Behind Every Door Challenge #6
May 12 - May 25
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: May 25, 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!
The Yellow Door (100)
The yellow door looked out of place in the row of conservative brownstones.
Celia meant it to be.
It was a sign, a symbol of hope.
“Even in darkness, a light shines somewhere,” her grandmother used to say.
Celia had seen more than her share of darkness.
Now her door glowed with the last light of evening, telling those who clung to their last shred of hope that here they could find help.
Often twenty or more people slept on the floor when the beds were full, but she never turned anyone away.
Once she’d lived on the streets, too.
The Yellow Door
A Story Stack: Separation Method
Prompt by: Microzine: Behind Every Door Challenge #6
Dreams : a 6-word story.
Perchance one can dream in colour
Ms Scarlet : a 25-word story.
Ms. Scarlet closed the yellow door. She fixed her makeup and checked her clothing before she stepped down to the street to flag a taxi.
Date Night: A 50-word story.
Anna dreamed of a yellow door. She woke up drenched in cold sweat feeling rather fearful. As she further awoke she forgot about the dream.
She prepared for her date.
Anna arrived at her destination and got out of her car. She gasped. Her date was behind the yellow door.
Aunt Tootie : a 100-word story.
The yellow door opened. A small voice gasped, “Aunt Tootie!”
“Step aside sweetie. Let Tootie come in,” said Tootie’s sister Genie.
As Tootie stepped inside she was taken back by the colour scheme.
“It takes a little getting used to,” laughed Genie in reply to Tootie’s quick aghast look.
“You couldn’t decide which colour you liked?” Tootie asked as each wall was painted a different colour or in some cases different colours.
Genie laughed. “You know me. Blending in has never been a concern.”
Tootie laughed. She couldn’t wait to see what other ways her sister had not blended in.
The Transom: a 150-word story.
Gerard and Ray stood looking at the yellow door.
“That’s interesting,” said Ray.
“Um hm,” agreed Geard. “Tonight.”
At 1 am, 1:30 NFLD time, they approached the house with the yellow door. Seeing no lights on they wandered up to the door.
“Give me a boost,” said Ray.
Gerard looked at him. “Seriously, you want me to give you a boost?” Ray weighed 150 pounds more than Gerard.
Ray looked sheepish as he cupped his hands together. Gerard put a foot in and Ray raised him. He reached for the transom and carefully removed the screen. He pulled himself up and looked inside. It took him a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. When they did he replaced the screen and indicated to Ray to let him back down.
“What’s the story?” Ray inquired.
“Big standard poodle. Yappier than all get out. Let’s find somewhere else.”