I felt her shake me, but settled further into slumber.

I heard the shrill of the alarm, screeching like a siren.

I felt the fog grow thicker, although someone shouted, “Clear!”

I heard the paddles crackle, felt the jolt on my chest, but couldn’t wrestle weariness.

Just five minutes more…

Jo Withers sleeps with one eye open. Her middle-grade sci-fi adventure will be published in April 2018.