The night was chilly as I jogged along the empty sidewalk, my body bouncing like Jell-O. I breathed regularly as my gym trainer instructed.

Oh Man! I needed to stop. Now! The extra pounds of fat needed a break. A large cream soda wouldn't hurt either.

Bending over as far as my pot-belly allowed, I clutched my thighs, panting like I'd run a marathon.

Darn! Losing weight isn't as easy as I'd hoped.

I checked my watch. 20 minutes out of 60. Pathetic!

Something suddenly glimmered on the ground. “What the...?”

I crouched to look closer. It was a golden key with a strange symbol. The initials ‘S.L’ were carved underneath it.

I picked it up and looked around. I'd stopped in front of a gloomy, industrial-looking building. A warehouse, or a small factory, perhaps. I could make out the large letters written on top of the entrance : Shakkar Labs.

“So that's where you belong.” I flipped the key in my beefy hand, wobbling towards the door. I expected a security guard to appear.

Zilch!

“So the dumb guard dropped the key, left the gate open and split?” I sneered in disbelief. Something didn't seem right.

Looks like an abandoned business. Maybe the owner lost his money and couldn't pay his mortgage. Happens all the time.

Scanning the dark and silent yard, I crossed the gate cautiously.  I noticed a small red door. The sign said “employees only”.

I wasn't sure if it was the teasing red paint, the sweet smell in the air, or the leftover adrenaline in my blood that urged me to walk over to the door, but I ended up shoving the key into the keyhole. It fit perfectly. I unlocked the door with a faint click, and slowly stepped inside.

My eyes went as round as my stomach as soon as I saw the inside of the place.

“You've got to be kidding me!”

The inside was jam-packed, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with glass containers, transparent display boxes, shelves, trays, tubes, jars, baskets, counters full of the last thing I should find at this particular moment: Candy!

“What's this? Freaking Willy Wonka's candy store?” I groaned. So did my stomach. Saliva began to flow in my mouth and my heartbeat increased.

“So unfair!” I shook my head, ogling the vibrant, mouthwatering, sugary treats after my stupid jogging session.

I grabbed a Taffy from a nearby jar, unwrapped it, and popped it into my mouth without thinking. I sighed as my body tingled. I picked a few red jelly beans. Ah! My favorite! The tingle intensified.

“God! Chocolate coins!” I drooled.

I ate three. They're small!

Gummy bears were delicious too. I couldn't stop myself. I tried everything. Just a few wouldn't hurt the business, right? I would pay if anyone was here.  

My body buzzed with energy. I was shaking. I lifted my hands up and a scream choked in my throat. “Holy cow! What's happening to me?”

My arms were so thin!

Shrinking!

“NOOOOO!”

POOF!

****

Written for storytellers-saloon (The Key) Contest.