Castle Rock

           Intheshortchillofdawnthefourboysgatheredroundtheblacksmudgewherethefirehadbeen,whileRalphkneltandblew.Grey,featheryashesscurriedhitherandthitherathisbreathbutnosparkshoneamongthem.ThetwinswatchedanxiouslyandPiggysatexpressionlessbehindtheluminouswallofhismyopia.Ralphcontinuedtoblowtillhisearsweresingingwiththeeffort,butthenthefirstbreezeofdawntookthejoboffhishandsandblindedhimwithashes.Hesquattedback,swore,andrubbedwateroutofhiseyes.

           "Nouse."

           Ericlookeddownathimthroughamaskofdriedblood.PiggypeeredinthegeneraldirectionofRalph.

           "’Courseit’snouse,Ralph.Nowwegotnofire."

           RalphbroughthisfacewithinacoupleoffeetofPiggy’s.

           "Canyouseeme?"

           "Abit."

           Ralphallowedtheswollenflapofhischeektoclosehiseyeagain.

           "They’vegotourfire."

           Rageshrilledhisvoice.

           "Theystoleit!"

           "That’sthem,"saidPiggy."Theyblindedme.See?That’sJackMerridew.Youcallanassembly,Ralph,wegottodecidewhattodo."