I'm suddenly wide awake, my hand reaching out to grab Beckett as he bends over me.

"It's time." He backs off, pulling free and I let him go. I gently shake Poppy's shoulder to wake her, but it takes some doing. She looks up at me, bleary eyed, scrubbing at her face with her little hands.

The others are stirring, even the puppies. Poppy feeds them the last can of food from the bag while Nico glares. I don't care even a little for my empty stomach. There will be more to ...