Serial Killer

    “You’ve been spending a lot of time outside.” Andy remarked looking at her tanned skin. “Is there something I should know about?”
    “No, I just like being outside.” Alicia remarked as she ate her baked beans. “No one is looking for me?” she asked every week, or what she felt had been a week. She wasn’t sure how many weeks had passed since she had been there.
    “How often did you visit friends? How many hours did you spend talking on the phone? Or did you only send text messages? When was the last time you sat down and had drinks with anyone you weren’t actively dating?” Andy questioned her. “Tell me, what does it take to get personal attention from you within the friend zone.” he waited for a reply.
    Alicia had none.
    Andy continued, “You like to spend time outside?” He picked up her phone and scrolled through countless posts in past years. Scant pictures of herself, all indoors. He showed a few to her. “Is this a new found appreciation for the outdoors?”
    Alicia again said nothing. She stayed silent more out of fear than any other reason. She wasn’t sure what answer he wanted, if he wanted one at all. Nor was she sure if the wrong answer would send him into a rage.
    Andy set the phone down out her reach. “Do you know what I will do if someone tries to rescue you?”
    She shook her head slowly to indicate she did not.
    “I would have to shoot them, in front of you. Then I would make you watch as I cut up and disposed of the body.” he smiled politely at her.
    Alicia felt an odd numbness, a sort of hollowness where her middle should be. She set her bowl of beans on the kitchen counter, she’d lost her appetite.