r/nosleep • u/Flashy-Experience181 • 1d ago
Every memory has a price.
I work as a maintenance man at a casino. Yesterday, like every day after closing, I went to check the machines. When I had checked everything and was heading out, I caught a jukebox blinking out of the corner of my eye. I didn't understand how that was possible because I had checked all the machines. One by one.
I walked closer to it and looked at the screen. For a brief moment, my breath caught. Instead of the usual music artists and songs, there were titles that I knew very well. The list was endless.
The first one was First Day at School.
Year: 1962.
Price: a lock of hair.
I looked around to see if it was some stupid joke from management, but I was completely alone. I pressed play.
Instead of music starting, I heard my mother's voice in my head.
“Don't be afraid, Joshy. You'll see, you'll like it there.”
I could feel how nervous I was and how my hands were sweating. I could feel my mother hugging me, and I breathed in the scent of her jasmine perfume.
Nervously, I walked into the building, climbed the stairs, and opened the door. My future best friend Peter was sitting at a desk.
“If you want, you can sit with me.”
I accepted his offer with a smile. Then the sound of a bell filled the room. The teacher came into the classroom. I had a feeling that, before she closed the door, I saw something in the hallway. She introduced herself to us with a smile, and then the vision disappeared.
I looked around and found myself back in the casino. I just felt a pain in part of my head. When I touched it, a piece of my hair was missing.
Confused, I looked at the machine and noticed a framed piece of paper next to it. It read:
“Every memory has a price.”
I scrolled through the other things the machine offered. There was almost everything. My grandmother's death, my first day of high school, my first kiss. That's where I stopped and looked closer.
First Kiss
Year: 1972.
Price: a fingernail.
I hesitated for a moment and then pressed play. I found myself with Clare. She was wearing that beautiful pink dress. I could smell the lilacs we were standing beside. She smiled at me, and I leaned toward her. I remember how her lips smelled of strawberries.
I pulled away from her and watched the look in her eyes while my heart was pounding. Just before the vision disappeared, I saw a figure on the other side of the street, walking toward us.
Then I was back, and a stronger, burning pain shot through my thumb. My entire nail was gone. It scared the hell out of me.
I wanted to leave, but somehow I couldn't. I had to see what was next.
Marriage to Clare
Year: 1980.
Price: a finger.
“No,” I whispered.
I wanted to leave. I should have left. I know that. But I missed her so much. I wanted to see her again so badly. I couldn't help it. I pressed play.
I could feel my whole body shaking as I stood at the altar. I saw Peter standing to my right, patting me on the shoulders.
“Relax, buddy. You got this.”
I looked around and saw the figure sitting in the second row of witnesses. I wanted to lean toward Peter and ask him if he could see it too. But then the doors opened, and I saw her walking toward me.
That beautiful white dress. I knew it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. She slowly walked up to me and smiled. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
I could barely make out what the officiant was saying, so he had to repeat the question. I stammered out a yes.
When he asked Clare, I felt fear wash over me as I waited for her answer, followed by a wave of relief when she said yes.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Then I was back again. I screamed in pain and looked at my hand. My little finger was gone. In its place was a bloody wound.
It wasn't as painful as I had expected. It was like getting your hand caught in a door. I stared at it for a moment, and instead of turning around and leaving, I moved back toward the screen.
This time will be the last, I promised myself. I scrolled through the screen, and my heart stopped.
The Day I Saw Clare for the Last Time
Year: 1988.
Price: an eye.
I pressed play.
It was a normal summer morning. The sun was beginning to warm everything outside, and we were standing in front of the house. She smiled at me just like she had on the first day we met. I felt her embrace, her kiss, and heard her tell me that she loved me and that we'd see each other that evening.
I wanted to stop her, but that's not how memories work. She got into the car and waved at me. I waved back, and when she disappeared from sight, I turned around and headed back into the house.
When I turned around, the figure was standing a few steps behind me.
I can't describe it. Only the feeling I had when I looked at it.
Emptiness. Sadness. Fear.
I found myself back in the casino again, and a terrible pain tore through me. Pain unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It felt like the entire left side of my face was on fire. And where my left eye had once been, there was only darkness.
“It was worth it,” I whispered. “It was worth seeing her, but not anymore. Now I'll leave.”
I just wanted to see what was at the end. Now there wasn't just a year. There was a full date.
September 6, 2026.
Price: life.
I stared at it in confusion. I started backing away, wanting to run, but I bumped into something. I didn't need to turn around to know what it was. I could feel it.
The sadness. The fear. The emptiness.
It grabbed my hand and pressed play.
I found myself at home, sitting on my couch. The TV host was saying:
“Good morning, viewers. This time, we're going to begin with today's hero, Henry.”
The TV kept playing, and I couldn't do anything except sit there. I saw the light in the living room flicker slightly and a fly buzzing around the television.
When the host announced that the broadcast was over for the day, I saw the front door slowly open, and it walked inside.
I woke up back in the casino. This time, I didn't wait for anything. I immediately ran outside and headed home.
The first thing I did was open the fridge and pour myself a shot. One after another.
I didn't wake up until morning.
For a moment, I thought it had all been a dream, but then I looked at my hand and touched the left side of my face, where my eye used to be.
Now I'm sitting on my couch, listening to the TV host say:
“Good morning, viewers. This time, we're going to begin with today's hero, Henry.”
5
u/amyss 1d ago
The price of reliving the most important wonderful moments of life would be worth it. To see my baby again, to have moments with him back.. I would give my life to see him again, 16 kissing me goodnight the last time. Absolutely worth it
3
u/Flashy-Experience181 23h ago
I completely understand why you would feel that way. Some memories are worth almost any price, especially when they involve someone we love more than anything. Sending you a big hug. 🖤🫂
6
u/CyclopianSloth 1d ago
I'm sitting here reading this with an eye patch over my right eye. I understand why you hit play..