Tender

Note to editors: The site wouldn't let me publish this story to the "fiction" community unless it was six hundred words. The story portion of this was five hundred words exactly when I typed it into vocal. For some reason it was four hundred and seventy three words when I pasted it into "Microsoft word". I decided to go with five hundred according to vocals count. I am very sorry for this side note but I couldn't get it to even go through to be reviewed without making it at least six hundred words and I hope this doesn't disqualify this story.

Theresa Daniels had never before gone on a date with someone she’d met online but tonight that was going to change. Her phone let out a *ding* notifying her of an incoming text.

Paul – Hey gorgeous are you ready for tonight?

Theresa – Yes, well… getting there.

Paul – You’re not nervous, are you?

Theresa – Well actually I am a little. Like I said, I’ve never done this before.

Paul – Gone on a date?

Theresa – haha, no. I meant gone on a date with a total stranger.

Paul – We’ve been chatting on the dating site for a month. You’re not scared of me are you?

Theresa – … well it *backspace* I’m not… *backspace*

Paul – It’s a very well lit public place, there’s nothing to be scared of, I won’t hurt you, I promise.

Paul – Theresa? You there?

Theresa – Yes… yes I’m here. I know this is the smart way to do things, I’m not scared of you. I sort of have social anxiety. I don’t like public places.

Paul – I know, you told me about that but this really is the best way. Look we can meet up at the place. Just for a little while and then you can call or text a friend and keep them updated on your location as we go somewhere more private.

Theresa – You want to go somewhere private? Haha

Paul – I would love to, really. But I was wanting to do this right and make sure you feel safe.

Theresa – Alright, I guess so.

Theresa explained the whole thing to her best friend Angie who didn’t like the idea of Theresa going somewhere alone with someone she’d just met at all. But Theresa really liked Paul and Angie agreed to be her contact throughout the night. After meeting at a coffee shop, Paul and Theresa decided to go to his place. Theresa texted Angie.

Theresa – Hey Angie, it’s going well. Now he’s taking me to a second location… dun, dun, dun.

Angie – Don’t even joke about that.

Theresa – calm down, it will be fine. His address is 334 north elm street.

Angie – That’s not ominous.

Theresa – I’m fine, I’m riding with him.

Angie – Keep your phone on, I mean it.

Theresa – I will.

Several hours later, Angie hadn’t heard from Theresa, so she texted her.

Angie – Theresa, you good?

*no reply*

Angie – Don’t do this to me, please answer.

*nothing*

Angie spent the whole night texting Theresa, by the next morning she was frantic.

Angie – You better tell me things went a little too well in the next five minutes or I’m calling the police, I have his address.

Theresa – I’m fine.

Angie – that’s all you give me after all that?

Angie didn’t trust it, so she called the police. The police found Paul in his home stabbed to death. Theresa wasn’t there and neither was her phone.