Tabitha stopped and began to think. “What if I can’t?” she asked.

“You’ll be absent for the next week,” Cecilia responded. “You all must understand the importance of knowing what to do, should you be the prey.”

Tabitha groaned. “So I either convince you, or I’m stuck in here for a week?” she grumbled. “Crud.”

“Now while you’re doing that…” Cecilia said, “I’ll discuss predatory actions with the others.” She looked over the students, then pointed to Ivan. “Mister Dufour,” she said, “what is the stomach capacity of someone your age?”

“Two, miss Parker,” he responded. “Any more and stomach pop like balloon, I think.”

Cecilia chuckled. “More or less,” she confirmed. “Now, you can also…”

KNOCK KNOCK

Cecilia groaned in frustration. “Who is it?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“It’s me, ma’am,” came Mr. Clark’s voice. “I wanted to see how the students are doing.”