Peter stood in line at the local convenient store, his arms loaded with batteries. He got a strange look from just about everybody that passed him, but he was used to that. He was the Big Nerd at school-- the one that people would joke about and make fun of because he never retaliated. What could he do about that? If he told a teacher, he would only become the The Tattle-Tale Nerd.
But the kids at school were far from his mind right now. All he could think about was his new device. He had been working on it for the last bazillion years, and now it was almost complete-- hence the batteries.
Next the cashier sighed.
Peter hadnt noticed it was his turn in line. Oh, umm he trailed off as he lifted his arms and unloaded his plethora of batteries.
The cashier gave him an odd look. Willerrthis be all for you?
Peter nodded. The cashier began to count all of the battery packets, then turned back to Peter. Have I seen you at school?
Peter looked back at the cashier. Her nametag read, Jenny. He hadnt noticed how young she was and had never thought that she could go to his school. II dont know. Maybe.
You look familiar. Do you go to Lindon High?
Yeah, Peter nodded, I guess we do go to the same school.
Jenny nodded in return. I thought so. Anyway your total is $64.23, she looked up at him. Thats quite a bit for batteries.
Youre tellin me, Peter said as he paid and grabbed his sack.
Well, Ill see ya around at school then.
Peter didnt answer as he walked out the door. He never was good at talking to other people. He didnt really like to either. He preferred to stay in his own little world, making all kinds of fancy gizmos and gadgets to play around with.
When he got home he quickly went down to the basement, or what his mom called, Peters Lair. He set the bag of batteries on his cluttered desk and sat down. He opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a small black box labeled Destiny Shot. He gently set it on the table and carefully opened the lid. Inside was what looked like an oversized cell phone resting in layers of padding. He gingerly pulled it out and set it upside down on the table.
This was his biggest project he had ever worked on, and if it worked it would be legendary. And if Peter had his way, it would go into the history books. With years of studying the work of some of the top scientists in the world, he could only hope he knew what he was doing. And now he was almost done.
He pushed his glasses up and leaned over the cell phone with a tool in hand. He moved very slowly, for he could not make any mistakes. After working so hard and for so long, today would be the day to see if it worked.
After thirty minutes of slow movements and a sweaty forehead, he set his tools down and pushed off the ground, rolling his chair back. Im done! he said in a loud voice. Then he whispered, I hope
He pulled off the back cover which revealed a spot to snap in two AA batteries. He then moved over to his bag to retrieve some batteries and popped them into place.
He turned it around, looking at its bulky, but new interface. He stared at it long and hard, taking in all of his work. He remembered the countless nights hed spent dreaming about it working in his hands.
Finally, he put his finger on the phone, prepared to turn it on.
Well, here we go, he said and pushed the On button.
Nothing happened.
Huh? This should he pushed the button again, and again, and again. But it didnt turn on.
It then took him all of about ten seconds to realize hed put the batteries in backwards. A wave of relief surged through him-- it was only a simple mistake. It could still work just fine.
He brought his finger to the button again. Well here we goagain.
Then, just as he was about to push the button, he heard his mom yell, Peter! Come up! Time for dinner!
He winced at the sound of her voice. It seemed that parents had it all planned out-- just as something amazing was about to happen, they would make their kids do something else.
One minute! he shouted back and pushed the button.
The cell phones screen jumped to life and two seconds later it vibrated. Peter raised his eyebrows as the words New Text Message played across the screen. Who would text me? Who even has this number?
He opened the text to see a picture attachment. It was a picture of his little sister, Lacy. She was sitting at their dinner table with a plate of spaghetti spilled all down her green shirt and into her lap.
Peter was amazed. He grabbed his stopwatch and started the timer, looking back and forth from the watch to the picture several times.
All he could manage to utter was, Wow.
Peters mom and sister were already at the table eating. Were gonna be late for our rehearsal tonight, his mom said with a mouthful of food. So you are home with your little brother. She loaded another forkful of food into her mouth. Hes asleep in his room already, so it shouldnt be hard.
