Which Door?
with apparently no answer forthcoming
There was only one rule: don’t open the door.
It would have been helpful had they told me which one.
Thirteen separate doors. Indications of at least seventeen directions one might proceed beyond them: up, down, to the left, right, diagonally, forward, backward, etc.
How does one even do that—proceed backward through & beyond a door? Wouldn’t that mean simply return me to the room?
Apparently not. Unless that’s the point.
So many questions. It’s enough to drive a person batty.
Which poses another problem: When you’re the only person in the room, how do you know you’re losing your mind?
Argggh!
Back to the doors. Which one? Any of them? Is only one forbidden? That would mean twelve to one odds that choosing one at random would be okay. I like those odds.
Unless simply opening a door is what renders it forbidden.
I wonder if any of the doorknobs even turn. Perhaps I should check them.
But what if I accidentally cause the wrong one to open simply by touching the knob?
What if the doors are automatic & open upon approach?
How close would I have to come before it opens?
Did I just see a flash of light under that one or was it just a trick of my eyes?
Are the lights flickering in here?
How did I get into this room in the first place?
I don’t remember.
Wish I had some food.
Water might be nice.
Of course, I don’t see any bathroom facilities, so maybe that would be a bad idea.
And that would probably involve a door.
I wonder which one.
About the Creator
Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock
Retired Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church having served for a total of 30 years in Missouri, South Dakota & Kansas.
Born in Watertown, SD on 9/26/1959. Married to Sandra Jellison-Knock on 1/24/1986. One son, Keenan, deceased.
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April 15, 2013
Trigger Alert: this is a story about death & loss, specifically the death of our son in a car accident all but ten years ago, told from his point of view. The events are real, though his thoughts are obviously fictional. I’ve written it mostly in hopes of finding some catharsis & share it with you as part of that quest. But if such things make you squeamish, & especially if you knew our son, please don’t read any further. Those who have become a part of this community of loss would sincerely wish that no one else need come to understand what we’re going through, not even so much as to read a story.
By Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock3 years ago in Horror
10 Horror Movie Scenes Based on True Events (That Are Even Worse in Real Life)
Hollywood may add dramatic music and special effects, but in many cases, the real stories behind these scenes are darker, crueler, and far more tragic. Here are 10 horror movie scenes based on true events — and the real-life versions are even worse. 1. The Possession in The Exorcist The spinning head, the strange voices, the violent behavior — this iconic possession scene was inspired by a real boy known as “Roland Doe” in the 1940s. In real life, the boy reportedly experienced unexplained scratches, moving objects, and disturbing voices after playing with a Ouija board. Priests performed dozens of exorcism rituals over several months. Witnesses claimed the bed shook violently and words appeared on his skin. The movie toned it down. The real case involved long-term psychological and physical trauma, not just a few dramatic nights. 2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Human Furniture Leatherface making furniture from human remains seems too insane to be real — but it was inspired by Ed Gein, a real-life killer. Gein dug up graves and made chairs, lampshades, and masks from human skin. He kept body parts in his home and even wore faces like costumes. The film shows shocking moments, but Gein’s slow, obsessive behavior over years was far more disturbing than any single scene. 3. The Girl in the Box — The Silence of the Lambs The basement scene where a woman is trapped in a pit was inspired by serial killer Ted Bundy and others who kidnapped victims and kept them hidden. Real victims were held for days or weeks, psychologically tortured, and completely helpless. Some tried to escape but were dragged back. In movies, the rescue comes just in time. In real life, most victims were never saved. 4. The Doll from Annabelle The creepy doll in the movie is based on the real Raggedy Ann doll owned by a nursing student in the 1970s. The owner claimed the doll moved on its own, left handwritten notes, and once tried to strangle a visitor. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren locked the doll in a glass case. Whether paranormal or not, the fear experienced by the people involved was very real and long-lasting, not just one jump scare. 