Gift for the Darkness

           Piggylookedupmiserablyfromthedawn-palebeachtothedarkmountain.

           "Areyousure?Reallysure,Imean?"

           Itoldyouadozentimesnow,"saidRalph,"wesawit."

           "D’youthinkwe’resafedownhere?"

           "HowthehellshouldIknow?"

           Ralphjerkedawayfromhimandwalkedafewpacesalongthebeach.Jackwaskneelinganddrawingacircularpatterninthesandwithhisforefinger.Piggy’svoicecametothem,hushed.

           "Areyousure?Really?"

           "Goupandsee,"saidJackcontemptuously,"andgoodriddance."

           "Nofear."

           "Thebeasthadteeth,"saidRalph,"andbigblackeyes."

           Heshudderedviolently.Piggytookoffhisoneroundofglassandpolishedthesurface.

           "Whatwegoingtodo?"

           Ralphturnedtowardtheplatform.Theconchglimmeredamongthetrees,awhiteblobagainsttheplacewherethesunwouldrise.Hepushedbackhismop.

           "Idon’tknow."