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Marion’s tiny frame was wrapped in somebody’s oversized jacket.

They had all been out there. All of them. For me.

Dad looked me over once. His expression went blank in the way it did when he was scared enough to stop showing it. “Was she…with us when she came back?” he asked Declan.

Everyone knew what he meant.

Declan gave the tiniest, hesitant shake of his head, like it hurt him to admit it.

“Chief brought me back,” I added quietly.

There was silence as they all took that in.

“How long were you running?” Dad asked.

“I don’t know.”

“When did you stop?”

I thought about that. Max. Cold fur.

Then—

Nothing useful.

“I don’t know.”

Dad’s jaw tightened.

A medic stepped closer.

Declan moved with me when I flinched.

The woman noticed.

“I’m not taking her anywhere,” she said gently. “I just need to look.”

Declan glanced at me.

I nodded.

He still didn’t let go.

The medic crouched in front of me.

Light in my eyes. Fingers at my wrist. Questions.

Name.

Day.

Where was I?

I looked around.

The road near home. No. Not home.

Woods. Search lights.