Prompt: Write a short story about a man who discovers a magical portal
Response:
Jeff had been working in the construction industry for almost two decades when he was finally given the opportunity to view a site that nobody else could see. After months of careful reconnaissance, Jeff discovered a mysterious portal in the middle of the site. Deciding it was worth the risk, Jeff stepped through the portal.
Initially, all was normal. Jeff was in a large, open room with high ceilings. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, the door to the room slammed shut, trapping Jeff inside. Panic set in as Jeff began to feel dizzy and sick. Desperately trying to open the door, he realized that it was firmly closed.
Panicking, Jeff tried to summon help, but there was no response. Desperate and alone, Jeff sat down and began to cry. Just when he thought things could not get any worse, he heard a voice from the other side of the door.
The voice was soft and gentle, and it offered Jeff a choice: to become a prisoner of the portal, or to be saved. Jeff chose the latter, and was saved just in time before he passed out from the stress.
Although Jeff never ventured back into the portal, he still thinks about it sometimes. It’s a mystery to him, but one that he’ll never forget.