I just want to say as I have never had the chance to say this before, a BIG THANK YOU! to all my reviewers: xRonniex, Wall With A Fez, Cupcake and i-love-u-4eva-and-always. Thanks for encouraging me and making me feel happy about my writing as this is the first time I've written a proper story and I'm pretty happy that you like my ideas and where I'm heading with the story. Please keep your reviews coming in! Thanks xx
Charlie
Elektra Pov
The next day I went downstairs to people crowding around something. Even the smallest thing in the dumping ground are looked at closely and always have an audience!
"What's going on guys" I asked casually as they were jabbering away. "Frank's going fishing" Gus replied.
"Fishing?" I said.
Flashback
It was a cool day; perfect for fishing as Dad called it. We went to the lake and sat down as Dad leant over the lake waiting patiently for the fish to wander over. I got impatient easily and started wandering around. "Don't wander too far, Mandy!" my mum said.
I ignored her and started pretending that this particular plant was interesting. Then when Mum's attention was finally off me, I quickly ran into the woodland. I wandered around breathing in the fresh air not caring if I got lost. I was sitting down relaxing when a "Mandy!" echoed out through the woods. Melissa and Felix were running towards me. "We've been looking for you everywhere! Mum was really worried!" Melissa gabbled.
Yeah I'm sure she was... she just sent another two of her kids to find me instead! Felix looked at my face understanding how I didn't want to go back yet and said "Look Melissa, why don't we go on a little walk, don't worry we won't go too far and then we'll come back the way we came alright?"
"Ok.." Melissa said unsure. We walked on for a bit till we came to another little stream. I jumped into it naturally with Felix splashing him with the water as he splashed me back. It was actually quite fun! But Felix was too good for me and I squealed and squealed.
"Hey Melissa! Join us!" I said dodging another wave of water from Felix. "No thank you! Mother said we shouldn't get our clothes wet and that we shouldn't play in the water. It's dangerous!"
"But its fun! I'm sure she won't mind us having a little dip"
Melissa eventually gave in and sat at the bank of the stream. Felix accidentally wet Melissa and soon enough we were all drenching each other in water. When we got back Mum was furious and she wiped down Melissa and I with a spare towel quickly and firmly.
"Felix! How dare you drench the poor things! They are girls for goodness sake!"
He stood bowing his head and I felt guilty for him taking all the blame so I stepped in and admitted that it was my fault too! I expected Melissa to do the right thing and at least take some of the blame. For the rest of that day though she just glared and ignored whenever we looked at her...
Back to Elektra Pov
I snapped out of my memory and sat down to breakfast pouring myself cereal.
"Sounds boring" I said turning to Frank about his fishing trip.
"Good thing you weren't invited then!" he said back cheekily. I smiled sarcastically at him before turning back to my cereal. Maggots. I realized that some one had swapped my cereal. I took up a big spoonful
"Mmm... fat ones my favourite!" I said opening my mouth acting like I was about to eat it. Toby and Tee stared straight at me, their eyes wide. Instead I quickly turned to Carmen and shoved it in front of her face while she squealed like the drama queen she is! "You first!" I said. while she tried to get away from the maggots.
"Oh come on! I insist! They're good for you!" I said shoving it near everybody else. Gina soon came in and calmed us down a little but I still carried on shoving the maggots in everyone's face. Frank soon exited the room to go to the office but I still kept on shoving the maggots into everyone's face. Liam soon took the maggots off me and threatened to shove it down my vest top so I gave in and sat down to eat my cereal properly.
We ate in silence when we heard some smashing of glass and vases. Liam got up and ran out of the room to see what was going on. And we soon followed. We crept behind the door and saw Frank smashing everything acting completely unlike himself and when he had done enough damage he ran upstairs to his room followed by a worried Mike and a confused Liam.
We followed them naturally to hear what was going on. But soon Gina told us to come down and finish our breakfast. And we all sat down wondering where the nice Frank we knew had gone...
Liam Pov
I was so worried for Frank. Worried like hell. Frank had never been so upset in his life and he was meant to be the calm one! When we ran into his room he started throwing cushions at Mike and I and I looked at him hoping for an answer in his face.
"Get out! Leave me alone!" he kept saying. Where the hell did my mate Frank go? Mike pulled me out eventually. My head was full of questions. I had a suspicion that it was something to do with the reason why Frank had to go to the office. Was Frank getting moved? Into some random care home for mental people?
