Twists and Turns (a short story)

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1upmushroom
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Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby 1upmushroom » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:11 pm

Here's a little something I cranked out a couple hours ago. While I do have ideas for an expanded version, I have a tendeceny to not finish my long stories so right now it's just a little short. Better to have it vague and finished then not finished at all.


Okay, okay get yourself together. You can do this. My mind tells me as I stand at my apartment door. Its brown color is slowly creeping through the metal colored paint I threw on it three years ago, what's Jane gonna think-NO. You're not stalling any longer, just open it for once in your life and then you'll never have to do this again! I swallow the spit my mouth built up and twist the knob. Normally I'd never even think of looking at the damn thing...but ever since I got that note...I don't even know anymore.

Just open it, if Jane really loved you then she wouldn't care if you go outside! Well yeah, but the way she keeps going on and on how great it is to be here and how she's begging to have a computer job just so she can never leave! I'm pretty sure whatever's out there doesn't need to be discovered by me. What about the note? Look just because it said "You're doing a good job keeping him locked up." doesn't mean I'm involved! She's a prison guard! That could mean anyone else! Yeah, but do you remember all those times at night when you asked how her day was? She always whined how she never got any appreciation from her superiors, she even said this yesterday, the exact same day you saw that note! Don't you think that's a little odd?!

I take that in as I continue to twist the knob slowly and quietly, hoping Jane won't hear me. I soon start siding with my mind, if she truly wasn't given any respect, why would she receive a note saying she did? If outside was truly this terrible, why hasn't she just gotten that computer job already? Questions like that fed fuel to my curiosity as I keep turning the knob and then I hear a click. I did it.

I slowly open it, noticing a mix of greens, browns, and blues. There seems to be a small elevator on the left at least I think it's an elevator, I've only seen them in movies and such. I begin to smile at what I'll find outside but then I hear a soft moan through the bedroom. Oh god, oh god, oh god! I begin to shut the door as quickly as possible-You made it this far, why stop now?

Shut up! Why are you even talking to me?! Because I'm that little part of you that knows something's wrong here, and that for the first time in many years, you're questioning things. I'm just here to make sure you go through with it. I breathe heavily as I look at the door. Should I bolt now? Or should I stay here, and believe what I want to believe?

I slowly begin to close the door, but then something unexpected happens. Instead of closing, I open the door and bolt outside like I'm a mad man. Before Jane gets up, I run to the left. There's that small elevator again. I stop in my tracks and push a button, I don't care where it leads me, just anywhere but here!

Oh no! I hear someone's footsteps! Come on, come on! Yes! It opens! I run in and smile in relief as the elevator doors close. See, it wasn't so hard. Maybe not for you! I sigh heavily as I notice other buttons. 3rd, floor, 2nd floor, 1st floor, Lobby, Basement. Not knowing what to do, I press the lobby button. I think that's where the exit is. All I know is my life suddenly got bombarded with twists and turns and I can't go back now.


What do you think?
Last edited by 1upmushroom on Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:27 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Isn't this a little feminine?

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ultimateemail5000
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Re: Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby ultimateemail5000 » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:57 pm

Very good work keep it up.

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Re: Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby Redstar » Fri Mar 01, 2013 3:18 pm

Ok, Ok get yourself together. You can do this.

"Okay, Okay" would be better.

It's brown color is slowly creeping through the metal colored paint I threw on it 3 years ago

"Its", not "It's." Also, numbers are meant to be spelled out up to ten, so you should write '3' as "three."

hoping Jane wouldn't hear me.

"won't," not "wouldn't."

There's just minor issues that, altogether, really bring the read down. An editor would help, of course, so consider having us proofread your work as well as review it. I know I'm down for that.

Overall, I'm just not sure what the point of the story is. It almost feels like you're elongating the action with internal monologue, yet at the same time it appears paced well. I suppose the major problem is that nothing is really revealed. By the end of the story we should face some realization that makes everything read before make sense. As it stands this just feels incomplete.

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1upmushroom
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Re: Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby 1upmushroom » Fri Mar 01, 2013 4:18 pm

Well that's probably because in a way it is. The reason it's called twists and turns is because originally the story (when expanded) would've have the Naomi character come across Everything single plot twist in the book yet since I keep procastinatong I decided to make it a short story.

But like you said, the story is incomplete and i'd like to expand upon it.

Thats truly ironic huh?
Isn't this a little feminine?

Yes. I know. It was my ex wife's.

But you wear this stuff?!

Yeah on an occasion we have a date.

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Clous
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Re: Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby Clous » Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:12 pm

Nice story. I like the pacing, which really builds the suspense.

However, like Redstar said there doesn't seem to be much of a climax. The suspense needs to reach a crescendo and build towards something. Consider this an early draft and get back to us with more soon!

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1upmushroom
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Re: Twists and Turns (a short story)

Postby 1upmushroom » Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:52 pm

That's kind of why I knew this story wouldn't get exact praise. Instead of ending on a satisfying note, it ends like chapter, as in there's more where that came from. However, there actually IS more to this story that I had planned. In fact, in my expanded version, this is probably a short portion of chapter 3.

If you're interested, there are several things I plan to expand upon in a longer version. Consider that a trial version. :wink:

Once I start working on it which will be tonight, I'll give you guys more information but until then, have fun guys.
Isn't this a little feminine?

Yes. I know. It was my ex wife's.

But you wear this stuff?!

Yeah on an occasion we have a date.


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