Andrew Krey

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2020

Stories (14)

14 Stories

1153 karma pts

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“The Price of Progress” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #82

*Author’s Note: “The Price of Progress” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.*The campfire spat and backfired, as it worked at keeping the pot of stew warm. Dinner had been ready for twenty-minutes, and Guy was anxious to eat.“Surely he won’t be much longer,” Guy said.“We’ll eat, together, when my Dad comes back,” I said, watching the path that led to our camp. It was more of a clearing than a path – a break in the trees we’d camped among for extra cover, and pro...

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“Tastes Like Chicken” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #76

*Author’s Note: “Tastes Like Chicken” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.*“I'm not giving you a peanut every time you have a bath.”FWEET.“Don't make me whistle again you stubborn little weasel! Wave your tail at me all you like, but it won’t change my mind. We're running low on them...we're running low on everything.“Are you being like this because I cooked that rat? I don't know how many times I have to explain this to you, but they're not the same. It's like ...

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“I'll be a Daisy” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #74

*Author’s Note: “I'll be a Daisy” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.*I was dead as soon as Cam said ‘No’. He hadn’t said it himself – he never addressed the line directly – but his second in command had repeated his decision; his glorified megaphone. It was a bullshit decision!My price was fair. It was common knowledge that Cam hated greedy people (that weren’t him), and punished them severely. Even knowing this, my asking price was still practically theft. I ...

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“No Good Deed...” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #72

*Author’s Note: “No Good Deed…” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.* Gadget knew criminals always returned to the scene of their crime, and she hated being that predictable. But it was unavoidable. Even from a distance, it was clear security had increased since her last visit. There were two guards at the main gates, and a third inside a quick response 4x4 car. Her brain had to fight against her leg’s desire to run, but her legs couldn’t hear the...

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“The Mole Has Turned” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #67

*Author’s Note: “The Mole Has Turned” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.* I was barely an adult the last time I saw a sunset, but this one had surpassed any genuine memories left in my mind. It was so beautiful we’d watched it on a loop for the last hour. Troy had arranged for us to have the same shifts this week, so today we could both spend our free-time together. It had been my best day, even though I still hadn’t felt real daylight on my skin for years.&...

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“Hallowed Ground” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #65

*Author’s Note: “Hallowed Ground” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters/events.*The storm cloud was closing in ahead, chasing away the sun as it set behind me. The dark had begun rolling in earlier as the days quickly became night. Ahead I could see lit campfires. We didn’t have that luxury, our mission was too important to risk unwanted attention. I came to a halt now I knew the buildings weren’t as abandoned as they appeared. As soon as my footsteps stopped, Cyril...

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“A Tern for the Worse” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #63

*Author’s Note: “A Tern for the Worse” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters and events.*The headwinds were getting stronger. The world was changing, and my flock was getting smaller. Each loss was a new addition to the Firebirds twinkling in the sky beyond; but I survive.Since the thunder storm that dried the rivers and lakes, life was hard. The Grounders suffered the most, and still do. The Baldies ruled the Grounders thanks to the Gift they received from their God, bu...

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“Snatch and Grab” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #62

*Author’s Note: “Snatch and Grab” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters and events.* Doug began speaking and the group instantly fell silent, as they bounced along inside the non-descript, panel van. “Synchronise watches to twenty-three forty-five hours on my mark…mark.” They all clicked their watches, except Gadget. With nothing to click, she looked to Flo. “Don’t worry you’ll be with me.” Flo smiled, and Gadget saw kindness in her brown eyes. “We’ll start the twe...

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“No Teddy Bears in the Wasteland” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #61

*Author’s Note: “No Teddy Bears in the Wasteland” is a standalone story, set in the same universe as my other Reedsy short-stories, with overlapping characters and events.* “You’re not giving him a knife for his birthday!” “It’s not like it’s a chainsaw. You’re being overprotective.” Even in the dark Keith could feel his wife’s eyes burning a hole in the side of his head, as they lay next to each other in bed. Her silence spoke volumes. “My dad gave me the same knife when I was a kid.” Kelly switched on the bedside lamp, so her husband...