He watched them eat, just standing there.
Get your food before its too cold, his mom said. She shoved one more big bite into her mouth and stood up. Cmon, lets go, she said to Lacy. Just leave your food here. You can reheat it when we get back.
Lacy quickly put her fork down and scooted her chair back. She reached to grab the edge of the table to help herself up but missed, grabbing the plate instead. It toppled toward her and dumped the food all over her.
Mom! she squealed, Theres spaghetti all over me!
Then there was a beep. Peter smiled and held up his stopwatch.
It read 4:48. The device had worked flawlessly. He pulled his bulky cell phone out of his pocket and opened the text inbox. He stared at the single message with the attachment. Then it disappeared.
* * *
There were two beeps, then the cell phone died.
Gah Peter moaned, This thing uses too much power to run. He reached into one of his many jacket pockets and fished around for some more batteries. He was running low. Once he found some, he popped them in the back and tossed the old batteries in the trash. The phone sprang back to life, already sucking away the battery juice.
After pocketing the cell, Peter grabbed his back pack and shut his locker. He had taken less than ten steps when the phone vibrated. Peter shuffled over to the side of the hall to avoid the flow and pulled out the phone.
Attached to the text message there was a picture. It was a picture of himself with a bloody nose. Behind him stood the school bully, Greg, with a mean look on his face. Oh great, Peter said as he started his stop watch.
He needed to leave the school within five minutes, or else hed end up spending Quality Time with Greg.
Peter turned back down the hall he had just come from, heading towards the back doors instead of the usual way out. He pushed his way through the crowd of kids who were all desperately trying to leave their Prison.
He glanced at his stopwatch every once in a while. If it passed five minutes he knew he had saved himself from a bloody nose. Peter was almost at the back of the school and five minutes was almost up. He could see the back doors, with a few kids flowing out of them.
Then he spotted Greg and his group of bully friends.
What the? he whispered to himself, just as Greg saw him.
Hey punk! Get over here! Greg shouted. Peter turned to go back, but one of Gregs thugs grabbed his shoulders and hauled him to where Greg stood with his arms folded.
What you got in that pocket, kid? Greg had apparently noticed the bulge extruding from Peters pocket-- the cell phone. Cough it up!
Peter looked around and saw he was surrounded by Gregs group. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled it out, only in fear of getting every bone in his body broken.
Greg snatched it out of his hands. Well, well. What do we have here? Another nerd toy? Greg examined the phone. Looks like it came from a hundred years ago. Then he started pushing buttons. You got any girls numbers on here?
Peter didnt say anything. He just wanted to get out of there.
There were two beeps. Aw man, what happened? It died! Greg looked frustrated. He hadnt thoroughly gone through the phone yet, meaning he hadnt thoroughly bullied Peter either. Greg flipped the phone around and pulled of the back cover. Punk, give me some batteries! I know you got em, I saw you earlier today with loads! Greg pushed Peter back.
Peter hesitated, Greg, just give it back.
You give me batteries, kid, or Ill break your nose!
Break my nose? Peter mumbled, hardly loud enough for anybody else to hear. He then fished in his pockets for two more batteries and handed them to Greg.
I knew you had em, Greg smirked as he put the new batteries in. Once the phone was on again, he proceeded to press random buttons, playing with the phone.
Hey, hey! Little Peter has a text! I wonder who that is from, Greg smiled and motioned for his thugs to gather around and look.
Gregs smile suddenly disappeared. Hey! Thats a picture of me! He looked at Peter, then back at the phone. Howd you get this, punk? I dont remember nothin
like that!
Peter wished he had a picture of Gregs facial expression after what happened next. Whered it go?! Greg yelled, I didnt delete it! It just disappeared! What did you do to it punk?
