Chapter Text
There were two separate tribes on the island; they lived on either side and stayed on their own sides.
But now the two tribes were huddled up face-to-face.
The boys of one of the tribes bore paint from head to toe, decorated with shells or flowers on their necks. They howled whilst banging sticks against one another, signaling visitors at the front.
“State your purpose!” a boy atop a cliff demanded. His face paint resembled that of a skeleton, colored white and red.
“We’re here to see Jack.” Ralph spoke authoritatively.
“About what?”
“The specs.”
“What specs?”
“Piggy’s glasses, Roger! You took them last night while we were asleep.”
“Well, Jack’s sleeping. So sod off with you, your blind pig and failure of a so-called tr-“” Whats going on here!”
A shout was heard from another boy as he walked out. His face was all white with black paint circling his eyes.
He looked up and down at Ralph’s tribe.
“Jack.” Ralph frowned as he spoke. Stepping closer towards the blonde.
“What do you and your tribe want from us, come to join?" He chuckled, "I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that, Ralph.”
“Give back piggy’s specs.”
“And what makes you think I would do that?”
“Anyone of basic human decency would.”
“Too bad I’m God. “
Ralph scoffed in disgust, walking backwards to Piggy’s side.
Jack frowned. He eyed the other tribe, taking note of Piggy huddling over next to Ralph while Simon stood beside Samneric behind the two.
Simon was fidgeting with His cuticles,peeling them of while he looked back and forth torward his fingers and the scene infront of him.
“There's no way I’m gonna give you these specs so easily, Ralph. You think I’m dumb?”
“I’m Chief, I have the conch!” Ralph shouted.
“The conch means nothing!”
“And you mean nothing!” Ralph took a step forward, face-to-face with Jack.” You’re a failure, Jack! Your tribes a mess, and you’re a thief, You’d be nothing without stealing!”
Jack bit his lips Hard. His mind registered the boys watching him intently and He felt his blood boil. He pushed Ralph back and pulled the specs in his pocket.
“You want these? Then let’s do a barter, Ralph. Since your soo high and mighty even without them.”
Ralph breathed heavily. He looked at Piggy and Piggy looked back, Giving uneased looks to each other.
“What do you want?” Ralph questioned.
“I want a member of yours.”
“I thought your tribe was full.”
“Never said it was.”
They both went quiet for a moment while Jack looked over behind Him.
His gaze stuck on Simon.
Simon was already focusing now, watching intently. He was staring at Jack and took a moment, registering the eye contact they were making.
Jack smirked at that and finally spoke, “Piggy’s Specs, for Simon.”
Whispers rippled through the tribe as Jack said that.
“What-“” You heard me, Ralph. You want Piggy’s specs? Hand over Simon to me.”
“Why him.”
“Simon was always supposed to be a Hunter. He’s a part of the choir, And im in charge of the choir. Your words, not mine.”
“…”
“Do you take the deal? ”
Ralph hesitated. Piggy ushered him a bit, talking about how they could rescue him later.
Simon’s eyes widened at Jack, who was playing with Piggy’s specs on his right hand.
“I-i…” Ralph hesitated, glancing back at Simon and Piggy. “I’ll take it.”
Jacked chuckled breathily, “Good.”
Ralph stepped forward while Jack threw the specs at Him. Ralph caught it. but be fore He could say a word, His tribe was getting pushed back towards the exit while Simon stared In disbelief at Him.
Simon's mouth was a bit agape as they pulled Him inside the tribe camp. He stared blankly at Ralph as the boy shouted, I’ll get you back! Simon made out of Ralphs mouth as He, himself got pulled back by Jack's Hunter's.
‘Oh, you’ll get back.’
---
They dragged Simon’s body across the sand behind Jack. He was spewing commands while Maurice walked beside Him.
Simon stared at the back of Jack's head, noticing his blonde locks poking out of the rag he wore. ’He sort of looked like a weeping angel’ He thought to himself.
