Trigger warning - Torture, violence, drugs, threat of rape, and suicide.

A/N This part is not essential to the story. If you are at all concerned about the above warnings, please do not read. This is a POV from an unstable mind.

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Eighteen hours earlier

"Oh come on, Richy! Wake up already!" I sneered as I slapped him across the face with the back of my hand.

Little shit, wake up!

Richy grumbled as his eyes fluttered open. He lifted his head slightly and tried to focus on me with his one good eye.

"Ah, I didn't hear you return," Richy smiled cheekily. "You should have called to let me know you were coming."

That fucking smile!

"Schau mich an!" I snapped.

Richy smirked, "What are we going to do tonight, Brain?"

What the fuck are you talking about? You dare mock me!?

I picked up the dry, wooden plank from next to me and the old rag I found earlier, then walk over to the burn barrel.

"The same thing we do every night, Pinky!" Richy said in a very annoying, cartoony voice. "Really? Nothing? Have you never seen Pinky and the Brain? Who is the uneducated swine now?"

Shut up! Don't make me wipe that smug ass smile off your stupid face! I'm in fucking charge here!

"It is clear that if you can still make jokes, I still have a lot of work to do," I tried to remain calm and collected as I wrapped the rag around the end of the plank.

Burn! Burn for every second I suffered! For the months of pain I had to endure! Burn! BURN!

Slowly I lowered the plank into the fire and watched as the rag caught fire with ease. I hesitated for a moment as the flame flickered. Everything from that night five years ago came flooding back to me. I could feel the searing pain on my back like it was yesterday. All over my scars started to hurt again. I regretted not taking another dose of pain killer before returning.

You weak little fuck! Get your shit together! Don't fall apart now!

"Just kill me already," Richy shook his head. "It's what you want."

Why would I fucking let you die? Dying is too easy and simple for the likes of you! You went around doing as you wished, making everyone around you suffer all because you felt a little sad. No, you need to suffer! Burn for everything you did!

Staying focused was getting harder. "I want you to suffer as you made me suffer!" I said as I walked behind Richy. "First you drowned me in infested water! Then you burnt me alive!"

Burn, burn, BURN!

My hand trembled as I lowered the plank down to Richy's back. For a brief moment, I was at peace while Richy screamed. It was the same as it was the night before when I forced his head into the barrel of water. I felt bliss. Finally, there was actual justice for what happened to me.

My peace though was interrupted by the sound of something falling. As it was hard to see in front of me, I raised the torch and saw what looked to be a person standing in the shadows amongst the empty boxes.

Suffer no witnesses! Don't let them escape!

I dropped the plank to the concrete floor and ran for the shadow. I didn't have time to grab my gun, but the shadow was small. I could easily overtake it and strangle it with my hands. The person, whoever they were, was slower than me. I tackled them to the ground before they could reach the door with ease. The body was somehow familiar. I recognised its weight and frame within seconds.

MC!? What the fuck are you doing here!?

'You shouldn't be here!'

I knew it! I knew you drank it too quickly! So fucking gullible! Why did I allow myself to fall for that shit? I knew I should've double checked!

'You can't be here!'

There's no going back now.

"Oh, MC, you shouldn't be here," I grinned.

Oh, naughty girl, how shall I punish you for misbehaving?

I grabbed MC by the roots of her hair and lifted her off the ground. So many thoughts flooded my head. So many perverse and twisted. How I longed to see her face pale with fear again, reminded that her life was entirely in my hands to do as I saw fit.

Maybe you've forgotten, your life belongs to me. I let you live!

"Jake! Let's talk about this, ok?" she begged.

That's it, beg.

"MC!?" Richy panicked behind me. "No... no! No! No! NO! Let her go, Jake! She has nothing to do with this! This is between you and me! You and me!"

Shut the fuck up! This is between me and her!

I grabbed MC's arm and twisted it behind her back so she couldn't wriggle out of my hold, then I dragged her to the side of Richy next to a column. I considered tying her to the column and let her have a front row seat to the show.

'No! She wasn't meant to be a part of this!'

"Jake, please, don't do this!" she whined. "Come on, let's see Dr. Cumming. You told me you trusted me to make that decision, right? It's time, Jake. It's time!"

"All you had to do, MC, was sleep and it would've all been over like it never happened," I pushed her down to the ground. "Now sit there like the good girl I know you are."

'Don't do it!'

She'll get what's coming to her!

'Put her back to sleep! Maybe she won't remember.'

Then I'd have to carry her back. Carrying an unconscious woman through the streets, that's the easiest way to get noticed. No, I still have some scopolamine left!

'No! Never on her!'

Yes, she walks on her own two feet and there's a chance she'll forget everything about tonight! It's a win-win! She'll wake up none the wiser!

