It always followed the same pattern.
Middle of the night. Panicked phone call. Incoherent story.
She always ended up agreeing to go over.
This is different. Door wide open. Probably just a neighbour didn’t close it right. Out of habit she checks the mailbox. Empty.
Up the stairs, lit by flickering halogen. Along the corridor. Knock on the door.
Door gently swings open. Creeping unease.
She calls out her name. ‘It’s me. Where are you?’
No answer. Unease turns to dread. Bed lies empty.
She finds the scrawled note on the table: ‘This time they found me.’
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Also linking to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge for today: Pattern.
For those who haven’t yet read my trilogy of novels, The State Trilogy is now available on Amazon in one collected volume on Kindle and in paperback. Three books in one (with a modest saving compared to buying them all individually!).
71 responses to “OPEN DOOR”
The relationship between the two women was intriguing, And, of course, the disappearance too
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Thanks Neil, intrigue was the aim.
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I need to know more 🙂
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So do I 🙂
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😀😀
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But who are they… a mental health problem?
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Could be Michael, could be.
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Dear Iain,
Just a bit of creepy…well maybe a bit more. Could be the beginning of a bigger story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, I’ll have to figure out what the rest of that story is!
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Wonderful story Iain. Sounds like an intriguing beginning to a series of stories somewhere😊
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Thanks so much Suzette
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A pleasure, Iain.
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The tension really kept me going, Iain… Yes, ‘intrighue’ is the word.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Ooo the cliffhanger. So many questions.
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Thanks!
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Life on the lam!
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One possibility for sure.
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Great story, Iain. Can’t wait to read more.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Cool drama in 100 words.
Expertly done, Iain
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Very kind, thanks CE
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“Creeping unease.” Sums up the piece really well. I felt unease already at the second sentence. Really well done!
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Thanks so much 🙂
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That’s tense and creepy, Iain very well done.
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Thanks Mason, much appreciated
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You’re welcome.
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My curiosity is piqued by this intriguing tale. Who was “she”…and who were “they.”
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I’ll need to try and find out…
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A disquieting story that seems to have us all wondering! Excellent.
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Thanks Keith, interesting to see what people think as always.
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Creepy in an excellent kind of way.
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Thanks Liz
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Good take Iain.
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Thanks Di
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At least she didn’t find bloodstains. There’s still hope. Fluid storytelling that leaves a nice cliffhanger.
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True, a small crumb of comfort!
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Oh, brrrr! What a chiller! You build the tension very well.
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Thanks so much Penny
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Creepy! There is so much more to this story, but I also like it where it is. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Anne
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Yikes! Well written nail biter!
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Thank you
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🙂
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Great suspenseful story, Iain. I like the uncertain ending too Great job.
-David
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Much appreciated David
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I feel that she wasn’t taken seriously – until now.
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Yep, they should’ve listened to her!
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Not a rosy outlook.
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It doesn’t look good. Thanks Danny
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Doors wide open when we expect them to be shut just trigger so much anxiety don’t they? I have so many questions. What happened to her?
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When I find her I will let you know.
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Great job of building up the tension!
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Thanks Linda
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Great suspense, and “Oh, no,” they found her!!
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Thanks Brenda
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intriguing story. it looks like she didn’t arrive soon enough to save her.
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Looks that way.
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Excellent! That’s exactly how we approach panic. Dismiss it, deny it, entertain it, recognize it, and find it!
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Thanks Susan!
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Oooh great tension and build up in this one. Really set the mood well. Creepy!
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Thanks Laurie. Just finished your new book and posted a review – really enjoyed it! 🙂
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Iain!!!
🤩🤩🤩🤩
You are amazing, thank you!
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Spooky!
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Thank you 🙂
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Ouch. A creepy and intriguing tale Iain. Leaves you wanting to know more of the backstory.
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Thanks so much
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I like the way you build up the suspense as the story unfolds, leaving the ending open til the very end. Well told.
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Thanks so much
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Mysterious and chilling!
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