I grab him up and huddle him to my chest, tracking for the door.
“Hammond, come in!”
The dog almost flies out of my arms with the snap of the radio.
“Coming out, Cap. Plus one.”
When I reach the corridor, the fire has cut off the main exit.
I slip into one of the joined classrooms and detour around it.
Something overhead explodes, sending the ceiling crumbling down around us like rain.
“Shit, buddy. Time to leave.”
The dog tucks its head into the crook of my elbow, and I pick up the pace.
The glass double doors are wide open when I make the front. Cap glares at me, hands on his hips, his head shaking.
I peel the rebreather from my face, letting it sit on my chest.
As Cap spots the pup, he raises a brow, and a crooked smile pulls at his weathered face. The engine has ladders out, two hoses aimed at the raging inferno on the second floor. My crew goes about their tasks with the efficiency of a well-trained unit. Reading the needs of each other before they need to be asked.
“Well, that’s something you don’t see every day, Hammond.”
“Was in the last classroom. Couldn’t leave him behind.”
Cap gives the pup a look over. “Her.”
“Hey?”
I rub a gloved hand over the pups head, and she stretches up timidly, licking my face.
“Your rescue here is aher. Well done, Lieutenant.”
So she is.
“Oh my goodness!” A voice shrieks, moving toward us.
I tug my helmet off with the mask and drop them to the ground.
The outside air is a cool wash against my sweaty, overheated skin.
A woman in a pencil skirt, cream blouse, and orange flats with tousled hair rushes toward us, gripping her handbag tight. Thick black-rimmed glasses sit on her face over pale blue eyes that dart around. “Petal! I leave you for ten minutes and the building burns down. That is not a good sign.”
The woman stares at the pup, ignoring everything else.
“Interesting setup you had her in.” I hold the pup out to the woman.
“I just ducked out in my prep time to run a few errands.” She moves to take the dog then steps back, her face twisting like she tasted something sour. “Oh... I didn’t want the kids touching her, too much paperwork if she bites someone, you know?” She lifts her gaze to meet mine.
“She was scared, guess her bladder got the better of her. Just needs a little clean up.”
“I-I was only fostering her. She’s my first, and I thought the kids would like her. I couldn’t leave her home all day by herself since she chews up everything I own. This really is not a good sign. She?—”
“A bath and some downtime should help.”
The lady’s shaking her head.
