Chapter 24 - Callie

The drive to the animal shelter feels as though it takes forever, the tires on Justin's truck squealing as he speeds toward the site of the fire. The sky is an eerie shade of gray, the clouds a hazy shroud covering the moon and stars, and a thick cloud of smoke rises over the entire neighborhood. He takes a corner at breakneck speed, and the tires slip on the pavement, but he manages to right the vehicle before we crash.

We barrel down the street with the windows open, and the stench of the fire tickles our nostrils. I can taste the acrid scent on my tongue, and I wrinkle my nose at the bitter tang.

"We're almost there," Justin tells me as his fingers drum on the steering wheel.

As we turn the corner and approach the main street, the fire is visible, the flames dancing high into the sky, licking the underside of the clouds and sending dark smoke wafting into the atmosphere. People are gathered along the sidewalks, watching the spectacle with horror etched on their faces. Some are crying, their hands clutched over their mouths, and others are yelling into their cell phones.

The scene is chaotic, a symphony of sirens wailing in the distance, mingling with the frantic shouts of those attempting to contain the blaze. Firefighters rush past us, their faces obscured by masks as they battle against the inferno with hoses and axes.

I catch glimpses of familiar faces among the crowd: Mrs. Henderson from next door, clutching her prized poodle to her chest. Mr. Patel from down the street, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding against my chest like a caged bird desperate for freedom.

"Damn," Justin mutters under his breath.

I nod in silent agreement.

There's nothing short of chaos in front of the building. Sarah and Leah, two of the shelter's dedicated staff members, stand near the entrance, frantically directing the evacuation efforts. Their voices are drowned out by the roar of the flames, but their gestures speak volumes, urging everyone to safety.

This is bad. Really bad.

Justin brings the car to a screeching halt, and without a word, Justin and I leap out of the car and rush to join the throng of people gathered outside. The heat from the flames rolls over me in waves, searing my skin and leaving me feeling dazed and disoriented.

"What happened?" I demand, turning to face Sarah and Leah.

Sarah's eyes are red-rimmed with tears, and her voice trembles as she speaks. "We don't know. We were inside when the fire started closing up. It spread so quickly, we barely had time to get out."

"We tried to grab as many animals as we could," Leah explains. "We put them in the transport trucks, but there are still so many inside."

I take a deep breath, my mind racing as I survey the chaotic scene before me. The urgency of the situation fuels my determination, pushing aside any fear or hesitation. With a nod to Justin, I dash toward the nearest transport truck at the same moment he takes off to help the firefighters. Inside the building, the air is thick with smoke, making it difficult to see and even harder to breathe. I pull my shirt up over my nose, trying to filter out the acrid fumes as best as I can.

"Is anyone still in here?" I shout above the roar of the fire. A chorus of desperate cries answers me, the sounds of distressed animals trapped in cages echoing through the hallway. My heart sinks at the thought of the creatures still inside, relying on us to save them from certain peril.

I press forward, scanning each room for signs of life. The heat is unbearable, sweat pouring down my brow as I navigate the maze-like corridors, dodging falling debris and flaming embers.

Suddenly, I spot movement ahead—a small figure huddled in the corner of a room. Without hesitation, I rush forward and scoop the trembling dog into my arms, cradling it close to my chest.

"It's okay, little one," I murmur soothingly, trying to calm its frantic whimpers. "You're safe now."

I carry the frightened animal outside, where volunteers stand ready to receive it. I hand the pup off into the waiting hands before turning around and heading back inside. There are still more animals in need of rescue, so I plunge back into the inferno.

As I make trip after trip, I catch sight of Justin. It seems as though he's everywhere at once, coordinating efforts with the firefighters and rallying volunteers to assist. Together, we form a well-oiled machine, each of us playing our part in the desperate race against time.

Just when I think we might actually get them all out, there's an explosion. A fireball erupts, engulfing the building next door. The explosion sends shockwaves through the already chaotic scene, scattering debris and causing panic among the volunteers and onlookers. I shield my face from the heat as flames leap from the neighboring building, and I watch in horror as the firefighters are forced to divide their attention.

