March 17 – March 30
In 2025, Microzine will share various door prompts, and it’s up to you to decide what (or who) is behind them. Perhaps a beast waiting for you? A family having a squabble? Lovers taking advantage of being alone? A knight suiting up for his next battle? An old woman waiting for a visit…from you…? A room of missing treasure finally discovered?
The possibilities of what, or who, one might find behind a closed door are endless. Step right up. Knock and enter. If you dare.
THE CHALLENGE
Using the above image as a prompt, write a story selecting one of the following stipulations:
Must be exactly 6-words, 25-words, 50-words, or 100-words in length. Title is never counted towards word count OR
a StoryStack that follows the rules outlined here:
NOTE: Put your story title & word count in brackets first, followed by your story.
Ex. [Story Title, 100]
An added element to this challenge is the deadline. Any story put in the comments AFTER the date listed below will not be considered for digital/print issues.
DEADLINE: March 30, 2025
DIGITAL/PRINT ISSUE OPPORTUNITY
Only stories shared in the comments section will be considered for digital and print issues. Stories only shared in Substack Notes will not be considered. If you put your story up on your own publication it will not disqualify it from consideration.
Good luck!
(Knockers scene 6)
Lion cctv eyes CU knocking growling.
BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR [ 50 words]
I’m invisible now, but I don’t mind.
Everything I value is here
in this one little room —
my books and music,
my pen and paper,
my memories.
I move through these elder years with care,
taking time for quiet review
of my one perfect life,
on this one perfect planet.
[Deadbolt, 6]
“Honey?”
“Yeah?”
“Why’s the door unlo–“
A Story Stack
The Addition Method
Step 1: A 6-word story.
The face frowned as I approached.
Step 2: Copy/paste that 6-word story and ADD 19 words to it. Creating a 25-word story.
The face frowned as I approached.
“Not you again,” it commented laconicly. “ “If you keep showing up, he is going to bar you for good.”
Step 3: Copy/paste that 25-word story and ADD 25 words to it. Creating a 50-word story.
The face frowned as I approached.
“Not you again,” it commented laconicly. “ “If you keep showing up he is going to bar you for good.”
“Of course he wouldn’t,” I replied coolly as I pushed the envelope through its mouth slot. “He would not find out about the state secrets.”
Step 4: Copy/paste that 50-word story and ADD 50 words to it. Creating a 100-word story.
Someone’s Listening (100 words)
The face frowned as I approached.
“Not you again,” it commented laconicly. “If you keep showing up he is going to bar you for good.”
“Of course he is,” I replied coolly as I pushed the envelope through its mouth slot. “He would not find out about the state secrets.”
The door swung open. The Prime Minister was standing there.
“State secrets,” he said as he looked around. “Don’t say that too loudly. Listening ears and all that.”
I regarded him coolly. “Do they all,” I asked, waving my arms at other doors, “have talking doors?”
“No. Plants that listen.”
A Story Stack
METHOD 3: The Separation Method
A Cool Greeting (6 words)
Ice flowed through the slammed door.
Hostage Taking (25 words)
The transom opened slowly and sent a letter flying out.
“Help! Door is possessed. Being held hostage. Feed a thousand letters through the mail slot.”
Maybe A Secret Word? (50 words)
Try as I might, I could not remember how to gain access through the door. Was it the knocker? The spy camera? The blackspot at the top of the door? I shook my head.
“What kind of spy am I,” I wondered silently, “if I can’t remember a secret code?”
The Lions Heads (100 words)
“Shhh. My parents are home. What are you doing here?” she asked, closing the door behind her.
“I came by to ask you on a date.”
“That is so sweet. You should have waited until class tomorrow.”
“I couldn’t wait.”
“It’s risky. My parents don’t approve of vampires.”
He looked glum. “It was a “get to know you better date.” he said, emphasizing with bracket fingers.
“I think I will risk it,” she whispered.
The Lion’s Heads on the door both opened, shooting streams of holy garlic water.
“Got him!” a voice yelled loudly
“Tomorrow,” she said, closing the door.
[GENIUS, 6]
Key stuck, she moved the door.