Page 17 of Hunt for You

She was a fucking drug.

I rubbed a hand over my face and reminded myself that I’d already broken the rules, and it had to stop. Then I clicked on her profile and selectedSend Message.

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***SYSTEM NOTE: CHAT ENCRYPTED END-TO-END. ENSURE ALL ACCOUNTS ARE LOGGED OFF BEFORE DISCONNECTING.***

SleepingBeast:Your safe word is “Villeneuve.”

SleepingBeast:It’s pronounced, “Villa-New.”

DeadGirlWalking:What the hell kind of safe word is that?

SleepingBeast:Good, you won’t use it by accident, then.

DeadGirlWalking:We may have to renegotiate. I didn’t realize I was gonna get stalked by a fancy french dude. Do you wear suspenders and a kicky beret? Is that why you don’t want me to see your face? Because I’d laugh?

DeadGirlWalking:For the record, I’m literally laughing right now. I have a vision of you prancing through the forest dressed like a mime. You’re frolicking.

DeadGirlWalking:Do you frolic, Cain?

SleepingBeast:Rarely.

DeadGirlWalking:So you’re saying it’s happened. I will need video evidence. I won’t show anyone. I swear. I’ll take it to the grave—you can personally make sure of that.

DeadGirlWalking:Wait… our safeword is the last name of a Canadian filmmaker?

DeadGirlWalking:ARE YOU TREY PARKER?

SleepingBeast: *Your* safeword. And no.

SleepingBeast:Also no.

DeadGirlWalking:That’s what Google says.

SleepingBeast:Google is a dick.

DeadGirlWalking:So are you if you won’t let me see you frolic before I die.

DeadGirlWalking:You would seriously deny a dying woman her last wish?

SleepingBeast:Apparently not, since I have a list of supplies for you. But don’t open it until we’re done here.

[SleepingBeast has sent you an attachment: Supply List.docx. Clickhereto download.]

DeadGirlWalking:So mysterious. My fingers are itching.

SleepingBeast:You should get that examined by a medical professional.

DeadGirlWalking:No thanks. I’ve had enough of medical professionals violating my person to last a lifetime.

SleepingBeast:Pretty sure if they’re violating you, they’re doing it wrong.

DeadGirlWalking:Tell me you aren’t a woman without telling me you aren’t a woman…

DeadGirlWalking:Anyway, why can’t I look at the supply list?

SleepingBeast:Mainly because you ask an annoying number of questions and I don’t want to have to answer them.

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