Doorways - Short Story

Doorways

    I stared up at the giant house, that was painted a dull, gray color, the paint slowly peeling off of the walls. The trees were completely stripped of leaves, and stood limp, and bare outside of our house. The next house was approximately fifteen to twenty yards away, and had the same dull look to it. I went around the back of the house, and discovered kilometers after kilometers of flat, grass covered land that eventually led into a forest. Overall, it looked creepy. I couldn’t wait to explore. “Emily? Do you mind opening the door for me dear?” my mom yelled over her shoulder, while struggling with a bunch of boxes, my dad, heaving up the suitcases. I sprinted to the large double doors, and placed the key in the lock. There was a small click, and the door seemed to open by itself. I looked at the door peculiarly, and then decided to ignore it. I inspected the interior of the house. It wasn’t that bad, better than the outside, and brighter. The walls are colored a bright white. The sofa is a light grey, with a sky blue rug on the marble tiled floor. A three piece painting covers the largest wall, and they T.V.’s already set up. That’s good. There’s also a large fireplace below the painting. I decide to look for my room. I run up the marble staircase, and decide that later, I’ll have to slide down the banister. There are multiple rooms upstairs, and I start with the first one. As soon , as I walk in I know it’s mine. And it’s perfect. The walls are colored a pale apricot, and golden lights are stringed across the room giving it a sun-kissed effect. There’s a queen size bed in the center of the room, and across from it is a wall entirely covered with (SQUEE!) books. On the right wall, there’s a rectangular, glass desk, and a complementing chair. On the left wall, there’s a large walk-in closet, and a small balcony that fills the room with light. It’s a dream come true.

Immediately, I run to the bookcase to look at the books on the shelves. But, since I’m really clumsy, and trip over things even when there is nothing to trip over, I fall, and try to grab onto the bookshelf for support. Instead of doing so, I grab a book and pull. The last thing I expected was the book to stop me from falling. Slowly, I looked up to see that the book was slanted at an angle, but when I looked around the room... there seemed to be a door in the wall, the perfect size for me to walk through. I could see light at the end of the room. Carefully, cautiously, I creeped towards the door, even though I felt like cowering under the blankets. “Emily! It’s dinnertime! Come down and eat please!” I jumped up in shock. “Coming Mum!” I shouted down the stairs. I couldn't risk anybody seeing the secret passage, so I pushed the book back into the shelf, and the hole closed.

That night, I dreamt about a dark doorway, and imagined what mysteries could be lurking on the other side. And so, I woke up the next morning forcing myself to find out what's behind the hole. I quickly ran downstairs,and poured some milk and cereal into my bowl, and started to shove the food into my mouth. My parents were already downstairs, sipping their coffee. My dad gave me a perplexed look. “Why you eating so fast honey? Do you have something to do?” He asks. “Yah Dad, I gotta catch up on those books.” I replied. He smiled at me a knowingly, and I sprinted up the stairs, back to my room. Scanning the bookshelf, I remembered pulling out a black leather book, with the word Doorways written on the spine. I located it, and pulled on it. It stood stuck at an angle again, and I turned around to see the door had magically appeared in the wall. My heart was beating, and I could hear it thundering in my chest, as I creeped towards it. Slowly, I walked inside the doorway. It was completely dark. I felt the walls for a light, but the second I turned it on, I heard a thud. The door had closed behind me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I collapsed on the floor, but before I blacked out, I prayed that I wouldn't die.