Dead Med

by Freida McFadden

desiccation;

It takes me several beats to realize there’s a gun pointed at my face.

I’ve done some bad things in my life, but I’m pretty sure I don’t deserve this…

“In every class,” she says, “ten people flunk and need to repeat the year. Five drop out, never to return. And, of course, in the last few years, there’s always one who…”

“Why do you think the school is nicknamed Dead Med?”

histology.

Especially not Dr. Conlon with his dorky bowtie.

For months, Landon and I were just friends.

I’ve got nothing to worry about.

modicum

Especially when Dreamy McCutie pulls off his shirt.

She had no idea that only a short while later, this would be where she would die.

the room is filled with dead bodies.

This is us, I guess, lucky 13.

He’s sorry, and I’m drenched in cadaver juice.

The weeks pass rapidly, but the days are slow.

If only there was something that could help me stay awake longer.

“And one day, you can come back with a shotgun and blow the brains out of all the other students.”

We know why practically all these people died.” He pauses. “But not Frank.”

the students file in like we’re on some kind of death

march.

Frank was inexplicably healthy when he died.

Thank God for Abe.

I don’t know how Abe got the combination to my locker,

This is not sweet, it is creepy.

Although I can see in his eyes that he truly doesn’t care. And that is just super weird, folks.

But I’m not a jerk. I’m a nice guy who’s never done a bad thing in my whole life.

Just like that, she’s mine.

This is weird and possessive.

I don’t have the key, but I know that there’s a gun in that drawer—loaded.

Are you dealing drugs to students?

Plus, the man has a gun.

I debate if I should tell her my suspicions about Dr. Conlon. The more I think about it, the more certain I feel that he is the one pushing students in the direction of that clinic. But I’ve seen Patrice talking to him many times, and I am pretty sure that they are friends. Maybe even more than friends. She might not appreciate the unfounded accusations, so I decide to keep my fool mouth shut.

“Don’t worry. I’ve handled situations like this before. I know just the place.”

I killed a man. I threw his body into a lake. I will never be the same.

She is a problem.

I get this feeling that maybe I shouldn’t bother Mason right now. After all, I’ve got enough problems of my own.

It means Patrice isn’t a threat.

Patrice is the contact at the school who is sending students to the clinic.

It’s entirely possible Dr. Conlon is also involved, but

Why is he obsessed with this guy?

water is the only molecule where the solid form has a lower density than the liquid form. That’s why ice floats on water. I always found that fascinating.

I have a feeling that when there’s a gun pointed at her face, I might finally get the truth out of Patrice. I’m looking forward to it.

It is just so unbelievably perfect.

The medicine cabinet is open.

Well, not open exactly. More like slightly ajar. But the point is, it’s not closed, and it’s clear there are medications inside it.

It’s the voice of Victor, my classmate from remedial anatomy. He sounds even more agitated than usual.

Victor looked high as a kite.

“I’m just… happy,” I say. And for the first time in my life, I realize it’s true.

I know all about you and Dr. Conlon. Put the answers to the final exam under the door of Locker 282 or else everyone will find out the truth.

Despite his resolve not to let anyone fail and the fact that he’s sleeping with a student, he’s irritatingly ethical.

But he’s not going to find out.

The intruder had a gun. And for some reason, he has fired it.