'No!'

None of this would've happened if she had been trained properly! She was allowed to have too much free will and look what happened!

'She only did what she thought was best!'

Just shut up already, cry baby! Forget the shrink, she's going to call the police! She knows too much!

'No, she said-'

Forget what she said! She's lying!

I grabbed the jar of scopolamine off the tools trolley and in the corner of my eye, I saw MC get up to try to make a run for it.

You'll have to try a lot harder than that to get away from me!

I grabbed MC's arm and pulled her back to the column. I must've pulled harder than I expected as I heard the unmistakable sound of her head hitting the column. She yelped in the pain.

'I'm sorry MC...'

Stop being weak! She can't be trusted! She'll put us both in danger!

I emptied the rest of the bottle's contents into my hand and blew the powder into MC's face. Her face twisted in shock and confusion, but that faded away as her mind separated from her body.

"Trust me, this hurts me more than it hurts you," I said conflicted, looking into her empty eyes. "I never wanted to use it on you."

So fucking weak!

'No more! Let her be!'

"What the hell did you do to her!?" Richy screamed like a girl.

"The same drug I gave you when you stepped out of your apartment," I explained. "Devil's breath."

"Please Jake, let her be," Richy whined. "She doesn't deserve any punishment, right? Just let her sleep and let her go when she wakes. Do what you want to me, but don't hurt her!"

"Oh, she's not asleep,' I turned to Richy and smiled. "She just doesn't have any say in what she does. And for the not deserving it part, well, that's not exactly true either, is it? I mean it was only because of her that I went into the mines to get your sorry ass out of there! It was because of her that I became so weak and vulnerable! That I would do anything for her! I was at her fucking mercy! She manipulated me to save you! Then, she got over me so quickly, like my sacrifice didn't matter..."

"No, no, Jake. She was going to go to the mines, remember? You stopped her!" Richy lied.

'He's right.'

No, he's not! She manipulated me with her fucking mind games! Just like everyone else! She looked down on me!

"That was just her mind games with me," I argued. "This high and mighty angel, getting a devil to do her dirty work so she wouldn't put herself at risk."

I'm so sick of hearing his voice! No more waiting! Hang on, I could tackle two problems at once.

"MC, pick up that plastic bag. It's time you got your hands bloody for once," I ordered.

Come down to my level! Punish him with me! Taste the pleasure of sweet justice!

I watched with glee as MC obediently follow my instructions and walked over to the tools cabinet. She lifted the plastic bag without hesitation. I could already feel the tightness in my pants starting to increase.

Stay focused, idiot.

"Richy, do you know what happened after the fire?" I asked. "The fire had significantly reduced the amount of oxygen in those tunnels. Do you have any idea what it feels like to suffocate?"

Lungs burning.

'Head pounding.'

Heart squeezing.

'No escape.'

No escape!

Richy's eyes widened in fear, "No! MC! Wake up! Think about what you're doing!"

No hope!

"MC, angel, please do me a favour and put that bag over Richy's head. I'm tired of looking at him," I grinned.

MC lowered the bag over that scumbag's face and I marvelled as he thrashed around. Did I look that pathetic too? MC though, there was a hint of pleasure in her eyes. She could deny it all she wanted, she liked it. She was happy to finally get some vengeance for the torment this monster put her through. And she did it so well. Then again, she had been watching me all this time so of course she picked up a thing or two. The tightness in my pants only became more unbearable. Thoughts of how I could corrupt her further flooded my mind. I started to wonder how good she'd look covered in the blood of my enemies, looking at me all doe-eyed.

You look so fucking amazing. I want to pin you down and take you on the floor right now. I want to go fucking feral on you!

'Not now!'

Let Richy watch! Let him witness as I rip those angel feathers off her!

'She's killing him!'

Oh, right.

"That's enough, MC," I nodded. "We don't want to kill him just yet, do we?"

MC pulled the bag off Richy's head and he gasped pathetically for air.

"I'm going to fucking kill you," Richy mumbled. "For real this time and make sure it sticks."

How cute!

"Richy, seeing how you currently have your feet bolted to the ground, I don't think you'll be doing much of anything," I rolled my eyes, then I walked over to MC and turned her to face me. "You did so beautifully, angel. I'm proud of you."

I lightly pressed my lips against hers. At first there was no response, which was to be expected given the lack of conscious thought, but soon she acted instinctually and kissed me back. She was far more open to my suggestion than anyone else I had ever drugged with scopolamine. Her body naturally sought my affection for the dopamine release. Who was I to say no? I slipped my tongue into her mouth and she moaned slightly against my lips.

"You think she's going to still love you when she wakes up," Richy interrupted. "She's going to hate you! Hate you forever!"

