First Campaigner Challenge

Challenge Rules:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)

For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

Challenge Met!

Memories

The door swung open as I approached. Floorboards creaked as I entered the small square hall. Memories flooded back in this house where I was born.

The stairs stretched up before me. On my left had been the best room in the house, only used on Sundays – and for courting. It could tell a tale or two.

The old round table had gone from the lounge on the right. No dartboard graced its wall; the scoreboard that taught me sums was no longer there. The brass tongs from the hearth had disappeared as well. The place was not the same.

I traced my steps from the lounge to the kitchen. How I wished the black-leaded range and the stone flag floor still remained and the modern AGA and terracotta tiles didn’t jar so much.

Finally I crept up the stairs which groaned as I went despite me carefully avoiding that sixth rickety step. My old bedroom’s roof sloped above the bed, but the chamber pot wasn’t there.

I left the attic till last. Anticipating a treasure trove I entered in a rush. The floor gave way under my weight. Memories merged into blackness as above me the door swung shut.