Happy Holidays everyone! Hope all is well. Just thought I'd drop in and post this next chapter even though I'm pretty sure I've lost the majority of my readers because of that long hiatus. But hakuna matata, even having just one reader is worth it :) Anyway, I'll stop now and let you get on with reading, and please let me know what you think. So have an amazing holiday season, be grateful, and stay positive!

Sitting under a coconut tree, I dreamed about what life would be. Scenarios came about in my head of the possibilities. It seems difficult to imagine myself on this island for the rest of my life. Quite frankly, it's like jail. I mean, think about it; no contact with anyone but the guards and inmates, repetitive crummy meals, no communication or connection with the outside world...wait, now that I think about it, they get visits from family, different menus, etc., so I guess the same cell-isolation aspect is all that's the same. They also get s,mall luxuries here and there too. And people know you're alive. Here, everyone thinks you're dead. Unless some people think we're alive, just lost, which we are, in a sense, but those people are probably being criticized and being denied look-out crews to search for us. There's probably even been memorial services and funerals held. I really just want to die. I mean, I don't mean to be suicidal or anything, but the entire thought in itself of never even being able to say goodbye to your family just breaks my heart into a myriad amount of pieces. I truly believe miracles happen, but when you're the one that needs the miracle, it drapes your faith into hopelessness each second that goes by. I need to stand strong though, and be a role model for little ones. I need to act as their guardian. I feel terrible that their own mothers won't be able to see their witty, adorable children grow up, but if they ever find out that their children were well loved and taken care of, I'm certain that they would be eternally grateful.

Still deep in thought, I heard the crackling of leaves from behind me, and didn't bother to look. It's not like there are serial killers on the island...right?

"And what are you doing here, Miss?"

I slightly turned my head and glanced at Jack standing above me, hands on hips, smile plastered across his face.

"Just...thinking," I replied.

"Mind if I join the process?"

I patted the sand next to me, gesturing my approval. We sat in silence for a solid 30 seconds, but obviously Jack couldn't handle one more second of quiet.

"How does it feel?" Jack broke.

"How does what feel?"

"Being the only girl here. Don't you miss being able to knit socks and have tea-drinking parties?"

I gave him a silly smirk. I never really gave much thought into that, quite honestly. I've been more preoccupied with the whole idea of being here in general.

"I don't know, it feels...off. But I really see no point in missing 'girl things.' I miss everything and everyone."

"I concur," Jack said, looking like it wasn't the response he wanted or expected, "But you do know that everyone here is going to classify you as what you are to them soon if they haven't already."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, all the boys will simply have either brotherly bonds, or be enemies. With you, our relationships are different, for the most part."

"How so?" I think I can guess where he's going with this.

"See, to the littluns, you're like Wendy Darling, and they're the lost boys. With everyone else, we're still...undecided on where you fit. Not only in our perspective, but in yours as well."

"And so you're saying that they can't choose between a mother, brother, or enemy? Okay then."

"No no no," Jack laughed, "you know what I'm implying."

"Jack, please no strings or implications."

He let out a sigh and looked at his fidgeting hands, appearing to try and figure out how to word what he wanted to say.

"The guys on this island are in a competition, basically. Those small gestures by them here and there, they're all just notions. We've thought long and hard about how you're the only woman here, and the possibility that we may be here for the rest of our lives, and to your probable surprise, men have those same marriage and future dreams as you women do. Maybe not to the extent of you guys' dreams, but we do. So, in order to guarantee a spot in your consideration, we know that we had better begin now."

"So, if I'm understanding this correct, you basically all want me because I'm the only person of the opposite sex here? That's nice!" I gave him a funny look and tried desperately to hold in my laugh but failed. He looked at me sadly and seriously, as if I had just taken his lollipop.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I said, attempting to put my goofy smile to rest, "now what were you saying again?"

Jack let out another one of his famous shameful sighs.

"Of course we don't like you just because you're the only girl here. All of us would most likely be attracted to you regardless. You're a catch, Auds."

I blushed, as he was a very good speaker, which made me wonder if what he was saying was true or not. My mind then reminded me of Ralph. I know for a concrete fact that I was attracted to him from the start, but he didn't seem interested. Either he's playing hard-to-get, thinks I'm unappealing, or both. Nonetheless, I am up for the chase. The others seemed alright, but something stood out about Ralph, and Jack too. They put forth the effort to get to know me more than anyone else has, and that's important for a good relationship. Or friendship for that matter. Those two seemed to be the ones I could connect to the best. Maybe it's due to the fact that those two are the best speakers and leaders as well as the fact that they attempt to know everybody here. But either way, it's attracting. I peered my eyes away from the ocean and to Jack's thoughtful, rough, yet peaceful face. He was fiddling with the grains next to him, and slowly but surely I managed to plant a small kiss on his left cheek, without him noticing I was sneaking close. He put his fingers on his cheek where I kissed and I could sense his eyes watching as I made my way back to the group.

-Ralph's POV-

Kicking rocks under my foot, the sweat in my palms grew more and more immerse in my hands and pockets. I didn't realize it, but I was making my way back to my hut, and as I turned another direction to avoid anyone's notice, I gained the attention of the person I was aching yet revolted to see. She took my eyes captive and locked them into her glistening irises. She gently elapsed her mouth into a genuine, beautiful smile, and I refused to let her give me such grace. I didn't deserve the kindness and admiration she was giving to me. As I was quick to adore it, I jolted my gaze into the ground below us. I hadn't realized my lips reacted to her smile with one in return. I let out a cough to try and revert the attention away from our exchange of warmth.

