“You sure this is the place?”

He nodded. “There’s the hollow oak where you hid. I ran to tag you, tripped on a stump.”

“Which is still here. After twenty years.”

“You came to help me, found the key.”

“Saved it in my treasure box. Forgot about it. Till we remembered the saying.”

She who unlocks the forest door, lives and thrives forevermore.

“Look, Katya. Bricks! A window!”

“The forest door!”

Katya reached it first. She shivered, afraid to try the key, afraid not to. “For our children,” Denis reminded her.

She took a deep breath and inserted the key.

    5 1 vote
    Post Rating
    23 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    I am wondering what is behind the forest door? And what happens when they open it? But what most captured me is the phrase saying, “For our children”. We parents will do everything for the sake of our children, even if it is too risky or in a life-threatening situation. The snappiest salute to all parents who are willing to take a risk for the sake of their children.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    I am excited to read more adventures of Katya and Denis. Hope I will read that soon.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    There is something fascinating about a door in the forest. I cannot help but wonder what they will find on the other side. You have set the scene so well, it is easy to picture them standing in front of the door and Katya reaching out to unlock it. I enjoyed reading your story.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    I have a door in a forest in my ‘Forest Magic’ short story that I published on Kindle and KU earlier this year if you’re interested.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    2 years ago

    I have read your story, Forest Magic, and can definitely recommend it!

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Marianna Pieterse
    2 years ago

    Thanks Marianna, that’s kind of you to say.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    It is a stunning picture you chose for this story. It might be the start to a longer story?

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Love this Juma, so much mystery, so much that is left unsaid for the reader to think about. The ‘for our children’ made the story feel more urgent, like they are looking for a place to escape too with their children. It leaves you wanting to know more. Very nicely done.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    Oh, definitely. It’s surprising where it may take you. With the ‘Write Storybooks’ prompts I wrote several stories starring eleven year old twins ‘Jem and Clem’. Now I’m writing a children’s chapter book about their adventures, so it’s definitely worth writing prequels and sequels to the micro / flash fiction stories that you submit here ?

    Susan Dawson
    Susan Dawson(@susan-dawson)
    2 years ago

    Because there is no hint as to what could be there we are all kept guessing by the clever crafting of the story.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Love how the dialogue tells us so much about Katya and Denis and drives the story Juma. Leaving us with the cliffhanger – will she turn the key and, if so, where will it lead? Very well written.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    If my ‘Cherry Blossom’ story is shortlisted, you might just find out ?

    Lisa Gledhill
    Lisa Gledhill(@lisa-gledhill)
    Reply to  Juma
    2 years ago

    Oh I LOVE your story! Cannot wait to read further. Pleased I helped inspire you 🙂

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    It all seems very symbolic and open-ended, Juma, which makes it possible (and necessary) for the reader to activate their own mind and try to imagine what Katya and Denis are going through. And, of course, what they already have been through during the twenty years that have passed since the key was found. Fascinating! I hope you’ll be able to delve deep into their story!

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Hello Juma, what question do we ask first? I’d like to think, opening the forest door is stepping into the world of nature, lives and thrives for evermore – (not in a material world)

    Daisy Blacklock
    Daisy Blacklock(@daisy-blacklock)
    2 years ago

    This story is brilliant. It is very intriguing.

    Recent Comments

    23
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!