Whumptober 2023

Touch Aversion - Day 17

Peter Parker's heart raced as he found himself in the middle of a bustling crowd. It wasn't just the sheer number of people that unnerved him; it was his deep-rooted fear of being touched. Every passing shoulder brush or accidental bump sent a jolt of anxiety through his veins.For as long as he could remember, Peter had carried this fear, like a heavy burden on his young shoulders. The touch of another person set off a wave of panic in him, making him feel trapped and vulnerable. It was a daily battle to navigate his way through a world that seemed custom-made for closeness and connection.But on this particular day, fate seemed to have conspired against him. The crowd swelled around him, seemingly relentless in its mission to smother him in human contact. He felt the press of bodies, the heat of their proximity, the inability to escape.Each touch, however slight, caused his skin to crawl, his breath to quicken. The fear consumed him, making him feel like an outsider even in the midst of the lively crowd. He felt isolated, trapped in his own personal nightmare.As the minutes turned into what felt like hours, Peter's sadness grew. The weight of his fear intensified as he watched people around him effortlessly engage in conversations, share laughter, and freely express their affection for one another. It seemed like a world he could never fully be a part of.Peering through the veil of his anxiety, Peter noticed a little girl with wide curious eyes, her small hand outstretched towards him. In that moment, his heart swelled with longing. He yearned to embrace her innocence, to connect with her on a human level. But fear held him back like an invisible barrier, separating him from the warmth and connection he desperately craved.With a heavy sigh, Peter slowly maneuvered his way through the crowd, his eyes downcast and his heart heavy. The experience had once again reminded him of the limits his fear placed on his life, on his ability to fully engage with the world around him.