There was a clash of thunder and the house shuck a door downstairs banged closed. A yelp escaped my mouth and I jumped with fright, I wasn't the only one tee and Carmen were nearly in tears. "this cannot be happening! It's too freaky, and with that prisoner roaming about!" Carmen cried

" stop it carmen don't make me think about it. Tracey I'm not going to be able to sleep." tee whispered. I myself was trying to breath normally, don't panic don't panic I thought, you are over reacting there is nobody but us in the house, nobody but us.

" you scared of the boogeyman" elektra taunted.

"wa what? No, I'm fine why?"

Elektra looked down and I followed her gaze. Embarrassed I saw I was gripping her hand, I quickly let go.

"thanks any longer and it might have had to be amputated" elektra joked. But her laugh was uneasy and I could tell that she knew I'd noticed. Maybe elektra was in fact scared, not that she'd ever let on. She was tough like that and would have too much pride to admit such a thing. She is actually much kinder now she's been here a while. I'd say she just had to build a tough shell, she's been through a lot, all us care kids have.

"right of to bed everyone, mike should be back soon. Il wait downstairs for him." Tracey said. She was obviously not enjoying this any more than we were, in fact I'm pretty sure she'd screamed and jumped with fright as well after that last round of thunder

"can't we wait up with you"

"yeah we won't be able to sleep anyway" Carmen and tee begged.

"No try to sleep you all look wrecked, and tee Carmen and lily why don't you stay in the same room if you want, have a sleepover, mike will be back soon and the storm will blow over ok?"

Everyone started back of to their room.

I stood there with my torch, this was going to be the longest night ever. Alone in my room in the dark and all I could think of is that stupid escaped prisoner. If I was younger I could have bunked in with Carmen and all, then it wouldn't be so bad. Or if only elektra wasn't so well so like elektra. I half glanced wishfully at her as she turned to go to her room, for a second we locked eyes, I couldn't read her facial expression as the light from the torches were casting strange shadows across her face. Maybe she just looked confused. I headed back to my room. I could do this, I'm 16, could you imagine, I'd never hear the end of it if I let on how petrified I really was.

Ok deep breaths, stay calm, everything is going to be ok. I opened my door, stepped into my room and slowly made it across to my bed. What on earth was that! I definitely heard a creak from beside by window, it was just the wind, yeah nothing but the wind. But what if it wasn't .. Shoot I wasn't waiting to find out. I flew out of my room, up the landing, all cares of what people would say had gone, I no longer cared. There was no way I was going to spend the night in my room with every tiny noise causing me a heart attack. Or worse, an escaped convict lurking in the shadows.

I opened the door and burst in. Suddenly I felt so stupid. Elektra half sat up, and flashed her light at me. She just stared and I couldn't read her expression. I stood there at the door took a step forward, then chickened out. What could I say? Oh elektra I'm terrified let me sleep with you cause I'm scared of the dark?! She would probably laugh in my face. This was so stupid, I should just grow up and go back to my room.

There was a crash of thunder, and I'd jumped into the bed and had grabbed elektra.

Oh dear. My heart sank I was so ashamed and embarrassed. Awkwardly I tried to apologise "sorry I dont know wa what caa came over me, I ii.."

She looked at me, seizing me up, I was shaking and there was a cool sheen of sweat across my forehead "ok, here's the deal, you are out of here first thing tomorrow and you aren't to speak of it again, to anyone. Understood?"

I couldn't believe it. "yeah sure, of course. Thanks elektra." I obviously must have looked so pathetic that even elektra could pity me.

She softened, and lay down. And I did the same, lying there as stiff as a poker, twitching at any sound. But at least I felt reassured just by the fact I wasn't alone.

After a few minutes I felt elektra's hand on-top of mine, and she gave mine a gentle squeeze. "it's ok, it's just the wind" she whispered.

I relaxed a little more. it felt nice elektra holding me like that, I was a bit shocked I could never of imagined elektra being so caring and understanding. Maybe this is how she used to be before all the stuff that happened that put her in care, or before the cobras. I don't know I'd never really talked to her about it. Plus she probly just wanted some sleep which she couldnt get with me jumping every second. As my body loosened she moved closer wrapping her arms around me. She scooped my hair over my other shoulder and rested her head next to mine. My body relaxed and softened against hers, I felt safe. And I no longer was worried about what she would say to the others about me, maybe, possibly she wouldn't say anything.

I could feel her breathing and every so often she'd murmur "it's ok" or "don't worry" i felt so safe and calm as I lay there drifting of to sleep, my arms around hers as she held me. Then again come the morning she could be laughing with johnny about how silly I was, being afraid of the dark, but right now I didn't care.