Jordan balanced precariously on the back of Dayton’s shoe. He knew this wasn’t the safest place to be. However, his only other option would be to go back into the grass and that really wouldn’t provide him any more protection. If anything as daylight continued to dwindle it would lead to him running into some other creature. At least balancing on the back of Dayton’s shoe and fighting back against the Mosquito provided the best chance at making it out of this alive.
The mosquito flew around the side of Dayton’s shoe and darted up at Jordan. As the mosquito flew towards him he took his foot and kicked at the mosquito as it flew up at him. When his foot landed on the mosquito Jordan was surprised at how solid it felt. In his mind, he still expected that it would end like every other encounter he had with a mosquito yet that wasn’t the case.
As he Kicked at the mosquito it continued flying upward as momentum and power were no longer on Jordan’s side in his new diminutive state. He kicked at the mosquito again this time landing a blow to the side of it causing its trajectory to change just enough that it missed him and almost collided with Dayton’s leg.
Jordan knew there was little chance he would be able to win against the mosquito in a battle of strength. It had too many advantages. As the mosquito came back around for another pass Jordan felt the ground shake as Nicolle took a few more steps before letting out an exasperated sigh. She then placed her hands on her hips as she glanced down at the lawn.
It seemed like both girls were about at the end of the rope. While hours ago Jordan had aspirations of escape. He was ready to ditch them and everything else. The reality of his situation along with the practicality of what living in the wild really means has changed all of that. Serious doubts about if he would be able to survive the night entered his mind as well. He was not Mr. Outdoors. He didn’t have experience or knowledge of living off the land. He didn’t have any means to defend himself or tools to use.
He knew that travel-wise night would be the only time he could travel. Especially on warm days like this one as the cement got too hot for him. He knew his only chance at crossing it would be at night when the sun went down and the temperature dipped. The other unknown was that he was unsure how cool it could get and whether he could survive. He had become painfully aware of how much more difficult it was at this size to stay warm. He often needed to be near Sara to boost his body temperature. It was one of the more humbling aspects of living life at this new diminutive size.
The most troubling aspect that more so than the travel and getting around. Even staying warm was a lesser concern than the ability to effectively get food and drinkable water. Jordan remembered trying to bite into that apple and learning that he couldn’t bite through the skin. Having no way of getting clean drinking water is a thought, a struggle, and a fear he has never known living in America.
Jordan had no answer for the real struggle of what comes after fall and six inches of snow falls but around here you’re just as likely to get six or sixteen. How does someone like him survive when you are shivering because it’s sixty and now it’s four degrees Fahrenheit? Jordan had no clue how he was going to get around when the amount of snow is taller than him. As his mind raced with these thoughts as he looked for the mosquito out of the corner of his eye while trying to secure himself on Dayton’s shoe.
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