The time it takes Sal to find me .
He paused , his masked face tilted in confusion .
Then , the door splintered inward , and black clad figures flooded the room .
And there , in the doorway , was Sal .
く He stared at me , his eyes wide with shock .
I hung suspended , the grotesque stitches on my feet clearly visible .
Mad Dog had wondered whod leaked the pregnancy .
Me .
I had a low level informant inside Mad Dogs crew , just enough to pass information .
When Sal showed me that photo , I knew I had to prepare .
I left a video hidden in his desk , a recording of me planning a birthday confession .
Sal had never been in love .
He wouldnt forget my rejection that night .
I didnt want him to know I loved him during some fleeting moment of passion .
I wanted him to realize it just as he pushed me into the abyss .
Guilt .
Thats what binds people , not love .
Love is a fragile flower .
Guilt is a thorny vine , wrapping around you , squeezing the life out of you.
Hed searched the house frantically , a desperate , broken look on his face .
He cut L me down , holding me so tight I could barely breathe .
His hands trembled as he stroked my hair .
His voice was hoarse , choked with emotion .
Everything about him was different now , cautious , almost … gentle .
Lets go home , he whispered .
I … I dont have a home , I murmured .
He flinched , pulling me closer .
He mumbled apologies , his words barely audible .
He put me in the car , then went back into the dollhouse .
One of his men blocked the doorway , shielding me from the view inside .
The screams started almost immediately .
The collector .
I sat in the car , listening to the chilling sounds , imagining the horrors unfolding inside .
Sals hands were never clean .
Not anymore .
Sal took me back to his apartment .
Things were … normal , almost .
But something had shifted .
Hed never let anyone stay in his city Г apartment .
Now , he held me close , telling me it was my home .
I saw Maya one last time .
Her innocent facade crumbled when she saw me .
They held her back , but her eyes , full of hatred , were locked on mine .
Sal ! Dont you see ? Shes a cop ! Shes lying to you ! You have to know ! Sals face hardened .
He grabbed an expensive vase from the table and smashed it against the wall next to Mayas head .
I flinched .
He turned to me instantly , pulling me into his arms .
Liv ? Are you okay ? Dont worry … its alright .
He kissed my neck , his eyes searching mine desperately .
Youre not … are you ? I didnt answer .
He held me for a long time .
Sal smothered me with attention .
But my phone was gone , and I was confined to the apartment .
I asked for my phone back ; he kissed me .
I asked why I was being kept く prisoner ; he just smiled and held me tighter .
He hadnt forgotten .
He still suspected me .
He came home late one night , the smell of gunpowder clinging to his clothes .
He stood in the doorway , watching me .
Why arent you sleeping ? he asked .
Cant , I said .
The nightmares were relentless blood , screams , the faces of the dead .
He held me close , his hand stroking my hair .
Its okay , Liv .
Its all over now .
The next morning , the news reported a fire at a pharmaceutical plant.
Four dead , including the owner , a man named Gordon .
Multiple gunshot wounds.
Arson .
Gordon … Mad Dog .
Sal had taken care of him .
He was unraveling .
And he was dragging me down with him .
I wanted to destroy him , to take him down with me .
But that wasnt the mission .
I had to bring him to justice, to dismantle his entire operation .
My training officers dying wish had been to clean up the city .
Sal didnt know that the first person Id ever shot was my TO .
Hed guided my hand , placed the gun against his own temple .
He knew it was the only way to protect my cover .
Hed told me to live .
To finish the job .
Early spring .
Sal came home unexpectedly .
He was taking me somewhere .
No bodyguards , no sweep for bugs .
He just drove .
Liv , he said , his voice quiet , todays … my birthday , I think .
The one on my ID , anyway .
I made it up when I was in juvie .
He drove for a long time , the sun setting behind the mountains .
I spent my childhood in juvie .
Killed my old man when I was eleven .
He … he blinded my mom .
Crazy , right ? His voice was flat , emotionless .
I wanted him dead for years .
My mom was a city girl , a college student .
My dad …he bought her .
< From traffickers .
He paused , then continued , his voice barely above a whisper .
He came home drunk , started beating her .
She was already blind in one eye .
I grabbed an axe , hit him nineteen times .
Juvie .
وو He turned on the headlights as darkness fell .
No one wanted me after that .
Just the gangs .
The dirt .
Thats when I realized … I guess I inherited his … demon blood .
Someone gave me a psych eval once .
Said I was a sociopath .

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I made those records disappear .
He pulled up to an abandoned amusement park .
I remembered it , deserted and decaying .
But now , the lights were on , bright and garish .
And we were completely alone .
I bought it , Sal said , smiling at me .
Fixed it up .
I never went to an amusement park .
Come on , Liv .
Lets play .
The empty amusement park felt surreal , the brightly lit rides casting eerie shadows .
Sal , L however , was in his element .
He pulled me onto the carousel , holding me close .
Liv , you know … youre the first person who ever told me they loved me .
Everyone hates me .
Even دو my mom .
But you … you said you loved me .
His voice cracked .
When I found out … I thought I was going to die .
Because I betrayed you .
I know its too late .
But I dont want you to hate me .
Please .