Just as I’m posting another selfie…
I get a text from Maggie, my former best friend.
Maggie
Please remember what I said:
Maggie
BE CAREFUL around Bryce.
I ignore the text, and follow Bryce up the mountain trail.
Sofie
It’s so gorgeous out here!
Sofie
This was a great idea, Bryce—
Sofie
A hiking honeymoon!
My new husband grins at me over his shoulder.
Bryce
Your followers will love it.
Sofie
OUR followers, you mean.
Bryce and I met at a convention for media influencers.
I’m a lifestyle influencer with millions of followers.
Bryce isn’t quite as successful.
But ever since we got together, his fanbase has been growing.
We haven’t known each other for that long…
When he proposed, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
And that’s when things got bad with Maggie.
She said there was something off about Bryce.
I’m sure she was just jealous…
But, I ended our friendship.
I don’t need anyone coming between me…
Sofie
Whew! This is quite a hike!
I pause to catch my breath.
Sofie
Maybe we should take it a little slower.
Sofie
We don’t want to be sweaty and gross in our pics.
But Bryce gestures for me to keep going.
Bryce
We have to get to the top by sunset.
Sofie
Is it even safe coming up here so late?
I think about picking my way back down the steep trail later…
Bryce
Don’t worry about it.
Bryce
You know I’m an experienced hiker.
Bryce
You’ll be fine, Sofie-boo.
Ugh, I hate that nickname.
At least he only uses it when we’re alone.
I sigh and keep following him up the trail.
The late afternoon shadows grow longer around us…
But the trail just keeps going.
Bryce
Almost there, I promise.
Bryce
Hurry up, Sofie-boo!
Bryce
You owe it to your followers.
After all, my influencer income paid for this trip.
Still, I wish he’d stop obsessing over my followers.
Finally, we reach the peak.
The trail ends in a remote clearing…
With a steep drop-off that overlooks the entire preserve.
Bryce was right about the sunset.
Brilliant oranges and pinks slash across the sky…
Creating an ideal backdrop.
Sofie
Okay, let’s do this!
Sofie
Time to take the perfect selfie.
There’s another text from Maggie on my screen.
Maggie
Remember that self-defense class we took last year?
Grimacing, I swipe the message away.
Bryce and I pose together in front of the sunset.
Bryce
Let’s back up a little.
Bryce
We’ll get a better angle that way.
Bryce chuckles as he nudges us back.
Bryce
I told you not to worry.
Bryce
You’re with me, remember?
I glance over my shoulder.
The edge of the cliff is just a few yards away.
When I try to stay in place…
Bryce nudges a little harder.
I’m alone out here with Bryce.
There’s no one around for miles.
No one to hear if I need to call for help.
I laugh a little, trying to keep my tone light…
Even though dread is tensing my muscles.
Sofie
We don’t want to become one of those silly couples…
Sofie
Who fall to their deaths for the sake of the perfect selfie.
Bryce walks us back another step.
But Bryce’s arm tightens around me.
His other hand grabs my wrist…
Forcing me to drop my phone.
Sofie
Stop joking around, Bryce!
Bryce
I’m not joking, Sofie.
His tone is calm and measured.
It’s like he’s talking about something mundane like the weather…
Instead of my imminent demise.
Sofie
It’s not like you’ll get anything if I die.
Sofie
We signed a prenup, remember?
Bryce
That prenup was just another reminder…
Bryce
Of how much more successful you are.
I scream as he jerks me toward the edge of the cliff.
But he’s so much stronger than I am.
My boots slip over the rocky soil.
Maybe I can manage to get away…
If I just keep him talking a little longer.
Sofie
Tell me why you’re doing this!
Sofie
Did you take out a life insurance policy on me?
The sound sends panic shooting down my spine.
Bryce
It’s nothing like that.
Bryce
What you have is more valuable than money.
Bryce
You have fame. A fanbase. Millions of followers.
Bryce
I got a taste of it when we got together.
Bryce
But if I’m really going to grow my followers…
Bryce
I need to be more than just Sofie Sloane’s husband.
Bryce
I think “grieving widower” will work better.
Bryce
Imagine the posts. The likes. The comments.
Bryce
“I’m heartbroken to tell you that Sofie’s gone.”
Bryce
“I begged her to be careful!”
Bryce
“But she fell to her death this evening…”
Bryce
“In pursuit of the perfect selfie.”
Bryce
It’s been fun, Sofie…
Bryce
But it’s time for you to go.
He yanks me toward the cliff.
But his grip is strong enough to leave bruises.
Desperate, I look toward my fallen phone.
If I could just hit the emergency call button…
Remembering the self-defense class she and I took…
I aim for Bryce’s eyes with my perfect wedding manicure.
He screams and stumbles back…
Letting me go as he covers his face with his hands.
Before he can find his balance…
I kick him off the cliff.
I know I should call the police, and I will.
But first, I take a photo of myself on the cliff…
And I pretend for a moment that Bryce never existed.
