Chapter 3 Deleted Scene #2

Note that some of these deleted scenes will NOT be shared in the order that they might've appeared in Chapter 3. Also note that some of these scenes may not remain completely deleted and could potentially be used in the future.

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Saffron waits beside his small reefer truck in the afternoon sun. A sheen of sweat dots his brow and he uses a handkerchief to wipe the moisture away. 

He keeps his eyes peeled for a familiar van, a frown of disapproval tugging at his features. 

Leon was supposed to meet him here an hour ago.

He's running late as expected. 

Luckily, Saffron accounted for this, but Leon should learn to maintain his word rather than expecting others to wait on him.

With the line of business he's in, there's a lot of unforgiving individuals who are far less patient than Saffron himself, ready to use any excuse to put someone in a body bag.

They aren't reigned in. 

Not like he and Adam are, bound together by the same ties. 

Or at least…

That's what Saffron once believed. 

He can still see the glass embedded into Adam's knuckles from his earlier outburst, the text from Elijah blinking up at him, the gasoline poured onto the fire. 

I need them to fulfill my promise to her. 

And yet here he is, forced to speculate on whether or not that sentiment is really true. 

A man who simply wants to use someone wouldn't react so violently if there wasn't more to it.

There's something else there. Another reason why Adam wants to keep you alive. 

He thinks back to the day he picked Adam up on the side of the highway. 

He remembers Adam's swollen lips. How Adam touched them, recalling something he refused to share with Saffron.

Saffron's eyes narrow in thought before he's drawn away from his theories when a van parks haphazardly along the curb, a young man stepping out of the driver's side wearing a face mask.

Saffron: You're running late, Mr. Cress. We scheduled to meet over an hour ago. 

Leon tips his head up as he walks towards Saffron wearing a wide eyed expression.

Leon: My bad, Mr. A. I was arms deep in the open chest cavity of this one guy and you wouldn't believe what I found in there. He had this giant—

Saffron: Mr. Cress.

Saffron interjects. 

He knows if he lets Leon go on for too long, the boy will ramble to no end about the bodies he's carved up for the day and his fascination with them. 

Saffron would rather not let anyone connected to Him discover this meeting for both his and Adam's sakes. 

Keeping Him in the dark about your current status could have…less than desirable consequences if He found out about any of this. 

They need to wrap this up. Quick. 

Saffron: You'll have to beg my pardon, but I'm afraid I can't linger in the area for too long so I'd appreciate it if we hurry through with our transaction. 

His eyes flicker towards the shadows to punctuate his point. 

Right now he's on high alert, taking note of everything in their surroundings in an effort to miss nothing.

He can feel his skin starting to prickle. The hairs on the back of his neck rise. 

Are there eyes on him already? Or is he just being paranoid?

While they're meeting at an undisclosed location, there's the possibility of Him discovering Saffron's trail of lies. A fear that's rooted deep into the marrow of Saffron's bones. 

There's very few things he fears in life and His ire is one of them. 

It's why Saffron refuses to let his guard down or have polite small talk right now. He can't afford to. 

Saffron: Let us get on with this, shall we?

He says and moves to open the back of his reefer truck as Leon steps into place beside him, his eyes sparkling with curiosity for the body he's about to gain possession of. 

When the double doors swing open, the dead corpse of a woman greets them.

She hangs upside down by a singular hook, her ankles wrapped together by a tight cording of rope to keep her in place. 

The woman's eyes are open and glazed over with a grayish film, her skin almost matching that hue with frost clinging to her exposed arms and legs. 

Her hair and fingertips dust the floor as she slightly swings from side to side. 

For a woman who died a week ago, she's held up remarkably well. 

It's a shame she tastes like rot. 

That won't matter for Leon, though.

He'll take what he needs and sell the parts he doesn't. 

Saffron watches as Leon hauls himself into the back of the truck, never taking his gaze off of the woman before him, circling her with quiet curiosity once he's standing inside. 

He couches down and inspects the dime sized hole in her head. 

A soft hum leaves his lips. 

Leon: So she died of a gunshot wound. A hand gun from the looks of it. Your work?

A faint smile tugs at Saffron's lips, the hint of a monster exposed beneath the gentleman's facade. 

Clever boy.

He knows Saffron's MO by now. He should've known Leon would figure it out by a single glance over. 

Saffron had hoped to avoid disclosing too much information. The less others know the better. 

But at least he doesn't have to worry about Leon sharing anything with those who could use those factors against him.

Leon isn't the type who's easily bought.

Saffron: I did what was necessary. 

Saffron says, his eyes cutting to the deceased woman who dared try to harm Adam, his admission thick with venom. 

His gaze narrows as he recalls how close she came to ending Adam's life, her knife poised overhead, the metal glinting from the glow of the lighting strike when Saffron entered her trailer. 

He didn't hesitate to take immediate fire. 

His only regret is the lack of punishment she received, her death a quick one. 

Saffron: It was either her or risk losing someone precious to me. I chose the most obvious option. 

Leon: Adam, no doubt. 

Leon says, almost muttering to himself before moving on to the next inquiry. 

Leon: What about her? Did she attack out of self defense? Or to protect someone, same as you?

Saffron: I'm not entirely sure. Adam never shared the full story and when I pressed for answers, he shut down entirely. 

The young man pauses, puzzled by something and he turns to Saffron, his inquisitive eyes studying the man.

Leon: You and Adam don't hunt the same people. So why were you both there?

He then chews on his nail in thought. A nasty habit Saffron wishes he'd curb. 

Leon: Not to mention you're anxious to get out of here. Like you're afraid of something or someone finding out about this transaction. Almost like this hunt of yours didn't go well and now you're hiding the evidence.

Leon: Is she the original target? Or—wait, no. You wouldn't react like this if that were the case. She's a casualty. 

Leon: There's something going on with the real target. 

It's amazing how he deduced that much from very little information.

Saffron studies the young man for a moment, debating on whether or not to ask, debating on whether or not there's time, but ultimately he wants to know the truth behind what happened on that highway. 

And Leon might help give him those answers.

Saffron: I have a question of my own, Mr. Cress.

Leon: Yes, Mr. A?

Saffron takes a moment before asking the dreaded questions that are plaguing him. 

Saffron: Suppose a man who has always done his best with his performances suddenly starts falling apart after he meets someone. He gets sloppy. Listless. He starts acting off in ways he didn't before. 

Saffron: What do you suggest happened to this man?

Leon drops his hand, his nail now bitten down to the quick. 

He appears thoughtful. 

Leon: Well, Mr. A. If you want my honest opinion, it sounds like he's developed a soft spot for them and doesn't know how to handle it. 

Leon: If he's messing up that much after dealing with them, then he's probably thinking about them quite a bit which is why it's majorly affecting his current actions. 

As I thought. 

Leon: There's also something else I have yet to mention.

Saffron: This young man…after his first encounter with them he kept touching his lips and they were swollen. 

Saffron: What's your theory?

Leon: My theory is that I think you already know the answer and you just want confirmation because you don't want to believe it. You're hoping I'll give you a different answer, but I won't. 

Leon: It's obvious.

Leon: That other person kissed him.