Didi staggers into the trash, the heat of the day taking her breath away. But she doesn't care, just wants to run into the garbage and find a place to collapse. Not that she's quitting, she won't admit that to herself just yet. But Dad is gone and so is her house. Jackus is hunting her and the only hope she has is a run-down piece of rubbish who won't do what he's programmed to do, snargle it all.

Pip flutters as she stumbles, clinging to her too tight. She brushes him angrily ...