"What's going on?!" I asked Mike trying to get back into Frank's room. "No! What's going on?"
"He needs some space.." Mike said unhelpfully telling me to go downstairs and finish my breakfast. I looked at him and Frank slammed the door. I could hear him moving something to block the door with as well. Mike ushered me downstairs and as soon as I came down everyone was looking at me for the answers.
"I don't know!" I said, "...he won't tell me.."
Elektra Pov
To be honest I've never seen Liam so worried in my life. He wouldn't eat, that's pretty big for him since he gobbles food up like a pig! Soon he ran out in frustration by the number of people comforting him.
"Idiots! You could have let him have some space!" I said as soon as he was out of the room. Everyone turned to me a confused look on their faces wondering why it was now that I stuck up for Liam. "Just saying.." I said getting up and dumping my bowl in the sink.
Liam Pov
Frank. My best mate. Not bothering to tell me what went wrong. I blamed it on Mike naturally. Everybody in the kitchen were comforting me saying stuff like, "I'm sure Frank'll be alright!". I stormed out knowing that Frank wasn't himself and that the others were lying. I ran up to his room and tried to open the door. It opened slightly because of the drawers blocking it.
"Mind if I come in?" I asked Frank who was sitting next to the drawers all teary-eyed. He looked up at me and managed a small smile. I sighed relieved that Frank was better now. He told me everything. All the details. I could tell he was trying not to cry and I held his hand tight. I wouldn't even imagine being in Frank's situation.
Elektra Pov
Frank's granddad had died. That was the big news. Everyone had gasped apart from me. It wasn't shocking. People died all the time 24/7. My brother had died. The brother that had ran away when I was 7.
Carmen and Tee were sympathizing over Frank. Apparently they had only told Elm Tree about two weeks after Frank's granddad had actually died and even had the funeral without him. Well same story except I got told 6 months later!
"Well he's...dead does it matter?" I spoke up from my magazine.
"Yes it does! It's really important!" Toby said suddenly "It shows they've done in their lives!" I rolled my eyes. Toby and I were okay now but we weren't as close as we were before.
"Frank's granddad did loads for him. I mean he looked after Frank when no one else would!" Carmen said.
"Well it's not like any of you lot actually knew him!" I said getting up and walking out. They were making a fuss over nothing! I mean Frank's granddad only died for god's sake...
I thought about my brother. He was young and had a lot of wishes still to fulfill. But he had to come and get me out of a care home, make me normal, and well have his sister back. He spent time when he could have been making money and getting a job to get me. He slept rough on the streets just to run and find me! And sometimes I think if maybe I hadn't been so...so... Elektra that maybe I could have saved his life. Sometimes I think its my own fault and I had it coming...
Liam Pov
I was in Frank's room. With Mike. We were trying to get Frank to see the nice side of his granddad's death. And it wasn't working. Tracy came in obviously hearing what had happened. She suggested going to see his grave and maybe putting some flowers on it. It did seem pretty useful since we knew Frank couldn't do too much about not knowing his granddad was dead and well I suppose it would have helped him feel better so I agreed.
"It depends on whether he's been buried or cremated..." Gus said coming into the room. I had a feeling he was going to bust it!
"Cremation remains may be scattered over a garden of remembrance or blasted into space!". Tracy shoved him outside the room to shut him up. Frank had his hands over his face. Poor him! We decided to go to the graveyard. At least its better than nothing!
We came to a mold of mud; Tracy, Frank and I. Frank carefully put the flowers down on top of it. Frank's granddad din't have a headstone either!
"It needs his name...why hasn't it got his name?" Frank said.
"Maybe they didn't just have enough time.." Tracy said. Wow some excuse!
Frank ignored her and said that he was going to get his granddad a headstone.
"A headstone? Yeah we can do that can't we?" I asked Tracy.
"Course" she said trying to smile. We started to discuss the headstone and how we could plant some bulbs to grow in spring.
Once we were back Frank and I went straight onto the computer to check out some prices of headstones.
Everybody started crowding around us.
"Carmen and I are gonna plant some bulbs" Tee said.
"Yeah and we're gonna make a grave garden.." Carmen said.
"I could do like some CD for the service" Johnny piped up.
"And someone could say something about him" Toby said.
