Question by Guitarist<3: Do you think I have good writing potential? Would you be interested in reading this story? Should I continue?
I plan on becoming an author when I get older because I really have a passion for writing. Recently, I’ve started writing this story about a 17-year old girl who is held captive by a 22-year old man. Despite the fact that she is abused and threatened, she falls in love with him…

These are the last two chapters of what I’ve written so far:

The chain was fairly long and seemed to be very heavy. One end of the chain was attached to the wall, and the other side was joined to a chain-like cuff. Eric, picking me up with one arm, threw me against the wall indifferently. My back hit the rough wall hard, and it began to ache. My head hit the rocky surface of the floor, throbbing. Eric kicked me in the gut, causing the pain to worsen. The pain then became unbearable, and I closed my eyes to try and detach myself from my body.

Pain is just an illusion. Pain is just an illusion.

I repeated this in my head several times, but it wasn’t as effective as I’d hoped. I couldn’t isolate myself from my body; I was part of my body. I couldn’t ignore the inevitable soreness it was feeling. I held my knees with both of my arms and shut my eyes tight, enduring the pain. I felt Eric’s body close to mine.

I knew exactly what he was up to.

I opened my eyes and saw him staring back at me with his fierce, green eyes. Brutally taking my legs into his grasp, he opened the cuff of the chain. He placed it just above my left foot and securely fastened it with a key. I looked as he tossed the key into the corner of the room, far within my reach. There was no way out of this place. I looked around, making an attempt to figure out where I was. The place was dim, but bright enough to notice that it was an attic. The wooden roof was arched, and the room was essentially empty, but an ancient piano was placed at the corner of the attic. It looked like it hadn’t been touched in years. Just like everywhere else in the attic, it was dusty and dirty.

I glared up at Eric, who was towering over me. He looked down at me intently with his fierce, intimidating eyes. I wondered why he would ever want to do such a thing to someone he’d just met, but came up with no conclusions. I assumed that there really was no reason – that he was just an insane psychopath who had sadistic cravings.

I couldn’t stay in this attic all day though. I had needs to take care of. Bathroom needs. If he intended on keeping me alive, I needed to fulfill these necessities.

“Are you g-going to k-k-kill me?” I managed to stutter out.

He kneeled down, face-to-face with me. I could see his face clearly now – it was perfectly structured – his eyes, nose, lips. No one would expect him to be homicidal.

“No,” he simply replied. “Unless you give me a reason to.”

“If you really mean that…well, er…” I managed to say. I didn’t know how I would finish the statement. I was scared he’d laugh at me, or even hit me for it. I didn’t know what to expect.

“Get on with it.”

“Well…I need to take care of some…necessities.”

He chuckled, and gestured toward a door near me. It was close – close enough that I didn’t need to take off the chain.

“Now be a good girl and shut the hell up.”

***
Next Chapter:

I was tired. I was thirsty. And I needed to use a bathroom…
Both my head and stomach were aching terribly, and I began to feel the hot dog I had eaten on my last day of contentment make its way back up my throat. Immediately, I ran into the bathroom and puked into the sink. My throat felt soar, so I turned on the faucet and began rinsing my mouth before finally using the toilet.

The bathroom was dirty, but I wasn’t surprised to see it in such a filthy condition. Like the attic, it was dusty and looked ancient – it was plain to see that nobody actually used it. There was a small, dirty mirror placed on top of the sink. Using my incredibly filthy sweater, I rubbed the dust off of the mirror and, indifferently, took a look at my reflection. I wasn’t shocked to see myself in such a horrid state – my dark auburn hair, which was seemingly wet with grease, hung down over chest. My naturally ivory-rose complexion appeared unusually pale and dark rings emerged around my hazel eyes.

I desperately needed to wash my grease-enveloped face, so, once again, I turned on the faucet and waited for the warm water to arrive; but it never came. I decided to work with what I had and splashed the ice-cold water on my face, then my hair. And, while I was at it, I took a big gulp of water from the faucet, and then another.

By the time I was done, my whole head was soaking wet. I made my way back to the original spot I was and, while freezing my soaking head off, waited. Waited for abuse. Waited for potential death. I didn’t know what to expect – just that I wouldn’t be alone for too long. It irritated the hell out of me to remain unaware of what my fate would be in this place. It was irritating, but, at the same time, frightening. I didn’t know whether what I was w
Continued:

I didn’t know whether what I was waiting for was my death, or just more torture. Nevertheless, I waited for hours – but he never came.
I decided to try and rest, but it was difficult seeing as I was chained to the wall with no comfort whatsoever. I hadn’t gotten legitimate sleep ever since the last time I was at the cabin. I missed my soft, warm bed I had once taken for granted. If, and only if, I managed to escape this terrifying place, I vowed to never underestimate my belongings.
The fact that I came from an upper-class family never really occurred to me. My dad was a cardiovascular surgeon, or, in other words, a doctor. He owned his own hospital, and my mom was a nurse there. I didn’t really care about material possessions, though – they were overrated. In fact, I hardly ever asked my parents for money or excess clothes. I dressed decently, but had never gone over-the-top with it.
Instead of wasting money on unnecessary items, I thought it would be best to donate it to charity.