"Maybe," I grinned. "But more likely this will all just be a bad dream for her. To think, that's all you will ever be to her. Sure, it would have been better if she had just slept. Then she would have been saved from ever lying eyes on you again. But this beautiful angel, whose wings I've clipped and darkened, still manages to surprise me. My fallen angel that I've pulled from grace myself."

I smashed my lips against hers again and this time there was no hesitation from her. So much so, I nearly forgot she was even drugged. I ran my hands down her sides and clawed at her ass with both hands. The urge to grind against her was too much for me to fight. She let out a small moan again. Even subconsciously, she wanted it too.

Ugh, I need you on me now!

"Jake, where are we?" she asked hazily.

"Shh, you had too much to drink again. Let's get you home before you pass out," I cooed. "We can continue this there, away from judging eyes."

"MC! Wake up!" Richy cried out pathetically. "Don't do it, Jake. Please, don't do it."

Oh, I'm going to fuck her. I'm going to fuck her so hard she forgets you even exist! Listen careful. You'll hear her screaming my name. Then you'll know who exactly she answers to.

I wrapped my arm around MC's waist and guided her to the back of the building, making sure Richy stayed out of her view.

"What was that?" she asked confused.

"Just a noisy raven, angel. Pay it no attention," I paused, then bent down to pick up her phone from the floor. I checked it. It was locked with no notifications, but there was also no visible damage from being dropped earlier thankfully. I handed it back to MC. "Be careful with your new phone. Otherwise, I'll have to get you a new one."

Why give it back to her!?

'I trust her.'

Fucking idiot. She better forget.

"I'm sorry, Jake," she frowned and shoved the phone into her back pocket.

Still so innocent. Still so much to taint.

I kissed her forehead, "Just try not to drop it again."

The walk back to our hideout took far longer than it should have. Even though MC was able to walk on her own, she was moving a lot slower than usual. It took so long that the mood was fading fast.

Don't wait! Fuck her here and now!

'She deserves better.'

No, she doesn't! Fuck her in the alley like the dirty slut she is!

'More time on the street leads to more risk of being seen.'

Fine!

By the time we returned, the sky was already starting to lighten. I eyed the large, screen-printing press in the middle of the floor with all of its arms and stations. It reminded me of the BDSM racks Cyan had in his basement that I used to train women on. The thought of MC on such a rack waiting for me to train her to embrace her praise kink and hypersexuality was unbearable.

Break her in! Make my little nymph!

'No. That's not who I am anymore.'

It's who I've always been!

'I swore to never show MC that side of me.'

Why hide from her? Isn't that worse? There's no doubt she'd like it.

I glanced over to MC, who was just standing there waiting, not knowing what to do. I stepped up to her and ran my fingers down her cheek. She looked up at me doe-eyed.

Imagine her-

'No!'

Come on-

'I said no!'

Remember how beautiful she looked when-

'NO!'

"Jake, what's wrong?" she asked concerned.

"You're worried about me?" I did a double take.

"Yes," her eyes darted back and forth as she searched my eyes.

"MC, I've drugged you so you're completely open to suggestion. I could make you do whatever I want right now. Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself?" I frowned.

"I trust you," she smiled.

Her smile was like a dagger to my heart. I took a few steps back.

No, that's a lie!

'Maybe now, but soon you won't. Not anymore...'

"No...," I muttered.

'You'll never trust me again.'

What are you doing!?

"Jake?" her angelic voice spoke softly. "You're crying."

"Am I?" my hand went up to my cheek. Sure enough, it was wet.

Idiot! She's trying to manipulate you again!

'She can't. Not in her current state. She's incapable of it.'

Are you falling apart again!?

"MC, let's get you back to bed," I smiled weakly.

"Ok," she grinned, then turned to go upstairs.

You are so pathetic and weak!

"I am," I whispered as I watched her ascend the stairs.

'Fuck, what did I do?'

You did what had to be done!

'I ruined everything. Once she wakes up, it'll all be over. Tonight is the last night we will have together.'

Then don't waste time.

'You're right.'

I went up stairs and found MC undressing in the back office. She was down to just her panties.

"Stop," I muttered before she removed the tiny fabric from between her legs.

"I thought you want to have sex?" she looked at me confused.

"Not tonight. Not like this," I closed my eyes painfully. "Put your shirt back on."

You're going to waste the last night!?

'No.'

Suddenly I felt warm palms on my moistened cheeks. I opened my eyes and saw MC cupping my face, her eyes full of worry.

"I don't deserve you. I never have deserved you. That is the truth I have struggled these past few years to accept," my voice shook. "Never has it been made obvious than it has tonight."

She narrowed her eyes in annoyance, "I love you, Jake."

She might as well have reached into my chest and squeezed my heart. "You don't know what you're talking about right now. It's ok. You'll understand in time. Come, sit down with me."

