vigorli

Title: Waking Nightmare
Author: Greenleaf
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: OB/VM
Summary: Strange things are happening to Orlando. At first he thinks it is just a joke of his friends, but things start to get even scarier with time and he painfully experiences, that this weren't jokes.......
Will Viggo be able to help him after his waking nightmare?

*Warnings* Angst, Violence, Rape

Feedback: Yes pleaaaaaaaaaaaase *holds up starving author sign* I love feedback even more than getting presents

Disclaimer: None of them belongs to me (sadly), nothing of this did really happen
Beta: The wonderful and awesome slashfairy. Thank you *hug*

I want to take his eyes out
Just for looking at you
Yes I do
I want to take his hands off
Just for touching you
Yes I do

And I want to rip his heart out
Just for hurting you
And I want to break his mind down
Yes I do

And I want to make him
Regret life since the day he met you
Yes I do
And I want to make him
Take back all that he took from you
Yes I do

Chapter Nine - Protection

Orlando had curled up into a ball on the couch, a quilt warming his body and a steaming cup of tea in his hands. His eyes were fixed on the TV screen but he hadn’t got a clue what the movie was about. He heard the people talking but did not realize their words. It didn’t matter anyway.

Viggo sat on the chair next to Orlando, pretended to watch the movie. Every now and then his gaze wandered to the young man on the couch. He didn’t like what he saw; he didn’t like it at all. Sometimes he could almost see the darkness around Orlando. It seemed that he only needed to stretch his hand out to touch it. Could he reach Orlando through his thick veil of despair? He tried so hard to hold the young man, to pull him back into this world but he couldn’t. The tighter his grip got the faster Orlando seemed to slip away. It was like holding a person who was about to fall into the abyss and all of a sudden your hand starts to sweat so you can hold the person’s hand no longer. But he wouldn’t let Orlando fall…

Just when Viggo was about to say something his mobile phone rang. Orlando winced at the shrill sound.

“Sorry…I’ll just go and get that call right?”

Orlando nodded weakly; his gaze lingered on the TV screen again. Viggo got up and after checking the caller ID he left the room and went into the nearby study closing the door behind him so Orlando would not hear the conversation.

“Peter?”

“Hey Vig.” The voice of the director answered. He sounded tired and worried, resembling exactly how Viggo felt.

“How is he?”

Viggo sighed.

“Well…I don’t know. He isn’t talking very much and to be honest…I am worried about him Pete. More than before I mean. I…I just don’t know…” Orlando was not here and Viggo could free of his inner pain.

“I know Vig.” Peter said understanding. The Dane could hear him sigh.

“Listen, I just picked up some of Orlando’s stuff and I am going to bring it over yeah? And before I forget it: Lenoir called. He wants Orlando to come to the hospital tomorrow and…well the police are here at his house and they urm…handed me some pictures they found.”

“And?” Viggo asked. He could not imagine what pictures that could be and he had the feeling that he didn’t want to know.

“They…well you best take a look yourself. I’ll come over alright?”

“Alright. Bye.” With a sigh Viggo ended the call and went out of the room. Just when he was about to close the door a shattering sound from the living room interrupted his train of thought. Instantly panic kicked in and he ran to the living room where he found Orlando in a heap on the floor. Next to him lay the shards of the mug, hot tea spilled on the floor. The Brit was staring out of the window, eyes wide in fear and his breathing rapid.

“Orlando?” Viggo rushed to his side. The boy was hyperventilating.

“Angel what happened?”

No response, only brown eyes stared at Viggo, wide in fear. A hunted look veiled them.

“Orlando? Orli please say something.” Viggo pleaded, carefully pulling Orlando closer.

“H-…he.” But Orlando couldn’t get a word out, chocking and sobbing, not able to breathe.

“It’s alright baby, it’s alright. Just breathe…” Viggo tried to calm the young man, rubbing soothing circles over his back.

“Just breathe…breathe.” He murmured, not stopping his movements until Orlando’s breathing got somewhat normal again. He seemed exhausted, tears streaming over his face and inhaling deeply. Tearful eyes looked up at Viggo.

“He was here.” Orlando finally managed to say, blank panic in his voice.

“Who? Who was here?” A dark foreknowledge crept into Viggo’s mind.