"Excuse me," I said in a monotone pitch, walking away without a glimpse more. I could feel the bones rattling in my body and sweat creeping down my face. I feel repugnant breaking off this bond we've began to greatly create, but it's for the best. I would rather have her despise me than like me, or even worse, love me. I refuse to let myself be the cause of such tragedy again, and if it means avoiding her at all costs, than so be it.

I could never forgive myself for what I did to Darla. After loving her so much, I committed a crime against her. A sin. The most unforgivable act that could ever be done. I looked to the sky as if Darla's blooming face was observing me from the clouds and I made an apology. Neither she, I, or anyone who knew us could forgive me, and I understand. I understand why they can barely look at me, or stand to hear my voice, or even hear me breathe for that matter. What I don't understand is why I did it.

-Flashback-

"Oh Ralph! What about that one over there in the corner by the tree?"

Ralph's head pivoted to the corner and spotted a small, baby duckling and placed bread crumbs into Darla's warm hands.

"I didn't even notice him there," Ralph laughed, "I should start paying attention to my senses too!"

Darla let out a small giggle and tossed the bread to the remaining duck.

"We got to them all, right?" She said, turning to face Ralph, her piercing green eyes shining towards his, with her blonde, golden locks swaying with the wind's melody.

All he could do was admire her natural beauty and proceed to lay in the grass with her for the remainder of the day, giggling constantly, and describing to her in full detail the shapes of the clouds above them, as she sits content and observant of every word spoken.

-End Flashback-

-Audrey's POV-

Night soon fell and Piggy and I were preparing fish for dinner, awkward silences succumbing us both. I finally decided to break it off with small talk, as I haven't really gotten to know him much at all this whole time, and he seems too timid to start a conversation on his own.

"So how are you coping?" He looked at me puzzled and off-guard. Not too good of a conversation starter, but it's worth a try. "On the island, I mean."

"Not too bad. Not too good either, but I doubt ant of us are doing magnificent considering the situation."

"Oh I understand. It could always be worse. We still have all of our limbs." I said, trying to lighten up our discussion.

"Absolutely. How about you? Stress gotten to you yet?"

"I'm managing."

"How about with the gentleman on here? The ones who seem to be fancying you. Have any sparked your interest yet?"

I widened my eyes at him.

"Did you honestly just ask that believing I'll truthfully answer?"

"Of course, why would I ask if I thought you wouldn't answer."

"And I thought you were smarter than that, Piggy," I said smugly, rotating the fish above the fire.

"Well, I knew you would answering considering what I can tell you, truthfully."

"And what's that?"

"What every boy here thinks of you."

My jaw dropped and I gave him a playful push.

"I honestly know!" Piggy claimed. "They talk about you amongst themselves all the time. And you know it's their honest opinion because they're discussing it between their friends, man-to-man."

He made a point, and I was curious so I had to agree to exchange these doses of gossip.

"Alright, alright," I agreed, "I would have to s-"

In a burst of a millisecond, Maurice, one of the older boys, dropped to his hands, out of breath, in front of Piggy and I.

"Come quick! One of the littluns is sick!"

I dropped the utensils in my hands and sped through the sand faster than I ever have since I've been here to get to the littlun. As I approached a large circle formed around the obvious littlun, I uncontrollably pushed through the crowd to find an innocent little boy with light brown hair and brown eyes, who I instantly recoginzed as Franklin. He was laying on the sand, face up, shaking viloently with incredible force. His eyes were rapidly blinking and bloodshot, and his lips were shivering blue. I quickly dropped to my knees and held him in my arms, rubbing his back and struggling to keep him warm. I called his name but he continued shaking, not making one ounce of progress. He seemed to be having some sort of seizure, but I had no idea on how to help stop it. I yelled at the shocked, wide-eyed boys watching and ordered them to get the littluns into their huts to keep them from seeing anymore of the scene, and to find Piggy to assist me, but they continued to stand there, agape and goosebumped.

I ignored them and turned to Simon, asking him to do so, as he was the only one who did not seem even remotely fearful as the others did.

He looked at me with sorrowful eyes and said, "Touching him, even slightly, while he is in this state is frowned upon very much so."

Tears raced out of my eyes like a waterfall.

"Please, Simon, I need to help him. I'm supposed to be protecting him him."

"No, I am," a voice called drawing behind my back, "all of you."

Ralph emerged and placed one arm around my back and side, the other on Franklin's upper back, helping me keep him up. I had no idea why he was coming near me, because he seemed to be upset with me earlier, but I was too worried to care about that right now.

"I promise both of you, that he cannot get any better from you touching him, only worse," Simon said, in such a convincing and genuine manner that it was somehow able to get Ralph and I to separate ourselves from Franklin, who had the same status as when I first got arrived here.

"I'm afraid," Simon explained, "that a greater force has now been brought upon on the island."

I was then in an inexplicable rage of tears and trepidation that I fell into Ralph's arms. He began rubbing my back and soothed my head, as I weeped into his chest.

"We're going to get through this Audrey, I promise you. We're going to fight whatever this is," he proclaimed serenely, "Just you and me...Mommy and Daddy."

And there you have it! Sorry I made Simon sound like Yoda, haha. Unintentional, I swear. He's not a robot or anything I just wanted to emphasize what he was saying. I hope you liked it, let me know what'cha think! :)

*And for those of you getting to the point where you're sick of Audrey because she's turning into a Mary-Sue, don't lose hope! As you'll soon learn, she has an unruly past and an unruly future. Stay tuned islanders!