Red Door
My 'fear' is my substance, and probably the best part of me. - Franz Kafka
There was only one rule: don’t open the door.
The foreboding directive invaded like a mephitic odor. Dahlia didn’t understand. What the hell was behind the red door?
Dahlia and her brother, Xander, had lived alone for four years now, ever since their parents’ deaths due to a flash flood, the siblings maintaining residence in the antiquated home they’d inherited. Xander had always been different, referred to as ‘Dahlia’s weird little brother’ due to his eccentric nature, but Dahlia tolerated him, and he didn’t frighten her. As far as she was concerned, all scientifically-minded people were strange.
She hadn’t given Xander’s oddities more thought until last month when he’d become excessively secretive, his behavior erratic and raising a red flag akin to the red door.
Dahlia’s interest had been piqued, mostly by Xander’s persistence. She was a rebel though, always doing whatever she shouldn’t. The opportune moment had come - today was the day. With determination, tools in hand, Dahlia moved toward the red door. Xander would be gone for hours. Essentially, the house was hers, and so was whatever was behind the door.
A moan sounded as the doorknob twisted in Dahlia’s hand. Or was it a growl? Easing the door open, she flinched at the noxious odor permeating from the dark depths. Bloody hell….. Hesitantly, she switched on the light, the glare from overhead momentarily blinding until her eyes adjusted, focusing on a reflection of a crazy, disheveled version of herself. A doppelganger?
A hollow scream caught, hanging as the twin advanced. Dirty nails drew fresh blood as Dahlia was dragged forward, the door slamming shut. An evil cackle sounded. The room went black.
Trapped, Dahlia had one thought in darkness: it’s ourselves we should fear most, is it not?
About the Creator
Cindy Calder
From Charleston SC - "I am still learning." Michelangelo
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'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan6 days ago in Beat
Comments (39)
I can't help but notice the quick switch in tone at the 'bloody hell' bit leading into 'hesitantly...' . That was expertly done. It kept it's chilling edge. It reads as though a lot of planning went into it to keep its follow, besides the word limit; this was executed perfectly.
Loved the naming choices in this! Really cool and the whole story kept me on edge :)
Well done on TS!
Nice job. This has a good flow.
Well written and time worthy story❤️
Excellent ending!
Gave me chills! 😳 I felt so nervous when Dahlia approached the red door.
Congratulations on top story, Cindy!
Congratulations Cindy on a top story, very well-written
Nice! The payoff in this one is masterfully written. I love it!
zoncee.com
Cindy... that final line just sends me on a whole other journey!! Like this story was so eery but that finally message will live rent-free in my head for a while.... so good and such a well earn Top story!! Congrats!!
Back to congratulate you on Top Story, Cindy, well deserved!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I expected something but not a negative her. Great story and Gongrats on your Top Story!
Woah! Well done, Cindy! Terrifying and thought provoking! Congrats on Top Story!!
Congratulations Cindy, this is so well written. What a great final line that added so much depth.
This deep, and so very true, I love the spin of this. Congrats.
i love this
Nice! Great job and congrats on TS!
This is a definite contender for the challenge. Guess Dahlia should have listened to the rule. Congrats on the Top Story!
Great top story - well done!
Congrats on the TS.
I really like the name Xander!
What an intense and captivating story! 🔴✨ The suspense builds perfectly, and I love the depth of Dahlia’s character. The twist at the end is haunting and thought-provoking! 😱🖤