The Human Key
1567 calories daily.
2059 steps.
Daily measurements.
This is the clockwork-like regime of a human key. We of the palace sanctum called The Ring must perpetually be the exact right size to unlock our Door when summoned.
* * *
A hand over my mouth. Rough hands dragging me from bed.
I am being stolen.
I’m pushed into a keyhole, limbs fitting into place.
“It’s not opening!”
“This isn’t my door.”
He’s trying to make me fit, slamming me, then finally cutting.
They discover us, both covered in my blood. The would-be-thief is arrested. I am carried back to be healed and remade.
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
You’d have to be real skinny to be pushed through a keyhole.
The picture is so provocative. It does have a Poe feeling to it. I can see where that blood came from. I’m glad she’ll, I’m assuming it’s a she, will have a make-over. Hope it includes a massage. 🙂
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I’m reading a book of Poe’s stories now and yes, it does have that feeling although I didn’t intend it at the time.
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I liked how you developed the idea with the wrong keyhole
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Thanks, Neil.
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Metaphorically, that has a few applications.
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Well done here, David. Very fitting for our society today.
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Haha, thanks Nancy.
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How many are forced into uncomfortable and dangerous forms rather than be accepted as they are. Well done, sir!
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Thanks, Dale!
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Well done, David. This story is, as everyone has said, very fitting.
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This is so unique, and incredibly well developed. Metaphors aside, I can see this as an exciting fantasy story.
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Thanks. Yeah, a lot of people took it metaphorically but I was imagining it literally, as in certain people were kept to open certain doors by fitting exactly into a slot in the wall. I should expand it into a longer story that explains more. 🙂
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Human Key. Excellently told. In many ways we are all searching for the lock in our lives, just the one that fits and opens doors to our future.
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Thanks, James.
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Great piece of social commentary David – excellent writing captures the horror perfectly 🙌
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Thanks! Glad you liked it.
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Dear David,
Oh the consequences of not fitting the “norm.” At least that’s how I’m understanding. Well done as always. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. It’s interesting to see the way that people interpreted this, probably because it’s such a bizarre premise and 100 words isn’t a lot. I meant it literally but there is a lot of metaphors that can be drawn from it too.
Have a good week,
David
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