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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story titled ‘The Locked Door.’

Posted in Dark on Oct 26, 2022

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 77 stories

“THE LOCKED DOOR” by Darrell Grant

Submitted to Contest #130

(Warning: May cause emotional response) Years of hiding in the shadows behind a locked door had become a way of life for Claus Snepps. It was the Germany he and his five-year-old grandchild had come to know. To them there was only darkness and fear surrounded by death and despair for his grandchild was Jewish. They had been living in a world of quietness for the past year on the first floor of his once proud beautiful building that had once vibrated with the sounds of life, the very sounds that could now lead to grief and death. For n...

5 comments 5
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“The Locked Door ” by Louise Muller

Submitted to Contest #130

The key glistened as the afternoon sun kissed it lightly. It seemed to taunt me, whispering that this was what I had been waiting for, refusing to go unnoticed any longer. My sister, Mary, sat next to me. Her eyes, too, were fixed on the golden object that offered so many answers. The air around us seemed to change as expectation hung in the air. Was today the day we’d finally get to go into Dad’s locked door? For as long as I can remember, the door was forbidden. In fact, just a stare in the general direction of the room would be enough t...

4 comments 4
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“The Locked Door” by Christine Mann

Submitted to Contest #130

As I sat staring at the door wondering if I should knock, it occurred to me that I had no idea if I even wanted to go into that room. Did it even matter anymore?  Or was I just overthinking things like I always did?  Either way, I needed to make a decision, I couldn’t live this way any longer.  The hours I spent alone were not good for my health. Sure I could just live life this way, I mean we love each other and we are happy together but I still feet so lonely.  At the same time I thought, why risk losing him, is it real...

12 comments 12
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“The Locked Door” by Michael Danyluk

Submitted to Contest #130

Daddy always locks the door; he says it’s to keep the monsters out. He says I’ll leave if he doesn’t lock the door and he doesn’t want the monsters to come and take me away. He says they’ll take both of us away and well be in jail for the rest of our lives forever and ever if we ever get caught in wiggle time, so I can't tell anyone about it. Ever. But why would the monsters come and get me? There were no monsters before. I don't like being in here all the time, because I only have the same toys and I miss going to school. I want to see Br...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Melissa Woods

Submitted to Contest #130

“You will not go in there!” she hissed. The man closed his eyes and sighed.  A breeze stirred the trees outside. Through the window, their shadows fell and quavered from the barred door to the other side of the hallway. Then he was in front of her. “I must,” he said. The words were softly spoken, but his jaw clenched after them and his eyes would not release hers. “No. Not this time,” the woman replied, shaking her head. Moonlight spilled through the window and crossed the new mother's face, contrasting her cheeks with the dark smud...

4 comments 4
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“The Locked Door” by Laura Lyra

Submitted to Contest #130

She didn't know that day would be the one. There was no food left in the fridge, and just some old oranges dusting out on the counter. Plus, she ran out of coffee the morning before and was going to buy more on her way to work. And now she couldn't leave anymore. Her reflection stared back at her in the dusted mirror while she wiped a section of it and opened her mouth. Looking deep at her throat, she could only see the darkness and the shade of her uvula. She felt something back there was mildly swollen, but besides that, her biggest prob...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Quinn Cain

Submitted to Contest #130

What is taking him so long? It’s been three hours. Michael is never this late from work. Metal coats my mouth. The inside of my lip is raw from the gnawing. A pit’s where my stomach should be.  I need to call the police. I hurry towards the phone, leaving behind the freshly matted rug where I’ve been pacing. I grab it off the wall, forcing my fingers to hold steady as I dial 911. Ringing… “911, what's your emergency?” The scratchy voice of a middle-aged woman picks up. “Hi! Sorry, my husband is-” “Hello? Is anybody there?” “Yes! Yes ...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Lucy G