After a while, they dropped Simon on the hard rocks. The two hunters who were carrying Him ran back as Jack turned around.
Simon squinted, trying to make up Jack’s eyes behind that hideous rag he wore while on the ground. Maurice was beside Him, trying not to giggle or show any emotion. ‘Maurice had always been a silly fella’ Simon thought to himself
“Simon,” Jack spoke, breaking Simon out of his thoughts.
“Ja-“’ You refer to me as Chief. Not as Jack nor Merridew.”
“…Chief.”
“You’ll be staying at this hut,” Jack pointed His spear towards the poorly made hut behind Him. “You are not allowed to leave unless to eat or use the bathroom for the time being.”
Simon nodded.
“And don’t even think about escaping. Maurice will be keeping an eye on you.”
“Wait, what-“” Shut up Maurice, it’s Orders.”
Maurice grumbled incoherent words as Jack continued.
“And tomorrow, you must join us in a hunt.”
Simon raised his brows at that, “What, why?!
“It’s tribe policy.”
“Then why would you pick me then? You know I’m not good at that type of stuff!”
“You’re a choir member, Simon. I wouldn’t want any missing members; it’ll feel unfinished.” Jack paused, “And I’ve seen your archery and shooting skills. They’re quite impressive, I must say.”
“…”
“No more questions? Good. “
---
Simon was flocked to the ground, staring at the wooden roof in front. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the stone floor.
Maurice sat outside, sharpening his spear while talking to another hunter who stayed behind while the others hunt.
After a while, Simon heard singing and howling. He peaked outside to see that the ones that were hunting had already come back with a pig. The pig was being carried by two sticks parallel, swinging side-to-side as the hunters danced with joy.
Simon squinted.
‘wheres ja-‘” Hey Simon!”
Simon yelped back. He blinked rapidly at Jack, who was covered in pig’s blood with his hair slicked back.
“We caught a pig, come outside for a feast.”
“I don’t really-“” Come on, don’t be such a bum, Simon! Can’t have be all weak and tired for you first hunt tomorrow.”
Simon bit his lip, shifting his gaze towards the ground.
“It’s meat Simon, meat! Ralph’s probably been only feeding you and the littluns fruit all the time. in my tribe; everyone eats meat.”
“…” Simon sighed, standing up. “Alright.”
Jack grinned. “It's about time you’re not acting like a loner. “
They walked outside towards the campfire, grouping up with the others.
The pig was hung over the fire as two hunters spun it around. The aroma filled the air and into Simon’s Nose, making him cough.
Jack fixed His throat, and the two hunters beside the pig ran towards the others. Standing on the other side of the pig.
Jack nudged Simon, and they walked over. He took out a knife from His pocket, and put his arms up in the air.
“Hunters!” Jack shouted. “Today, we have successfully caught a pig, and another tribe member of Ralph has finally gained some sense and joined our side!”
The place erupted in cheers as Jack cut open the pig, a wet sound coming out of it. ‘Dramatic much,’ Simon thought.
Jack took out the meat and handed it to Simon.
“The first bite, for our newcomer!” Jack spoke with pride as the others cheered him on for showing such basic human decency.
Simon took a bite, feeling the meat still a bit dry against his tongue. The flavor was overwhelming, savory, and had an undertone of blood, unlike the fruits he’s been eating. To be fair, Simon was not much of a meat guy, but after so long, it felt too good.
“How does it taste?” Jack asked with a voice of amusement.
“Great,”
“Much better than Ralph’s moldy and bad fruits, eh?”
“I guess so.”
Jack turned towards the others. “That’s how good we are! Even if the person has been a long-time and good friend of Ralph, He still admits we’re better than Him.”
“Wait-“” We can sing, hunt, and most importantly have fun!”
The tribe shouted praises torwards jack as they all sang around and chanted, ‘We’re the hunters, were the best! We’re the tribe that'll scare the beast!’
