She let out a cry of pain as she touched the metal handle of the door. Shit. It must be hot.
“Out of the way,” he ordered, whipping off his shirt to wrap around his hand before he unlocked the door and opened it.
Dougie and Gummy raced out. Followed quickly by Princess Priss.
Relief filled him.
“Get them in the car!” he ordered.
“But Tank and Berry!” she cried. “Marshmallow!”
“I’ll get them.” Fuck. Shit. He couldn’t leave her. But he also couldn’t leave the other animals.
Just then he heard a snort. And he saw Tank, along with Berry heading toward them. Rushing in, he got behind them, urging them both out. Then he ran in further to where Marshmallow was. He grabbed his cage and rushed out with him, hoping like hell the hamster was all right.
It was so smoky, he could feel it getting into his lungs. When he got out, Maya was standing there with Gummy and Dougie in her arms. For once Gummy wasn’t protesting being held. Tank and Big Berry were just behind her.
Tears were streaming down her face.
“Oh thank God,” she sobbed.
“Let’s get you all in the car. We need a doctor to look at you and a vet at them.”
“I’m fine,” she said as they heard sirens in the distance. “Princess ran off and I can’t find her. And what about the chickens!”
“The chickens are okay. I’ll get them out if the smoke gets close. And I’ll find Princess Priss.” He managed to get them all to the car and inside.
Maya was shaking, her face pale. The keys were still in the car.
“Lock the door,” he ordered once he had them all safe.
“What? Why?” she asked, staring up at him.
“Because the guy could still be out there, waiting. Now, lock it.”
She nodded. She still held onto Dougie and Gummy. Gummy was now barking and trying to get free. No doubt she wanted to get to her friends.
He found a cat cage in the garage just as a fire engine pulled up.
“Anyone in there?” one of the firemen called out.
“I’ve got everyone out. Just trying to find the cat and check on the chickens.”
“Stay back. Let us take care of things.”
Yeah. Right.
“Any injuries?” the firefighter asked.
“Yeah, Maya hurt her hand. She’s in the car with the animals. I need to take our animals to a vet.”
“You can do that after we check her over,” the fireman said. “And we need to get the car out onto the street.”
He was torn between staying with Maya and finding Princess Priss. But he knew that Maya wouldn’t be happy without all of her babies.
So he moved to the car and waited for her to unlock and open the door.
“What’s happening?” she asked in alarm.
