Stranded

Stranded - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

It was nearly 1.00am and I couldn't sleep. I didn't know if it was because I was worrying about Faye or I just wasn't tired.

The whole room was pitch black and everyone was asleep. It was freezing as the radiator wasn't on and the duvets were more like blankets.

I tossed and turned trying to get comfy. I kept my blazer on hoping it would warm me up but it didn't. I gave up and just lay flat staring at the ceiling. I just wanted a hot shower and to be in my own bed back at home...

"Bella?" Someone whispered. I flinched and ignored them, thinking it was my mind trying to scare me. I squeezed my eyes shut urging to make my brain fall asleep.

"Are you awake?" I heard them tiptoe across the floor. I sat up and saw a figure looming over my bed.

"What?" I whispered.

"It's me, Tom. Can't you sleep?" I shook my head then realised he probably couldn't see. "Neither. Too much stuff on my mind," he sat on the bed next to mine.

"Like what?" I asked. Maybe talking would make me sleepy and I'd fall asleep. Tom sighed and then leaned back on his side.

"Well, Faye for a start. I can't believe what's happening to her. I just can't face the fact that she's ill and - never mind." I lay back down, wanting him to carry on talking. "And then the whole situation. We're stranded at school, we don't know how all this is happening or where our families are. We don't know how safe it is here or if we're ever going to get out," I realised Tom kept a lot bottled up inside and was finally letting all his thoughts and worries out. "And..." He paused.

"What?" I asked, sitting back up.

"I just..." he lowered his voice, "nevermind,".

He fell asleep, however I couldn't. I was curious to know what he was worried about. I lay staring at the ceiling, imagining I was back with my family on one of our yearly camping trips. My sister and I would lay on the grass, staring at the stars trying to make shapes out of them. But as soon as I thought about my sister, I crumbled and ended up crying myself to sleep, mourning for her and my whole family.

I woke up about lunchtime, because everyone was already up, eating and the bright sun was streaming through the window. I was in such a good mood.

I sat up and stretched then stood up. I walked over to where everyone else was and sat down beside Lauren.

The day went by quickly, probably because I was in a good mood. I spent all day chatting to Lauren getting to know her more. Josh and Lewis went on a mission to get some more food from the cafeteria, though we warned them how dangerous it was.

"Were you and Faye friends before all this?" Lauren asked. I glanced over at a peaceful Faye and smiled.

"Yeah," Tom looked at me, "we've been friends for years," I gulped, realising what could happen to Faye. I wanted to change the subject, "and what about you Faye? Who are you friends?"

"Well..." She gave me a huge list of her best friends with details and I couldn't help but give a sad smile. All the people she listed were probably dead, and she didn't realise.

She carried on with her list of friends, but there was only one friend on my mind I could think about. I glanced at Faye and frowned. Please wake up, I thought.