Prompt: Write a short story about a man who discovers a magical portal
Response:
It was the middle of the night and all was quiet. The only sound was the wind, which howled through the cracks in the window panes. Trent knew his wife was asleep, and he didn’t want to disturb her. He had been working on a new project at his computer, and he was tired. He decided to take a break and go for a walk.
He got up from his chair and stretched. As he was doing so, he noticed something strange. There was a faint, pale blue light coming from underneath his door. He thought it might be something he had tripped on, so he didn’t pay it much attention. He continued to walk down the hallway to the front door.
Just as he was about to open it, he heard a voice calling his name. He turned around to see a bearded man wearing a long, white robe standing in the hallway. The man seemed strangely familiar.
“Trent, is that you?” the man asked.
“Who are you?” Trent replied, trying to stay calm.
“I am the wizard, Zedd. I have been waiting for you.”
“What do you want from me?” Trent asked, trying to keep his voice low.
“I just want to talk. I know you are a busy man, so I won’t keep you long.”
“All right, come in,” Trent said, stepping back so the wizard could enter.
Zedd stepped into Trent’s home and closed the door behind him. The room was dark, but the wizard could see the looks of fear in the man’s eyes.
“Please, take a seat,” Trent said, pointing to the couch.
Zedd sat down and looked around the room. He noticed the computer on the desk, and the sketches and drawings that were spread out on the floor.
“It seems you are a very talented artist,” Zedd said.
“Thank you. I like to think I have some talent.”
“I am sure you do. What is your name, by the way?”
“Trent. And what is yours?”
“I am Zedd. Pleased to meet you, Trent.”
“Likewise.”
Zedd leaned back and stared at Trent for a moment. The wizard could see the questions in the man’s eyes.
“What is it, Zedd?” Trent asked.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You don’t seem to be in your right mind.”
“I don’t know. I just have this feeling that I need to do this.”
“All right, Trent. I am going to give you a choice. You can either go through with this portal, or you can forget about it and go back to your life.”
“What are the consequences if I go through the portal?”
“It is a risk, but it may be the only chance you have to save your wife and daughter. If you don’t go through, they may be lost forever.”
“All right, Zedd. I will go through the portal.”
Zedd stood up and nodded. He knew Trent was making the right decision. The wizard knew the consequences of crossing the portal, and he didn’t want to see that happen to Trent’s family.
Trent walked over to the desk and picked up his laptop. He opened the lid and placed it on his lap. Then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could feel the energy building inside him, and he knew he was about to cross into another world.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then he opened his eyes and stared at the laptop. He could see the portal in front of him, and he knew he had to cross it. He took a step forward, and then another, until he was standing in front of the portal.
He took another step forward, and then another, until he was standing in front of the portal. He could see the other world beyond it, and he knew he had to go through it. He took a final step forward and then crossed the portal.
He could feel the energy of the other world coursing through his body, and he knew he was in danger. But he didn’t care. He had to save his wife and daughter, and that was all that mattered.
He continued to cross the portal, one step at a time. He could hear the wizard calling his name, but he didn’t care. He had to save his family, no matter what the cost.