Chapter Seven
Jay as a child.
Age: Unknown
They call me bait. I don’t like that name.
I also don’t think I like this place.
There are a lot of rules here.
Don’t speak.
Don’t look at anyone.
And don’t ask questions. They tell me I’ll learn quickly, so I’m hopeful. Especially if this is my new home. I’ve never had one before. It’s a little dusty, but that’s okay.
I don’t want to mess this up. The woman told me I’d be taken care of. The things she said about this place made it sound so nice—food, a place to sleep and other wolves like me—but I don’t see her anywhere. I’m starting to get a bad feeling she may have lied to me.
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.”