Just A Little Longer...

Sleep…

Sleep is good…

Warm, and safe, and… well, a little uncomfortable.

But that's all I'm doing.

Just sleeping.

All curled up tight and warm, and hidden away from everyone.

I'm enjoying it, to tell the truth.

But my family's waking up now.

They're so noisy!

Mother and father are both calling for us to wake up.

No one said we wanted to!

At least, I don't.

Because I'm safe, warm, and very happy where I am, thank you.

But they think they know best.

They keep calling, and no matter how hard I try, I'm mostly awake now.

But that doesn't mean I have to get up.

I curl up tighter, and try and ignore them.

But they're right, really.

You see, it's my big day today, and I should get up.

In a minute.

Or two.

It's getting warmer.

Hotter.

But if I uncurl, they'll know I'm awake, and I'll have to get up.

I don't want to do that.

So I'll stay curled.

Just a little longer.

And… yes, the others are all up and about now.

But I'm still tired!

I want to sleep some more.

How can they be awake and on the move so early?

Just a couple more minutes…

Then I'll get up.

Really.

I will.

In a few minutes.

Just… not now!

Now I'm starting to get hungry.

But I don't want to move.

I'm too warm here…

I've slept for so long, I've got a nice position!

I'm… content.

Food can wait a while.

More time.

Just when I thought I would be left alone, mother starts calling again!

She really is insisting I get up now!

But…

A minute more won't hurt, surely.

And I am fine, really!

But I'm getting hungrier.

Yes, food would be a good idea.

In a few minutes.

I'll survive until then, but I'm not ready to get up.

I know, I know…

I have to get up, really.

Mother knows I'm awake.

She's not going to let me stay here much longer.

She says if I don't get up now, she'll come and drag me out herself.

That wouldn't be nice at all.

I know I should get up, but…

I'm still so tired.

Just a little longer?

Hmm…

It's becoming very hot here, curled up like this.

I think I'll have to get up, if only to breathe!

Not yet though.

Ah, and the hunger comes back again.

It's becoming very strong.

Too strong.

I'll have to get up in a moment, or I feel like I'll starve!

A moment…

Will mother ever leave me alone?

I'm tired!

And I'm safe here!

Honestly!

Although…

It is starting to get quite difficult to breathe…

I can last another moment or two, though.

Surely that won't matter.

Even if mother says another half a moment will be too long.

She can't always be right.

What does she know, that I don't?

Another moment won't hurt!

Oh, but I'm hungry now!

Too hungry to ignore the outside world.

Food is out there, mother says.

But I can wait.

I can!

Mother hasn't said anything more.

Father's been silent for a while.

I think they've gone out.

No-one's calling me anymore.

So I can enjoy my rest in peace.

But it's suddenly so lonely, without them all shouting at me…

And I can't breathe…

And I'm so hungry!

So, at last, I break my shell, and fall onto the deserted Sands…