Sorrel felt chastised and a small moment of gladness at her mother’s company evaporated. Bibi led the way to the rock which loomed above their heads. It was nestled into the slope on one side; jutting out smooth and round like something man-made. “What’s holding the rock in place?” Bibi said. “Why didn’t it get washed away?”

“Who cares? It’s big, that’s probably why.”

“Not too big for a rain bomb. There must be some kind of obstacle.” Bibi’s voice trailed off as she ran her fingers along the rock. “Bring the PlAK over here.”

Sorrel shrugged her backpack off and the loss of its weight made her feel light. She joined her mother and in the PlAK’s light, they saw there was a gap behind the rock.

“See? Nothing’s holding it.” Sorrel said. “Let’s go.”

“But feel here – at the back. It hasn’t been smoothed by water.”

“So what?”

“Everything that could be shelter matters,” Bibi said.

Sorrel looked at the clock on the PlAK – minutes to midnight. They had been walking for close to four hours and had not yet found the aqueduct. “We need to –”

“Shhh! What’s that noise?” Bibi hissed.

“I don’t hear –”

“Climb! Now!” Bibi yelled.

“What?” Sorrel heard a low, rumbling growl, coming from behind them.

“Guata, Sorrel!” her mother cursed. “Climb when I tell you!” Sorrel hesitated and her mother grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the gap in the rock. She looked over her shoulder and saw something low, racing out of the dark. Feral.

“You go first!” Sorrel cried, as they squeezed into the narrow space behind the rock. She stuffed the PlAK inside her clothes. Bibi didn’t argue. She found footholds and climbed.

“Hurry!” Sorrel panted. Her legs were exposed; she heard a snarl, then scrabbling at the base of the rock and the feral’s teeth closed on her right boot. She kicked. If she lost her boot, they were dead.

Something bounced against the rock. She heard the animal yip and her boot was free. She began to climb. She saw her mother’s extended hand but ignored it. “Did it bite you? Are you bleeding?” Bibi demanded.

“I don’t think so. It had my boot. Guata. I left my backpack in the open. Everything is in it.” She realised Bibi’s pack was also gone. “You threw your pack at it?”

“Yes. There was nothing else.”

“We’ve lost everything on the first night? Except the PlAK and a little water.”

“We need to fight it off. Let’s wait for a bit.”

They sat, back to back, knees to chest. The feral snuffled and barked below. “It’s going to get into the packs while we’re waiting,” Sorrel said. “If it gets the rest of our water and food, we’ll die.”