My mind wandered back to reality. It was tough trying to sleep on the cold, rough floor, chained to a wall, but I somehow managed to do it.
But sleep didn’t last too long.

I was startled awake when Eric slapped me across the face with the back of his hand. There was a ring around his middle finger and pain drifted through my cheek as I realized the corner of my mouth was bleeding. He glared into my eyes – it was so intimidating I looked away. I didn’t understand how he could have such hatred for me; I didn’t even know him!

“Get up,” he said, his voice low.

Tiredly, I sat up, using the wall for support. He shoved a plate of what seemed to be left over chicken with some bread. I declined his offer, moving the plate back toward him with my foot. I didn’t eat meat.
It wasn’t because I believed that if I stopped, people would stop torturing animals; no, it was because the idea of eating something that once had feelings disturbed me.

“Eat it. That’s all you’re getting.”

“No…” I began, “I can’t…I-I… I don’t eat meat.”

Surely he would leave me to starve instead. If I had a choice between eating meat or starving, of course it would be to eat the meat. Right now, however, I wasn’t that desperate. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but he kneeled down, face to face with me. I turned my head away from his frightening eyes, but he held my jaw to make sure I didn’t look away from his glare. My heart began speeding its pace, and I closed my eyes instead. He tightened his grip on me, clearly irate, so I opened them again.

“Eat. It.” He whispered as his warm breath touched my bleeding cheek. “Or I’ll make you wish you’d done what you were told.”
Reluctantly, and unwillingly, I took the plate of chicken and tried hard not to gag. I picked a
“No…” I began, “I can’t…I-I… I don’t eat meat.”

Surely he would leave me to starve instead. If I had a choice between eating meat or starving, of course it would be to eat the meat. Right now, however, I wasn’t that desperate. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but he kneeled down, face to face with me. I turned my head away from his frightening eyes, but he held my jaw to make sure I didn’t look away from his glare. My heart began speeding its pace, and I closed my eyes instead. He tightened his grip on me, clearly irate, so I opened them again.

“Eat. It.” He whispered as his warm breath touched my bleeding cheek. “Or I’ll make you wish you’d done what you were told.”
Reluctantly, and unwillingly, I took the plate of chicken and tried hard not to gag. I picked a small piece off of the chicken and, hoping I wouldn’t choke it back up, chewed and swallowed. There was really no point in eating this because, as soon as Eric left, I’d probably puke it all back up.
“Good girl,” Eric said, smirking. “Now finish the rest.” And, with that, he left, using a small set of stairs placed in the front corner of the attic.
****

Well, that’s it so far. Would you be interested in reading something like this? Do I have good potential in writing?

Criticisms are encouraged; I intend on trying to improve as much as I can.
Elle:
Sure! You can read it if you’d like…I honestly don’t mind.
http://www.quizilla.com/stories/8646702/stockholm-syndrome-the-story-of-a-victimized-girl-chapter-1
I should warn you though, the beginning is a bit dull.

Best answer:

Answer by doozradow
a flash back of how she got captured would be good. don’t put it in one big chunk but spread it out throughout the whole novel. maybe now say some thing about what she was doing prior to getting captured then contiue with story. Then flash back to her initial horror about the man then back to present time. If you continue on in this fashion it could be very good. Eventually she could get rescued but then choose to go backto him later

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by C. Justin V: Does my dog have potential arthritis?
Ok we recently just moved to a new house that has stairs that my dog of 13 years of age has never used before. The second day of having to use the stairs i noticed around 12:00 A.M. I noticed he was limping a little. Could my dog have arthritis or is he just getting used to the stairs and is sore?

Best answer:

Answer by TanteL
Probably just getting used to the stairs, however, if he has hip dysplasia, the muscles around his hips may have been hiding the problem up till now. That’s what happened with my old Aussie. When he was eight, after a lifetime as a housepet, I took him to a herding clinic, where he spend the day joyously chasing sheep in circles. He slept for two days after we got home, and then started limping. Within three months he was on pain medication and needed it for the rest of his life. The muscles had made up for the dysplasia until he started getting old and they couldn’t recover from a day of overuse, and without that resiliency could no longer support his bones.

If he’s not better in a week or ten days, call the vet.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Woin Oinss: Petstore dogs… any potential?
Okay. I know petstores are the harbor place for puppy mills, back yard breeders, etc. I know they’re over-priced dogs that have little value for that money besides their companionship.
… usually..

Now, I’m from New York. We don’t have many pet stores that actually sell dogs around where I’m from, but the ones that do are quite frankly rank and I would never even step foot in there if I weren’t educated on their issues.
I’ve never come across a pet store that actually had … morals.. of any sort.
But I’m currently in Virginia Beach on a vacation to visit my brother and sister-in-law.
Well yesterday we went to one of the malls, and ended up going into the pet store to see if we could find a toy for their current dog, a male Basset Hound.

