Welcome to My Monday Minis.
This is where I review very short stories and flash fiction.
For today I’ll be telling you about The Red Door by E.H. James.
We’ve all heard the sayings, “Don’t go in the basement, never say I’ll be right back, and of course, don’t go in there alone.”
I guess some people don’t ever learn, or are just plain stupid. Don’t they ever watch the movies? Sheesh!
Max is the new guy in school. He’s been through this so many times, he heads right to the cool kids, the bullies. Figures to get it over with and move on.
And Jimmy and his cronies don’t disappoint.
So here he is, waiting out in back of the school, wondering if he’s going to get his butt kicked by Jimmy and his buddies.
But nope, he gets off easy. Or so he thinks.
All he has to do is go in a haunted house and bring out something.
The thing is, it’s the Starke house, where Edward Starke killed thirteen boys and buried their bodies in the basement, before he was caught and executed.
Every September 9th, shortly after midnight, it’s said Edward comes back, looking for more blood to spill.
Jimmy tells him he has to get a chip of dried blood off the door in the basement and come back out. That’s all.
Max accepts the challenge and on September 9th, just before midnight, he enters the Starke house to get his chip of whatever and come back out.
You probably know where this is going now.
Shortly after midnight things get dicey, and bloody.
Similar views of this story have been written, and I love reading how each author comes up with his own twist to scare the pants off ya.
The Red Door is campy and ghoulish. Just long enough to connect with the characters, but not too long in getting to the heart of the story.
What surprised me was how quickly I bonded with Max. I think we’ve all walked a mile in his shoes.
I wish he wouldn’t go in the basement.
4 Stars
Well written, flowed fast, and kept me riveted.
Reminded of some of Steven Kings earlier short story writing and that of Gary Devon.
Scary Good.
About the author
E.H. James is an author writing novels and short stories in the science fiction, horror, thriller, and fantasy genres.
For more about the author and his books visit his website.
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