My new home is scarier than I pictured. It’s underground. It’s cold. And I don’t see any other pups my age.
The man has a strong grip dwarfing my hand. I’d ask where he was taking me, but then I’d be breaking the no talking rule.
They throw me into a cage, and the tears come pouring in.
I don’t mind the dark. I’ve slept outside enough times, but this was different.
“Hey. Hey, pup,” someone says.
Their voice is gruff and throaty.
“Hello? Who—Who’s there?”
“Shhh, keep it down. You don’t want them coming back.”
I peer through the darkness to try to locate the voice, but all I can see is a cage across from me. In a dark corner sits a slumped shadow on the ground.
Is that a person?
I lower my voice. “Can you help me?”
He laughs. The sound itself is sad. “No, pup. I can’t. I can’t help you anymore than I can help myself.”
“What’s going on?”
He sighs. “You’re bait, pup.”
The nickname they gave me, I know. “Yeah, what’s going to happen to me?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“They’re using you as bait for a dog fight. You’re set to fight tomorrow night.”
I whimper. “I don’t wanna fight... Please, help me. I’m scared.”
“Have you ever been in a fight?” the voice asks.
I whine, “No.”
“Well, get ready. You will soon.”
I don’t want to.
“It’s just one fight, right? Then it’s over?” I quiver.
“It can be. That’s up to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s your name, pup?”
I lean my head against the bars. “Jay. What’s your name?”
“I wasn’t given one.”
Chapter EIGHT
