**********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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The city’s neon glares in the darkness, outshining the moon’s glow. People are running on the sidewalk, looking over their shoulders every ten seconds. Shadows stretch across double bolted doors, sheltering those unlucky enough to rent an apartment here from the surrounding ugliness. Horns hide the barking coming from a dingy bar’s basement. From within, a blood sport is taking place.

Roscoe hits the wall, creating a deep crater with his body. He barely stands up, only to feel a powerful blow from the other dog’s bite. Despite his best efforts, Roscoe falls to the ground. A bell rings, the peoples’ cheering echoes throughout the walls. The other dog walks away, feeling accomplished.

Roscoe’s blood flows out onto the ring. Objects ranging from paper cups to folding chairs hit his body. An angry man storms towards Roscoe, pulling out a handgun from his pocket.

 “You’re worthless!”

He shoots twice near Roscoe’s head. Only one bullet grazes his ear.

The man proceeds to kick Roscoe hard with his boots, cursing him.

Another man enters the basement. He carries in his arms a young woman bound and gagged.

“What the hell is that?”

“A birthday present.”

The man smirks and examines the woman.

“We’ll be taking her to my home.”

The other man nods, then notices Roscoe on the floor.

“Another loss for this guy, huh?”

“He’s not going to get any better. I’ll finish him off.”

He pulls the trigger.

The young woman squirms out of the other man’s clutches and shields the dog. She shrieks and shakes her head.

The two men pause and shrug.