“J-Jeff.” Orlando’s sobs increased again, his whole body shaking.

“Jeff? Where was he Orli?”

“I-I…s-saw him. He-he was o-out there and…and he l-looked at me from the…window.” The Brit stuttered his breathing hitched again. Never before had he had a panic attack. Viggo gripped the young man tighter.

“Shh angel. He is not here anymore and I will not let him near you anyways.” Later Viggo would talk with the police about it. Orlando would never ever have to suffer again; he’d make sure of that. Orlando sniffled.

“Promise?” He asked insecure like a child. Everything about him reminded Viggo of a scared child, only that Orlando’s nightmares did not vanish as easily. The monsters of his dreams did not go away when the light was turned on. They stayed in the darkness of his mind. Viggo felt anger welling up inside him. He wanted to hurt Jeff and make him suffer just like he made Orlando. Viggo would’ve run out of the house to search for the bastard himself and beat him up but his first priority now and ever was Orlando.

“Promise. I will never leave you and I will protect you. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

Orlando would have given anything if he could simply believe these words. He wanted to, he so desperately wanted to but he couldn’t. Some inner voice told him that he was not safe, that he never again would be. That he was not worth living, that he was not loveable anymore. Viggo would not be there for him for all time.

Viggo knew nothing of the thoughts which went through Orlando’s mind. He gently rocked the thin body, patiently waiting until the tears tried and the breathing calmed. It wasn’t the best moment to tell the young man that Peter would come but it would be even more uncomfortable if the doorbell rang.

“Orli? PJ is coming over to bring some of your stuff. Is that alright for you?” He would tell him about the hospital later.

Orlando looked up, definitely scared but he didn’t respond.

“It’s alright, you can go upstairs while he is here.” Viggo offered. Anything to make Orlando comfortable. Although he didn’t want to leave the young man alone. Orlando seemed to think like that too because he shook his head violently, silent pleading in his eyes.

“No! No please don’t. Don’t make me go upstairs.”

When Viggo saw the fear and agony in Orlando’s eyes, heard it in his voice he realized for the first time that this young man who spoke to him really thought that he would force him. The young man who spoke had been forced and had lost his trust in the world and in himself, thinking that all people were like that and would force him. Viggo felt his heart shatter again. It had been shattered so often in the last days and he thought that he wouldn’t be able to put the shards together some day. What Jeff had done to this loving human being who had enjoyed every second of his life was unforgivable. Viggo wanted to give Orlando back everything Jeff took from him.

“I won’t make you go up if you don’t want to.” Viggo explained simply but insistently. He would have to show Orlando that he could trust again, that he wouldn’t be forced and that there were others things then fear, pain, and hurt.

Orlando seemed relieved. He couldn’t put up with being alone, especially not now. On the other hand he didn’t want to face Peter. Shame crept up again, made his cheeks take a red colour. Viggo noticed this and could imagine what Orlando thought.

“It’ll be fine. I’ll stay with you and he’s just bringing over some of your stuff. Nothing big and he won’t stay for long.”

Orlando nodded weakly but he didn’t seem comfortable at all. Viggo helped the young man up to the couch again and made sure that the blanket covered the shivering body before he went to the kitchen to get something to clean up the shards. He was aware that brown eyes followed him anxiously. When he had cleaned up the mess he took a seat next to Orlando on the couch. This time the young man didn’t jerk away but rather leaned closer. It was hard for him because he was still so scared of every touch and felt so unlovable and unworthy but at the same time he didn’t want to be alone. It was so paradoxical and he couldn’t sort it out so he let his current feeling decide. And right now he needed comfort, his gaze nervously shifting to the window every now and then.

When Orlando broke the distance himself Viggo felt encouraged to cradle the brunette close. At the moment words were not necessary. Orlando relaxed a bit more. Time stood still and they sank into doziness.

The sound of the doorbell startled them both. Viggo couldn’t help a smile when he saw the drowsy look in Orlando’s face. It was adorable and for some short seconds he forgot all his worries. Orlando’s brown eyes blinked sleepily and he seemed like a tousled whelp. The Dane only wished to see the Brit with his long, chocolate curls again, which would’ve suited the whole expression far better than the short Mohawk.

