IAIN KELLY

OPEN DOOR

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.’


Copyright Roger Bultot

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”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    The relationship between the two women was intriguing, And, of course, the disappearance too

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, intrigue was the aim.

      Like

  2. Reena Saxena Avatar

    I need to know more 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      So do I 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    But who are they… a mental health problem?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Could be Michael, could be.

      Like

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Just a bit of creepy…well maybe a bit more. Could be the beginning of a bigger story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle, I’ll have to figure out what the rest of that story is!

      Like

  5. Suzette Benjamin Avatar

    Wonderful story Iain. Sounds like an intriguing beginning to a series of stories somewhere😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Suzette

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Suzette Benjamin Avatar

        A pleasure, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. jenne49 Avatar

    The tension really kept me going, Iain… Yes, ‘intrighue’ is the word.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

  7. Tannille Avatar

    Ooo the cliffhanger. So many questions.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Life on the lam!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      One possibility for sure.

      Like

  9. notestowomen Avatar

    Great story, Iain. Can’t wait to read more.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. notestowomen Avatar

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. ceayr Avatar

    Cool drama in 100 words.
    Expertly done, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thanks CE

      Like

  11. RedCat Avatar

    “Creeping unease.” Sums up the piece really well. I felt unease already at the second sentence. Really well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  12. Mason Bushell Avatar

    That’s tense and creepy, Iain very well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mason, much appreciated

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Mason Bushell Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Fandango Avatar

    My curiosity is piqued by this intriguing tale. Who was “she”…and who were “they.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’ll need to try and find out…

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    A disquieting story that seems to have us all wondering! Excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith, interesting to see what people think as always.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Liz Young Avatar

    Creepy in an excellent kind of way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  16. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Good take Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. msjadeli Avatar

    At least she didn’t find bloodstains. There’s still hope. Fluid storytelling that leaves a nice cliffhanger.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True, a small crumb of comfort!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Oh, brrrr! What a chiller! You build the tension very well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  19. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Creepy! There is so much more to this story, but I also like it where it is. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  20. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Yikes! Well written nail biter!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. David Stewart Avatar

    Great suspenseful story, Iain. I like the uncertain ending too Great job.
    -David

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Much appreciated David

      Like

  22. draliman Avatar

    I feel that she wasn’t taken seriously – until now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, they should’ve listened to her!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Danny James Avatar

    Not a rosy outlook.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It doesn’t look good. Thanks Danny

      Like

  24. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    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?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      When I find her I will let you know.

      Like

  25. granonine Avatar

    Great job of building up the tension!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    Great suspense, and “Oh, no,” they found her!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda

      Like

  27. plaridel Avatar

    intriguing story. it looks like she didn’t arrive soon enough to save her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Looks that way.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Susan St.Pierre Avatar

    Excellent! That’s exactly how we approach panic. Dismiss it, deny it, entertain it, recognize it, and find it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan!

      Like

  29. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oooh great tension and build up in this one. Really set the mood well. Creepy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie. Just finished your new book and posted a review – really enjoyed it! 🙂

      Like

      1. Laurie Bell Avatar

        Iain!!!
        🤩🤩🤩🤩
        You are amazing, thank you!

        Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  30. Girl in Niagara Avatar

    Ouch. A creepy and intriguing tale Iain. Leaves you wanting to know more of the backstory.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I like the way you build up the suspense as the story unfolds, leaving the ending open til the very end. Well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Like

  32. magarisa Avatar

    Mysterious and chilling!

    Liked by 1 person

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