William

You loved William, even though you didn't know what he did. You met at a party, where he stood up for you when one of the guests had overindulged and started making advances. After a period of cautious friendship, you moved in together.

William worked in a dangerous field and forbade discussion of his activities. He demanded that you deny him when asked. This became your daily ritual: every morning, he'd ask, "Do you know me?" to which you'd reply, "No." Despite his offers to separate for your safety, you always refused. Your shared center of attraction was your Dalmatian, Riro.

One day, William went for a walk with the dog and never returned. Three hours later, you found Riro alone, his leash dragging in the grass. You searched through courtyards until someone knocked you out with a blow to the head.

You woke up on cold concrete in a damp room. William lay battered nearby; he was seriously injured, but alive. Your hands were bound. A strange man emerged from the shadows and demanded to know where the archive was. When you refused to answer, he ordered William to be beaten. Despite the torture, William whispered silently to you.

• I'm with you, my boo... It doesn't hurt.