The Door
Short Microfiction for the Spooky Micro Challenge
There was only one rule: don’t open the door.
I can’t remember how the hex took force. At first, I was just wood and metal, attached to a frame like other doors. Then, I became attuned to myself—aware of my hinges, the damages on my surface, and the echoes that seemed to stream through my edges.
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I felt the tentative pull of the person who first came through me. I couldn’t budge, couldn’t holler any warning. I could only wait, aware of the terror that lay beyond me.
I wasn’t always in this state. I was human once. They say I was a traveler who set an unfortunate foot into cursed lands. I became a guardian—one who made a bargain with the forces that placed a malediction on whoever stepped through.
I chose this.
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But the longer I stayed, the more I forgot what freedom was. The wind shook my frame, and I yearned to be part of life again. The worst part was that I knew what was waiting before me. It called nightly—making vows of liberty, offering unheard pleas for release. It sounded like me, but darker, hungrier.
I sensed it stirring whenever someone walked by, the echo of their footsteps sending quivers through my wooden form. They never hovered for more than a second—until now.
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Now a hand rests on me, fingers caressing the splintering wood. The air changes with a slight howl of the wind, and I steady myself. The echoes grow louder, eerier, rushing me to let them out. A hand tightens on the knob.
Don’t.
But I slowly creak open, and the world I once knew sings with me.
The hex lifts. And now, freedom.
Free to swing, free to close, free to open to unknown paths.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
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Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (33)
Well-wrought and congrats on this one! When is a door not a door? When it's ajar!
Congrats!
This was a fantastic interpretation of the prompt! You gave life to the door! Wow
Congratulation on your contest placement. Very interesting metaphor. Well done.
Back to say congratulations on the win! Sorry it's belated. Caught a cold on the plane home from South Carolina.
Sorry for the delay in reading this wonderful story and response to the given prompt, Michelle. Your piece is both a creative and amazing tale that spins such a uniquely haunting perspective. Congratulations, too, on placing second in the challenge. Your win is much deserving!
Back to say, yay! Well done on placing and second place no less! Loved this take on the challenge and glad to see it getting recognition! Congrats, Michelle!
Stellar job. What a wonderful take on the challenge, it was both gripping and sad. Splendid work!
Oh I missed this when off of Vocal - soooo good, I loved it!! Congratulations on winning 2nd, wowowowowwoo❣️
Congratulations on Second place 👏 🏆
Congratulations, Michelle!
Brilliant twist and take on this challenge! And a superbly spooky ending. Congratulations!
What a fascinating take on the challenge. Congratulations, well done
Love the thinking outside the box angle, very creative 🥰 Congratulations on placing 🥳
Wow. What a way to write this challenge! Congrats!!!!!
Wow. This is such a unique perspective. It’s a great story. Congratulations!! 🥈
Congratulations 🥳
Great work here. We can feel the yearning as well as the trepidation. Congratulations on the 2nd place win. 🤙🏻
Fantastic!!! Sooo deserving of accolades!! Congratulations!!!! ⚡❤️❤️❤️❤️⚡
Congrats on your win 🎉 . It’s such an amazing story.
Congratulations to you!!!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Michelle, So happy to hear this. Congratulations!
Congratulations! This was a great take on the challenge
Congratulations to the 2nd place!! Most deserved!!