Chides and mindless chatter surged through my small body and disgraced my sensitive ears. My empty hands rubbed each other in illogical patterns. The hustle and bustle of oblivious strangers continued to worm their way through my weary mind. Words of steel flew by as my mind picked up the highs and lows of unorthodox chit-chat. Bright and obnoxious colourings flooded my vision and confused all logical functions. Why would such colour be appealing? I did not know.

Yet, there they were. Neons. Pastels. Clashing tones of every shade. But, the black too, and its comforting darkness, that calmed my soul - even just for a second - until a large, deep and gruff shout howled through the ever constricting space. "Barry!" it hollered and with it came the disturbing laughter as 'Barry' regurgitated its name.

The world seemed to reply, so as the sky cried out, the waterproof fabric opened up to hide its tears, but with its weeping waterfalls came mine. My weakened fortress had already started to fall apart and the pain of shuddering breath banged at my constricted chest. My tiny legs wandered senselessly through the merciless mob. They struggled to avoid the giants. The downpour continuously pitter-pattered against the cover, and my thoughts finally drifted to my whereabouts. I stifled a startled scream, which came out as a muffled sob and went unnoticed by the growing horde. Stomping blocks of various brown and black hides clashed the uneven, dirty and wet ground. It was like small mammals burrowed through the hard and tough concrete in screeching fear.

My confused brain suddenly decided for logical function while my heart and mind trembled. Buildings towered overhead and through the gaps, blue, metal, black and beige gained my attention. Wafts of grey cigarette smoke waded and burrowed into my nose and respiratory system, resulting in haggard hacking. Cold air breezed through my dark jacket and shivers travelled up my spine. Masses of giants slammed into each other as some had begun shoving. My brain panicked as the threats of danger subsided, slowly.

Monstrous thundering in the deep underground startled me and may have moved the floor itself - but it went overlooked by the surrounding population, as did my staggering agitation.

All of a sudden, my splintered mind was thrown out of my logic-trance, by a worried exclamation of my name. In response, I twirled on my heel, hopeful, to greet... no one. No one I knew. My excited heart fragmented in despair and desperation. My destroyed emotions heard another distressed outcry and in my tormented state, I turned apathetically; and was greeted by a soothing and recognised voice. The hustle and bustle around us muffled my held-back sob as the relieved face in front of my tear-stained face checked me over.

Her vast love and easing nature muted the loud and busy world and in one, swift movement, she pulled me into her calming body. As she hugged my ochlophobic self, tightly, the knowledge of her determination to look after me had settled my splintered mind once again.