The Secret Life of Pets Problems in New York

Nothing But Ashes

With Tattoo and Ripper pushing away charred rubble beside him, Snowball gazed at the horror and destruction of the Cool Zone. Wooden planks had led to massive bonfires and smoke was heavy in the air. Flakes of ash floated all around, blanketing everyone and everything. Not a single sign of life could be seen anywhere in the cavernous room. "Split up and find survivors," Snowball ordered.

Gulping, Max and Gidget led a small group towards the underground river. Gidget shuddered with fear as they passed the smoldering remains of a small dog. Nearby were three lizards and a snake. A cat's white paw could be seen sticking out from underneath a pile of rubble. The stench of burnt flesh and woodsmoke mingled together. Feeling nauseous, Gidget stayed close to Max's side. After passing the unspeakable carnage, the small group arrived at the underground river. Fright grasped their hearts.

Just then, a familiar head stuck out from the water. Breathing a sigh of relief, Ozone rushed over to pull Nitro out as more heads followed. "Ozone, I can't find Little Blue," Nitro whispered, water dripping from his whiskers. Pushing her way through the crowd, Pepper nuzzled him gently. "Has anyone seen Tiberius?" Norman piped up, his voice trembling. Biting her lip, Gidget was already fearing the worst when a wooden crate lid leaning against the wall tipped over, revealing three hidden animals, slightly burnt but not dead. Relieved, Gidget crept over to the trio.

"Little Blue!" Ozone and Nitro cried, racing over to the young cat. She was shaken from the experience and was missing some fur from her tail and lower back. But other than that, Little Blue was alright. Tiberius and Angel appeared to only have suffered from smoldering feathers. At least, that's what Gidget thought until she saw specks of brown on Angel's shoulder. The crow must've seen it as well because now she was appeared to be slightly panicked. "I'll see you later!" she mumbled as she headed for the exit.

A second later, Snowball hopped over. Worry was etched into his face as he rubbed his forehead with his paw. "Nineteen dead. Countless injured. Two missing," he reported with a sigh. Confused, Max asked quietly, "Who's missing?" Glancing up at the small dog, Snowball muttered, "Buddy and a Flushed Pet named Scrappy." At the sound of their friend's name, Mel and Sweetpea gasped. Sighing, Snowball went on, "We also found this." In his paws was a small canteen of gasoline, now empty of its contents. Engraved on its side were a series of symbols.

Snowball whispered hoarsely, "This fire was deliberately used as a way to kill us all."