**********TRIGGER WARNING**********

This story is fiction from the author’s mind, but themes contained within are the kidnapping of an adult woman and animal cruelty and abuse (Forced dogfighting. Physical and verbal abuse). If such themes may be upsetting, please read with caution.

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One week later…

Roscoe jumps out of the van and enters the mansion.

The dapper man meets him in the living room, glaring at him.

“You’re pathetic.” He growls.

Roscoe cowers and braces himself for a slap in the face.

“Stop being such a wimp! I have a new job for you.”

Roscoe looks up, still anticipating a blow.

“My little toy’s worrying about you for some reason, so I’m going to let her keep you.”

Roscoe’s tail thumps once. The second time the man grabs his throat.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You know damn well you’re on thin ice with me. I’m only doing this to keep her from whining. You’re here to be a pet, nothing more.”

Roscoe shudders, then nods in agreement.

“Good, I’m itching to punch you, but that woman shouldn’t see you getting hurt.”

The man smiles maliciously.

He grabs Roscoe’s collar and hauls him towards the bathroom.

The woman crouches in the corner of a swimming pool-sized bathtub, covering herself as best she can.

A voice calls out to her.

“Darling, I have a present for you.”  

The woman turns around, only exposing her head and hiding the rest of her body beneath the water. The man gazes at her.

“You’re still getting used to your new home, I see. You don’t need to be modest. You will become accustomed to this lifestyle. For now, I am giving you this item as a welcoming gift.”

She looks towards Roscoe, his tail between his legs. A glimmer of hope enters her eyes for one second.

“Come on now, he isn’t fierce, at least when it really counts.” He glares at the dog.

Roscoe walks towards the pool and bows like a knight.

She hesitates, then gently rubs his nose.

“I’ll leave to two, for now. I have other business to attend to.”

The man turns on his heel and heads for the bathroom’s exit, then stops.

“I also want to mention that your little buddy’s treatment is incomplete, so I’ll be checking in on him again. Enjoy yourself, my dear.”

He closes the door behind him.

Roscoe lowers his head as a sign of relief, then looks towards the woman.

She is shaking and on the verge of tears. She wraps her arms around Roscoe’s neck and nuzzles him.

“Are you okay? What are they doing to you?” She whispers through sobs.

Roscoe’s sadness for the woman is mixing with the surprising revelation that, for the first time in his life, someone cares for him.