Dating Father Time's Daughter (Book 1)

Chapter 24 (1): The Courage to Write Your Own Story (2/2)

Although every eye in nirvana stared at Joe, his focus was on one person, Pixie. Joe held out his hand and waited for Pixie to grab it. In no time, her soft hand slipped into Joe's palm and squeezed it gently. As Joe pulled her up, she felt weightless. It was as if he were pulling a feather.

Still holding hands, Joe and Pixie exchanged smiles.

"I still haven't forgotten that time in the park. Normally, I would have avoided getting involved at all. But something inside... something I can't explain, pushed me to tell those guys to leave you alone" said Joe.

Joe searched Pixie's eyes for the answers that only existed in his heart. His body was unusually calm and his mind was clear. He softly exhaled before continuing,

"I also haven't forgotten about the blood contract. You told me that our bond is what determines my strength as a Time Keeper. For so long, I tried to run away from that fact. I saw my weakness as proof that you didn't care about me, but it was the opposite" said Joe.

Pixie felt on edge as she listened to Joe. She clung to every word that fell from his lips and eagerly waited for more. Holding Joe's hand brought her tranquility. Joe's composure was not only admirable, but contagious.

Her heart slowed to a steady beat and she became numb to the aches that ailed her.

"I think you cared a lot about me, Pixie. You purposely kept your distance to stop our bond from strengthening. That way I would be too weak to fight, which meant you could keep me safe" said Joe.

The intensity in Joe's eyes urged her to squeeze his hand tighter. She stepped closer to Joe.

"But... I'm not the same guy that needed you to protect me from that gang. I've done more than graduate, I've grown-up" said Joe.

Joe forgot everything else he wanted to say the moment Pixie's hand pressed against his chest. Then, Pixie pressed her ear against Joe's chest and listened. She heard his heartbeat, then proceeded to place a hand over her heart. An orange aura flowed around them.

"Joe... we're in sync. Our hearts are aligned" said Pixie.

Joe stepped past Pixie,

"That's all I needed to know. Thank you for believing in me."

Freida's shriveled body curled on the ground. Her bright light was dim and a puddle of blood surrounded her. Joe looked at her alarming state for a moment, before turning away.

"Enough, Dexter" said Joe.

While Joe focused on Dexter, Pixie scurried back to her father. Ideally, she would have liked to keep Joe a secret for much longer, but she couldn't deny what an amazing first impression he was making. Hesitant to touch him, Pixie merely fixed a look of concern on her face and kneeled by his side.

"That's Joe. Just watch. He's going to save all of us" said Pixie.

"His scythe," said Father Time with a pensive expression, "That's no ordinary scythe he's holding. It's the weapon of origin. The first scythe Time ever created, 'The hands of time.'"

Joe started with a light walk and gradually sped up to a full sprint. He clutched his scythe and bared his teeth at Dexter. From his left, a vine surged towards him.

With a quick twist of his wrist, Joe chopped the vine in half and continued racing towards Dexter. Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn jumped into Joe's path. Dexter roared with laughter,

"Seasons. Handle this pesky Time Keeper!"

Joe had no intention of tangling with the Seasons any longer than he needed to. They were clearly on their last legs. He also knew it was crucial that he save as much of his strength for the battle against Dexter.