“I’ll just go and open the door yeah?” Viggo smiled and carefully stood up, his hands still holding Orlando’s shoulders so he could place the young man back into the pillows. He pulled up the blanket and made sure that the brunette wouldn’t freeze.

“Get some more rest.” With that quiet murmur Viggo left the room to open the door. It wasn’t surprising that Peter stood there smiling thinly, the smile forced and worried.

“Hi Peter.”

“Hey…brought some things Orlando might need.” The director handed Viggo a black case.

“Thanks Pete.” Viggo stepped aside so that the man could enter. He put the bag on the floor. He’d give the things to Orlando later. Peter seemed ill at ease, nervously stepping from one foot to the other. Viggo couldn’t resent it. He felt like doing the same.

“I brought the pictures I talked about.” Peter finally broke the silence, handing the actor a couple of Polaroid’s. Viggo raised an eyebrow. He had forgotten about them. When he looked at them a sick feeling increased in his stomach with each of them. They were all pictures of Orlando, taken in private moments. The young man was unaware that he was being photographed. One picture showed Orlando on set, already in costume. He was laughing about something. Viggo could not tell about what but his face seemed to glow, joy sparkling in his eyes. It was the very picture of how Orlando had once been: joyful, loving his life and embracing every new experience. The Orlando napping on the couch hadn’t laughed; his eyes were not sparkling but full of fear. The hate and anger inside of Viggo grew. He was sure that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill Jeff should he ever get the chance. All the same his wish to bring the old Orlando back grew. He would not give up. The Dane swallowed hard, looking over the other pictures. There were some of the night Orlando had been at his because he’d lost his keys. Under one particular picture, showing them both sitting in the living room and talking, was written in black letters “You are mine, not his.”
Suddenly realization hit Viggo like a fist of steel. This all had started much earlier. When Orlando came here he hadn’t lost his keys. He had been afraid, maybe because he had found some of these pictures. The young man had been different that evening. He should’ve paid more attention to it! Maybe he could’ve prevented all this if he had just paid attention. The guilt already dwelling deep inside of him grew stronger.

“I rescheduled the shooting so Orlando and you won’t be needed for the next month on set.” Peter broke the uneasy silence again.

“You’ll bring him to the hospital tomorrow?”

Viggo nodded. He hadn’t talked with Orlando about that so far. At the moment it was more important that the young man got some rest.

“That’s good. Don’t hesitate to call me anytime if you need something.”

Both men avoided speaking about what had happened. They understood each other without words, feeling the same helplessness.

“Thanks Pete.”

“Alright…” Peter looked around, his hands in the pockets of his coat.

“Greet Orli from me yeah?”

“I will. Thanks again. I really appreciate your help and I know Orlando does too.” Viggo smiled wearily. Peter just nodded before he opened the door again and left. The Dane stood some more moments in the hallway before he put the pictures away. Orlando didn’t need to see them. He returned to the living room with the bag PJ had brought. His heart sank when he found Orlando still on the couch but not asleep. The young man had curled up like he seemed to do always now and stared at the room with fearful eyes. Obviously he still feared that Jeff would stand before him all of a sudden. Viggo decided that the best thing would be to act normal. If Orlando felt confirmed in his fears it wouldn’t do anything could to his condition. Viggo tried to seem as confident as possible when he sat down next to Orlando, placed the bag on the floor.

“Peter just brought some of your things.” He explained although it was unnecessary.

“If you need anything else from your house, just tell me okay?” Orlando nodded absently minded but didn’t seem to care. Viggo noticed that the young man relaxed none the less now that he wasn’t alone anymore. He watched Orlando just to see that he was asleep some minutes later. Viggo’s gaze lingered on the young man until sleep washed his worries away and granted his mind some rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando shivered. The warm blood covering his forearm made his stomach flip. Jeff let the edge of the knife glide over his skin, strong enough for Orlando to feel it but light enough not to cut the skin. When he reached the flat belly he stopped for a few seconds.

“So will you remember now that you belong to me? Not to Mortensen or any other guy, just to me. You will see, love, once you accept that you will love me back and I will make your life perfect. I will give you everything you want and we will be happy. Just you and me. All of this here is necessary to show you, to open your eyes for what will come. I know that otherwise you won’t see and learn.” He purred while the knife sliced the soft skin.