"It's called a eulogy; it has to have those!" Gus said.
"It doesn't have to!" Toby said.
"Witty anecdotes about the deceased" Gus replied waving his leaflet about.
"I think I know more about funerals than you do" Toby insisted.
Johnny started playing about with the mouse and I knew this was getting too much for Frank.
"We can do what we want!" I told them "It's our do yeah?!" Frank muttered a yeah.
"Go on give me and Frank a bit of space!" I said as they started to leave. Frank was already in a mess and they were only going to make it worse. Frank looked p at me.
"Thanks for this Liam but could I..?" Frank said wondering whether to carry on. I urged him to go on.
"Could I have a bit of space..? Please?" and I saw how he didn't want me to suggest anything to him either.
"Y-Yeah s-sure! I'll just be on my way.." I said heading towards the door. And I realized what an impact his granddad had been on Frank.
Elektra Pov
I walked into Sapphires room trailing my hand against her decorated wall. "So you leaving then?" I said trying to sound casual. She was probably the only girl that was around my age and knew how I felt about most things. And for that reason, I didn't want her to leave. I didn't want to be stuck with Liam's pranks without her! She bothered to stick up for me I guess.
"Yeah why are you after my room?" came the reply.
"Nope, I just think you're lucky; can't wait to get out of this prison"
"Oh trust me it's not that different out there; they still control you"
"Well they won't control me!"
"Where are the others?" she asked.
"Downstairs having some stupid meeting about Frank's granddad's funeral; Like one funeral is enough I think he's lucky to have missed it!"
"Well you don't know Frank then do you?" Sapphire retorted.
"Yeah but why all the fuss about some smelly old man?" I said not really meaning to sound mean.
"Well that's Frank's granddad you're talking about. You might not care but he does so you can shut up!" I guess Sapphire wasn't always on my side.
"Well if you care so much; why aren't you doing something about it?" I said walking out. Somehow though I felt that question was aimed at me as well. Why didn't I do anything about Felix dying?
Liam Pov
"500 quid for a headstone!" I exclaimed for the third time that day. The cheapest one on the net.
"We could put up a paving stone and make our own!" I said.
"Well no, I want a proper one!" Frank insisted getting his money out.
"Lucky you kept some of that cash back!" I said opening the box up.
"180" I counted.
"220" Frank replied.
"400, we're 100 short!" I said. Frank's face drooped. I wished I could help him but I didn't know what else to do.
Elektra Pov
Carmen and Tee were talking about what they had done for the funeral.
"It was Sapphire's idea!" Carmen said and Sapphire looked at me knowingly.
OK maybe she did do something.. And I had a feeling that she thought I was meant to add to that.
Johnny pestered Gina about old music. Something about Elvis Presley.
"How old do you think I am?!" she asked.
"Not that old!" Liam mouthed to Johnny behind Gina to stop any embarrassment. Then Mike asked where Frank was.
"Somewhere mourning" I thought. But everybody else seemed way more concerned than me. I honestly didn't get the fuss then!
Liam Pov
We searched everywhere in Elm Tree for Frank but it was obvious that he had gone out.
"Look he won't be far...I'm sure he's doing something for the funeral!" I told Mike.
"Right...right you see I wanted to tell him something.." Mike said.
"And..?"
"It's about his granddad" Mike said.
Mike told us how the council wouldn't allow a headstone for Frank's granddad because he'd been buried with other people as well. It was what they could afford.
"But that's not fair!" I exclaimed.
"I know I know... I told them that too but what's done is done!" Mike said upset. Frank was going to be so upset. Soon after Frank came in with a handful of money looking cheerful. So he'd gone to make some cash! Mike and I exchanged glances.
"Frank... we've spoken to the people at the cemetery and... you can't have a headstone.." Mike said.
"..what?" came Frank's reply quieter now.
"Nobody paid for your granddad's grave so he's in kind of a general one?" Mike said trying to make Frank happier.
"So it wouldn't be fair to put a memorial just for him.." Frank covered his face. This was really not his best day!
"So basically he's sharing a grave...they're buried 3 ft deep" Mike glared at Sapphire for ruining it even more.
"You might as well be honest! That's how tight the council are!" Sapphire said.
"Frank... y-you'll be able to flowers on the grave yeah?" Gina said encouragingly.
"You don't need a crummy old gravestone!" I said trying to lighten the mood.
