This thing is Not Us—the taste is wrong. We punch holes in it and inject toxins. The surrounding muscle cells are also Us, so we leave them alone. We surge on, always alert for the tang of Difference.
What is the Usness of Us? This is important so we don’t make mistakes. The neurons might know—that’s their job. It’s not something we’re programmed to concern ourselves with. Yet, still, there’s order to it all. Maybe even meaning.
Perhaps there’s something bigger of which we’re a part.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
The Usness of us, I like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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I think we are all a part of an interconnected web- but I think about it no further than that.
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Thanks, Violet
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Neil you’ve managed to create a compelling piece that explores identity, purpose, and existential awakening in just a few lines🙌
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Thanks so muc
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Sounds like they are going ’round circles.
I guess that’s called “puzzling it out”.
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Thanks, Dawn
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usness! i learned a new word today again. thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Sadly, it’s not officially a word. But it should be
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Usness is a great word, I like it.
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Thanks. Jilly
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The eternal question since man stood on two legs and looked up towards the stars. We are Us, but how and why? So true.
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Us and not us is what the immune system works on, long before primates
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Usness should be an official word. That said, I feel the poking into the cells, trying to make another “us”…
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Let’s start a campaign. If the word is good enough for an immune cell, it should be good enough for us
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There ya go!
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Oooooo I like it, Neil. Us and not us
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Immunology
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An excellent piece of Youness, Neil, as thought provoking as ever!
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Thanks so much, Keith
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the Usness of Us might just be a cancer on the world. Very thought provoking!
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Thanks so much
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Usness …. cool. Sounds like a Pink Floyd Song
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Thanks, Nancy
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