Orlando’s head lolled back, a moan escaping his lips. It hurt and the sensible muscles contracted. His breathing was hitched, his body wrapped in a thick cloud of pain. Orlando couldn’t pay attention to anything else than the pain and fear and didn’t notice that Jeff put the knife aside just to take something else. A smile flickered over the face of the man. Orlando was a piece of art. He was beautiful but marking the perfect body made him a work of art. Colours of red, blue, and violet on the olive skin which glistered with sweat. Soon his masterpiece would be completed.

Orlando flinched when Jeff spread his legs and placed himself between them. Why again? He could take no more and pain tore him apart, ripped his skin from his body and left bloody flesh to cold air.
This time Jeff seemed to have other things in mind since he placed something cold against the already abused entrance. Orlando tried to jerk away but had no way to do so.

A cry of anguish pierced the air when fire flooded Orlando’s body, crashing and burning, tearing apart. Jeff seemed as if he didn’t even notice, pushing another one of the metal beads into his body. They might have hurt because he didn’t do anything to prepare the young man and because he was already over the point where you would call it ‘sore’, but the reason they hurt so much was that the edges were not round but sharp. Eight of the smooth metal beads were fastened on the black string.

Jeff seemed fascinated, his eyes fixed on Orlando’s face while he pushed one after the other into the body.

“I knew that you could take them all…” The man murmured satisfied, ignoring the wails, cries, and pleads to stop. His fingers played with the string on which the beads were fastened, teasingly pulling at it. Orlando cried out again, his body jolted with pain. Red and black spots danced before his closed eyes. He could barely breathe, body arching up. The brunette rolled on his side as best as he could before he had to vomit. He passed out moments later, for his sake not realizing how Jeff pulled out the beads with one fast movement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“St-stop…please…please STOP!”

Sobs, cries of agony, and a body trashing around on the couch startled Viggo from his sleep. It took him only a few seconds to fully wake up before he was at Orlando’s side. The young man was still asleep but obviously his dreams weren’t pleasant. He was crying and restlessly trying to get rid of something that wasn’t there. Viggo gently laid his hand on the younger man’s shoulder.

“Orlando? Orlando wake up.” Another cry before brown eyes snapped open, wide in fear. This time Orlando did not recognize Viggo, he just saw a person next to him, touching him. Instantly he flinched away to the end of the couch where he made himself as small as possible, hands covering his face as if to protect himself. Violent sobs were shaking his body. Viggo froze, staring at the scared man.

“Orlando? Orli, it’s just me…” He found his voice again, his hand softly lying on Orlando’s foot. But it didn’t seem to work, the Brit flinched again.

“Don’t touch me…” Orlando was rocking back and forth, hands still over his face.

“Orlando…”

“Don’t…go away…GO AWAY! DON’T TOUCH ME!” The brunette shouted.

It was Viggo’s turn to flinch. He had never seen Orlando in such a state of panic, not even during the last day. Orlando had never screamed at him. He felt helpless and sat there for another minute. When the sobs didn’t die down and the young man fell into his panic and despair he finally moved to sit on the floor before Orlando, took the hands of the young man and lifted them from his face.

“Orlando it is just me. No one else is here; no one is going to hurt you. It’s just me, Viggo.”

Wide eyes looked down at him in panic, tears shimmering and despair clouding them. Orlando didn’t move he just stared at Viggo while his body continued to shake.
Orlando could feel the pain and humiliation even when his eyes snapped open and he woke up. It hadn’t been just a dream, it was reality and it hurt, tore him apart again. He didn’t see Viggo; he just saw Jeff and tried to escape. His hands over his face, rocking back and forth he tried to banish the images, tried to forget the pain but he couldn’t. He could still feel the hard edges digging into sensitive parts of his body, the smell of blood. When his hands were lifted the light seemed blinding. The smell of blood stayed, as did the shame and hurt. He couldn’t find the concentration to fully realize that it was Viggo in front of him. Instead he pushed him away and was on his feet seconds later. The brunette swayed when he ran to the bathroom without thinking about it, an inner instinct guiding him. He just made it in time before he couldn’t suppress a retch anymore.

