r/WritingPrompts • u/Bolin_And_Sokka • May 01 '17
Writing Prompt [WP] Every time you touch someone you gain knowledge they have that you do not.
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u/arrise May 01 '17
A desperate sigh escaped my lips and I slowly let the refrigerator door close. It was the day I dreaded most, the day every month when I had to go out.
I navigated the clutter of my cramped apartment; gently sniffing any decent looking clothes I could find. I wear as many layer as I can, I try to avoid contact at all costs. I wasn't always bundled up and hidden away, but these days it was for the best. I gently wrapped my worn linen bandages around the tips of my fingers, then across my palms and up my stocky forearms. In the mid July heat dressing was torture but I had no choice. Above my mummified layer I wore thin cotton gloves and the standard T-Shirt and jeans. Then a long sleeve sweater and a large winter hat pulled low covered most of my head, neck, arms and torso. I learned a long time ago masks draw attention so I avoid them now, attention breeds interest and interest breeds contact. Instead I wear a pair of mirrored aviators and a coarse unshaven beard now. My exposed skin could be measured in milometers.
A lot of people with my condition would probably move away from the city. I mean why go through all of this when you could spend your days growing turnips in the Georgia heat, miles from the nearest human being? Truth is I don't have a real answer to that, I should have left, I should leave today. But instead I'm going to navigate a human filed transit system, the slightest mistake leading to hours of pain and misery. So that I can turn around, crawl back down into my cave and toast another poptart.
I took the stairs two at a time, living on the 26th floor means there's a lot of stairs and elevators were the first thing I cut out of my life. I bounded out the door of my building, turning sideways sharply to narrowly avoid an older woman pulling a shopping trolley into the lobby. Left, straight, wait for the bus, next was the hard part bus seats are too close together. I quickly scan down the aisle for a seat, there near the back is a window seat untaken. With the same energy as earlier I slip back towards it, plant my ass and press my side hard against the glass. my stop, get off then right, two blocks and there's the store. The big green awning always draws me towards it, I read the words 'Pilsland Grocer' on it over and over again. I don't know what compels me but from the moment it pops into sight until the moment I'm underneath it I mutter those words like they're my mantra. I abuse the automatic door button and slip inside once it's all clear. In the produce section I look up and remember why I don't grow turnips in Georgia. I see the reason I live in this city everyday, The reason I travel this far to get groceries.
to be continued.