Cold Shackle

Moved past the bicycle wheel. Paced along the curb on four points. Ahead, a heavy steel U-lock hung clamped around the iron post. Thick shackle. Hardened alloy under chipped rubber coating. I dropped into a wide squat. Planted my organic knuckles into the rough asphalt. Reached out with my mechanical gauntlet and locked thick yellow fingers around the curved bar. Hauled downward. Dead weight. The shackle struck the pole with a sharp, resonant ring that hummed straight into my arm. Zero play in the deadbolt. A low rumble rumbled in my chest. Solid iron anchor.