05:36:43 AM

The sky shifted from indigo to a dark gray. Formless shadows began to resolve into more defined tree shapes. Soon it would be safe enough for Randall and Sara to climb down from their perch and get out of the woods.

Sara woke from a light doze and turned to find Randall holding her to keep her from falling. To his credit, this time Randall stayed awake.

He noticed her stirring and whispered, “Get some more rest. It’s not yet light out.”

“What about you?” Sara asked.

“I’m all right.”

Sara shifted her position. “Can I ask you something?” she said.

“What?”

Sara hesitated. “What if I wasn’t Chloe?”

“There has to be a Chloe,” Randall said.

“I know,” Sara continued, “But… what if I was someone else?”

“Like…?” Randall wondered where she was going with this.

“I dunno,” Sara suddenly found it hard to look at Randall. “Maybe Michelle Dessler?”

Randall thought about it, then gave Sara a light squeeze.

“You would have been an awesome Michelle,” he said.

“Thanks,” Sara smiled.