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“An Oasis in the Wastelands” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #60

As we walked over to the trap, I saw we had caught something by how low the branch framework sat in the water. “Looks like I won’t have to eat you today ready meal.” Cyril looked up at me like he understood, but I may have been imagining that. When I lifted the trap out of the water there were fish on all four lines. The river was full of fish and was why we’d stayed here so long. We should have moved on from our oasis by now, but it felt good to have something between my skin and bone for the first time in months. We needed to...

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“I Should've Took the Stairs” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #58

I hated lifts, but Fred wouldn’t take the stairs. He was always annoying, but he’d have a complaint for every step he was forced to take. It would’ve been unbearable as we live on the top floor. So I waited for the lift. The doors opened, and Mrs. Peacock stared back at me, weighed down by her shopping bags. I stepped inside, and pressed the button for the twenty-fourth floor; it clicked and glowed red. I nodded to Mrs. Peacock, and while I gave my silent greeting I heard more clicking. My shoulders dropped, and I didn’t have to look ...

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“Ctrl + Z” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #57

“I need to know!” “You don’t. We don’t!” I could see the fear in Kristen’s eyes, but I couldn’t get emotional, it could excite my brainwaves. As Kristen leant over my bed, I reached up and held the side of her face with both hands, and pulled her nose onto mine. I spoke softly so only she could hear. “I’m going to be fine. It’s safe, and I do need to know.” I felt Kristen’s cheeks form a smile within my hands, and then we kissed. “It’s a perfectly safe procedure,” said Dr. Chase, simultaneously demonstrated his excellent hearing, and ...

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“Lady of the Manor” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #57

“ENOUGH!” Time may have stripped the power from his body, but not his words. He would be heard. “If you ask me if I’m sure one more time, I’ll use another solicitor’s office and you’ll lose your fee as my executor!” Arthur knew how to motivate men; he’d made his living out of knowing, and for this man it was money. It always was with lawyers. “My apologies sir, I have a legal obligation to –” then the lawyer stopped himself in time, before saying ‘ensure’. Arthur held the eyes of the lawyer in silence; a silence he intended to make as unc...

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“A Walk in the Park” by Andrew Krey

Submitted to Contest #56

I needed to find a way out of this, or at least stop getting caught. This was the third Sunday in a row I’d lost to ‘environmental engineering’. “When I say your names, collect your bag and grabber from the pile, then go with your partner to your designated area,” said Mr. Coin. I used to think he was ok. I might’ve even pitied him for losing his Sunday too, but he was a teacher! He read off his list of names, and each time I watched a different friend walk off with people that weren’t me, chatting away. He always paired me with someone I ...

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Author bio

Pen name: Andrew R. Krey Twitter account: @ARKkreations I'm a writer based in the UK, and currently working on the first draft of my first novel. I also enjoy writing short-stories, and for 2020 I have set myself the challenge to be shortlisted for a competition. So far, I've been longlisted for a flash fiction story I submitted to Furious Fiction, which is hosted by @WritersCentreAU (their Twitter account). All of the stories I've written for the Reedsy prompts can be read as standalone tales, but are set in the same universe, with overlapping characters and events (with the exception of “A Walk in the Park”). My aim is to create connected stories within a shared universe that can be read and enjoyed in isolation, but for those who read more than one of my stories, there will be an additional layer to be enjoyed too. Below is a list of some of my stories that contain significant events that occur in the universe I've created. The aim of this list is to help you make your choice, if you wish to read more of my stories. I've chosen events that would not spoil any twists, but if you're a purist then SPOILER ALERT! "Ctrl + Z": - Includes the first appearance of the Hindsight Corporation, and provides a detailed description of their method of time-travel. "An Oasis in the Wastelands": - Occurs a week before "No Teddy Bears in the Wasteland", which references many of the events from this story. - Explains what caused the apocalypse, which created the Wastelands.