The Boyfriend

by Freida McFadden

And I’m terrified that the moment I get her alone, I will wrap my fingers around her pretty, white neck and squeeze the life out of her.

Why is dating so hard? Why can’t I just find a great guy, marry him, and live happily ever after? Is that really too much to ask for?

Bonnie was tortured. She was mutilated.

I wish we had another bottle. I need to keep another in the house, just in case any more of my close friends are murdered in the near future.

“I’m Sydney,” I say. “Nice to meet you, Sydney,” he says. “I’m Tom. Tom Brown.”

Everything is fine, except we might have to break up because your best friend caught me kissing that girl who was murdered and she’s going to tell the police chief, who happens to be your dad. Other than that, everything is great!

It’s only after I get home that I realize Tom never gave me back my bloody shirt.

And the truth is, I enjoyed watching him die. It was one of the best moments of my life.

And at that moment, I realize something very important. I might be dangerous. But Slug is something far worse.

“They found Alison.”

“She was mutilated,” Daisy manages. “I heard my father talking about it on the phone. He said she… It looks like she was tortured.” Like Brandi.

you. Nobody else dies, Daisy.” She tilts her head to the side, considering this. “Even if they deserve it?” “Well,” he says after a pause, “that’s different, of course.”