Wow, a new post. This time I'm posting a short story where I was given a title and ran with it. Let me know what you think.
Murder and Wine and the Oblong Door
I sat there, staring at the
oblong door for some time. It was pale green, golden handle, standard really,
outside the fact its shape was more long and thinner than a normal door. Now I
was taken back a bit when I saw it, just there in the middle of the room as I entered
for my nightly drink, ominous, but it had a feeling of inviting, like it wanted
me to open it. At first I didn’t feel it, I poured my drink and sat down and
that is when the urge started to creep into me.
I placed my Merlot on the little
round table next to my lounge chair and preceded to stand up. It took all I had
to force myself to sit back down, it was like I was being pulled deep in my
gut, invisible hands reaching in and grabbing my intestines. But sit I did, I
wiped the small beads of sweat that formed on my forehead away with my hanky
and returned it to my smoking jackets front pocket. I sat there with my eyes
closed – this helped ease the urge – and thought about what to do. If I stand I
will walked to the door, if I remain surely I will suffer.
I reached over and took my
drink, hurriedly I swallowed the remains, not taking the time to saver the flavor
or enjoy it, I just knew I needed that liquid courage right now. As I replaced
the empty glass I picked up the small bell and rang for Martha, my maid, to
refill my glass. That’s when it hit me, I will ask Martha for help.
Martha knocked at the door and
leaned in, “Did you summon for me, Mr. Stafford?” she said.
“Yes, Martha, would you refill
my Merlot for me?” I returned with a smile, trying not to show the pain I was
feeling of the pull from the door. Martha must have noticed something, she
stepped into the room and noticed the door.
“Oh, I did know you had
purchased a new art piece, sir.”
“Art piece? Oh yes, something a
little new age, I figured it will look good in the garden, a little of putting
having a free standing door to nothing.” I replied with a chuckle, the hurt
intensified and I grabbed at my midsection, also leaped up and ran to the door.
Martha immediately was a t my side to see what she could do to help, that was
the moment the pain lessened. I couldn’t comprehend what just happened. Why did
the pain lessen, was the alcohol finally kicking in? I turned toward Martha and
realized she was looking at the door now. Then it hit me like an epiphany, she
felt the pull, it was leaving me and being transferred to her. I asked if she
was alright. “Oh yes, but I feel I should inspect the artwork, like it wants me
too.” She explained.
“By all means, go over and
indulge yourself,” I said, with a small smirk. Let her see what it is and I’ll stand back and get a clearer idea what
I’m dealing with, I thought.
Martha slowly walked over to the
door, she ran her hand slowly over the pale green wood. I could see she had
shivered the moment her fingers touched it. Now she had both hands on the door,
slow swipes as if she was caressing a man, she pressed her body to the door
now, she let out slow sensual breaths casually covered by minor groans. She
reached for the door handle and turned it. The door slowly opened inward.
My rational brain told me all I would
see would be the rest of my study on the other side of the door, but this would
be the most wrong I have ever been in my life. Compared to when I married my
ex-wife, or widow, either way you look at it, but that’s how I got to be rich,
this was more wrong still. There was a dim blue light that emitted from within
what appeared to be a circular tunnel, the walls looked grooved, but the light
it was attracted my vision the most. Martha walked through, appearing to be
unafraid, walking toward the light. As she walked her figure momentarily
blocked the blue light and I was able to focus my gaze to what was around her
and that’s when I saw the teeth. They lined the top and sides of the door, just
a little ways passed the door itself. Slowly the gaping mouth started to close,
and slowly pushed the door closed as well. Martha never noticed this, nor the
door closing behind her, she just kept walking. And as the door finally closed
with a click. I found myself standing. My heart was racing and my breath were
heavy and dry. Did I just see Martha get swallowed by some monstrous thing? A
thing that lives behind a magic pale green door? I sat down, and as I did the
door slowly opened inwards towards me, I griped the armrests thinking the beast
would have hands and reach out for me next. But all that I saw was the rest of
my study, the only difference was on the floor was a basket, and in the basket
were gold coins. I paused for a bit as my heart slowed and I regained my
breath. I stood and walked around the door, afraid to walk through it. The
basket was still there, coins intact. My brain finally was able to catchup, if
this thing is feed, it pays in gold? Slowly a smile formed on my face. This
will help me, my ex-wife’s money was running out and this could be a path to
riches.
I refilled my
drink and walked to the phone, I dialed the only other number I could remember.
“Hello Father-in-Law, can you stop by?”
