AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I screamed again, but it was as if I had a muzzle on. The sound was muffled and weak. I beat the windowsill in frustration and yanked my hand back.
Hot.
I glanced behind me. The sweatshirt had fallen from Miss Adeline’s hands. Muffy lay beside her and wheezed.
My head felt like it was about to split in two.
I rushed over and knelt next to her. “Miss Adeline?” I held the sweatshirt up again, but it felt like a monumental task.
Everything was heavy.
“Miss Adeline?”
No response.
I closed my eyes in hopes of stopping the burn.Just for a second.
I shook the woman I adored. It was almost out of body, like everything was in slow motion.
“Miss—”
Chapter Forty-Two
Teague
Sadie impatiently ran ahead.
How the dog was still breathing in this smoke was beyond me. I hustled to keep up. She ran past where Miss Adeline’s room had to be. Just a little farther.
Woof. Woof.
In front of Pepper’s door was a large piece of furniture. What was that doing there?
I placed my hands around the edges and shoved with all my strength. It screeched across the floor.
Crackle. Crash.
I spun. Through the smoke, it was impossible to see, but I was almost certain part of the living room had collapsed. I’d heard the sound enough times to make an educated guess.
You’re running out of time.
I smashed the ax into Pepper’s bedroom door over and over. Sadie leapt through the splintered wood and pawed at me from the other side.
I followed her toward the window where a clump of people and dogs lay.
“Pepper!”
No response.
Crackle. Crash.
I looked behind me. Flames engulfed where I’d stood only moments before.
I crouched. Miss Adeline, Pepper, Muffy, and Ash were all huddled together, none of them moving.No. Please God, no.
Sadie jumped and nuzzled and pawed them like she had on an oxygen mask.
Thank you, girl.