Peter decided to take his chance. He flexed his leg muscle as hard as he could, then swung at Greg. There was a cracking sound as Peters foot smashed into Gregs knee. Greg howled in pain and rage. Peters last few batteries flew out of his pockets due to the sudden movement. Greg crumpled to the floor among the bouncing batteries, crying out in pain.
Peter grabbed the phone and ran.
* * *
I saw you at school yesterday with that bully, Greg. I hope he didnt hurt you.
Peter just shook his head and placed his second load of batteries on the counter. The cashier, Jenny, began ringing them up.
I also saw what you did to him.
Peter looked up at her. II didnt want to.
Jenny sighed, Well, its good that somebody taught him a lesson. Maybe he wont bug you as much now.
Or the opposite of that.
Hmm, Jenny looked at him. Well, your total is $54.66.
Peter handed her the cash and sighed, Im getting low. He stared into his nearly empty wallet.
Why all the batteries? Jenny asked with a puzzled look on her face.
Itsnerd stuff, he responded while gathering his bag.
So? I like nerd stuff. What grand device do these things power?
Peter let out a small smile, then pulled out his clunky cell phone and handed it to Jenny.
This? she asked. It looks like an ancient cell phone.
Yeah, Peter took it back, it does. He turned the phone in his hands. But what it does is far superior than what it looks like.
What does it do?
Peter looked down. That would be, he raised his eyebrows, hard to explain.
Im sure Ill understand.
Can you come with me?
What? Uh, well yeah. I guess. Jenny walked over to a closed door, opened it, and popped her head through. Im going on break. Ill be back in an hour. There was a muffled answer and Jenny closed the door. Where to? she asked.
Peter popped two new batteries into the cell phone as they left the convenient store, This thing uses power fast.
I see, Jenny said. Is it worth the money?
Well, with it, I can get money fairly easy.
Jenny looked confused. How so?
Peter didnt answer. He just began to walk across the street, motioning for Jenny to follow.
The local casino? Youre going to gamble with that thing?
Err in a way. They entered the front doors to see the place almost empty. See, the winning numbers are picked at 5pm every evening. Not many people enter, but not very many people win, since its local and all. He started walking toward the counter where tickets were sold.
Which means, that right about The phone vibrated and signaled that it had received a new text.
Now? Jenny said, finishing his sentence.
Yeah, Peter opened the text and looked at the attached picture. He then pulled a small notepad from his pocket and handed it to Jenny. Write this down.
Jenny took the pad and gave him an odd look.
32, 12, 8, 31, 20, and 1, he said, Did you get that?
Yeah Jenny said.
Peter walked to the desk, flashed a phony ID, and asked for a ticket with the same exact numbers.
See? Not hard at all now is it. Now, in about five minutes, he lowered his voice, I will have won the jackpot.
Peter, youre in high school, I thought youd be over cheating by now, smirked Jenny.
Yeah, well, I cant do it much more after this, or theyll get suspicious.
The phone beeped twice and the batteries died.
* * *
Greg came to school with his leg in a cast, which meant it was probably a good idea for Peter to avoid him and his thugs. So, after school, he navigated his way out of the building the safe way, using his cell phone.
Peter opened the door to his home, and was hit with an aroma of freshly baked brownies. He set his stuff down and quickly walked into the kitchen to get his share of the sugary delight.
Peter, your little sister and I have our performance tonight, so youll need to finish your homework before then, his mom told him.
Aw, mom, do I have to go?
Yes Peter. Weve worked hard on this and wouldnt want you to miss it! Its only an hour long-- dont worry.
Peter rolled his eyes and walked out of the room with his brownie. He plopped down on his chair in the basement and pulled out his math homework.
Not a second later he was muttering to himself, This stuff is so boringI was doing this in first gradeits such a waste of time.
Suddenly his phone vibrated.
He looked at it and saw that it was not a text. Somebody was calling him for the first time all year.
H-hello?
Hi Peter! Its Jenny!
Oh, uh hi, he spurted out.
Are you doing anything tonight? she asked.
