Janardhan

“I lay awake for an hour or more. Night magnified the quiet of the city, making the sounds which broke it
the more desolate. From time to time voices rose from the street, sharp and brittle with hysteria. Once
there was a freezing scream which seemed to revel horribly in its release from sanity. Somewhere nor tar
away there was a sobbing that went on endlessly, hopelessly. Twice I heard the sharp reports of single
pistol shots I gave heartfelt thanks to whatever it was that had brought Josella and me together for
companionship.
Complete loneliness was the worst stare I could imagine just then. Alone, one would be nothing.
Company meant purpose, and purpose helped to keep the morbid fears at bay.”
― John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids, The Midwich Cuckoos, The Chrysalids