One Story Preview

            I had an idea for a story and I posted the beginning in October 2022. Here it is to read.

My sister burst into tears after looking at her phone.

            I glanced at her. Did she break up with her boyfriend again?

            “Remember to rate Shelly Dublin’s service,” my computer said into my headphones.

            I tapped the rating for two-stars and gave a bland reason why. Shelly deserved less after taking months to finally answer my request. By the email chain, she started working on my issue yesterday. No matter how poor her service was, I couldn’t give her one star.

A billion one-star reviews meant death. The government decided to get rid of anyone who wasn’t a productive member of society. Everything everyone did was rated. Forgot to tie a shoe one-star. It came untied within a few hours one-star. Afternoon untied two-stars. Forget to review someone one-star.

            I turned my status to off for a ten-minute break. If I was late to work, I’d get one-star.

            “Kelsey, what’s up?” I asked her.

           She held up her phone and showed me her rating of 998,866 one-star reviews. If she received 1,134 more, she’d die.

-K.A.

#TwitterTales April 2019

Hello! Another month has gone by. I am sorry I got a little busy and didn't post the last #TwitterTales for April 2019. I just posted it on Tuesday. Here is the whole story just in case you missed it:

Gabby rolled down her window and stared at the sign, pointing the way to the mine. Her car wouldn't fit on the road. She would have to hike to get to the top. Before she could do anything, her phone rang. Her ex-husband was calling her.

"How did you get this number?" she answered, her voice filled with venom. She had kept it from him.

"Don't be like that Gabs. Our kids are worried. You quit your job. Where are you?" Ron asked.

"MYODB."

"What?"

"Figure it out." Click.

Ron called again, and Gabby turned her cell off. She didn't want to deal with him right now. She sighed and maneuvered her car to the side of the road. After climbing out, she dug in the back for her gear. Was she crazy for doing this?

Gabby took the piece of paper out with instructions to get to the copper mine. Follow the trail all the way up the mountain. A map displayed the mine. She had paid for a week to prospect but finding copper here wasn't her real goal.

Gabby was tired after the long hike. Sweat rolled down her back. She pulled out her map and checked where she needed to go. According to a couple of locals, the second mine was haunted. She took a swig of water before heading there.

Once she got to the entrance, Gabby called, "Hello?" She wasn't expecting any type of response, not like a ghost would answer and go boo.

A loan moan sounded from deep within the cave.

Just the wind Gabby hoped. Just the wind.

"Ooooohhhh."

Gabby called, "Is anyone there?" When no answered, she went deeper into the cave. After walking for a bit, the path forked. She pulled out her map. reading it with a flashlight. The left tunnel was marked with danger. She went that way.

"Ooooohhhh."

"Hello? I'm here to help." Gabby stopped walking and listened.

"Go back," echoed in the walls.

"Please come out." Her heart was in her throat.

"Look lady." A man appeared. "This is my tunnel." Maybe next time she'll help a ghost.

Gabby didn't find any ghosts at the mine. Maybe she will find them somewhere else. #TwitterTales May 2019 sneak peak:

Gabby drove into the town of Gary. From the stories she read online, this was where she would meet a ghost, and hopefully help them move on. Even the undead deserve to live in peace. Would they be the undead? Or just spooks? Ghosts first.

For more of this story or by other authors search for #TwitterTales on Twitter. We post every Thursday and Friday. -K.A.

#Game #TwitterTales

TwitterTales March 2019

Here is another month of #TwitterTales. Have you heard of it? I share a short story on Twitter every Thursday and Friday. If you search for #TwitterTales and me (@kamengauthor), you can find my stories.

Here is my March 2019 #TwitterTales:

Gabby stood on the edge of the rocks looking down at the rushing waterfall. If she jumped, she could end everything now and be free. She would no longer have to deal with all the drama associated with her life, her husband, her children.

Her husband traded her in for a younger model. He had sent her divorce papers right before they were supposed to go on vacation together. Gabby didn't see this coming, but the more she thought the more she realized the signs were there.

Her hubby didn't pay any attention to her. He had "business meetings" every night. He dyed the gray from his hair. Why did she suggest going on a vacation to salvage their marriage to a guy who had left it? Would he care if she jumped?

Gabby gripped the divorce papers. Her husband had given her the sheets before their flight. He said he wasn't going and nothing she did could change his mind. He cancelled his ticket. She changed hers to the last available to here.

Gabby edged closer to the end of the rock she stood on. The foam created when the waterfall met the river covered the view of any possible rocks. If she jumped off, would she drown, or would she be skewered? She lifted her arms and let...

And then she opened her hand. Her signed divorce papers floated down, disappearing in the foam. If her husband wanted the sheets, he could take a flying leap off this cliff and get them. She texted her soon to be ex those exact words.

"What? Why did you throw our papers? Where are you?" her husband texted and then he phoned her.

"Yes?" she answered nonchalant.

He asked his previous questions.

"Ron, you traded me in for a newer model who will be old like me in ten years."

Ron tried to speak, but Gabby wouldn't let him. "How do you think you'll feel when your new lady, who is old enough to be our daughter, leaves you? You will not come crawling back to me. Goodbye, Ron." Gabby hung up.

Ron called her again.

Gabby tossed her cell. Her kids were grown-up, and she would contact them later. She needed to find her own happiness and not let one single moment of sadness define the rest of her life. She could help others understand this too.

Please get help if you are upset. Call someone. If you live in the USA call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Don't judge this moment on your whole life. Don't let your story end.

If you want more stories, research other author's stories. #TwitterTales on Twitter.

Here is a sneak peek of my April 2019 #TwitterTales:

Gabby rolled down her window and stared at the sign, pointing the way to the mine. Her car wouldn't fit on the road. She would have to hike to get to the top. Before she could do anything, her phone rang. Her ex-husband was calling her.

Are you glad to see Gabby back? I wanted to write more with her.

#Game #TwitterTales