Viggo fell backwards when Orlando pushed him away. He just stared after the young man in shock. Even in the night Orlando hadn’t been like that after his dream. What nightmare had done this to his Orli? After a while he stood up, slowly followed the young man. Maybe he wanted to be alone but Viggo was too worried to leave him alone right now. He heard sobs and choking sounds coming from the bathroom. When he entered he found the brunette sitting on the floor. He had not eaten anything in the last days so there hadn’t been much in his stomach and when he couldn’t stop choking because he was so sick he felt the bitter taste of bile in his mouth. He finally had to throw up. His throat was sore and his body couldn’t calm down, chokes still shaking him. The dream had been real, it had been memories, replayed in his mind once again and he could still feel everything. The feeling of sickness didn’t vanish and he felt dirtier than before.

Viggo couldn’t take it. Tears stung his eyes and his heart shattered. Orlando was helpless and small, so exhausted and limp, not able to stand up on his own anymore. Still the actor wasn’t sure if Orlando would allow himself to be touched now so he approached only slowly.

“Orlando?” He asked carefully not to startle Orlando. It didn’t seem that Orlando noticed so he kneeled next to the brunette and took the shaking hand from the toilet seat. Only then did brown eyes meet his, if only for seconds before they looked away again.

Orlando feared Viggo’s questions, feared that the Dane could see straight through him and would get to know all of those horrible things that had happened to him because he had been weak. He was relieved when he found that Viggo didn’t ask questions but rather helped him to sit down on the edge of the bathtub. Moments later he felt a wet washcloth carefully dabbing the sweat from his face. Orlando allowed his eyes to close, enjoyed the cool sensation the washcloth brought. His heated skin seemed to calm, as did his breathing. He still felt dirty but was too tired to think about it. Maybe it was a good thing to be tired because it allowed him a break from his thoughts. Orlando wanted to relax and rest, banish the thoughts and feelings and just sink into nothingness. He barely recognized Viggo’s voice.

“What about going to bed baby? It’ll be more comfortable to sleep there than on the couch.”

Orlando forced his eyes to open although his eyelids seemed heavy. The last minutes had withdrawn the little energy left and somehow he was grateful for it. He just knew somehow that now he would be able to sleep, his body and mind too tired for another dream. Just sleep. He nodded slowly and wanted to stand up but his body didn’t move. Only when Viggo helped him up was Orlando able to walk out of the bathroom. The Dane helped him up the stairs and into the bed where the thin body went limb again. A slight sigh escaped Orlando’s lips and he snuggled closer to the pillow, eyes already closed.

“Angel?” Viggo asked carefully. Maybe it wasn’t the nicest way to do this but it was the way that would cause the least trouble.

“Hm?”

“We have to drive to the hospital tomorrow. The doctor wants to see you again.”

“Mhm.”

Viggo suppressed the feeling of guilt that welled up again. It wasn’t fair but nothing of the things that had happened to Orlando were fair. The older actor sighed before he pulled up the blanket so that the brunette would be comfortable before he seated himself in the chair. This time he couldn’t sleep, his mind too occupied with thoughts about what Orlando might have dreamed and what happened. The fearful voice of the young man echoed in his ears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although Orlando had gone to sleep very early he didn’t wake up until late forenoon. For the first time in days he had been able to sleep without nightmares. His body and mind needed the rest so Viggo couldn’t bring himself to wake up the young man. Instead he sat in the chair watched the sleeping form, lost in his thoughts. He had only slept for short periods during the night and when the sun started to rise he finally got up. With a sigh he made his way into the bathroom, splashed cold water into his face, driving away the sleepiness.

Hair still damp from the shower and freshly dressed Viggo decided to prepare breakfast. Orlando seemed to be asleep so he had some time and space for himself. Whenever the young man was around he tried to hide his fear and hurt, to look confident, but when he was alone he could put the mask down.

Viggo just took a sip from the mug with freshly brewed coffee when the sound of naked feet on the parquet floor in the hallway caught his attention. His gaze wandered to the kitchen door where a slim form appeared only seconds later. Orlando was still tired but Viggo felt his stomach turn when he saw blank terror in the brown eyes. The brunette was hugging himself, trembling and his eyes darting around restlessly before they focused on Viggo. Orlando swallowed hard and couldn’t hold back the tears that had welled up in his eyes since he awoke and found the room empty.

