“You say that, yet here we sit in front of a literal portal,” Allison points toward the wooden wardrobe.
“That’s a closet.”
“A magical closet.” [+25]
Millie frowned, “You’d need magic to fit all your shit in there, that’s for sure.”
Allison rolled her eyes before throwing the doors wide and grabbing armfuls of clothing. Millie intended to complain about her roommate disheveling their shared space, but a gust of cold and miniscule flurries waylaid her. [+50]
The snow came from within the closet. With the clothing removed, Millie saw the snow covered dream world that she’d assumed existed only in Allison’s head. The two women clasped hands and stepped through the portal.
Behind them, there was no way to return, just snowy forest. Ahead there was a brightly lit village, covered in holiday ornamentation.
At first, it seemed like a village filled with normal— festively adorned— humans. And it was, in a sense. The humans were dressed as Christmas Elves, though they lacked the traditionally expected cheer.
My brothers wondered what lay hidden behind the doors. It was forbidden for us children to look within, which only served to inflame our curiosity. [25 words]
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and the pair could wait no longer. Mom had been spending too much time in her bedroom by herself. They could hear as she stealthily opened and closed the wardrobe doors, along with the soft, suspicious rustle of paper. They waited until she went out... [50 words]
Thus is born the stuff of family legend. The boys had unwrapped all the presents, toys lying scattered across the bed, when they heard Mom’s car pull in. Fast as a wink, they rewrapped everything, shoving the gifts back onto the wardrobe shelf and scurrying back to their own room just as Mom walked into the house with a load of groceries. On Christmas morning, my sister happily tore open a package, only to find a GI Joe glaring up at her. In their rush, my brothers had mixed up the nametags. It was a good Christmas that year, anyway. [100 words]
Try as he may, Bryan could not dislodge the cabinet from the wall space.
“It seems the walls were built around the cabinet,” he observed.
50 words
“We need more space,” Dorice stated decisively as she observed the items falling out of the cupboard onto the floor. “Everywhere I look things are piling up.”
“You could be right,” stated Reggie quietly as he started repacking the cupboard. “Or we could get rid of what we don’t need.”
100 words
Ten year old Jenny pushed her way into the cupboard. She began knocking on walls, listening for hollow sounds.
“What are you doing?” asked a voice from outside the cupboard.
Jenny leaned back and replied, “I just finished the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
“And you thought that maybe this wardrobe here was somehow connected?” her mother inquired with some mirth.
“Well, yes,” replied Jenny. “But now that you say it, it sounds ridiculous.”
Her mother smiled. “Who hasn’t checked out the back of a closet after reading that book? Anything interesting?”
“There is a finger hole back here.”
150 words
The flames flickered in the fireplace as the door edged open.
“The coast is clear," a small voice squeaked.
Ten pairs of feet found their footing on the floor.
“Ralphie, not so much toilet paper this time.”
Ralphie glared. “It is so soft.”
“We have other supplies to stock up on. Remember troops, we only take what we need and that they won’t miss. Taking more than 2 objects pushes at credulity. Sophie? Leave the socks alone today. We have too many.”
“Ok,” Sophie said.
“Any questions?”
“What happened to the dog?” squeaked Marybeth. “I liked the dog.”
“He liked you too," smirked Mark as Marybeth smacked him hard.
“Ready? Move out,” said their leader.
Suddenly a light came on in the hallway. “Retreat,” uttered a voice. They scrambled back into the cabinet and closed the door quietly.
The darkness swallowed them as they moved further towards another cold night.
Christmas Calamity
Continuation Method
“There’s no such thing as magic.” [6]
“You say that, yet here we sit in front of a literal portal,” Allison points toward the wooden wardrobe.
“That’s a closet.”
“A magical closet.” [+25]
Millie frowned, “You’d need magic to fit all your shit in there, that’s for sure.”
Allison rolled her eyes before throwing the doors wide and grabbing armfuls of clothing. Millie intended to complain about her roommate disheveling their shared space, but a gust of cold and miniscule flurries waylaid her. [+50]
The snow came from within the closet. With the clothing removed, Millie saw the snow covered dream world that she’d assumed existed only in Allison’s head. The two women clasped hands and stepped through the portal.
Behind them, there was no way to return, just snowy forest. Ahead there was a brightly lit village, covered in holiday ornamentation.
At first, it seemed like a village filled with normal— festively adorned— humans. And it was, in a sense. The humans were dressed as Christmas Elves, though they lacked the traditionally expected cheer.
Then, the earth began to shake. [+100]
Holiday Mixup
[StoryStack] - Continuation Method
In the corner stood Mom’s wardrobe. [6 words]
My brothers wondered what lay hidden behind the doors. It was forbidden for us children to look within, which only served to inflame our curiosity. [25 words]
‘Twas the week before Christmas, and the pair could wait no longer. Mom had been spending too much time in her bedroom by herself. They could hear as she stealthily opened and closed the wardrobe doors, along with the soft, suspicious rustle of paper. They waited until she went out... [50 words]
Thus is born the stuff of family legend. The boys had unwrapped all the presents, toys lying scattered across the bed, when they heard Mom’s car pull in. Fast as a wink, they rewrapped everything, shoving the gifts back onto the wardrobe shelf and scurrying back to their own room just as Mom walked into the house with a load of groceries. On Christmas morning, my sister happily tore open a package, only to find a GI Joe glaring up at her. In their rush, my brothers had mixed up the nametags. It was a good Christmas that year, anyway. [100 words]
Behind Closed Doors
A Story Stack: The Separation Method
6 words
Before Ikea there was this wardrobe.
25 words
Try as he may, Bryan could not dislodge the cabinet from the wall space.
“It seems the walls were built around the cabinet,” he observed.
50 words
“We need more space,” Dorice stated decisively as she observed the items falling out of the cupboard onto the floor. “Everywhere I look things are piling up.”
“You could be right,” stated Reggie quietly as he started repacking the cupboard. “Or we could get rid of what we don’t need.”
100 words
Ten year old Jenny pushed her way into the cupboard. She began knocking on walls, listening for hollow sounds.
“What are you doing?” asked a voice from outside the cupboard.
Jenny leaned back and replied, “I just finished the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
“And you thought that maybe this wardrobe here was somehow connected?” her mother inquired with some mirth.
“Well, yes,” replied Jenny. “But now that you say it, it sounds ridiculous.”
Her mother smiled. “Who hasn’t checked out the back of a closet after reading that book? Anything interesting?”
“There is a finger hole back here.”
150 words
The flames flickered in the fireplace as the door edged open.
“The coast is clear," a small voice squeaked.
Ten pairs of feet found their footing on the floor.
“Ralphie, not so much toilet paper this time.”
Ralphie glared. “It is so soft.”
“We have other supplies to stock up on. Remember troops, we only take what we need and that they won’t miss. Taking more than 2 objects pushes at credulity. Sophie? Leave the socks alone today. We have too many.”
“Ok,” Sophie said.
“Any questions?”
“What happened to the dog?” squeaked Marybeth. “I liked the dog.”
“He liked you too," smirked Mark as Marybeth smacked him hard.
“Ready? Move out,” said their leader.
Suddenly a light came on in the hallway. “Retreat,” uttered a voice. They scrambled back into the cabinet and closed the door quietly.
The darkness swallowed them as they moved further towards another cold night.
You had fun with this one!
Love this prompt! xo