How To Get Away With Murder

Chapter 1: Recruiting An Accomplice

"This is how we're going to get away with murder," I say to the random guy.

He just blinks at me.

Once.

Twice.

Then he turns around and walks away.

I stare at his retreating figure.

I mean... rude.

I just invited him to participate in my favourite hobby and he walks away?

Not gonna happen, buddy.

I quickly catch up to him and grab the back of his hoodie.

He immediately chokes.

Maybe he's a little too weak for this.

Well, there's nothing we can do about that now.

I let go, and he spins around, glaring at me while one hand flies to his neck.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he exclaims. "Are you trying to kill me?"

I stare at him.

"Aren't we being a little dramatic?"

"You just fucking choked me!"

"I didn't choke you."

"You grabbed me by the throat!"

"Okay, technically—"

"Are you insane?"

I ignore that.

"I'm not trying to kill you. I'm asking for your help to kill someone else. Duh."

He just stares at me.

I smile.

He doesn't.

Tough crowd.

"And why," he says slowly, "would I ever agree to that?"

I shrug.

"Why not?"

"Because it's murder?"

"Oh, please. Don't make it sound so bad."

His expression somehow gets even more confused.

I can't tell if he's scared of me or just questioning every decision that's led him to this exact moment.

Probably both.

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but I have a class in twenty minutes."

I tilt my head.

"Business?"

He stops.

Slowly, he turns to look at me.

"...How do you know that?"

I shrug.

"It seems boring. Kind of like you."

His eyes narrow.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the answer you're getting."

He rolls his eyes and starts walking away again.

I follow.

"Hi."

"So, what's your name?"

He doesn't answer.

I speed up.

"What's your name?"

Nothing.

"Are you always this quiet?"