A twist of the pick and the lock popped open. Jack eased the door open, waved Carl through, then closed it gently behind. They were greeted by the stench of animal urine and unclean bodies. Soft grunts and snarls. Jack flicked on the torch.

“Your sure this is a good idea?” asked Carl.

“Keep your voice down! And yes, I’m sure. This missing pooch’ll see us made.”

They crept past cages filled with cats, then dogs. Some birds and smaller mammals. The smell only got worse.

“I’m uncomfortable,” whispered Carl.

“Shut up. We’re already in the damn shelter. All we have to do is steal the damn dog and claim that juicy reward. Like we discussed. A thousand times. Simple. Easy.”

They came to another door. “He’s just through here,” said Jack. “Saw him yesterday when I recognised the little fucker.”

Again they eased it open, eased it shut. A dog stirred and they froze. Jack counted his breaths. Got to ten, then started moving again.

The smell was better here. Carl glanced in the cages. The animals seemed better cared for too. Some even looked kind of fat.

“Here… wait!” Jack shined his torch into the empty cage. “Damn it, he was right here.”

Carl leant forward, touched his fingers to a wet spot in the cage. “Is this blood?”

Jack sniffed it. “Yeah. And look,” he gestured at the floor with the torch. “There’s more on the floor.”

“This isn’t good.”

“Don’t be daft, he probably just popped the catch himself. Got cut a little then ran off.”

Jack strode forward, following the patches of blood on the floor. They disappeared under a third door. Dim light showed through the little window. Jack shot Carl a look. He opened the door.

Both stood gobsmacked. A clamour of sound flowed out then abruptly stopped. The room beyond was filled with people clad in evening dress. They were sitting at a vast table laden with food. Waiters stood in mid step, platters laden with roasted meats poised on outstretched hands. It looked like a fancy dinner party.

Everyone had stopped to stare at the two intruders. Some had food still on the fork, hovering in front of their mouths. Jack and Carl took in the scene, too shocked to speak, too shocked to move. Carl felt dazed. Felt like he was dreaming. He looked at the food, all that roast flesh. He looked at the centre piece, the spit roasted haunch of meat sitting on a silver platter. Was that a dog collar?

The man at the head of the table stood. He smiled at Jack and Carl, then looked over the other guests, a twinkle in his eyes. “Well my friends, seems like tonight we’ll be treated to a very special delicacy.”