5. The Open Water Nightmare The movie Open Water shows a couple left behind by a diving group, floating helplessly in shark-infested waters. This actually happened in 1998. Tom and Eileen Lonergan were accidentally abandoned during a scuba trip in Australia. They were never found alive. Unlike the movie, which ends quickly, experts believe they survived for hours or even days, facing dehydration, sunburn, panic, and predators before dying alone. 6. The Amityville House — The Amityville Horror The movie shows demonic forces driving a man to madness and violence inside a haunted house. In reality, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family in that house in 1974. Later residents claimed paranormal events, but the brutal murders were real and confirmed. A ghost story is scary. But a son calmly killing his parents and siblings in their sleep is far more horrifying than any demon. 7. The Strangers’ Random Home Invasion Masked attackers breaking into a home “just because you were home” feels terrifying — and it’s based on real crimes. Many violent home invasions happen without reason or personal connection. Victims are targeted randomly, sometimes while awake, sometimes while sleeping. Unlike in movies, where victims often fight back successfully, in real life these attacks often end with serious injury or death. 8. The Hostel Torture Rooms The idea of paying to torture humans sounds fictional — but it was inspired by real rumors and crimes involving human trafficking and underground torture networks. While the movie exaggerated for shock, people are kidnapped, sold, abused, and killed every year in real trafficking operations. There are no heroic escapes or dramatic finales in most real cases — only long-term suffering that never makes headlines. 9. The Girl Next Door’s Basement Abuse This movie is based on the horrifying true story of Sylvia Likens, a teenager abused and tortured by her caretaker and neighborhood children. She was beaten, starved, burned, and locked in a basement for months. Many people knew and did nothing. The film shows cruelty, but real-life suffering lasted much longer and involved more people, making it one of the most disturbing true crime cases ever. 10. The Ritual Killings in The Conjuring Several scenes are inspired by real cult-related murders and ritual abuse cases. In real life, cult leaders have convinced followers to kill family members, sacrifice children, or commit mass suicide in the name of faith or fear. Movies show demons as the enemy. But in reality, humans manipulated other humans, which is far more frightening.
By sanab khanabout 3 hours ago in Horror
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH4 days ago in Critique
Comments (14)
Oooh I like this!
Oh wow this really got in my head! I could feel the absolute chaos of that poor character. Oddly reminds me a little of my adhd paralysis at times 😅😅 which chore to start when everything is a mess ?? Nicely done.
This gives me such anxiety.
I can absolutely relate to this overthinking madness. Well done, Randy. Welcome back.
Hi r-bud ~ So glad you’re better and entering into our Village 🚪 door..! j-bud
Sooo happy to see you back!!! You've been greatly missed. And I could totally see myself doing this...just taking no action because I've worked myself into a circle, lol. And I agree that line of not knowing if you're crazy cos you're the only one in the room was a brilliant add. Loved it!
Oh I especially like the idea of automatic doors! I hadn't thought about that! Loved your story. I was so happy to see your name in my notifications. Hope you're doing well Randy 🥰🥰🥰
I suppose madness is the point. Or simply paralysis by analysis. Excellent and original approach to the challenge, Randy, and welcome back!
This was the horror and the message in the story for me: “When you’re the only person in the room, how do you know you’re losing your mind?” Because, of course: you don’t.
Randy! You're back! Great story too. I like the questioning of your narrator throughout and the humour at the end. Hope you are doing well.
I can’t say a page turner - but I took my time slowly scrolling down and down on my iPhone! Enjoying your the pace - slowing, slowing down. ‘Are the lights flickering in here? How did I get into this room in the first place? I don’t remember. Wish I had some food. Water might be nice.‘ I felt like I was in the room too. Watching. A great read! With kindness Pauline 🌸
Vicious circle Enough to make a sane man crack. Welcome back?
Enter the twilight zone. Great entry. You made it . 40 minutes to spare. Where have you been Pastor Randy?
I love it Also, I’m happy to see you publish again