Prompt: Write a short story about a man who discovers a magical portal
Response:
Mark had been daydreaming about an escape from his mundane life for weeks when he stumbled upon a mysterious portal hidden in the woods behind his house. Calling out to his friends and family who were all busy with their own lives, Mark stepped through the portal and found himself in a luxurious city full of extraordinary creatures.
For a moment, Mark forgot all his troubles and reveled in the new, exciting life he had discovered. But eventually, reality sunk in and Mark realized he would never be able to return home. Forced to face the harsh realities of his life, Mark began to appreciate his simple, ordinary existence all the more.