Page 50 of Sincerely, Butterfly

I frown, about to tell him it’s not for Halloween, when Mom steps around him. “I wanna see!” She looks me over and gives me a beaming smile. “Oh, sweetie, it looks great. Who are you going as?”

“Uhhh…” I have no idea how to respond. “I just made it up myself.” I laugh awkwardly.

Dad stands behind Mom, his hand over his mouth like he’s trying to hide his laugh.Asshole.

“You are so talented,” she says.

“Thanks.”

“We just wanted to come let you know we’re going away for a few weeks.” Mom’s eyes light up. “Your father is taking me on a cruise for our anniversary. Isn’t that wonderful!”

“Oh,” I say, turning my attention to Dad. “That sounds like fun.”

“Are you okay staying at home alone?” she asks with concern.

“Of course.” I laugh. “Mom, I’m going to college and going on nineteen, I think I can handle being alone for a few weeks.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I nod. “Go, have fun.”

“Okay.” She grins widely. “Ahhhh, I’m so excited. I’m going to pack!”

She takes off out of my room, leaving Dad standing there looking guilty.

“What the hell, man?” I hiss. “You’re leaving for two weeks? But the guys are just getting back. What about Operation Get-My-Men!”

Dad raises a brow. “Really? That’s what you're calling it?”

“I’m playing around with names,” I mutter. “But that’s not the point. What if I need you?”

“I told you everything you needed to know. We've been over this.”

“I know, I know.” I sigh. “Fine. Okay. Yeah. I can do this.” I nod, hyping myself up.

“So, what's with the getup?”

“What do you mean?” I ask. “It’s my outfit.”

“Your… outfit?”

“Yeah.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “My killing outfit, murder getup, my unaliving and thriving swag.” I spin around and around. “You know what I wear when I take a life.”

He just slowly blinks at me. “You're going all out for this, aren't you?”

“I mean, yeah, why not?” I lift the mask up enough to see him. “I know you told me to keep this on the down low, not to bring anyattention to myself. Soooooo, what if, now hear me out, I don’t do it all as me, Nola, but as–” I pause, sliding the mask back over my face. “Me, the Butterfly Killer.” I throw my arms into the air, like I’m showing off some grand surprise. “I could leave a calling card and everything. I was thinking of using my little preserved friends.” I rush over to my desk and grab the clear box of the newly dead butterflies I have yet to work on. “There are only so many I can keep, and I’d feel bad throwing them away. I could bury them, but wouldn’t it be more fun to put them to good use?”

“Nola,” he sighs. “I don’t know. That's a big risk.”

“I know, but I don’t wanna half-ass this,” I groan, ripping the mask off and throwing it on the bed. “I’m trying to make a statement, Dad. What better way to prove to the guys I’m perfect for them than to become a serial killer no one can catch? And plus, it’s not like it’s going to be forever. It’s just until I have an acceptable amount of kills under my belt to present them with. Now, I can’t say I won’t ever kill again, but I can let the Butterfly Killer retire. Come on, how many dads can say their daughters take after them?” I grin, punching his arm playfully. “The Midnight Shadow, the Butterfly Killer. Who knows, maybe when I have kids, they could grow up to be just like us!” As the thought comes to me, I grow more excited. “Oh my god, we could all do a kill together! Talk about family traditions. I could see it now, a long line of serial killers.”

“What if your kids don’t want to do that?” Dad asks.

“I mean, I'll love them no matter what, of course.” I wave him off. “But the chances of having a normal child are low if I’m the mother, and one of the guys is their father. Trust me, those three are fucked in the head,” I snicker. “Like really messed up.”

“That’s what every father wants to hear about the guys his daughter wants to spend the rest of her life with.” He gives me a blank look.

“It’s not like they’re going to hurt me.” I roll my eyes.Okay, it’s not like they’re going to kill me. I want them to hurt me, but there's no way I’m telling my dad about my sexual kinks, okay.