This is a short story about a man dealing with compulsion. The length is about 24 pages.
I thought of this story while playing a popular app for iPhones and Android phones called Dots. For me, the game quickly became addictive. I found myself playing "a couple games" before bed, only to finally go to sleep hours later. After only a handful of days I deleted the app from my phone and I don't trust myself to go near it again.
I wonder about hell. Does it exist? What is it like? What does the devil look like? How creative is he?
What would happen if you went to hell and the devil gave you a chance to escape? The tendency is to suspect the devil will cheat, but what if the chance is straight up? No tricks. Do a task and you go to heaven. Not that the task will be easy.
If you've ever spent too much time playing a video game, whether on your phone, your computer, or your TV, you will probably relate to this story. If you know someone with signs of O.C.D., I hope you will see them in the main character.
I would love to hear what you think about the story. Thank you for checking it out and for your support.
-Brian
About the Author: Brian Brown has forged his own path through life. College didn't agree with him, so he left to write the great American novel. After four days in a bed & breakfast, he emerged with a manuscript that remains on his bookshelf today. He skims the pages now and then when he wants a good chuckle.
A few years later, he struck across country on his motorcycle to see the world. This would be the most exciting year of his life, ending with the embrace of his tearful father on his return to Vermont. The reunion was short as he found himself leaving the state again to "see about a girl."
The girl didn't work out, but his sense of adventure continued to grow. He flew back to Vermont and decided to pursue something he always wanted to do...writing!
Brian finagled his way into a job at an upstart newspaper as a reporter. He loved the job working crazy hours and meeting fascinating people. Alas, the job barely paid the bills and he decided to see what the grass on the other side of the fence really looked, smelled, and tasted like.
It turned out it tasted like grass.
So when another girl suggested they move away to fairy-tale-land together, he jumped at the chance. Soon, the two lovers found themselves lapping up the ample sunshine and fast food variety of Wisconsin. A few blissful years turned into longing for "back home," and before they knew it, New England was their new address.
Brian found exciting work in his new home, but couldn't shake the urge to write. When it became too powerful to ignore, he quit his job and sat down at his computer...
Brian's first short story is Devil's App. He is currently working on a series of suspense stories called Agent Brother.
Oh...he eventually married that girl! Their daughter is now the biggest writing challenge Brian faces.
