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.

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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