Submitted to Contest #130

The forest is alive with the sounds of mourning doves singing to each other, perched above the trees, watching me with indifference. Their coos mesh with the chirping of crickets that I can’t see, but I know are somewhere near. Time seemingly stands still in the quiet solitude of the woods. If I focus hard enough, I can hear the gentle hum of the wind as it tickles my skin, raising goosebumps on the exposed part of my forearm. A light but constant chattering of my teeth ensues. The mountain air is always cold, especially this time of year. I...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Olivia Snead

Submitted to Contest #130

 The young woman heard the piercing sound of sea gulls screaming. She looked up; they were flying in droves to a destination of safety, for a reason known only to themselves. She scanned the horizon. Mountaintops loomed in the distance, fluffy clouds surrounding the summits. She was clammy, caused by the tropical heat, and her fear. Miles of hot sand was everywhere. Her bare feet hurt with each step on the sharp stones. Who am I, she thought? How did I get here? She held out her hands to examine them. They were small brown hands, scratc...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Buddy Lieberman

Submitted to Contest #130

Nico's eyes flicked up from the old, dried out, and dirty newspaper. His heart fluttered. He stood up and took a careful step toward his mom. “M—mum?” His mother's teeth were clenched together and she groaned. The groaning continued for a second, and then let off, and his mother let out a long shuddering breath, shaking her head. “What's happening?” he pressed. A hand grabbed his shoulder and shoved. Nico stumbled toward the other end of the trash filled alley. “Get out of the way,” Nico's father said, “don't make me clean up the m...

4 comments 4
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“The Locked Door” by Lisa Roberts

Submitted to Contest #130

Behind me, the door locks with a satisfying click. I have been waiting for years for what I am about to do. I relax my shoulders, stretch my neck, breathe deeply. Gathering all my courage, I begin;September 21, 2021RE: There is Time to Murder and Create*Dear Word Perfect 3.0-10.0;Finally, I have both the strength and wisdom to put my complicated feelings into words. To begin with, there is nothing perfect about you. As you must remember, it all began in 1991 with Word 3.0. Our relationship is similar to the one I am ...

11 comments 11
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“The Locked Door” by BB Smith

Submitted to Contest #130

Epigraph:If there is anyone out there, please open me. I swear I won't show you anything scary.There are things in here that no one has seen.Wonderful, one of a kind pieces you can't find on a screen.My things are tangible: you can pick them up and hold them.They'll spark your imagination; they'll take you to another realm.You remember......that giddy place you went to as a child.When you were alone, experiencing new things felt wild.This is what I have to offer; a place to bring back that adrenaline.An adrenaline so high that it will become...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #130

Borril wiped his clammy hands on his rough, home-spun tunic and stepped ahead with the line. Many of the other young men and women waiting for their turn were wearing shining silk robes with frothy lace bunched at their throats and jewels glinting on each finger. Everyone took another step forward and Borril watched the most recent failed attempt trudge back to his family, face downcast. He was wearing full armor complete with a sword and shield. The young man’s mother gripped the back of his helm roughly and practically dragged him from the...

2 comments 2
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“The Locked Door” by Lisa Endicott

Submitted to Contest #130

Restless, angry clouds threatened my walk home from school that day. I’d stayed late at school practicing my trumpet solo for the upcoming band competition, and now no umbrella was going to keep me dry. Unrelenting humidity cloaked my body and tiny drops of sweat gathered on my temples when I exited the school. “I’ve got to get home and make sure my dog is okay,” I said to Tessa, my dependable friend, and fellow trumpeter. “Hurry,” she said. “I just hear thunder.” She turned in the opposite direction, waved, and ran down the street. It...

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“The Locked Door (Inside of A Nerd's Notebook Edition)” by Malik Coley

Submitted to Contest #130

Note #1 Inside of a Nerd's Journal:Crystal. That — is your name. That is your name! You're not the same — as others you can say. I wish I could read your mind, Crystal. Please. Let me in, Crystal. Please, tell me what you think about on a daily basis. Tell me some more interesting things about you, other than you, that is. Talking was never something that interested me. It never has been. However, there’s a mandatory exception for you, as you are my muse. Please. Use me, as your outlet so we can start something electrifying, powerful, and im...

2 comments 2
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