290 By Invitation Only

"DO NOT ENTER."

Sean wondered what lay behind the door but obeyed the sign. Yet, how would he gain entrance if the only door remained fast? The door: caulked, painted over, nailed shut. Likewise, the one he had entered through was hermetically sealed and decidedly one-way.

Was this one one-way, too? he wondered.

He looked around this foyer of sorts. This was an exclusive club. Invitation only. And then, to be forbidden entrance! It was a paradox. Was it a test? Like forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge?

He reconsidered his entrance door: he was only one of dozens of millions allowed in—a stiff competition, not unlike swimming upstream for the grand prize. He had huffed and puffed his way against the odds and was finally here. Where was the warm welcome? The "Attaboy!" No ribbon for winning admission? Was this just a qualifier? Only a trick? A door closed, sealed, and forbidden, yet so tempting. Dare he defy it?

So he wandered aimlessly in this anteroom. This foyer. Biding his time. Making himself busy. Trying to remain purposeful.

When he began to think beyond himself, he noticed there were others there with him, equally confused, aimless, scheming to make the best of things. He'd interact with some and ignore others. Some relationships, brief in the grand scheme of time, even seemed important or complicated—until they were't. But they'd come and go.

Some would just disappear, others would hang on as long as they could. He, however, refused to give up. Despite the goings-on, he kept his eye on the door.

At some point that door would unlatch for him, making all the wait worth it. Worth the price of admission.

Would he wait for it to open—or would he force it? What lay behind? Another foyer? Another environment for biding time? Another door?

Then he heard the latch. The cracks in the caulking crumbled. The nails rose, spinning out of their driven holes. This was a change. He knew an invitation when he saw it. Indeed, it was a mandate!

"At last!" he said. He opened it and it was easy! He looked fondly on the foyer he left. "A life well-lived," he mused, as he gave up the ghost.

_____________

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

For Wednesday, October 16, Day 290 of the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge

ABOUT THIS STORY: A Halloween story. 366 WORDS (without A/N)

I shamelessly raided my submissions to the "Spooky Micro" Challenge, added a few words to make the 366-word count, well, count. I know it's a little like cheating--but only a little: with the Herculean effort to come up with something every day, you have to grab whatever you can. Don't sue me.

76 DAYS TO GO! THIS CHALLENGE CATERWAULS ON, 366 MEWS A DAY.

There are currently three Vocal writers remaining in this feline 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge:

• L.C. Schäfer (Spooky)

• Rachel Deeming (Kooky)

• Gerard DiLeo (Rooky)