Morning came. Jaxon woke up with a sharp breath, his chest rising and falling fast.
He had a nightmare. In it, they never reached the safe zone. One by one, the others fell along the way, their hands reaching for him. Their voices fading as he failed to save them.
His hands trembled slightly. His back was damp with sweat.
Then he felt warmth. Sumiko was hugging his waist, her small hands weakly clutching his clothes as she slept. Natasha and Cindy were leaning against him, asleep. Isabel was curled beside Cindy, her face pale but peaceful.
The rest of the group slept nearby on the cold floor, huddled close to each other.
Jaxon slowly leaned back and steadied his breathing. He stared up at the wooden ceiling above them. The sound of rain continued to pour down, drumming against the roof without pause.
He took a slow breath, then another. Gradually, his heartbeat settled.
Soon, the warehouse began to stir.
