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"I tell you." He said softly, aloud, to no one at all. "It is pretty obvious this family does not throw away ANYTHING.”
INNERLAND/The Door
From Chapter 1
"Odd."
Marc stared at the small wooden door panel and the elaborate doorknob facing him. "I've lived in this house my whole life and I've never before noticed a doorway in this wall."
A far away insistent jingle of a telephone roused Marc somewhat from his reverie. "I'm losin' it," Marc muttered to himself. The clanging telephone was ignored. "Good grief. Get a grip. This is just a door. There's so much junk piled up here," a bemused chuckle escaped his lips as the adolescent continued gazing at the portal, "no wonder I hadn't seen it before! That's it, of course."
Chuckling at himself, Marc grinned again. Surveying the attic in one last long, lazy, sweeping glance, he shook his head. Good Grief. There were remnants from his own childhood intermingled with those of his parents, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and it appeared, without a doubt anyone, relative, or not, who needed a place to store their outdated 'stuff'.
"I tell you." He said softly, aloud, to no one at all. "It is pretty obvious this family does not throw away ANYTHING.”
Adds a whole new meaning to the word packrat, Marc mused.
Along the wall opposite the 'mystery' doorway, preserved inside their tissue paper wrappings, generations of outgrown or cast aside, out dated clothing now lay decaying. On a small, hand carved table there in the corner, noticeable because they lay alone on the surface, were the last remaining heirlooms of ancestors about whom Marc knew very little. Despite all the years, how bright the tiny thimble shone. Beside it lay a heavy awl and needle still laced with a thin shard of leather.
Marc knew the story by heart. He had been told the tale by his father, who had in turn learned it from his own parent. It had happened so very long ago that not one of them, not Dad or Grandpa were really certain when the old family lore had begun.
Marc did know those long ago grandparents had been gone, lost for generations. No one knew how, why, or exactly when, the two had just disappeared. It was proved, by a careful research of old documents and the like, that sometime in the late 1600s or early 1700s the pair had settled here in this part of Connecticut.
The couple had produced a sizeable family, the grouping of worn stones in the old cemetery bore out that fact. It was they who had first built the original portion of this house.
But, after that, who knows? Grandpa thought it was most likely the ancestors along with their youngest dauht must have perished on one of the many early emigration routes leading to another settlement further to the south or to the west. So many families lost touch with one another in those days.
This huge, jumbled, old chamber had served the house's inhabitants as playhouse, storage and thinking room for well over two centuries. Standing here within the attic walls Marc felt again the secure sense of kindred continuity and comfort that he had always experienced whenever he spent time within in this chamber.
Reaching a tentative finger toward the door knob Marc smiled again. In the very center of this larger, heavier version of the device adorning his old nursery door, Marc found himself gazing at a most serious, bespectacled owl.
Chuckling aloud at the sight of it Marc’s gaze fell upon the bright eyes of a squirrel peeking over one edge of the disc. Just the tip of a fluffy tail was visible as a skunk disappeared over another. A winged horse stood beside a bewhiskered hare. Perched on the dainty equine's back was a plump, sleepy eyed gopher. A perky, rakish chipmunk draped over HIS shoulder.
Below the knob itself was a large, old fashioned keyhole. This opening was complete with an ornate, oversized key.
"Intriguing." Marc hurried to remove the instrument from it's slot. Examining the gadget, Marc found that the passe-partout also had a similar owl depicted on it.
"Or maybe this is the same owl," the young man muttered half aloud as he turned the surprisingly heavy key over and over in his hand. "Why on earth would anyone put a doorway here on the outer wall side?" he pondered. "Good Grief."
Marc's quiet mutterings went unanswered. He stared hard at the door, the wall and especially at the key.
“There is no balcony on this side of the house,” muttered Marc. “This doorway simply cannot possibly open into anything at all."
Marc replaced the key within it's slot. Turning it his eyes widened.
"Wha...?" Marc gasped, "why, this can't be!"
Hinges creaking from disuse, the door swung slowly open revealing a smallish, murky, rather dusty landing. Marc was surprised to find there were stairs angling down and away from the platform. Their descent disappeared into obscurity.
Puzzled now, Marc leaned forward to peer into the gloom. Staring into the murk he tried to see to the bottom of the stairwell and found he could not.
"I really don't believe this. Where on earth can these steps lead?" Baffled, Marc stepped back, away from the yawning door way. I never heard grandpa or dad talk about such a stairwell up here."
Dashing toward the outer wall Marc soon stood peering through the small paned window placed there in the wall beside the door. The puzzled young man unlatched the sash and leaned far out the opening.
