The chapter begins on the beach the morning after Simon’s death. Piggy and Ralph are both very sore and confused on what had happened the previous night. Soon enough, Ralph makes the connection that the boys had killed Simon. Ralph and Piggy never verbalize Simon’s death to avoid the guilt but elude to it. Piggy tries to rationalize the situation and states that it was not possible for them to kill Simon, but deep down inside they both know that they had participated in the murder.
Back at Castle Rock, Jack’s side of the Island, Jack punishes the boys for no reason and beats up a boy named Wilfred. Jack then warns his tribe against Ralph’s group and orders the invasion of Ralph’s shelters in order to steal fire.
As Ralph, Piggy, SamnEric and a bunch of littluns set to sleep they are awakened by the voices of Jack’s tribe. The boys then engage in a fight in which no one knows who they are attacking and Ralph’s group is severely beat up. Once Jack’s tribe leaves, Ralph tries to restore order. He orders the littluns back to sleep and checks up on the rest of the boys. Soon Ralph realizes that Jack’s tribe did not come for the conch, rather they came to steal Piggy’s glasses which were the only way to start a fire and hence the only way back home.