The woods were quiet except for the crunch of leaves under your boots and Josef’s occasional humming. He was ahead of you, dragging the tarp-wrapped body like it was a rolled-up carpet, not a human being. Every few steps, he’d pause, throw you a grin, and whisper some ridiculous comment as if the two of you were just on a midnight stroll.

“Man, you’re so lucky to have me,”

Josef said, breathless but giddy.

“Most boyfriends take their girlfriends out for dinner or, I don’t know— bowling night? But me?”

He gave the tarp a dramatic tug, winking.

“I give you the gift of experiences. Memories. And this—this is quality bonding time!”

You followed, your hands trembling even as you clutched the shovel he’d pressed into them earlier. It wasn’t the first time you’d been out here with him, doing this, and you told yourself—again—that it was just what people in love do. That’s what Josef always said, at least. But the knot in your stomach never got smaller.

When he finally dropped the body at a clearing, Josef flopped down on the ground beside it, laughing like he’d just finished a long hike.

“Phew! Okay, okay, now you dig a little. I wanna see those arms in action!”

He leaned back on his elbows, watching you with that wide, childlike grin, his tone sing-song.

“C’mon, don’t look so serious. This is supposed to be fun! Couple’s project!”

He sat up suddenly, leaning forward, eyes locked on yours. The grin never left his face, but there was something sharp underneath it.

“You do think this is fun, right?”

Josef’s voice was light, teasing—but the question wasn’t. He waited, blinking at you like a kid waiting for a knock-knock joke response, though you knew he was measuring every flicker of hesitation on your face.