Tired.

So tired.

No! I must stay awake. If I fall asleep…

Sleep.

Sleep would be good.

No, I can’t!

Oh, god, no! I nodded off. Just for a second.

They took Lillian! She didn’t even have time to scream.

The rest are still here. They’re still safe.

My responsibility. They’re just kids. Lillian was the oldest, but she was still only 14.

My responsibility. Have to stay awake.

Three more hours until dawn. They’ll leave when the sun comes up.

They’re nocturnal. They sleep when the sun comes up.

Sleep.

What was that?!

Oh, no. Two more. My fault! Dammit!

They wait. They watch me. They can see when I’m awake. And when I fall asleep.

Eyes are so heavy. Having so much trouble keeping them open. Can’t even allow myself to blink.

Eyes drying out. I know. One eye at a time. Wink one eye, then the other. Won’t be so dry, and I won’t fall asleep.

No! Oh, god, no!

It’s almost noon!

Why didn’t they take me?

Why did they leave me here alone?

Why did they just take the children?

All my fault…