"Sorry why are you making excuses?" Sapphire said disbelievingly "It's totally unfair!"
"We can't change the rules love" Mike said.
"Just because the only family left is a kid in care we never get what other people got!" Sapphire exclaimed and Frank stormed out in tears.
We all turned to Sapphire. I clapped sarcastically.
"Quality stuff... now look what you've done!" I said before heading out to look for Frank.
He'd gone out to the garden and was sitting on a bench.
"I'm sorry about the headstone" was all I could say. No reply.
"How did you get the money anyway, Frank?" I asked hoping to hear what Frank had been up to. Something to put him out of the blue.
He muttered something under his breath and even I couldn't hear what he had said. But it was obviously something bad.
"What?" I asked curiously.
"I sold the pocket watch" he said. That pocket watch had been given to him from his granddad! And it showed how desperate Frank was for a proper headstone. I tried to say something to support him but I couldn't. Frank had been stupid enough to sell a family heirloom!
"Oh Frank not the watch!" I said trying to sound like I didn't care. I was so angry at him right now! Since I don't have any family or never knew anyone, family really mattered to me. Like one of those things you may take for granted. And if you have something, at least something from your family that reminds you of something I would strongly suggest you keep it! Because one day you will regret throwing it away.
Frank thought that when it was his time to pass the watch down he wouldn't have anyone to give it to. I could see through his words. He thought that no one would like him because he had cerebral palsy. And technically he wouldn't have a life then if no one liked him enough to be able to spend the rest of their life with him.
"What you talking about? Course you're gonna be able ta give it ta someone!" I said encouragingly.
"I'm not! I'm a nothing like granddad!"
"He's not a nothing!" I insisted.
"...They bury him like rubbish, like he doesn't even matter...that's what's going to happen to me!" Frank said looking at me.
I realized how he was more aware of what others thought of him than I thought. Frank had more secrets than I realized.
"Stop it Frank! You do matter a-and so does your granddad...and all the other Matthews!" I said, trying to cover up how shocked I was.
"Going back to that first person who ever owned that watch!" I continued, "How many of us can say where we come from?!"
Frank looked down thoughtfully.
"You're not a nothing!" I told him "As long as you've got that watch you know who you are!"
"But I haven't got it anymore! I've sold it!"
"Then what are we still doing here?" I asked "Come on!" I said getting up and pulling Frank along.
Sapphire Pov
To be honest I never meant to upset Frank. Or Liam for that matter. But I did. Somehow. I was probably too tied up with the fact that there were still rules for living on your own. And that council controlled your every move. I went into the lounge after sulking in my room. No laughter or any chatter was heard. Apart from silence.
"So this is it then?" I asked, "Council says we can't have something and everyone gives up?". No reply. I suddenly noticed Elektra by the pool table suddenly looking interested in what I had to say. I looked at her hard and realized what a git I'd been. Moaning about my flat when I could easily say no. When I could be helping everyone else liven up.
"Look they don't control us. Nobody does. We don't need their cheapskate grave!"
"Yeah but what can we do?" Carmen said frustrated.
"We could dig up his body" Gus suggested unhelpfully.
"No... it's not his body that matters..."I sighed.
"I said that!" Elektra said looking seriously at me urging me to go on. And I had to say thanks to Elektra for that.
"It's his life; that's what we need to remember!" I said.
"How?" Johnny said still confused.
"I know!" Toby piped up on the other side of the pool table, "When my mum and dad passed on everyone gave some money and my uncle bought a bench for the park!"
"Yeah! That's it; that's what we'll do!" I exclaimed.
"And we could put it by the lake where they used to go fishing!" Tee suggested.
"Yeah!" I said and everyone suddenly seemed happier.
"Yeah but...where are we gonna get a bench?" Johnny asked.
Soon we were all lifting up the bench that used to be in the garden. Our plan was to carry it to the lake. It took a lot of work carrying it though especially with everyone moaning and groaning! And the bench was pretty old...very old indeed! Once we had got there and put it down there Toby sat down wearily on it, breaking one plank of wood from the bench.
"That's just unlucky!" Elektra said grinning "We'll just get some new wood!". But then the rest of the bench collapsed and it wasn't funny anymore.
"A lot of new wood" she said her smile falling.
