third time's a charm

"the first of many"

chapter ten: the first of many

Thursday, December 14. 4:07 pm.

"Okay, you know I'm in full support of this guy... but doesn't it worry you that he won't tell you where he's taking you? He could be dipping his toe into a new hobby... you know, like, killing people?" I looked over at Rowan as she parked outside of the public library and my eyebrows furrowed tightly. "I'm just saying, Elle! This is a little sketchy."

"It is not sketchy," I told her, sighing loudly as I brought my face to my hands. "Please tell me, right now, that you do not think I'm about to be killed."

"But I—"

"Rowan!"

"Fine, okay... you're not about to get murdered... especially not by Jamison Burnside," Rowan rushed to get her words out and then crossed her arms as she started to pout. "Happy?"

"Thank you," I told her, sending her a nod.

"Hot murderers exist, Elle... Ted Bundy, Peter Manuel, Jeffrey Dahmer... that guy from three towns over that murdered his ex-girlfriend." I stared at Rowan in horror as she began listing off hot murderers and become astoundingly worried for her.

"It's kind of fucked up to call people who have murdered people hot, Ro... surely the whole attraction thing comes to an end when you realize they've taken someone else's life?"

"Hey, woah! I didn't say that I was attracted to them! I was just making a point! Those are just a handful of killers that people have mentioned being really attracted to... it's not me making that declaration!" I continued to look at Ro with a concerned look and she let out a frustrated groan. "I was making a point, Eloise! Women trusted these sick fucks because of their looks and charm!"

"Okay, okay!" I said, throwing my arms up in surrender as she became more upset. "But, Ro... seriously, I haven't heard anyone say that guy who murdered his ex-girlfriend is hot." Rowan diverted her eyes from me and let out a small, misleading cough.

"I just... well, I mean... I don't think he's attractive now... but if he was my ex-boyfriend, I wouldn't have expected him to be a murderer. He seemed really normal, that's all." My phone vibrated against my leg and I continued to stare at Rowan as I slowly nodded.

"Yeah, so... I'm gonna go," I told her, inferring that the text I had gotten was from Jamie.

"Do not leave this car thinking I'm some murder fetishizing freak!"

"Rowan, I do not think you're a murder fetishizing freak... just don't tell other people you think the ex-boyfriend's hot, okay? It might get back to him... and we can't have that." Rowan's jaw dropped and I smiled innocently as I opened the door.

"You bitch! Now I'm going to be scared about him coming for me next all night!"

"Rowan, he's in prison!"

"But what if he escapes! Ted Bundy escaped from custody twice! Things happen! And he killed again!"

"Why do you know so much about Ted Bundy?" I asked her, becoming concerned. "Go home and watch Frozen or something."

"Yeah, I'll do that! You know, Frozen, where Anna's perfectly hot boyfriend Hans charms her and then leaves her for dead! That sounds perfect!"

"Go home, Rowan." I got out of her car and she whimpered quietly as she covered her face. "Ask Vales over and watch some Friends."

"Okay," she said, nodding slowly. "Be safe."