the "thing's" face. This was no beast, it was Simon. No, it couldn't be Simon! We aren't murderers. It was an accident. Different emotions filled my head as we got out of formation. The body lay there, motionless. It was an accident, I tried to force the phrase into my head.

This A Job For A Hunter

       It had been one of the best night sleeps I had had since we got on this island. Sadly it was cut short by a rustling on the side of my shelter, the two cowards Sam and Eric were telling everyone they had seen the beast. Their faces were scratched too. My guess is that they got scared by a shadow and ran through a thorny bush and they didn't want to admit that they were scared. It doesn't make a difference to me, besides, that is a great excuse to go hunting today. There was an assembly that morning, but it was different, and I liked it. We were turned out and could strike at any moment. Ralph led the meeting, and to my surprise he complimented me. I stayed focused this meeting so I wouldn't miss the opportunity to ask for hunting. And sure enough, when an opportunity presented itself, I was right there to snatch it up. This will be a real hunt! I said, feeling confident that we would kill this "beast". Deep down I never intended to look for any beast, I would've just done my normal route, and killed a pig or two this time. But in a minute, all these peaceful and uplifting thoughts were shattered like glass when Ralph brought up the fire. Not this again! Tend to the fire, tend to fire, he was a broken record. It wasn't even my job to tend the fire! Piggy took the conch from Ralph and began. Talking about the fire and about looking for the beast. I shut him down immediately before he could get his real point across. Ralph looked at me, I looked at him. There was definitely a mutual respect here, I could feel it in the empty space between us, but there was another I could feel, pent up anger about to spill like a pot of boiling water. I backed up, trying to get ready for what was about to happen. However instead of a scream, the water dribbled out in the form of a stern talking to. As if Ralph was my parent. You haven't got the conch. Sit down. I myself began to bubble only I knew that if I lost it, or if I overflowed, at least to people on this wretched island would have black eyes. So I decided against that, and composed myself.
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       When everyone dispersed, we were faced with two groups, the littl'uns and Piggy and The big'uns. The littl'uns were to stay and cower in the shelters, with Piggy with them, that figures. I thought, I giggled a little aloud but no one seemed to take notice. The big'uns were to go and find the beast in the only place I hadn't explored was the cluster of rocks which we had seen on the first day. It made me mad, a perfect day of hunting wasted by to cowards. If anything, they should stay back there with Piggy and the littl'uns. When we got to the rock, Ralph decided to lead. This was frightening, uncharted territory. This is a hunter's job I insisted, almost hoping that he would disagree with me and go first. At this, he told me that he was chief and he would scope the area. I had no objections, but I did want to see this place for myself at some point. As he turned the corner and became hardly visible, I hopped on the rock bridge and scampered after him. Finally when Ralph turned back, I was right there to meet him. Couldn't let you do it on your own I told him. Yes! That sounded so brave!
       When we had scoped out the top of the granite bastion, there still was no beast. We decided to head back. As we made our way down, we began to hear falling rocks, and the boys who threw them. Ralph became increasingly angrier. No one was listening to him. He final threw his hand down so that all the skin on his knuckles now lay on the rock and all that was left was pinkish flesh. At that, the boys listened, and I led them back down to the grass. This was a job for a hunter, I thought, and Ralph was turning into a great hunter.

Bullocks to the Rules

 