Viggo put the mug down on the table with such a force that the hot liquid swapped over the edge. None of them paid attention to it, Orlando still stood there crying.

“Angel? What is it, did you dream again?” Viggo hurried to his side.

Orlando shook his head. No, in fact he had slept well but when he woke up the room had been empty and he hadn’t been able to breathe when panic kicked in. Viggo was not there and he was alone. What if Jeff was around? What if Jeff had done something to Viggo? What if Viggo was simply fed up and had left? Now that he knew that the other man had just made himself some coffee he felt terrible, cursing himself. He behaved like a child, cried because he had been alone and gave into stupid fears. Wasn’t it bad enough that Viggo knew about the rapes? That he knew how weak Orlando had been, not able to defend himself? He was just confirming that with behaving so weak as he just had.

Orlando brushed away his tears violently but he couldn’t stop them and when the other man gathered him into his arms he finally gave up the fight, sobbing. He was so weak and felt so ashamed that Viggo saw him like that. He had only been alone for some minutes because the Dane made them breakfast, where was his fucking problem? Why couldn’t he deal with a situation like that? It was normal so why didn’t he react normally? Because he wasn’t normal anymore. Viggo would see that too, would see what a weak failure he was. He wouldn’t want him.

Viggo felt overwhelmed. He could only think of what might have scared Orlando like that and instantly felt guilty again.

“I am sorry; I just wanted to bring you some tea for breakfast. That’s why I left.” He explained when Orlando calmed a bit in his arms. He sank back on the chair and pulled the younger one on his lap.

“I-it’s alright.” Orlando choked out, allowing himself to be comforted by the older man although he still felt embarrassed.

Viggo waited until Orlando was a bit calmer but did not loosen the embrace.

“How about having breakfast now before we go to the hospital?”

Orlando’s head snapped up instantly, eyes wide.

“Hospital?”

“Yes hospital. I told you yesterday. Doctor Lenoir wants to see you again…just a short check.” To Viggo’s surprise Orlando nodded although he could feel the tension in the young man. What he didn’t know was that everything inside Orlando screamed but the young man didn’t want to seem so weak and childish again so he said nothing. He didn’t want to leave the house and go to the hospital; he didn’t want to be “checked”. Orlando had lowered his gaze and shifted a bit uncomfortable before he pushed Viggo away lightly and sat down in the chair next to him.

Viggo tried not to sigh and got up to get Orlando’s tea. It was going to be a very long day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had spent the car ride in silence. Orlando didn’t speak when they entered the hospital either. He looked at the ground, fingers played with the hem of his pullover. Viggo didn’t want to be here either and his guilt increased. Everything he did seemed wrong and now he had brought Orlando here, made him very ill at ease although he had sworn himself to help the younger one. With a silent sigh he knocked at the door to which the nurse had sent them. Only moments later they were greeted by Doctor Lenoir.

“Ah Orlando. It is nice to see you again. How are you?”

Viggo wondered how the man managed to talk so casually. On the other hand he had experience and knew how to deal with patients. He would ask the doctor a few questions later.

“Fine.” Orlando replied in a monotone, still staring at the floor.

The doctor nodded but gave Viggo a knowing look.

“That’s nice to hear. I won’t keep you here for long, promise. I just need to check on your injuries again and talk about some things with Viggo and you.”

Orlando nodded again but it seemed automatic as if he didn’t care.

“Good, come in then. Do you want Viggo to be with you or should he wait here until we are done?”

For the first time Orlando looked up, quickly gazing at Viggo before he stared at the floor again.

“I…I don’t know.” He wanted Viggo to stay because he felt safe in the presence of the older man but he didn’t want to be weak and he didn’t want Viggo to see too many details. He had already seen enough. The sick feeling of embarrassment crept up in his stomach again. Orlando wanted to scream. He needed something to find relief, too many emotions were flooding through him, had built up over the last days. It felt as if there was no space left and all these emotions were crashing down on him.

Phil Lenoir had watched Orlando and what he saw gave him all the information he needed to know.

“I think it will be best if Viggo waits here alright? When we are done with the examination he may come in too.”

Viggo nodded and moments later the door closed and he was left standing alone in the corridor.

TBC