The Doors to the Future

Nyx woke up in a dark, cold room. As she slowly opened her eyes, the lights flickered on. She sat up and peered around the empty room, confused. When she finally turned to see if something was behind her, she saw two doors. Each was bright red in color and stood out against the solid white walls and floor. She let her eyes wander to the signs that were hanging above them. 

“What in the hell is this?” she murmured under her breath. Suddenly, words were being scribbled viciously on the wood. Full of curiosity, she stood up onto her bare feet and slowly approached the mysterious doors. As she got closer, she began to read the signs that were above the doors.

 The sign above the left door reads as follows: This door leads to a rich, wealthy future. You’ll have a handsome, rich husband and two successful, prosperous businesses. You’ll live in a million dollar mansion and drive a $200,000 car. You’ll have a great life. Except there’s a catch, your loved ones will die a horrible, painful death. 

The sign above the right door reads as follows: This door leads to life of poverty. You’ll be lonely, homeless, and bouncing from door to door asking for food and/or money. You’ll be covered in rags and muddy clothing. You’ll be filthy, foul-smelling, and overall disgusting. However, your loved ones will live a life opposite of yours. They’ll live a long, pleasant life. 

Alast, a third and final sign appeared between the mid sections of the doors and it read: Choose wisely. There’s a lot at stake. 

She began to back away from the doors, so far that she felt her backside touch the cold wall. She took a few moments to grasp what she had just read. “Who are you? Why are you doing this? Why am I here?” she shouted into the bland and bleak nothingness. She dug her fingers into her hair and slid down the wall. She was at a loss for words and couldn’t think straight. 

On one hand, she could live the lavish life she had always dreamed of and allow her family to die a painful death. On the other hand, she could live in extreme poverty and allow her close ones to live a joyous life. She had always been indecisive, even when it came to keeping her family safe and happy. 

That shouldn’t be a hard decision to make. Family first. Put your family first. These words rang throughout her head. Echoing in every corner of what felt like a 12 story business office. But she had always put everyone else in her life before her own needs, she felt like she deserved to live a great life. A life where she never had to worry. 

“Don’t let me die, Nyx”, her mother had shouted. But her mother wasn’t there, only a faint figure that had her mother’s appearance. The figure slowly approached Nyx, while chanting the words, “Don’t do it.” 

Just as suddenly as the first figure, another figure appeared. But instead of her mother, it was her. 

“Treat yourself for once. You never truly have let yourself live a life that you want”, the cloned figure said, soft and gentle like. 

That’s when Nyx finally made the decision. She was going to let her family live a good life. The American dream life. With that, she stood up, slowly. She carefully took a few steps and tried to balance herself. Once she caught her balance back, she proceeded to trudge towards the door on the right. 

Both doors opened widely, ready to welcome her to the life that she chooses. She continued to trudge over to the right door when something had pushed her towards the left. She halted and did a full 360. Nothing. 

Nyx put herself back on track to the right door and finally passed through. She felt a whirl around her. The world spinning around her, fast and blurring. Then everything around her went pitch black. 

She arose underneath a bridge. Mud matted in her hair, under her fingernails, and between her toes. She had grimy, ripped clothes on her pale, malnourished body. She was starving, dehydrated, and sleep deprived. 

She spotted a nearby convenience store and hopped up with excitement. She scurried up the hill, change clanging around in her pocket. She crossed the street, excited and cheery. She pushed the crusty glass doors open and was greeted with the ringing of a high pitched bell. Candy, chips, sodas, water, and gas station hot dogs delighted her. 

She strolled over to the coolers and grabbed a bottle of water. She pranced over to the checkout with excitement. She placed the water on the metal countertop and began digging the change from her pocket. With her hand full of quarters and dimes, she let out a small sigh. She only had three quarters and two dimes. The water was two dollars and fifty cents. 

Trudging back out of the store, she saw her mother. She had gotten highlights and was driving a Lexus that was as dark as the night sky. A diamond necklace hung above her collar bone. She had taken a quick glance at Nyx and her eyes bulged. 

“Mother? Is that you?” Nyx called out, hoping her mother would respond. 

“I don’t know who you even are. Leave me alone, please. And no I won’t give you any change”, she responded as she hastily slammed her car door. 

Nyx has now been homeless for 3 months and in that time has been in even worse conditions than she started with. Her clothes had given out and ripped at the seams, she was balding in the back of her head, and was losing teeth because of decay.

On the other hand, her family was happy. Her mother had started a brand new business and had bought a brand new family home. She had bought another car, a new, sleek, black Cadillac. Her sister had gotten engaged to the man of her dreams, was planning a $100,000 wedding, and was driving a brand new Mustang. Her brother was getting into the college of his dreams and would become one of the world’s best doctors out there, although that’s 15 years into the future. 

Nyx sacrificed her dreams and her life for her family. She gave it all away knowing what would happen to her and that’s beautiful. 

(Please leave constructive criticism! I'm trying to improve as a young writer)