"I was right," he mumbled. "There is nothing out here at all but a straight, flat wall. WHEREVER do those stairs treads, that passageway, fit then?"
PART 2
INNERLAND/The Door
by Tomsdattar
A VanGoach Books Publication
ISBN 1-894618-01-7
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Site: MOLLY
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Reader Reviews for
"The Door part 1...........molly writes"
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| Reviewed by J Howard |
11/19/2011 |
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| fun read. i do not know what an awl is, i will look it up...love learning while enjoying a read...and now... moving to part 2! |
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| Reviewed by P. Michaels |
9/20/2008 |
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Hi Molly,
Good. I read more.
Pat |
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| Reviewed by Mary Coe |
9/27/2007 |
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| A good write. Very intriging. Enjoyed the read. |
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| Reviewed by Myles Saulibio |
7/18/2007 |
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Super---will read on---you got my attention...
Aloha,
Myles |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
2/18/2007 |
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A most engaging start, Molly. Your story draws the reader in very effectively. Thank you. Love and peace to you,
Regis |
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| Reviewed by Sandra Mushi |
7/17/2006 |
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Ooh! I hope he is not curious enough to find out! Daarn, I'd move house the very same day! A great captivating chapter, Molly! Holds the reader's attention right through. I can hardly wait to get to the next chapter.
God bless,
Sandie. |
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| Reviewed by Paul Hamm |
1/25/2006 |
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| This has a - "The Dark Tower" series - by Stephen King kinda feel. and that's a heck of a compliment, by the way. Great read! |
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| Reviewed by Barbara Terry |
3/31/2005 |
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Molly this is a great first part. I will leave a complete review after I have read the other two parts. This is really an on the edge of your seat story. May the Lord Jesus bless you, and be with you aways, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & (((HUGS))), Barbie
"If I have to...Then I may as well be." |
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| Reviewed by A Serviceable Villain |
1/23/2005 |
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M J,
Edge-of-the-seat read ... highly entertaining ... outstanding!!
Best wishes,
Robert |
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| Reviewed by Sandie Angel |
5/4/2003 |
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I like the magic and the weave of suspense in this beginning chapter. Good write indeed!
Sandie Angel :o) a.k.a. May Lu $*_*$ |
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| Reviewed by Ray |
4/4/2003 |
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| WOW! Marvelous review. Great work! |
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| Reviewed by Pam Potter |
4/3/2003 |
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There were remnants from his own childhood intermingled with those of his parents, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and it appeared, without a doubt anyone, relative, or not, who needed a place to store their outdated 'stuff'.
love that, wish i had a attic to store mine, haha, good story, chapter 1 is always the hardest.. |
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| Reviewed by Marie Wadsworth |
3/30/2003 |
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Magical. That's what draws me into this story. It is the magic that appeals to me.
I'm in suspense about what Marc's family background is. You don't even give me a hint although I think it might be connected to magic.
I'd like to get a little more feel for the characters and setting here. There are some other things that could benefit this story but it's enchanting.
I enjoy fantasy and I've been writing it since 1999. I'm wondering if you're familar with www.critters.org. They are a critique group for fantasy, horror and sci fi writers. I used to be with them and they are quite good.
I was confused by the by line -- is this your pen name???
I'd definitely be interested in reading more of this.
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| Reviewed by Tinka Boukes |
3/22/2003 |
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Well you hooked me! Molly
Very intriguing. I'm sure you're going to surprise us.
Love
Tinka |
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| Reviewed by Rodney Bohen |
3/21/2003 |
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Painted imagry at every turn, excellent writing.Well done.
Rodney Evan Bohen |
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| Reviewed by Bruce Humphrey |
3/19/2003 |
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| Very, very well done. Keep it going! |
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| Reviewed by Erin Elder |
3/14/2003 |
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| Ooooh...Very cool. Can't wait to see what happens. |
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| Reviewed by Christine Spindler (Reader) |
3/13/2003 |
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| Wow, Molly, that's terrific. Keep up the good writing. |
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| Reviewed by Birdie Houston |
3/9/2003 |
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| Awesome ......... |
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| Reviewed by Lee Herald |
3/7/2003 |
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| An intriguing start, Molly, which promises a mysterious tale. |
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| Reviewed by E T Waldron |
2/26/2003 |
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| Well you hooked me! Molly, it sounds like you have another good one going;-)very mysterious... |
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| Reviewed by E T Waldron |
2/25/2003 |
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| A very enticing beginning! |
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| Reviewed by Theresa Koch |
2/24/2003 |
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Very interesting Molly~`*
Love it! |
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| Reviewed by Theresa Koch |
2/23/2003 |
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| Very intriguing. I'm sure you're going to surprise us. |
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