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The Door, by Gordon Lawrie

1/11/2014

4 Comments

 
For Halloween. It began as a single story (Part I) but Bobby's comment below prompted a sequel.

Part I: The Door

They'd lived there for three years but never once opened the third bedroom's cupboard door. When they'd bought the house, they'd been told that a dark secret lay behind it.

The door was locked – the key long-lost – and painted over many times. Henry was convinced the door was a trompe d'oeil. There simply wasn't space for a cupboard, there was simply nothing there.

Jennifer wasn't so sure. One evening, determined to discover the truth, she instructed Henry to open the door with a crowbar. Fully ten minutes later, it finally gave way.

What they saw made their blood run cold.




Part II: Behind The Door

Before them was a small human skeleton, suspended in mid-air.

Henry and Jennifer stood transfixed as the skeleton transformed into a brilliant vision of a young girl in ragged Victorian clothing.

"I knew you'd come eventually," she said. Her lips formed the words but the sound came from behind the couple, causing them to spin round. The girl's laughter filled the room with laughter before her wide smile became a piercing scream that consumed them completely.

Suddenly, all went black. Henry and Jennifer realised that they themselves were now in the cupboard. They heard the key turn in the lock.
4 Comments
Bobby Warner
30/10/2014 06:44:37 pm

I've done my share of these "Lady or the Tiger" stories. I both love 'em and hate 'em--because I always want to see what's behind the door! Come on, Gordon: As an after-Halloween treat--tell us in 100 words or less WHAT they saw that made their blood run cold!
I double dare you, my friend . . .

Reply
Gordon Lawrie
31/10/2014 03:48:53 pm

You want another, Bobby? You got another (see above)...

Reply
Bobby Warner
31/10/2014 06:54:13 pm

I should know better by now than to double-dare a Scotsman! You exceeded all my expectations with the second installment. Congratulations on a excellent job--but don't let it go to your head!
Bobby

Reply
Susan F. Reid
23/7/2021 07:56:11 pm

I accidentally came across these two great stories. Excellent work, Gordon.

Reply



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