Content warning
This story may contain sensitive material or discuss topics that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. The views and opinions expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Vocal.
The Locksmith
A Story Every Day in 2024 July 2nd 184/366
He had had to do it. Keys were designed to be used. He came in in the night and stole a lock of her hair. She woke in the morning and thought that there was something different about her appearance but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She felt unbalanced and uneasy, but there was nothing obvious to point to her feeling this way.
He had to severely resist the temptation to enter her property after that. Too risky. Knowing he could had to be enough. Instead, he watched her from afar. It wasn't the same but there was no fear of confrontation, and he was certain that she knew nothing about him.
He knew everything about her.
Oh, but he loved her. Her grace as she moved filled him with pleasure like a gushing geyser; her look of concentration as she studied anything - phone, book, TV, the label on the shampoo bottle in the shower - it all added to this overwhelming picture of her loveliness. The way she selected produce in the supermarket, squeezing them gently for an indication of their ripeness made him lick his lips with the thought of being that fruit and having her sink her teeth into him and derive pleasure from his juices.
He wasn't doing any harm, watching and following. If she knew what delight she brought him in his dull everyday, she would understand. When he was away from her, he got out the lock of her hair, wrapped in a piece of tissue paper, and stroked it with his finger, very tenderly and squeezed his eyes shut very tightly, envisioning that it was still attached and had not been cut off with a very sharp pair of scissors.
The day came though, where he felt let down, sitting as close as he dared to her and a friend in a coffee shop, listening in.
"It's cost me, but I feel better having done it."
"Didn't you get them changed when you first moved in?"
"Yes, but, I don't know, there was something about that locksmith which was off..."
*
That night, deeply hurt, he cried, his tears falling on a lock of golden hair.
***
366 words
Do you trust the people who change your locks? You have to, don't you?
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
184/366
About the Creator
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Rachel Deeming and writers in Fiction and other communities.
The Bag - Anna
Malcolm's heart filled with dread. Anna was standing in front of him and her face was full of shock and bewilderment. Being a Perceptive meant that she was more sensitive than most. He had such guilt attached to her and who she was. He was trying to be a better father to her, now that they were away from danger.
By Rachel Deeming3 days ago in Fiction
Timothy
My fingers inch closer to the keyboard, itching to obliterate a day's worth of work. It's some of my best writing I've done to date, but at what cost? The words seem to bleed, dripping onto my desk. For a millisecond, I'm sitting in front of a crime scene, looking at dead, begging eyes. Why? Why me?
By Alexandria Stanwyck4 days ago in Fiction
Whispering Shadows
In the twilight hour, where the sun kisses the horizon goodbye, the world is awash with whispers of forgotten dreams. Shadows stretch long and thin, weaving a tapestry of mystery across the land. The day’s warmth lingers, a gentle caress upon the skin, while the cool breath of night begins its tender embrace.
By yerukalva reddamma6 days ago in Fiction
His Haibun
He does not like poetry; I write it anyway and do not tell him. It's true his face is not a poet's face. It is round and open, youthful; too apt to be compared to the sun. His nose is neat. It is impossible to imagine him smoking a cigarette, terse, full of cheekbones and tension. His warmth burns my fingertips. I am here for his fascinating body, the haphazard freckles I touch one by one; he is here for my eyes, just my eyes. A sunbeam sneaks through the curtains and pierces us both, sizzling the spices of his skin. I inhale and wrap myself in him. He kisses my eyes.
By TheSpinstress3 days ago in Poets
Comments (11)
This is so creepy! I really shudder at the detail of the 'very sharp pair of scissors'. It makes it all the more menacing that he's the kind of guy to sharpen his instruments. Urgh!
Oooo!! Rachel this was soooo deliciously creepy!! Well done!! If you don't mind, I spotted a couple doubled up word in the beginning paragraph. Had had in the first sentence and in in a few sentences back. Maybe that was intentional and I'm just brain dead from editing my stiff today??
😳😳😳😳😳 scary and creepy and I’m not easily frightened. Not in love, definitely a heartsick freaky stalker with a worthy trade but perhaps some jail time is required.
Someone in love or a stalker? - You decide! I had to have my lock changed once when I accidentally locked myself out and couldn’t get inside. The locksmith charged me $400 and… when I got into the house and found my old key, it opened the new lock! So I basically got another set of keys for $400.
CREEPY!!! Very well done, Rachel! I’m thoroughly weirded out!
This was genuinely scary, Rachel. The solution is to buy the door knobs/handles and deadbolts and install them yourself. No locksmith required.
A chilling portrayal of obsession and the unsettling question of whom we can truly trust. It's a thought-provoking story loved it.
Stalker much...at least he didn't hurt her...at least not yet...at least hopefully he just goes away. We live in a scary world.
Definitely wouldn't want to be that woman! But I also feel for him in a way and at the same time wonder if it makes me a creep...
It's always encouraging when the nut job is foiled.
Omgggg, new fear unlocked. This was so scaryyyy! That guy is so gross!