Nerd's Words | A Short Story Collection

Just More Time

I remember seeing you in school, always focused ahead and determined to do your greatest. Sure, math wasn't exactly your first choice, but you never let your failures distract you. You just kept pushing further. Part of me resented you for that if I'm being honest.

When we first actually met, I was pretty cold to you I remember, calling you out for the nerd you were. You are a nerd just to be clear. I just didn't realize how much that nerd would change my life.

~~~~~

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have before you today a young boy fighting his heart out for the love of his life!"

I stared back at the demon with cold eyes. "Let her go. We did nothing wrong!"

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong," it said, moving towards you, asleep on the table. "This young woman...her life was very hard indeed. Societal pressures, parental issues, all just too much for a doll like herself." It gave a sad frown as it held her face in its hand. "How could anyone keep it all together in a situation like that?" It suddenly towered over me; a wicked smile smeared across its face. "With my help of course!"

~~~~~

We ended up working on a group project together for history. History was my worst subject, so at our meetings, I definitely lagged behind, but you were a machine. You had the entire presentation ready in a day, and all I had to do was present. I felt bad, but you stayed cheery as always, doing your best to boost my ego before speaking as well. We ended up crushing that assignment.

I realized I would have to keep someone as special as you around as long as possible. Later that day, I asked you out, with nothing but the false confidence I always wore like a badge of honor. It was that same confidence I was channeling now.

~~~~~

I tried to say something, but my lips wouldn't open, and my throat was dry.

The demon crept a few steps away from me. "Little miss perfect over here called upon me to help her, to give her all the time that she needed to get through school. And so here we are. Out of school, and in debt." it levitated in the air, laying back as if it was in a hammock. "Time manipulation isn't cheap you know. Most demons would take entire lineages as the price. But humble old me only requires one soul. Her soul. It's just business, I'm sure you understand. You wouldn't want to disrupt business again, would you?"

~~~~~

When we started dating, I still didn't know much about you. You liked reading, especially longer books that would take a day or two to finish. You could appreciate good music. Your dream job was a pilot, so that you could travel across the world. Your parents...didn't care for you.

They were strict, demanding, and had a route perfectly calculated for you to have an easy life. It was simple to them; you would join in the family business, marry someone from the rival business, and money would be made. But with me in the picture, that route had taken a detour.

"Don't f****** talk to my daughter!" I remember your father yelling when you introduced us.

I didn't even know what I did wrong, but I was never the quiet one. I fought back, saying I'd whisk you away and show you an even better life. I started writing books, though they weren't that good. I took you to concerts. I saved every spare cent to take you to any place you wanted to go. I even took self-defense classes. And now, I was willing to do something far more.

~~~~~

"Then take my soul."

The demon coyly smiled and cocked its head back. "Sorry kiddo, that's not how these contracts work. It has to be her soul, no substitutions. A deal is a deal after all."

"I won't let you take her soul. No matter what!"

"And just what could you possibly do about it? Hmm?"

I clenched the knife hidden behind my back. "Everyone has their weakness."

It frowned at me. "Be careful what your next move is, boy. Contracts aren't the only way I can take souls."

I lunged forward and thrusted the knife out.

~~~~~

On our last day of college, I took you to my house for a big surprise. After a home-cooked meal, I sat you down on the couch and knelt down on one knee. Your eyes gleamed, with what I hope was joy. I presented the small silver ring, with a diamond the size of a breadcrumb. I told you I may not have the money, but I have the heart to make your dreams come true.

What I would've given to receive my answer right then and there. But the hand that emerged from a dark portal on the wall said otherwise. It grabbed you by your arm and snatched you away. I snagged the kitchen knife from the table and leapt in after you. Through it I emerged in an empty black space, the only light being above you and a demon, nearly twice my size. It tapped your forehead and you fell unconscious. He looked at me, and all he said was-

~~~~~

"What a disappointment." The demon had moved out of the way of my strike.

I stood, frozen in my stance, the knife still pointed outwards.

"You had all the pieces. A weapon. The element of surprise. And yet here we are." It chuckled to itself. "If you truly want to fight me, let's make it a show!"

It darted forward, it's hands growing claws as it slashed across my chest, knocking me to the floor. I rolled away, only to get kicked in the stomach before I could get up. I dropped the knife beside me, and the demon took a step back.

"That's all you've got? Humans are far weaker nowadays." I staggered up, clutching my stomach and putting an arm up to guard my face, and it smiled yet again. "Now that's more like it!"

I threw punches, but it bobbed and weaved, no doubt bending time itself to avoid everything. In a blink, it had vanished from my sight, only to appear behind me and sweep my legs. My head smashed against the ground, and all I could hear was ringing in my ears, as it walked over to the table. To you.

"My dear, my dear," it said, in a calm voice. "I'm so sorry I've made you wait. Now, it is finally time for our deal to be complete. Give me your soul." He lowered his hand over your head, and my vision started to fade.

I clenched my fist. In all my life, I didn't have a goal. But then my goal was to protect you, and I'd be damned if anything happened to you in my presence.

The ringing still ever-present in my ears, and despite the blood leaking from my chest and my mouth, I staggered up again, picked up the knife, and hobbled over behind the demon. "Don't you touch her!" I plunged the knife into its back, and it reeled away, falling to the ground, screaming in some unholy tone. I watched from above as it wiggled and writhed on the floor, attempting to pull the knife out, but to no use. Its limbs started to turn to dust, the dust spreading all the way to its head, and before long, it was gone.

We had won.

I leaned over you, making sure you were just fine. Your face was calm, probably in some sweet dream. I envied you yet again. My legs grew weak as I collapsed on the ground.

~~~~~

When I woke up, you were beside me in the hospital, telling me how worried you were, and asking me what happened when you were knocked out. I wrote this all to explain everything to you, all that lead up to it especially. But I don't want you to remember this at all. Most of your life, you've been trying to make time last longer. Once I get out of this hospital bed, I'll be making sure we make the most of the limited time that we have.