In a world where population, poverty and crime are spiralling out of control, the future looks bleak. Given the choice would you elect to live in the real world as it fell into chaos around you, or would you take the opportunity to live out the remainder of your life in a virtual paradise.

Of course there may be some additional benefits to taking the virtual option...

My brother Greg has had a sadness about him for longer than I can remember, especially at Christmas. It's only recently that I've begun to suspect the reason for this, and now I have a plan to reach out. It means taking a risk, and that scares the shit out of me, but I think that if I can give him the right present this year...

Four brothers are evacuated into the countryside to escape the Blitz. They find lodging with an odd, reclusive old professor and his stern housekeeper. One tedious, rainy day, one of the boys finds his way into a room with a strange wardrobe, and steps through it into a world of wonder and magic.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge Team player and Mystery Science Closet

Any similarity between characters in this story and people, either living or dead, is purely coincidental. Honest. Also apologies to anyone who actually understands what American Football is really about. I have to confess it's all a bit strange and I may have got things wrong here and there.

Thanks to those of you who commented on my terminology and content. I've made the easy changes (word swapping), the rest will take a bit longer.

Mel – now Melanie – Baron is transitioning, in fact her family just moved to to a small town so she could do so in peace. Only her father is the coach for the football team, and none of the try outs can throw a ball as far or as accurately as Mel. If they're going to have any chance at all in the State League, Mel is going to have to step up.

Nothing to do with Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge for a change

Life is tough, then you die. Sooner rather than later if you really can't cope. That is of course unless you're run over by someone who has already had a magical encounter, and hasn't been corrupted by getting everything she wants.

This was going to be my entry for Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – To be continued... but it was too hard to stop. Besides it's more than twice the prescribed length, so it most likely wouldn't count.

It's raining. Lucas is bored. He finds and old wardrobe and steps into it, and we all know that magical places can be found at the back of old wardrobes.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

She reached down and kissed me before settling back onto my chest. “I love you,” she said stroking the soft lace of my nightdress.

Could things get better than this?

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

“You OK?” I asked her.

“Yeah. You needn't have folded so neatly under Mum and Dad's cross-examination though.”

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

Uncle Stan calmed his nerves and collected his thoughts, before putting down his knife and fork, and looking across the table at me.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

The courtroom scene depicted in this chapter is fictional and bear little or no resemblance to real life (as far as I'm aware).

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

The courtroom scene depicted in this chapter is fictional and bear little or no resemblance to real life (as far as I'm aware).

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

“It seems we may need a longer recess. Dr Finster I will see you and your council in my chambers immediately. The rest of you, we will reconvene in two hours, at which time I will know whether or not this latest development is going to delay matters further.

The judge banged his gavel and left, followed by Dr Finster and his attorney.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

The hospital and courtroom scenes depicted in this chapter are fictional and bear little or no resemblance to real life (as far as I'm aware).

Warning: This chapter deals with Richard's time in the mental hospital and may be disturbing to some readers. The chapter has been printed in red and there is a short synopsis at the end to cover the basics and maintain continuity in the story should you prefer not to read the full thing.

Barely ten minutes after being locked up, the key turned again and I was led out of the cell and the courthouse, and handed up into the back of an ambulance, where I was made to lie down on the stretcher. A couple of burly male nurses sat in with me, intimidating enough to keep me in my place simply by looking at me, and we drove off for destination unknown. There was no urgency so we shuffled through the lunchtime traffic at the same frustratingly slow pace as everyone else.