I sat down on the old couch with my back against the armrest. As MC sat down, I turned her to face away from me and pulled her close so her back was against my chest. She snuggled into me between my legs. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I held her close, knowing it was going to be the last time I would get to hold her. At first I rested my chin on her shoulder, but after a few minutes, I buried my face into her back. She smelled as heavenly as ever. I never wanted to forget that scent of hers.

She'll send me to that facility.

'She will.'

I won't be able to protect her. I'm better for her on the outside.

'It's like the doctor said, I'm not.'

You know she'll head home. It's the only safe place she knows.

'I know.'

They'll arrest her.

'They will.'

They'll drag her through the mud.

'They will.'

She'll be stubborn until the bitter end.

'She will.'

They'll bury her so deep in the system, I'll never be able to reach her again.

'Then I'll surrender.'

That's not a solution. They will still punish her. She must surrender.

'Then I'll make her surrender.'

Light snores interrupted my train of thought. Like an angel, MC slept so beautifully in my arms, with her head resting against the back of the couch. I wanted to stay there until she woke again, but I knew I had work to do. Carefully I got up, thenlaid her down on the couch. I grabbed my spare hoodie and draped it over her. Seeing her sleep so peacefully made leaving her so hard, but I eventually pulled myself away.

Quickly I went to my desk and checked the status of the transfers bouncing from one bank account to the next. The nest egg was still undetected by the digital forensic teams that had been trying to trace the money. I had considered early on that MC could betray me at any time so I had already come up with the plan that in the event of my arrest, she would immediately be implicated as an accessory. Though as things had changed, I realised that she wouldn't betray me so I deactivated the automatic trigger. Now I realised I needed it to protect her. If she gives me up, she might still have a chance for a normal life again.

Of course, that would put me at risk. Dr. Cumming promised me he would do everything in his power to protect me from rogue agencies. It would be a test to see how far that protection stretched. If anything should go wrong though I would escape. It was incredibly risky, but I accepted that risk.

How much?

'At least 50%. It needs to be convincing.'

It took a lot of long hours to get that money.

'For MC's freedom, it is worth every cent.'

With a few keystrokes, I diverted the next transfer. It would reveal to the forensics team the location of MC's account. Within the next few hours, the funds would be seized. MC's name now was forever tarnished. She had two options. Either she plays the victim card and gives me up, or she would be arrested for accessory to grand larceny. There isn't a lawyer in the world that wouldn't convince her to give me up for a lighter sentence, or perhaps even, no sentence at all. After tonight though, there was no doubt in my mind what she would choose.

Time to finish what we started before it's too late.

'No. Release him.'

What? After everything!?

'He's not worth it. He was never worth losing MC.'

He put me through hell!

'No, that wasn't hell. Everything that happens from here will be hell.'

I got up and grabbed my backpack. I quickly packed away my laptop. I would be disposing of it and the hard drive later. I picked up my phone and realised I had to trash it too. That meant trashing all of the photos I had of MC. I would be going into the facility with nothing, but I had no choice. The rest of the nest egg had to be protected.

The walk back to the warehouse where I kept Richy seemed more tedious than usual. The sun had risen, so it was harder to stick to the shadows. Being a Sunday meant that while there were very few witnesses around, my movements would be more obvious to anyone who did see me. During my trip, my mind raced with ideas on what to say to MC. Somehow I would have to face her. I couldn't trust anyone else, but I at least knew whomever she would have involved wouldn't try anything under her watch.

I stepped through the entrance of the back of the building and sighed with relief that I was finally under cover again. I had not considered what I would say to Richy, but I wasn't sure words were needed. Surely release would speak for itself.

As I walked into the center of the building, my heart skipped a beat.

I had expected to see Richy in his chair, most likely sleeping again. However, that was not the case at all. My eyes were fixated on the body, slowly spinning back and forth on the rope it hung from. It almost didn't feel real, like he was trying to con me into thinking he had taken his own life. No, he wasn't good enough to fake such a lifeless expression.

Weak. He couldn't even handle it.

Blood dripped from his mutilated feet.

'He ripped the bolts through his feet, then crawled up to the second floor to hang himself over the balcony. I wouldn't call that weak.'

I struggled with burn wounds and infection to walk out of those mines. I collapsed every few paces because the pain was so agonising. It took me days to get out of there. It would've been so much easier to let death overtake me.

'I had a light to live for. He didn't. If I didn't, I wouldn't be standing here today. It's what will keep me going through the dark times to come. I mustn't forget that.'

Let him hang.

'No, I'm cutting him down.'

And do what?

'Put him to rest somewhere else. Away from this place of bad memories.'

The river will take him away.

'Then I can start the cleansing process. Physically, then mentally.'