Keys
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Chests, doors, cupboards, gates - where there is a keyhole, there can be a key. Often an unremarkable thing, a small brass circle protruding from a lock. Something so ordinary nested amongst dreamlike surreality.

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And yet it is impossible to miss. Should you happen upon one, you will notice it the very instant it enters your field of view. Something about the key will inexorably draw your gaze and you cannot say why. It sits in the lock, waiting to be turned. Anticipating.

If you had any sense you would withdraw your hand that is already reaching for the key and leave it alone. But then again, if you had any sense you would never have come to this place, would you?

The key turns. It clicks. It disappears, and with it, everything else. The dream has changed. Halls, shelves, water, tiles, fields, grass. You find your surroundings repopulated with an entirely different setting. Another space. One of the many you have been to before.

Perhaps it is a labyrinth of pools, maybe it is winding halls of pink, or a dark and lifeless town. It doesn't matter, you hardly notice it anyways. There, some ways away is another lock, another key. You reach for the next breadcrumb. Again. Again and again and again. Deeper and deeper and deeper the trail winds. Space after space after space. Some familiar, some not. Blink and you'll miss them. You're talking to yourself now.

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Your thoughts tumble from your mouth freely as if you were having a conversation with a close friend. You feel watched, but you do not feel scared. There is a shadow in the corner of your eye, but you do not look. Look and she will not be there.

She has shown you many places and you have kept her company. You have spoken to her and although she has been silent you feel as though she has spoken back. You have followed her through many doors but there is one last door to open, one she cannot follow. Hazily the real world comes into view as your eyes open, blinking off the dream. She would have traded if you'd asked. Her keys, her cloak, and all the dreams in the world for a chance to wake up.

The Sheffield Harold

Nov. 17


Local residents were saddened this Wednesday when Isabelle Liligrass, 27, was found comatose in her bed by police conducting a wellness check. Isabelle had not shown up for work that Monday and police had been asked to check on her wellbeing by concerned neighbors.

She has been moved to the intensive care ward in Royal Hallamshire where she is being visited by many friends and family. Among her visitors was a former coma patient, who had been under for almost ten years and woken up just last Sunday.

Although the man did not stay long, he left a cloak and keyring which he had had himself during his coma. "These are hers now."

Although not superstitious, medical staff have promised to keep the items by her bedside, "Hope is often needed in these situations, an a little good luck charm never hurt anyone." Isabelle's church is holding an organized prayer for Isabelle this Sunday, and welcomes all to attend.

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Keys was written by Generic3Generic3 with critique from NebulaEclipse_NebulaEclipse_, Dr. Mirray, FerranteFerrante, and DoctorIGPDoctorIGP. The images used inside the article are CC0 and are free for public and commercial use. The original Keymaster concept was created by MctoranMctoran.




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