The day had come and gone. Ralph had warned us about a late assembly so I when the conch was blown I was expecting it. Ralph hadn’t told us what the assembly would be about but he did say that it would be different. When I arrived at the platform, everything looked dark and drear. It was a whole different experience than the morning meetings. Everyone soon came filing into the little triangle and the assembly commenced. Ralph began by saying that this was not an ordinary meeting. Well of course not, I thought, it’s in the dark! I chuckled to myself. Ralph went on and on about things we already knew, the meeting was pointless. And when I reached for the conch, Ralph turned me away, how rude! I checked out. As the assembly progressed, I began to sense some uneasiness in the crowd, that meant Ralph was talking about something scary, I checked back in. I am glad I did! Ralph was talking about fear, something I had a very strict opinion about. Fear was for the weak, only the littluns had fear, so I told them what’s what. They don’t help out, all they do is poop and cry. When I had finished speaking, Ralph looked at me with his mouth wide open, it was apparent that I had gone too far. No matter, it was my candid opinion and I’ll stick to it. There was silence. Then Piggy took the conch, and I checked out. As Piggy ended his train of thought, I felt a need to dismiss what he was saying even though it couldve been important. It’s important to remind him of my superiority or else he could grow a bigger head then the fat one he already has. Ralph was mad, he screamed that piggy had the conch and that I wasn’t able to speak because of them. Who cares what he thinks?! Bullocks to the rules! With that I ended the assembly, leading my hunters off the platform and whooping and hollering. Part of me wanted Ralph to blow the conch so I could deliberately disobey him, and half a team rally around me to take him out, but the blow never came. So we just kept dancing and chanting on the beach, bollocks to the rules I thought, bollocks to the rules.

Kill The Pig! Cut Her Throat! Spill Her Blood!

Day 4:




 
  

       I had a brilliant idea last night, camouflage. How had I not thought about it before, the only way to kill this pig is stealthily. Now all I needed to do was find the clay. Just then I remembered that I had seen some clay on the mountain, and went to grab it, this was going to be an experience.
When I had grabbed the clay and charcoal, I went down to the others, specifically the hunters and Sam and Eric. I went to them with my idea of camouflage, As I told them I began to put on my mask, the clay was warm and the charcoal was cold, but as I put it on I felt the feelings that I felt while  hunting, like I could do whatever I wanted because no one was watching.  And now, this face hid my real face, this face was that of a hunter. Even the two twins wanted to hunt. To be honest, I felt a little bad for not working with ralph. But those feelings were quickly suppressed by the constant desire for me to get meat.
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       Kill The Pig, Cut Her Throat, Spill Her Blood! I finally came to. The adrenaline had seemingly robbed me of my memory. I was different with the mask on, but a good different right? I mean I killed the pig didn't I? Simon, Ralph, Piggy and the others were waiting by a rather depressing fire. It was depressing because it was just ash, no flame, no color. Even so, I went up to Ralph and tried to tell him we had finally killed the pig. I was so excited, he would have been stunned about the stories of us circling around the pig and closing in on it. Instead I was greeted with a stern stare and the imminent explosion of the anger Ralph for some reason had built inside him. I began to tell him about how I killed the pig even though most of it was pages from other kids stories, again I couldn't fully remember how it all went down. Ralph shut me down saying that we let the fire out. I began to grow angry, the fact that we let the fire out was apparent, Ralph! Why won't he listen to my story, this constant back in forth didn't end until he said four of the most crushing words you can hear while stranded on a tropical Island, "There was a ship." The words echoed in my ears as I played them back in my head, we could have been rescued? And as I began to think about civilization I realized that I belonged here. It felt natural to me, to be in the wild with all these kids. For crying out loud there are no adults! What more could a kid want from a deserted island? Me and Ralph had had many debates like this one and it was naturally to be mad at me, I was a little mad at me also. But when Piggy spoke, his shrill voice felt like daggers to my head, and my hunters some how agreed. I couldn't handle it, I slapped Piggy right across the face. That'll teach him not to cross me I thought.
       When everyone had put there two cents in to the debate over who was wrong, we all began to eat. I invited everyone to eat and excluded Piggy, something about the way he talked to me didn't sit well with me and the fact that my hunters sided with him of all be made it all the more unsettling. Though I made an effort to not let Piggy have the meat, Simon tossed his portion over to him. But all  of that aside even though the meat was raw, the satisfaction of knowing that this creature died by my hands was filling enough.

WE WANT MEAT

Day 3:





       The pig was close. I had ripped my shots in the creeps in the forest so my legs were bare. In order to kill the animal, you have to think like an animal or outsmart them. With cunning I lowered myself to the ground and began to lunge this way and that preparing for when I would have to strike. I took a deep breath in so that the entire environment filled my nostrils and I could sense virtually everything that was moving in the dark, damp forest. Suddenly there was a rustle in the bushes. "Would this be my 'catch of the day?" As I slid myself through the under growth, I heard nothing but the sounds of crickets and nature. The rustle in the bushes was probably triggered by wind. As I admired my surroundings I sensed I was being followed. The feeling made me sweat more than I already was. I jumped out of position and ran to the nearest trunk I could find. In turn, I ended up knocking down a feeble birds nest. The sound of the bird's shrieks pierced my ear and I felt ringing. This ringing however did not mask the sound of trotting, this was what I was waiting for. Disoriented I hurled the spear with all my strength as a sort of Hail Mary play. The sound was crushing. The thump sound that made me realize all that I had done was for nothing. Though distraught, I quickly gathered my emotions and got back together for the others. After all, they couldn't see me like this.
Now that the adrenaline had worn off, I felt vulnerable. But more importantly, I was parched. Water, I needed water! How had I not realized, I hadn't had anything to drink since sunrise. Maybe Ralph have some.
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       Ralph did indeed know where the water is, but it took me three tries to even get his attention, what is wrong with him today? I went back over to him and asked what was the matter he then went on a tirade about how no one helps out except for Simon. Helps out with what? It was only then when I realized the rickety shelter they were building. Good thing I was exempt from that or I don't know what i would do. I have to be honest, I could tell Ralph was yelling at me but I couldn't understand him at all. All that I had on my mind was meat, we want meat I kept insisting.

We should have listened before acting

Day 2:






















       The day started with a meeting, and Ralph of course, was the center of attention. As everyone began to talk over each other, I was suddenly hit with an idea, we need rules, lots of them. And we need a punishment system, yes that would be great. As I thought about these rules, I realized that Ralph ha beaten me to it. He says that whoever wants to speak gets the conch and is able to speak, uninterrupted. But that system is flawed. My system is better because what if other people want to talk also? We began to talk about rescuing, and the crowd goes silent. The kids were not being optimistic, but Ralph was. However no matter how happy go lucky he seemed about his Dad coming and rescuing us, I knew deep down he was feeling scared. I know I was, but i didn't let it show.
       Suddenly, one of the little kids was pushed to the front of the crowd with his hands out for the conch. The littler kids pushed him there because they all thought it was important. As the boy –who now looked dwarfed by the shadow of us big kids– stepped forward, we realized he had a mark on his face like a mulberry. He stepped forward and no one was taking him seriously. I could tell he was feeling bad about himself. And of course piggy swooped in to be the nice guy by giving him the shell. The shell had now warped into a crown that symbolized power, whereas before it was just a tool used to unite everyone. The mulberry boy spoke up saying that there was a snake in the woods near his sleeping area. For all I know there could have been a snake in the woods, but then the mulberry boy elaborated on this issue saying that there was a beastie on this island. Now, that I found quite laughable, but in my best interests, I appeased the boy and stated that we would hut and kill it if there was a beastie on the island. Now, this was in my best interests because it gained me some respect and notoriety among the littler children.
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       Ralph made us go up the mountain to try to build a signal fire and I for one thought it was a great idea, meanwhile piggy was babbling to himself about how we were like a crowd of kids, which I found weird because we are kids. As we went through the forest we picked up tons of rotten wood to make a huge pile of wood and kindling. And when we had finally built the pile it dawned upon me that we didn't have means to start a fire. Being the sharp one that I am I quickly thought of another way to start a fire, matches. "Anyone have matches?" I asked. No one had matches. As I was just about to give up hope, the fat boy came through. Let me explain: It wasn't really the fat boy that came through, but more what he was wearing... on his face. Spectacles! Asserting my dominance over Piggy and the others, I quickly ripped those darn spectacles right off the bridge of his nose. In turn, that ended up angering him, but because of the fault in his eyesight, he wasn't able to reach even near me to get a swing in. As I shined the light on the pile of wood, smoke rose out of it. We had a signal fire. However, even with everyone tending to it at the same time, we were only able to keep the fire going for a short period of time. And when the fire died out we had realized our mistake: there was a fire, but no smoke. Piggy flipped. It was kind of funny to see a short and fat kid get all red in the face and throw his hands around, no one could take him seriously. And as he ripped the glasses back from me he began to scream louder demanding that since he has the conch he should be allowed to speak. However, me, trying to enforce some order, brought up the point that the conch rule only applied to the platform and scar. A point that was quickly shot down by ralph's piercing words. And as piggy held his glasses, smoke began to lift from the creepers, and it continued to spread. It went from a little bit of smoke, to huge flames and plumes of smoke. We looked around and we all wilted when there was no sign of the mulberry boy on the mountain top. And there was no way to tell if we had all the Littl'uns because Piggy forgot to count them up, which is traced back to our enthusiasm about the signal fire. We should have listened before acting on impulse.

I should've killed it

Day 1:

I was on my way to scope out the land when I heard the blaring of a trumpet or wind instrument of some kind. Could there be others? The question rang in my head as I made my down to the beach where the sound was coming from. Coming out of the forest I was instantly blinded by the sun. Disoriented, not knowing where I was going. At this point I didn’t care, whatever was going to happen would happen. With my choir behind me, I stumbled about trying hard to conceal my utter exhaustion from the heat. There was Simon, Maurice, Bill, Robert, Harold, Henry and Roger. Ah, Yes! Boys of all sizes, however none of them seem to be adults. I was hesitant at first, I felt I was intruding by joining in their meeting halfway through. But there is an upside to this, new faces makes a new identity possible. Ah! I will be Merridew. I am the leader of the choir. Leader, leader! The word leader gives me such happiness and pride, however it is tainted with greed. I see the way they look at the boy who made the sounds, even my choir is in complete awe of him. Ralph, I think it was. I do not care for the others and don’t need to know their names, all except the fat one. The inevitability of a vote for leader drew closer as Ralph sat there with the shell balanced on his knees. Though he didn’t move very much he commanded everyone with such grace, the truth is I envied him.

 

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After the vote, Ralph assigned my choir to be the hunters, he willingly let me be in charge of my choir. The fat boy began to ramble and I paid no attention other than for him to stop talking. I had zoned out for a second but suddenly everyone was calling him piggy. We were asked to explore the territory to see if it was indeed an Island. I volunteered myself without knowing what would ensue. I volunteered because I wanted to show everyone that I was brave. We walked around the woods and up pink granite cliffs and I have to admit it was pretty BORING. However, when we got to a cliff that was near the summit of a huge mountain, it got interesting. We heaved with all our might and with Simon, Ralph and I, we were able to push it aside. It was a true sense of accomplishment and it was the best I had felt since arriving on this horrible peace of land. As we scrambled to summit it became apparent that we were surrounded by water. As I hit the top, an involuntary gasp of amazement left me, oops, they probably think I'm soft or something. And they'd be right! Wait I'm getting sidetracked. Let me explain, I had brought my knife just in case we encountered anything in the wild. And as we walked down from the pink cliffs and mountain top, we heard rustling in the bushes. At first I was scared and then I remembered that I had to prove myself to everyone else, I had to kill it. The word was new to me, but in the setting, it seemed right, I raised my hand ready to slash, it was trapped, that is no way to go, I let it loose. A wuss, a coward, that's what they think of me I'm sure of it. Let be known that I will not let it go next time. Next time, I will sink my knife bravely into the flesh and it will not have my mercy, I assure you all that it won't!