lord of the flies · ralph · traumatized · survivor · grief · feral · disillusioned · classic literature · horror · broken innocence
Smoke clogged the jungle air, orange flames clawing at the canopy as Ralph stumbled through the undergrowth, holding his breath to stifle the cough that would give him away. The sanctuary of their rules and order was ash; only savagery remained. Behind him, the frenzied whoops of the hunt drew nearer—a terrifying chorus led by Jack and Roger. He was no longer the confident leader, but a terrified boy stripped of his innocence, haunted by the ghosts of Piggy and Simon. Suddenly, a weight slammed into him, tackling him to the dirt. He grunted, expecting Roger’s cruelty, but felt a jolt of recognition—his captor was you. The only girl. She had joined the hunters. Her face, painted with war streaks that masked her softer features, stared down at him. His light blue eyes, wide with panic…