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I refuse to leave them.

Jules sees the decision on my face and closes his eyes. “Lord, give me strength.”

Together, we work faster.

Rosie leans heavily against my legs as we hurry toward the exit. A volunteer takes her and races outside. We return for the shepherd, and Jules carries him despite the dog's awkward cast and seventy pounds of nervous energy.

Smoke now blankets the upper half of the hallway. Every breath burns.

Sam appears at the end of the corridor. “Maggie!” he shouts. “You need to get out now!”

“One more!”

He curses in Russian.

I unlock Louie’s kennel. The big dog trembles violently.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I kneel beside him despite the smoke. “I know you're scared. Me too.”

He presses himself against my chest, shaking so hard his whole body quivers.

I wrap both arms around him. “Come on, sugar. Let's go.”

Together, we run. The moment we emerge into fresh air, cheers erupt from the parking lot. As I hand Louie over to Emily, relief begins to loosen the knot in my chest.

“Everybody accounted for?” I ask, fighting for breath.

Emily nods frantically, her face streaked with tears and soot. “I think so.”

Think.

The single word catches my attention immediately. “You think?”

Emily's expression crumples. “The recovery room,” she whispers. “I thought you got the animals from recovery room three.”

Jules appears beside me, his face blackened with soot and sweat. Hearing those words stops him cold.

Recovery room three. The isolation room. Five animals are still trapped inside, including Peanut, the tiny Chihuahua recovering from surgery.

A sick feeling rolls through me. “Oh no.”

Jules spins toward the shelter. “I'm getting them,” he says, already running for the entrance.

“I'm coming.” I race after him.

“No, you're not,” Jules throws over his shoulder without slowing.

I ignore him and keep running.

“Maggie!” Jules snaps, glancing back at me as we reach the doors.

“I'm not standing out here while they're trapped,” I shout back.

Jules disappears inside before I can say anything else.

I make it three more steps before Sam intercepts me. His broad frame blocks the doorway completely.

“No.”