Peters eyebrow raised. Wasnt he supposed to ask her those kinds of questions? Well, I have to go to this performance that my little sister and mom are doing sadly.
Really? What are they doing?
Some sort of ballet thingI dont really know, he answered.
I love ballet! Can anybody go?
Well, uh, I guess so.
How about I meet you there? Itll be fun!
Um, ok, Peter hesitated, See you there, I guess.
Ok, Ill see-
The phone died.
Gah! Peter shouted. He dug into his pockets, found more batteries, and popped them into the cell phone.
I really need to work on talking to people he muttered to himself.
He quickly finished his homework.
* * *
Peter! We need to go! We are going to be late!
Peter sighed and set down his new experiment, Ok mom, Im coming!
He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled plenty of batteries out. He loaded every pocket he had-- who knew how long these things could really last.
He ran up the stairs and out to the waiting car. Just as he closed the door the phone vibrated.
It was a text, with a picture attachment.
Peter gasped.
It was a picture of Jenny laying unconscious on the street, with blood coming from her head.
WhaWhat is this? Peter whispered. He looked away, then back at it again.
Tears where beginning to form in his eyes when he got a second text. It was a picture of a street sign. 1400 West, Main Street.
What is it Peter dear? his mom said as she backed the car out.
Peter swallowed hard. Where is the performance hall?
Oh, around 1400 West. Why?
Mom, you have to drive fast!
Why?
Just do it! Now! Go!
His mom sped up reluctantly, Is something wrong?
Something could be terribly wrong if you dont drive faster, Peter pleaded.
She sped up a little more, switching lanes to get ahead of other cars.
What? His mom looked very confused. We have to be safe, and I dont want a ticket.
Just go! Ill pay for the ticket!
Peters forehead was sweating. He looked down at the picture again just as the phone died. He reached a shaky hand to one of his pockets and pried it open. He pulled more batteries out and snapped them into the phone, bringing it back to life.
Peter looked at his watch-- time was almost up. Hurry he whispered.
Were almost there, his mom said. Why such the hurry?
Peter scanned the area outside of his window, looking for Jenny.
Mom pull over! Peter yelled. He saw her on the other side of the road, waiting at a crosswalk.
His mom pulled over quickly. What is it?
Ill be back in a minute, he stammered as he opened the car door and ran down the sidewalk to the intersection. Jenny was just on the other side of the crosswalk now, and the light would change any moment.
Jenny! he shouted, but didnt get an answer. She wasnt looking his direction and the traffic was too noisy.
Then the lights turned red. The crosswalk gave the Walk signal and Jenny began to walk across the street.
No! Peter yelled. He sprinted across the street toward her. Batteries fell from his swinging jacket pockets as he ran.
Peter? Jenny said. She had a confused look on her face.
Jenny turn back!
What? she continued walking towards him.
Peter was only feet away when he heard the engine roar. He looked to his right and saw the truck coming-- it was not preparing to stop.
Jenny! he yelled as he dove at her, pushing her back. She stumbled backwards and the truck barely missed her. She fell onto her back as she heard the crack. The truck hit Peter as he was falling from his dive, spinning him off to the side.
There was an explosion of batteries as it happened, all flying from Peters spinning body. They littered the street as Peter hit the ground next to Jenny. Jenny screamed in horror, Peter!
She crawled to where he lay in a puddle of blood and batteries.
Peter! she yelled again.
People were getting out of their cars and gathering around Peter.
Jenny stood up in a fluster. He had just saved her life. She saw a battery rolling across the asphalt until it stopped against his cell phone that lay in the gutter. With tears streaming from her eyes, she walked over to it and picked it up.
On the cell phone was a picture of herself laying on the street, in the same mess Peter was in. She looked back at Peter, laying motionless in the street. She could hear the sirens coming from the distance. I-it, she choked, it was going to be me.
A tear drop fell on the cell phone as the picture slowly faded from the display. Erased forever. Erased from history.