His Wardrobe - by Margarida Brei

https://Voice.club - Spring fever savagely bit Dor; he ached with restlessness.

Losing something in his wardrobe, he stepped into the dark recesses as if stepping into a beast’s belly. Strangely, feeling at ease and an odd sense of tranquility, he stayed for a few minutes. The coolness, darkness and peacefulness seemed to revive him. He never did find what he was looking for, but he found something more important that would change his life forever. Not only was he revived, but he felt renewed, revitalised and even born again.

Stepping in front of the mirror, Dor literally stopped breathing. He surveyed himself from the front, back and sides. There was no doubt about it - he felt younger. He was actually younger!

Like his fictional hero and namesake, Dorian Gray, he wanted to live forever. Like Dorian, he refused to pay a price. Certainly, he did not want to sell his soul to the devil.

Dor became obsessed. He was obsessed with the wardrobe. Moreover, he was obsessed with his looks. More accurately, he was infatuated with retaining his youth.

He guarded the wardrobe jealously and to such an extent that no one, absolutely no one else was even allowed to look at it. In the interior of a temperature-controlled and locked room, he obsessively dusted, polished and checked the wardrobe for parasites.

Otherwise, Dor lived a life of wild abandon. He lived for pleasure and often at the expense of others. His pleasure. His hedonistic lifestyle included all night parties, the company of the most gorgeous women and savouring the rarest foods.

Dor’s wardrobe trips were carefully scheduled, until his hedonistic life controlled him.

Later, it was with utmost horror that he saw his first wrinkle. His first grey hair almost made him faint.

Dor hastened into the wardrobe calling his dog who was becoming hoary with age.

He sighed on leaving the wardrobe, because he was perfectly restored to beautiful youth. He called his dog, but what exited the wardrobe was a monstrosity. Apparently, dogs rejuvenated bizarrely. Dor’s last moments were spent staring at a hungry ancestral grey wolf.

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An intriguing story with a surprising and, dare I say, fitting end. Well done.

What a brilliant story, @MargaridaBrei - One of your best ever! I loved the reference to Oscar Wilde’s unforgettable Picture of Dorian Gray. The fountain of youth might not work so well with dogs or cats! Good thing it didn’t take your Dor back to Cro-Magnon Man or suchlike!

Thank you for your generous time in reading and commenting on my “His Wardrobe.” Truly it was a fitting end for someone as vain and self-centred.

Julie, thank you for your kind comments. I thought I might receive some negative commentary because of the reworking of Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” so I really appreciate your complimentary words.

I love it, Margarida. Well done.

Well done, Margarida. I have no problem with a story reworked, and your version of Dorian Gray is different with its nod to Narnia. I thought you delivered a very satisfying ending to Dor.
I hope you will not mind just one suggestion from me. You used the word hedonistic twice and very close together, which when you are listening sticks out; perhaps a synonym like “pleasure-seeking” or “self-indulgent” for the second time use, would help with flow.

Julian, I really appreciate your feedback. As for the repetition of “hedonistic”, I guess I wanted to reinforce Dor’s underhand character, but your comment is noted.