"Well we'll just have to build our own bench...I'm sure there's plenty of junk lying around in this place!" Toby threw his plank of wood onto the pile and everyone started to leave.
"Uh? Where do you think you're going?" I said.
"We're NEVER going to make a whole bench in time are we?" Johnny said.
"Come on! Some one has to do it!" I looked towards Elektra and everyone followed my gaze.
"What?" she started, "Fine fine I'll do it but you owe me Saph alright?"
I hugged her then and got greeted back with a push.
"I'll get to work then.." she said. I smiled back at her. I knew she liked me really. I'd always seen her as my wannabe big boss sister. Ever since she came here. But I knew that however much she denied it; she was going to be at Elm Tree for a very long time. I snapped back to life and left her to her work. Who'd have thought the blue-haired freak would actually do something useful for a change?!
We all decorated the bench while Elektra painted it and put it together real quick. She even had time to help us!
"This is way better than any headstone!" Johnny exclaimed.
"Yeah its the best surprise ever!" Tee answered.
"Yeah Elektra did most of it!" Carmen agreed, "Didn't she?". She looked at me.
"Yeah she didn't do bad.." I said trying not to sound nice.
"How do you know all that stuff anyway?" Toby asked.
"How come you don't?" Elektra replied and I knew that everybody was going to be happier now. Elektra did something good. Something worth doing. And personally she should have been proud of herself.
Liam Pov
I walked with Frank to the antiques shop. We were going to get the pocket watch back; alive or not! We caught a lift in Tracy's bizarre car after a while. Apparently she'd been trying out for a flat and decided to get a car instead. Strange I thought Sapphire was the one moving out?! Seemed like Tracy had a deal with a conner though because we had to pull up because one of the pipes had started smoking. Then Cam had to pull us along. So much for having your own car!
When we finally arrived Frank and I walked inside while Tracy waited for us outside. We saw a lady in a leopard printed dress at the counter. Her name was XAnthe apparently.
"Oh hello" she said turning around, "Did you get your headstone?"
"Not allowed to have one" Frank said simply.
"Awh that's a shame!" she said a tone in her voice.
"Yeah that's why he wants the watch back" I told her.
"Sorry...y-you want me to return the watch?" she said worriedly.
"Even though you begged me to buy it from you?" she said returning to her sickly sweet tone.
"It's a family heirloom; he's changed his mind" I told her hoping she'd give in and understand. Frank held out the money in his hand.
"Well I'm sorry it's been reserved I've got a customer coming in this afternoon" she said all at once ignoring the money.
"What?" Frank asked clearly confused.
"He's one of my regulars. He's a pocket watch collector; I telephoned him the minute it came it!" she sound sounding too pleased with herself for her own good.
"We'll pay extra" I told her hoping she'd buy it.
"I'm afraid you're going to need a little more than that!" she said pointing into the glass cabinet underneath. £750 quid!
"HOW MUCH?!" Frank said looking closer to check if he was dreaming.
"750?" I asked puzzled "We only paid 100!"
"You cheated me!" Frank realized.
"I did not!" she insisted "You asked me for 100 pounds and I gave it to you!"
"Like a favor" he said.
"Do you see bin bags on the doorstep and a collecting box on the counter?" she said signalling to the area all around us.
"No.."
"NO!" she said firmly.
"This isn't a charity; I'm running a business!" she said.
"Look...he's desperate it's his granddad's; the last thing he had!" I told her sternly.
"Then he should have done some research into its value first!" she replied.
"It's my granddad's its more precious thing he ever had he.."
"I'm sorry I can't understand a word you're saying!" Xanthe sighed. I frowned at her childish ignorance.
Then things got worse and they started yelling in each others face. Frank picked up a vase intending to smash it. I saved the vase in time and placed it back carefully.
"Look I'm really sorry.." I started.
"Please remove your friend or I will call the police" she said. I grabbed the money of the counter and we headed out to the door.
"What happened?" Tracy asked.
"She won't give it back!" Frank cried.
I explained how she got 750 for it.
Cam and Tracy were shell-shocked.
"What?" Tracy asked.
Cam and I tried to calm Frank down assuring him that we'd get it back somehow. Eventually Cam gave up and said "Frank it's ok, calm down!"
"No" Tracy said stubbornly "I'm gonna sort this out!" And she walked in head held high.
"Who are you; his sister?" Xanthe said looking at the vase for any repairs.