We ended up looking at two of the dogs that they had: a Siberian Husky [purely for myself] and a Basset Hound [potential companionship for their Basset].
It ended up being this:
Both dogs were more expensive than the Sibe breeders I’ve been in contact with in the past in regards to their dogs. And these are Sibe breeders that I’ve heard nothing but good things about.
They both came with a pedigree – not a tough feet. Plenty of BYBs have pedigrees for their dogs.
They both came with a one year health guarantee – I’ve never come across a pet store with a health guarantee [then again, I'm from upstate new york]. But a one year health guarantee isn’t that good. Hip Dysplasia comes up after 2 years of age, usually.
They come with a contract – you’re supposed to get the dog neutered/spayed around 6 months of age. Okay. Getting a little worried here…
They do a *background* check on the new owners. They call your vet, they call your references, and they do a criminal check before considering you for sale. Of course, they also do a credit check if you’re asking for financing on the dogs [which, apparently, was the big cahuna there. they advertised that like water in a drought].
What really got me was that they would be willing to let us visit the places the dogs were bred at. The woman that had brought the pups out to let us visit ended up staying to talk with us after the Sibe. She gave us a run-down on what they hold for regulations on the breeders, and the health regulations on the dogs. They don’t sell dogs that come from homes that breed more than two breeds.

Now… I’m not considering getting a dog from them. It was nice to play with the pups and reminisce on when my Sibe was a pup, but I’ll be sticking to reputable breeders, rescues, or shelters. I don’t like taking that risk.

But I know my brother, and I know he doesn’t listen to what I have to say on dogs. I’ve tried to get it into his head that, although his male was a breeding male [which he was. he was also stuck in the kennel with the female 24/7. how's that for quality breeding?], and although he came with a pedigree – that doesn’t mean he should be trying to stud him out now. He’s too short, his tail isn’t held correctly ever, his legs/knees [whichever term] knuckle over, and his feet face out to the sides too much. He doesn’t have the temperament for a Basset Hound, either.
But. I’m a 17 year old, soon-to-be Freshman in College, who doesn’t hold a “degree” in dogs or any sort of “qualifying position”, so I don’t know what I’m talking about. -_-

Back to the point:
They’re likely going to be looking at this pet store for another dog if they do choose to get one.
With the knowledge stated above [1 year health guarantee, background check, visitation ability, etc], would they be making a **decent** decision on where to get another dog?
They can’t go to the shelter to get a dog because they’d have to neuter their male, and my brother doesn’t want to do that.

Obviously, a reputable breeder is a better choice, as is a rescue and shelter, but they think reputable breeders are overrated [and ruin the breeds, apparently], and they can’t go to a rescue/shelter.
But is it the worst choice they could make? [With the exception of flat-out going to a puppy mill.]
Please read the entire thing if you’re going to answer.
I AM NOT BUYING THIS DOG. Jesus. I don’t even buy toys from stores that sell dogs.

Jayse – Like I said, they had regulations for the breeders. My brother told her that their current Basset was in the kennel with the female 24/7, and she quite literally freaked out and started bashing on them. She brought us a binder with the regulations they had for their breeders. None of their breeders are allowed to breed a female more than once every two years.
cjrossi – I’d mentioned they couldn’t go to the rescue or shelter because my brother flat out refuses to neuter his male because he’s “a breeder dog” and should “always be a breeder dog” [his words]. Shelters/Rescues don’t sell to homes with unfixed dogs. At least not around here.
Jen – They’re called “Pet-Go-Round”, I believe. They don’t have any actual information on their site besides the pups, though. >_>

Thank you to those of you who gave info instead of just insults.
Chrissy – a health guarantee from a reputable breeder is generally for the entirety of the dog’s life. At least it is with the two Sibe breeders I’m in contact with. And a reputable breeder always has it so that a pet-quality dog has to be altered before a certain age.
Okay, before anyone else suggests I refer him to a reputable breeder, can I re-point out that he does not like breeders that do health tests [such as hip dysplasia], show their dogs, and overall have actual quality dogs. He believes that they are ruining the dogs, breeding *more* health problems into the blood, and are using them for money.
Go figure.
But instead of telling me to do something that’s not going to happen for years, it would be more beneficial to give links for information about neutering benefits. After all, it’s the only thing keeping them from being able to go to the shelter or a rescue.
cjrossi – maybe you should have read the question? I asked whether or not it was a potentially decent decision for them to make, not where they should get a dog.
Nowhere did I “berate” anybody for giving me information about reputable breeders I already knew.
Rotts – he has yet to get the opportunity to actually stud his dog, thank god. He’s posted everywhere he thought of: craigslist, kijiji, facebook [boy did we get into an argument over facebook!], but no one’s taken him up on the offer thankfully. I’m hoping that’s the way it stays, and he ends up giving up his tirade and getting him neutered. It’ll be a long wait, though.

Best answer:

Answer by Anna Bell-uhm
If you do this, you are a puppy mill supporter. PETA will get you and kill you.

Give your answer to this question below!