Behind Every Door Challenge #7
May 26 - June 8
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: June 8, 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!
Clowning Around ( 6)
Howdy Doody honks Clarabelle Clown's doorbell.
Artistic License (336 words)
Intrigue (6 words)
Intrigue was one reason to enter.
Noah’s Ark (25 words)
“A Noah’s Ark.”
“Unbearably noisy,” another neighbour said emphatically.
Once the rain came, the house broke free, taking the painted door on a water trip.
Recycling Paint (50 words)
“Honey,” called Carolyn from the upstairs hallway. “Do we have any of that paint from when we painted the front door?”
Silvio looked at the floor and muttered quietly to himself. “I don’t think so dear. Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking that we need to paint our bedroom.”
Target Practice (100 words)
“Blasphemous!” yelled the Interior Secretary. “We might as well paint a target on the door and say here he is!”
“We already have,” stated the Head of Security brandishing an impish smile.
“Can we repaint it?” The Interior Secretary asked.
“Not without the Prime Minister’s permission.”
The Interior Secretary grunted as the force of the blast pushed him quickly across the room into the far wall.
Once recovered, both the Interior Secretary and the Head of Security looked at the gaping hole where the much talked about door once stood.
“It looks like that problem is solved,” muttered the Secretary.
Appropriations (150 words)
Steve stopped and approached the painted door. The fact that he wasn’t the only one stopping and staring suggested that there was more to this door than met the eye. Quite a group of people were gathering
Steve stepped up on the first step. He wanted an up close view of the door. Steve turned to survey the crowd. A car came swerving down the road where it finally rested against a lamppost.
The door opened quickly and a man rushed out to take a look at the vehicle. Steve slipped in behind him and was out of the door almost as quickly, walking down the steps to the corner where a car waited.
“Did you get it?” asked a voice as they drove off. Steve produced the small figurine.
“How is Gino?”
“GIno is fine," replied the voice. “Third fake accident this week,” he laughed. “We are all rich.”