CHASE A PEARL

March 18th, xxxy

IF HE STEALS A few seconds of sleep, will she know? If he makes no sudden movement and gradually close his eyes. It will be a five minutes power nap. No, three.

Just three this time around. He will perk his ears to the ground, breathe steadily through his mouth and only relax his feet. Three minutes power nap or if he can wing it, three minutes REM but not too deep. Shallow.

This is a game Alpha Blue Sun plays to kill time and tiredness. He has wired his brain to take naps that blocks out noise but not movements. A nap that boosts his energy up to two hours. And if he does it right and isn't disturbed, up to three hours.

He deliberates and peptalks but he knows he won't do it. Not while she is right in front of him measuredly reading the newspaper, drinking her bitter tea.