MICROFICTION

The Hatch

100 word story

Photo by Franck V. on Unsplash

The LCD display ticked over into the final hour.

He stared at the counter, freshly groomed. A clean suit saved for this day. He recalled that terrible moment, twenty years ago, when he had first entered the hatch. It was dark and he fell, fumbling for the light.

He remembered waking up. His head banging in time with the alarm. Feeling the back of his head where the pain was. Staring at the warm sticky blood that soiled his shirt. The sudden realization that the hatch had sealed and he could no longer remember the code.

Today, the door opens.