A Gentle Touch
Microfiction on Boundaries
Physical and emotional boundaries should be respected. Michelle Liew
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Laura was a product of love and nurturing--blessed with a loving family, physical touch was the perfect expression of love. Bumping into others on a crowded bus or train wasn't something out of place.
But she had a unique ability--her fingertips unveiled the secret feelings--joy, rage, grief--of others. Each touch was a whispered, poignant confession--it was a gift she took pride in, and had come to rely on.Though those around her wore masks, she peeled them away with a simple touch.
She wove through life, catching the echoes of others' hearts as she brushed against their shoulders and sleeves. Then, she bumped into Colin on a crowded train. There was a blink, a short breath--and nothing.
Panic raised the hairs on her skin. She wove her way through the crowd to stand next to him, deliberately knocking against his shoulder. Still a void.
Colin turned to look at her, a knowing grin slowly forming on his face. "Didn't your mum tell you that you shouldn't touch strangers without permission, Laura?" And the void vanished.
Laura stumbled back, a chilling dread wrapping around her ribs. Colin was inside her mind. He had, in an uncanny twist, reversed her gift.
He turned to her and smirked, raising his eyebrows in a calculated taunt. Then, he left. Laura was too rattled to follow. She felt his void slither inward, a darkness she couldn't shut out.
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This work is NOT AI-generated or copied from any source. The presence of AI tags is coincidental.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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Comments (9)
Well written, congrats 👏🏻
Congratulations on top story . Keep up the good work. Super proud. !!!!!
Wow, you packed so much suspense in this short story! Loved the twist and the way you wrote this :)
Hang on, you mean Colin stole her powers and she no longer could feel how a person feels? Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
A beautifully written and suspenseful piece! The concept is unique, and the tension is palpable, left me wanting more!
Should have stayed in her bubble
That was great. Nice twist at the end. Congrats on the TS.
Oooh, love the twist in this. Important lesson beneath the surface, not too far, and told so well. Congrats on a fine micro of a Top Story, Michelle!
What a turn in circumstance. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Great story with a great lesson.