03:03:27 AM

Eyes open. Ears open. Mouth closed. Nose clean. As Sara dozed cocooned in the sleeping bag, Randall scanned the surrounding forest for any sign of trouble. There wasn’t a lot he actually could see, aside from the shadows of the treetops, but every hoot, click, snap, and rustle reached his ears. He smelled the sweetness of pine sap. The forest was alive and Randall swore he’d be ready for anything.

Eyes open. Ears open. Mouth closed. Nose clean. Randall would never admit this to anyone, but he was feeling an exhaustion that exceeded anything he’d ever felt. He found himself wondering, How do they do this without sleeping? He glanced at a nearby tree. Or going to the bathroom?

Eyes open. Ears open. Mouth closed. Nose clean. Randall slapped himself back to alertness. Jas— Jack needs us, he thought. Randall needed something to busy his mind. He decided his math homework would do the trick.

(4x+12)/3+6=42
(4x+12)/3=35
4x+12=105
4x=93
x=
x=

Eyes open. Ears open. Mouth clooossszzzz….