The Fear that Lurks in the Night

Ralph called an assembly this evening. He wants us to make sure that we all work on building shelters and keeping the fire going and other important things like that. He then let the boys talk about the beast that some of us fear is coming onto the island. I don't know what it is, but it sure has some of the littluns scared to death. I did my best to help them talk at the meeting, 'cause some of them seemed to be a little embarrassed. I hope the little boys are just seeing things and there is no beast coming onto the island at night...

I decided that maybe the beast that they were imagining was just something psychological. I was just hoping to convince them that there was nothing to be afraid of, but I don't think the little boys understood what I was trying to tell them. Simon tried to tell the boys that it was just him walking about the island, but they didn't really want to believe that either. Simon then tried to tell the boys that what they saw was just a part of human nature they feared. Somehow though, what Simon said was misinterpreted as a sign of a ghost on the island. Ralph decided to see how many people feared ghosts... I don't believe in no ghosts, so I don't see what everyone is arguing about. It must just be the littluns dreaming or something. Just the shadows moving about on the trees... That's all.

Those boys! They think it's a ghost haunting our island or some nonsense. I can't believe they all think it's a ghost! Jack and Ralph got into a fight over this whole beast thing and Jack is acting crazy. He says we should all ignore the rules and do whatever we please. But this place would be a mess if we ignored the rules! And we would never ever be rescued at that rate! Jack led the boys to the beach, leaving Ralph and Simon and me on the platform. I don't know what is going on. I thought all the boys agreed that Ralph should be in charge since he first blew the conch... But now Jack is trying to take over and insult Ralph. I don't know what to do about this, but I think it's safe to side with Ralph for now...

A shrill wail came from some hidden spot nearby. We heard the mumblings of the little boy who told us about this new beast and his whimpering. I ccouldn't see him for the darkness and smudges on my specs, but I hope this will get the other boys to realize that we should stick together here until we get rescued.