But my focus remains steadfast on the animals in my care.

"Keep moving!" I shout, directing volunteers to escort the rescued animals to safety. "We need to get them away from the fire!"

I weave through the crowd, ensuring each animal is accounted for, properly cared for, and contained. While others rush to assist with the new fire, I make one final trip inside to retrieve the last cat from a cage. The animal is small and thin, and her fur is singed in places, but otherwise she appears to be unharmed.

"Come on, girl," I encourage, lifting her into my arms. "Let's get you out of here."

I exit the building and load the poor, soot-covered creature into the passenger seat of Justin's truck before I go find Leah and Sarah, who are helping to keep hold of all the dogs and cats I've brought outside. "Where are we going to keep all these guys?"

"Yeah, that's the problem," Leah says, frowning. "There are just too many of them, and there isn't another shelter anywhere nearby."

I think on it for a moment, considering our options. There must be something...

And then it hits me like a bolt of lightning.

I clap my hands together, getting everyone's attention. "Listen up, everyone! We need to get these animals to safety. Justin's property has a section designed to hold wild and stray animals. Take them there. Move quickly, but be gentle," I instruct, my tone firm and authoritative.

The volunteers nod, springing into action with a sense of urgency. They gather up the crates and carriers, carefully loading them into the transport vans and their own vehicles. I grab a few more cats and pile them into Justin's truck. With a deep breath, I start the engine and pull away from the chaos of the animal shelter.

The drive to Justin's property is tense, so I navigate the winding roads with care. Every bump and turn reminds me of the precious cargo in the back of the truck that is already so traumatized. When I arrive at Justin's place, I pull the truck around back where the cages and pens are set up and start unloading.

As the volunteers pull up, I direct them to do the same and head back to the shelter to grab more animals. The hours that follow are long and arduous, and my body is screaming with exhaustion, but I don't give in. My mind is focused on saving the rest of the animals.

As I make my way back from the shelter for what I hope will be my final trip to rescue the remaining animals, I'm barely keeping my eyes open. Adrenaline wakes me the hell right back up when I get a look at the cages in Justin's backyard.

The cages are open, the doors swinging in the wind, and the animals are nowhere to be seen. Panic grips my chest as I realize what's happened. Someone has released them. But who? And why?

Before I can dwell on it further, movement catches my eye. A figure emerges from the shadows, and my blood runs cold.

Shit. It's Guy. I thought for sure he wouldn't dare show his face back in this town again after Justin beat the shit out of him. I guess I underestimated his stupidity.

Instinct kicks in, and I bolt as soon as I notice him looking my way. The sound of his pursuit echoes in my ears, his growls growing louder with each stride. I glance over my shoulder, heart pounding in my chest as I push myself to run faster.

I reach a fork in the road, my mind racing as I try to decide which way to go. Without hesitation, I veer left, my lungs burning with exertion as I push myself to keep going. I can't let him catch me. Not now, not ever.

I hear him gaining on me, his panting and claws clicking against the pavement. Suddenly, I spot a familiar landmark up ahead—the old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. It's not much, but it's my best chance at losing him. With a burst of renewed energy, I push myself harder, willing my legs to carry me faster.

As I approach the warehouse, I make a split-second decision and duck inside, pressing myself against the wall as I listen for any sign of my pursuer.

I hold my breath, willing myself to remain calm as he draws nearer. But just as I'm starting to think he's gone, I hear a low growl from somewhere deep within the shadows. He's here, and he's close.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," a sinister voice calls from the darkness. "I know you're in here. I can smell your fear."

"Fuck you," I retort, my voice shaky but strong.

He laughs, a shrill, deranged sound that chills my blood. "Still just as feisty as I remember. And so easy to provoke."

"Stay the hell away from me, Guy."

"Now, why would I want to do that?"

I can't see him, but I can feel him, his presence hovering just out of reach.

"I've got you cornered. No escape. Why don't you just make this easier for the both of us."

"Not a chance, you psychopath. Now, get the hell away from me."

With trembling hands, I reach for the nearest object—a rusted pipe lying discarded on the ground. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. Gripping it tightly, I steel myself for whatever comes next.