"Semi-Short Stories" [ Story Collection ]

Only One Way [] 11/14 []

"Can't you just..." The shorter of the two, blonde hair falling just below their shoulders, waves their fingers around in the air. "Ya know? Why do we have to do it like this?" They're both seated behind a line of shrubbery across the road from a home big enough to be considered a mansion. The house's yard is large and neatly kept. A rich person's house. There's a child and teenager playing in the front yard, kicking a soccer ball back and forth.

"It's more rewarding this way. Besides, we're not in any rush. He isn't even here yet." The second figure is seated casually with his back pressed against a tree. In his hands is a large tablet, where he taps away at the screen. "I get why you humans work so hard to achieve things. It's fun."

"Not all humans. Lot of them are damn lazy." They reach one hand out to the tree, towards a spider that was crawling around slowly. It took a place on Sam's finger. They smile to it.

"I understand the being lazy thing, too. I slept for an entire decade once. You should try it sometime." He offers his own smile to Sam, who rolls their eyes.

"I'll do that when I get to Hell. Have to have a baby first." They're watching the spider move around on the back of their hand.

"How do you feel about that, by the way? I mean, you're basically a kid."

"I am not a kid."

"You know what I mean, Sam. Do you even want to have a baby?" Tap tap tap. There's a beeping sound that lasts for about ten beeps.

It takes a little while before Sam answers. "Not really. But I've already made the deal, so." They shrug their shoulders.

"You didn't have to do it, though. You had a choice."

They scoff once, leaning back enough for their hair to get tangled in the shrub. "No, I didn't. Better to make the choice myself than have Father Samson drug me like he did to Matthew. I don't like people making my decisions for me."

There's almost-silence again. The only noises are the sounds of cars driving past, birds chirping, and his fingers tapping away at the screen.

"I never was the biggest fan of him. You know, dad likes you a lot. I'm sure he'd rethink the deal if you ask. You don't have to have a baby."

"It's fine. I'm going to own up to my end of this. I don't break deals or promises, Seth. You know that." They hold their hand into the brush and the spider climbs onto one of the many leaves. They then untangle their hair.

"I do. It's part of the reason why he likes you so much." There's another beeping sound, which only lasts for a single beep. Seth grins over to Sam. "Security system is down." Seth's cell phone emits a beep this time, and his grin grows when he checks the message that had appeared on the screen. "Perfect timing."

"He's here?"

"He's here."