At some moment in the night, well past two, Kelsey had fallen asleep. She rolled over, not ready for the sun, and pulled the comforter over her head. She remained cocooned for a few more minutes until, finally, the futility of resistance forced the blanket from her face. She blinked at the bright light. She was alive and unharmed. One night down and six to go. Her feet slid from the bed’s edge and touched the cold, firm hardwood. Sarah was gone already, perhaps downstairs with the others having breakfast while she, Kelsey, tried to hide from the world and make up for a sizable hunk of her night lost to silly fears and speculation. She grabbed her cell phone for the time. “Only 6:40?” she muttered aloud. The door clicked open. It was Sarah with a towel wrapped around her chest and another folded over her damp hair. “Welcome to the world of the living. Don’t worry. You didn’t snore.” Kelsey rubbed her eyes, wondering how she’d missed Sarah waking and heading for the bathroom.
