“So you never bet in dog fights? I hear some people made millions with it.” Looking at his shabby home, I was certain that he could use the money.
He shook his head. “I don’t care about money and even if I did, I wouldn’t want to win it by letting dogs tear each other apart.”
This man was an enigma.
He gestured me to come closer again. “Come. You need to get to know each other and I don’t have much time left.”
I took a few hesitant steps closer and when both dogs didn’t stir, I bridged the remaining distance between us.
“Get down on your knees,” Growl ordered, and the words brought another image into my head that unsettled me even more than the dogs with their big teeth, especially because it caused my body to heat up. I quickly shoved the image away and crouched down.
Growl took my hand, startling me. Only in the last second could I stop herself from pulling away. His palm was callused and warm. I stopped breathing when he held my hand out in front of the light brown dog’s muzzle. It sniffed, then wagged its tail mildly. Next Growl put my hand down on its back. “This is Coco. She’s eight years old, and I’ve had her for two years.” Coco, seemed like a too tame name for a dog like that.
I ran my hand down the length of Coco’s back. Her fur was soft and I marveled at the feel of the dog’s muscles. She felt strong, even stronger than she looked. I could only imagine what a sight the dog had been in the fighting arena, and pity for her rose up in me again. Her brown eyes were curious and kind. I couldn’t see a hint of aggression.
Growl took my hand again and held it out for the other dog, Bandit, to inspect. He too, sniffed a few times but he didn’t wag his tail or react in any other way. He didn’t seem to care much about my presence.
Growl shrugged. “He needs to get to know you better. Give him time.” He let go of my hand and I withdrew it quickly and rose back to my feet. This was too strange. Growl was acting like we were going to be some kind of strange family.
Growl stood as well, towering over me. “I need to go now.” He grabbed his mobile from the kitchen counter and headed into the corridor.
“Are you meeting with Falcone?” I blurted, following him. The name stung like acid on my tongue.
Growl frowned over his shoulder at me. He didn’t say anything.
“Can you ask him about my sister and mother?” I said, then added. “Please? I’m going crazy if I don’t know if they’re okay.”
“Falcone will either tell me or he won’t. If I ask him, he will be more likely to keep it for himself because it’s an additional piece of power.”
“I need to know if they’re ok,” I repeated.
Growl nodded. “I took the dogs on a long walk this morning, so it’s enough if you let them out into the yard around noon. I’ll take them for a walk when I’m back,” he said, then added. “Don’t try anything. It won’t do you or anyone else any good.” He gave me an expectant look until I finally nodded, before he walked out and closed the door. A moment later I heard the sound of the lock and I was alone.
I approached the door, listening for the sound of his car driving away. Then I hesitated again. Perhaps this was a trick? Perhaps he just wanted to see if I’d try to run if given the chance. Perhaps he was even eager for a chance to punish me?
I blew out a breath and walked back into the kitchen, trying to ignore the dogs, which had returned to their blankets. There were no curtains in the house, so I had a clear view toward the driveway. Growl’s car was gone but I still couldn’t believe that he’d actually left me to myself. My eyes began scanning the neighborhood for something out of the ordinary, but for me everything was. This area was born out of misery.
An old man sat on the porch of his house across the street. He was watching me, or at least Growl’s house. Had Growl paid him to keep an eye on the front door?
I backed away from the window and hurried to the back door that led out into the garden. When I put the handle down, it opened. Growl hadn’t locked it. Since that man was too vigilant to leave his door unlocked by accident, this was either a trap or he knew I couldn’t escape even if I tried. Both dogs appeared at my side, startling me. But they weren’t interested in me. Instead they stormed into the garden and started chasing each other. I stepped outside and took a close look around. The only way to get over the high fence was if I used a chair or table to climb over it.
Since the kitchen was devoid of any such luxury as chairs, the garden furniture was my only option. Though the table looked not stable enough to hold my weight and the chairs were too low to give me a sufficient height advantage. When I tried to move the chairs, however, they wouldn’t budge. I glanced at the ground and found them bolted to the concrete porch. Had Growl done that? But when? Last night while I was sleeping? I let out a sharp laugh, and sank down on one of the chairs. I couldn’t stop laughing. The dogs stopped their game of chase and watched me, obviously unsettled by my laughter. I even scared myself with the sound. Every piece of furniture, even a weight bench were bolted to the ground.
I fell silent and closed my eyes, then slowly let my head fall forward until it rested on my legs. I let the images from last night assault me, hoped that reliving them again would stop them from haunting me. It would take time, I knew that. Perhaps it would never go away.
Talia. Mother. What were they doing now?
I had no way to reach them, no way to tell them I was okay and tell them to be strong. Maybe this was the worst, worse even than being Growl’s prisoner. Something nudged my neck and I raised my head to find Coco standing very close to me, her warm dog breath ghosting over my face. At first I was afraid but then I realized the dog was trying to console me. I didn’t move, worried I’d startle her if I did. “Thank you,” I whispered, though I felt silly talking to a dog. Coco trotted off to where Bandit was scratching at a spot near the fence.