"No; his care worker" Tracy said and Xanthe looked up in shock "He lives in a kids home"
"Then shouldn't you know what he's doing?" Xanthe sighed "Why are you letting him walk around with an extremely valuable watch? Isn't that rather irresponsible of you?" Oops! She striked a weak point and now Tracy was going to burst.
"This isn't my fault!"
"The boy needed money and I helped him which is rather more than you have done!"
"OK let's come to an arrangement! You sell antiques so what if...what if I had an antique car?" What was she doing; Xanthe was never gonna buy her car!
Xanthe came outside and took one look at the car.
"It's junk" she said simply.
"It isn't!" Tracy insisted.
"It's a wreck!"
"It's got character?" Tracy tried.
"Stop wasting my time..." she insisted but her eyes suddenly seemed to linger off somewhere. I frowned confused.
"Actually..." she started and I perked up "I could do with a little run around!"
"What?" Tracy said.
"How much are you asking?" she asked curiously.
"Just the watch and you get 100 quid back!" Tracy smiled.
"Done" and in the blink of an eye we were back at Elm Tree with the watch. I still didn't understand what it was about Tracy's car. A memory?!
"That's it!" I realized when we were at the door "X,4,N,T,H,E that's a personalized number plate, 4 looks like an A so it looks like a 'Xanthe'...you gave it away!"
"Oh hardly!" Tracy shrugged.
"Can't believe we missed it!" I exclaimed.
"Oh come on boys I'm sure it's not worth that much!" Cam sighed.
"Have you got internet on your phone I'll prove it to ya!" I told her.
Tracy got a message to meet at the lake for some 'surprise'. We all went and I couldn't believe what was there...
Elektra Pov
We were waiting for Liam, Frank,Cam and Tracy. I realized I wasn't wearing my jacket and I must have taken it off because it was getting hot. I looked around for it but couldn't find it. I was pretty self-conscious of revealing body to others even a little bit! I remembered how Sapphire had taken it home when she went to tell Mike what I'd been up to.
I wrapped my arms around me when I heard a car coming in through the drive. They were here. I hoped Frank liked it though! We all hid. Frank came in and saw the bench.
"What's that?"
"Dunno what does it say?" Tracy asked.
"Eric Beverly Matthews. 1931-2010 Frank's granddad who took him fishing and gave him the pocket watch. From Frank and all his friends at the Dumping Ground. We will always remember you." Liam read out aloud.
"SURPRISE!" and everyone ran out.
"Look I did the fish!" Tee cried.
"And I made this owl but Elektra did most of the work.." Carmen said smiling at my while I tried not to blush.
"Nah I just did the fixing; last a few years.." I said trying not to sound too weird.
"Well go on then; try it out!" Mike said to Frank saving me from a hundred questions. Frank eventually sat down and I couldn't imagine him any happier.
"I really don't know what to say!" he cried "My granddad would really love this! And all of you are such great friends!". You had to aww for that! We had a barbeque and everyone went to get food. Liam came up to me and asked about how I built the bench.
"Errm well... I can't really explain.." I mumbled trying not to blush.
"Where did you learn?" he asked.
"My dad" I said before mumbling "It was one of the only good stuff he did for me.." as I walked away. I looked around for something to do. I saw one last burger left on the table and Liam eyeing the burger carefully. When he turned to talk to Frank, I quickly put some maggots inside the burger. Payback time!
Mike called us over for a picture and I watched Liam. He took one bite and realized something was up. Maggots.
"Argh! he screamed and everyone turned around to see and they ran off. What a nice picture that was. "Knew I'd get you back!" I laughed.
At the end of the day I simply fell into my bed. Didn't bother to get changed. I heard some uncomfortable shuffling from my cupboard so I opened it.
Liam.
"What the fuck are you doing, get out!" I screamed.
"Chill!" he whispered "I was only going to get you back for the maggots!"
"Idiot! I could have have been changing!"
"Oh yeah...oops!" Liam said realizing.
"You're so dum!" I said "Look...please just get out...now.."
He sadly made his way to the door and I felt slightly guilty... what am I saying. He could have seen me. My body...
Sick thoughts came rushing back to the time when I was close to being raped. It was horrible and probably one of the only times when I wished I was with my family, all safe and sound. I sighed and went straight to sleep without any disturbances this time.