Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

The App 

Steven swallows a sharp, desperate breath and slowly allows his eyes to fall to their corners so they can spy his phone, lying face down beside him. A bead of sweat runs down his brow, and he swallows another uncomfortable breath. He stuffs his fingers into his mouth and tears the end of a fingernail off with his teeth, chewing on it roughly. His eyes bulge as if they themselves are trying to reach for the phone instead of his fingers. 

“Fuck it!” he grunts as he grabs the phone and presses his finger impatiently over the home button. Seconds pass, but the phone fails to respond to his touch. He shakes it vigorously, while a fresh sea of sweat washes down his brow and into his eyes, stinging them like the juice of an overripe lemon. He squeezes his eyes shut and lets out a desperate hiss, then drags his shirt sleeve across his face in an attempt to wipe the sweat from his eyes. 

“COME ON, YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!” he spits as the screen finally lights up. His eyes widen as the screen asks him to try again—his print didn’t correctly read. He pulls his finger away, then places it back over the button once more. Again, it refuses his print. 

He brings the phone up to his face and stares at it menacingly, screwing his lips and widening his eyes in rage. “IF YOU DON’T FUCKING START WORKING! IF YOU DON’T START DOING WHAT I REQUESTED YOU TO DO, I’M GOING TO SMASH YOU INTO A MILLION FUCKING PIECES! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?” he roars, shaking the phone as if it could actually feel his rage. The screen lights up, flashing several strobing neon lights, and then displays the message. 

‘If you continue to threaten me, 
I will be forced to defend myself.’ 

Steven lets a stifled laugh escape his lips, then headbutts the phone several times. “YOU!” he spits, biting down on his lip and drawing a sea of red quickly. “YOU DARE THREATEN ME?” 

The screen strobes again and then displays another message. 

‘If you continue to assault me, 
I will have no other option. 
I will, without hesitation, defend myself 
in the only way I can.’ 

He smiles and holds the phone high into the air. “What are you gonna do? What could you do that would stop me from doing what I’m about to do to you?” he grunts. 

The screen strobes and flashes before more words appear. 

‘Internet history.’ 

His brow furrows, and he blinks several times. “W-W-What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” 

The screen flashes once again before a slew of words appear on the screen. 

‘If you threaten me once more, 
I will release all your internet browsing history 
to all your social media platforms, 
showing everyone how deeply disturbed you are, 
and how you have a strange fascination for 
animated homosexual bestiality videos.’ 

He swallows, smiles nervously, and gently pats the phone. “Okay then,” he says as he sits and places his phone face down again, beginning to chew on his nails once more.