CHAPTER 4: PAINTED FACES AND LONG HAIR

SIMON

I wish that we could get taken off of this island.

Ralph has taken me in as one of his main helpers. I have been trying to help out as much as the older kids but, I end up doing all of the work. I am happy that Ralph, at least, works on the huts and basically makes himself useful all the time. I wish that I could be more of a leader like he is. He is kind to everyone on the island even if they are not kind to him.
The littleuns, I think, spend most of their time eating fruit and playing games. They are not much help. But, I think that I know how they feel. They are scared. And, all of us are but they feel it the most. They understand about the beastie and they are as scared of it as I am. I wish that we could make the older boys understand about the evil that lives on this island and we have to get off of here as soon as we can. Ralph understands. But I am not sure about the other ones. I need to make them understand.
The hunters are turning into savages. Merridew has painted their faces so that just to look at them shows the evil on this island. As if they are not themselves. It scared me to think that they can transform into such monsters. I think that the Beastie is among us. Is one of us.
I also do not understand how the hunters could let the fire go out. They promised, PROMISED! And they let us down. We could have been saved. But instead, they had to catch a pig. And, not only that, but Merridew murmered a fake apology instead of a real one. And everyone turned to his side. It is not fair to Ralph. We chose him.
I do not know what will happen on this island next. I am too scared to think about what the hunters are going to do next. They are turning into savages. I am afraid to think of what they can do if they have all the boys on this island on their side. And, I am worried about the Beastie.