Simon watched as the boys pranced around as meat got distributed around by Jack, Roger, and Maurice, who were already digging into the meat with their other hand.
Simon walked and sat on a corner with a a knife as a fork to hold the meat.
After the meat was distributed, they all sat around the campfire, talking to one another, feeling the warmth of the ember against their skin.
Simon examined the boys, watching as they filled their stomachs with meat and laughter.
His eyes caught Jack, who was talking to Roger. They seemed serious; that’s always what they seemed with Jack making gestures and Roger eyeing Simon every now and then.
‘weird…’
After a while, the night deepened, and Simon sat in front of the fire. Feeling his body warm up towards it.
“Looks like you’ve finally decided to get close.”
Simon frowned, eyeing Jack from the side.
The blonde sat beside Simon. A small smile tugging at His lips.
“Am I not allowed?” Simon replied.
“You’re supposed to be kept at your hut. But unfortunately, Maurice is elsewhere.”
“I’ll go back myself then-“” stay,”
Simon was getting up to leave but Jack held his shoulder, sinking him back to his seat.
“I’ll stall for Maurice, and I’m chief. So for me, you have to follow wherever I go.”
“… that’s a stupid rule.”
“It’s still a rule.”
Simon nodded. He stared back at the fire in front, highly aware that Jack was boring his eyes into him right now.
“You’d look good in war paint, Simon.”
“You think so, chief?”
Jack pursed his lips. “Yes. Actually, I have some on me right now, “ He grabbed two small sack sand opened it, revealing a small portion of paint in each.
“Stay still.” Jack spoke with a tone of gentleness.
He put his hand on Simon’s collar, printing handprints on it. He then covered simon’s face with white paint and smeared red under Simon’s jaw, dragging a finger from his chin to the bottom of Simon’s lip. Jack streaked two fingers on Simon’s cheekbone and under his eye.
“and for Christianity…” Jack painted a cross onto his forehead as a finishing touch.
“How do I look?”
“You look great, like a brave Archer! ”
Simon chuckled breathily as Jack did an impression of an archer, shooting invisible arrows to the sky.
---
After a bit the hunters went back to their assigned spots.
Maurice appeared as Jack was about to leave, escorting him and Simon to his hut.
“Where have you been? Simon questioned.
“with the Roger. He apparently needed help with some geography stuff.”
“You like it?”
“What, geography?”
“Yeah.”
“quite a lot. “ Maurice smiled and looked torwards simon, “Hey! Cool war paint by the way.”
“the chief did it. "
"Chief as in Jack? Jack merridew? "
Simon nodded.
"Well that's a shock.. "
"Really? How so. "
"Well, Jack's good at art right? But he refuses to do any of it here, especially not on face paint. So it's quite the shock that Jack decided to do it for you. "
Simon stayed silent as he walked in the but while Maurice sat neatly between the doorframe.
“…”
“…”
An hour passes.
“Aren’t you bored of watching me?”
“It’s orders.”
“So you are bored?”
“…Yeah.”
“Why don’t you just go?”
“I can’t, you’ll escape.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because there won’t be anyone to guard you, obviously.”
“Fair enough.”
Another silence stretched out.
“Do you not want to go back?” Maurice spoke before he could stop himself.
Simon thought of it for a bit. “Not that much.”
“What, why?”
“I don’t really know, I mean… It’s sure quieter there, but maybe if I do, there would be conflict, and I don’t want that.”
“Ohh…that’s true. He’d probably be hunting the whole forest for that. “
“and he’d probably make me and the others into permanent Prisoners.”
“That would be very annoying. Having to watch Piggy and Ralph… eughh…”
“Yeah, that’s that.”
“Do you think that Ralph will attempt to rescue you?”
“Probably.”
“And you don’t mind that?”
“I don’t know how to feel about that.”
“Fair enough.”