Mid-Week Flash Challenge - Week 24

---

Just a reminder: It's okay to leave comments!

---

Everyone likes a little flash fiction, right? Thanks to a prompt from Miranda Kate's 24th Mid-Week Flash challenge, you're going to get some! This is from Miranda's post:

I think I might have unraveled a world of images I want to write for when I sourced this week's image. Sarolta Ban is a Hungarian photographer and artist, and her work is just amazing. I have always loved surreal art, but these really speak to me.

I also have a thing for keys. I don't know what it is, but they just represent so many things to me - in some ways you could say they 'unlock my mind'!

If you want to join in, here's what she's looking for:

General Guidelines:

Story length: Anything up to 750 Words (no minimum).
How enter: Either provide a link in the comments, or post the entire story in the comments.
Deadline: I will post a new one every Wednesday, but if you're inspired by a previous weeks, go ahead and write for it.
Genre/Theme: All/Any - completely open. It doesn't even have to refer to the picture.

And so, here is my entry for this round of the Mid-Week Flash Challenge... I had a little fun with this one.

---

Keyhole

    "It has to be some sort of sculpture, Greg. Nobody could possibly use a key that big."
    "Obviously. But why have it all the way out here in the desert? Who would see it except for a couple of lost hikers like us?"
    Susan circled the metal shaft then leaned against it. "We'll have to take a 'selfie'—you know, with both of us—so we can show our friends."
    "You're assuming we'll be able to find the campsite again."
    "Don't be such a worrywart. We've left word. If we don't return by evening, they'll come looking for us. And we have plenty of water."
    The wind kicked up blowing sand across the flat, featureless landscape and exposing more of the curious object.
    "This thing must go pretty deep," Greg said.
    "Do you think we can dig it out?"
    "And do what with it? It's too big to lift let alone carry back to camp."
    "Maybe there's a base with the name of the artist on it. Or a description of some sort."
    "So?"
    Susan rolled her eyes. "Aren't you just the tiniest bit curious?"
    Greg reluctantly admitted as much.
    "So we can dig it out?"
    "By 'we' I'm assuming you mean me?"
    Susan avoided eye contact. "Well—your arms are longer. It would probably be easier for you."
    Greg grumbled as he began pulling sand away from the key. He continued until he was lying flat on the ground and reaching as far as he could into the hole.
    "There's something down here."
    "What is it?"
    Greg backed out of the hole and leaned on one elbow. "I don't know, Susan. They're like leather bags of some sort. It's hard to tell without a flashlight."
    "Leather bags?"
    "Yeah. Sort of round in shape."
    Susan looked at Greg, her eyes unblinking. "Do you think—maybe—they hold treasure—or money?"
    Greg never replied. He dove back into the hole to pull out more sand. He tried to lift one of the bags, but it wouldn't budge. He grabbed one to tear it open, but couldn't. "Whatever they are, they're tough. Do you have something sharp I can use to cut them?"
    Susan searched her backpack. She brought out a small, slender piece of metal. The excavated hole was now wide enough that she could lean in next to Greg. "This is all I have."
    "A nail file? It might work."
    Greg grasped the file in his fist and plunged it as hard as he could into the round, leathery surface. The ground shifted as the file found its mark.
    Susan looked at Greg. "Oh my God! Was that an earthquake?"
    "I—I don't think so."
    Greg pulled the file out of the bag. When he did, the bags wiggled. There were five in all. A small stream of red fluid oozed from the hole where the file had penetrated.
    The two stared at each other. Susan whispered in disbelief, "No!"
    As the ground shook again, a larger voice rumbled, "Yes!"

---

 500 words without the title... 

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved