The Rule of the Door
Spooky Microfiction Challenge Entry
There was only one rule: Don't open the door.
Sounds fun, right? This provides a huge dilemma for me, though, as I’m not a fan of rules. I understand that rules exist to create order. There are some rules I follow, even uphold, while there are others I question. Often asking myself, “What’s the motive behind someone’s rule?” Take this rule for instance—why has someone said, “Don’t open the door”?
Four immediate outcomes come to mind when it comes to obeying or disobeying this rule. If you obey, nothing might happen—or something will. If you disobey? The same is true. But let’s be honest; why approach a door when someone has ominously warned against it? Surely that’s asking for trouble.
Trouble, as in the business end of my axe, or one of my little traps.
In my solitude behind the door, I wonder which choice they'll make. You see, I’ve already amassed 100 corpses; fifty chose to open the door, and fifty stayed away. Either way, they all came close enough in the end. There’s something tantalising about watching their hesitations, listening to their debates.
I’ve heard so many weigh the pros and cons, yet still make the wrong choice.
Ah, psychological reactance in action, along with inherent susceptibility. Cambridge and Princeton would find my research quite illuminating, I suspect.
I know what you’re thinking—what about those who hear the warning, heed it, and stay far, far away? What do you take me for? You don’t think I’ve accounted for that? Who do you think issues the warning?
My accomplice—my wonderful wife, who sweetly whispers the warnings they never heed.
Freedom of choice? Don’t make me laugh. It’s all an illusion.
Why waste energy chasing lambs… when they line up for slaughter?
*
Author's Notes: Word count - 299 words. I am always intrigued by what I've learned is called "psychological reactance" which is basically why people do things they are told not to - though that's a very layman's approach to an explanation. If you tell a child not to eat all the biscuits, they will often want to do the exact opposite. I also think, things like freedom of choice only exist within the parameters set by someone else.
I've included some links if you wish to look into it more.
Here are my other entries, so far:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (9)
And now, I've learned a little something. Love this Paul!! I like that your story explored a concept "psychological reactance" which I didn't realize was a thing until you explained it!! So interesting... 🤔
Very interesting and disturbing narrative voice in this one, but he made some points…great entry, Paul!!
We are all scientists - we ALL want to open the door.
Hahahahahahahaha that last line, I especially loved that! Also, whenever someone tells me to do or not to do something, I'll have the strong urge to do the opposite 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This one was more about the thing behind the door that gives the rule it seems. Good work.
I enjoyed this one. It's a clever take on the challenge where nothing really happens but the possibility is there. Truly wonderful work.
great work
Yes. Quite gross. Well done.
Oh very creepy!! And that last line was to die for (ok, that was bad but to be fair I've only had half my coffee). No really, this was a cleverly fantastic response to the prompt, mate!! ~theHumblerfin