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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#213: The Human Touch

For most people, platonic touch is a central part of being human. When words are not enough, a warm hug or a comforting hand on the shoulder can soothe, support, and create a sense of belonging. But the phrase has another meaning; adding a ‘human touch’ to your work and interactions can also be a way to show empathy and compassion without physically touching. And when that ‘human touch’ is missing from someone or something, it can start to verge on the uncanny.


This week’s prompts are centered around the concept of ‘the human touch’, both literally and figuratively — the comfort it can bring, but also that otherworldly and uneasy feeling we can get when there’s a distinct lack of it in the art and creations we encounter.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a character looking closely at something, or someone. They can't quite decide if what they're looking at is natural, or man-made.

Science Fiction – 51 stories

Start or end your story with a character receiving a hug or words of comfort.

Dramatic – 101 stories

Write a story about someone who is losing feeling in their hands and/or fingers.

Character – 46 stories

Write about someone with a Midas touch: everything they touch turns to [fill in the blank].

Character – 39 stories

Write about an AI or person trying to inject a ‘human touch’ into their work.

Science Fiction – 49 stories

Stories

“Metamorphosis ” by Emma Cassidy

Submitted to Contest #213

“I’ll come back for you,” she says, hugging me tightly. I bury my face into her neck, trying to memorize the feel of her hair tickling my cheek, the scratchy sweater that she’s worn holes into, the smell of the cheap perfume she swears is just as good as “the fancy stuff.” I try to believe her, but we’ve been here before. For as long as I can remember, she’s been making that promise. For as long as I can remember, she’s been breaking it. Releasing me, she holds me at arm’s length. Her pale blue eyes are red and watery, her thin brown...

3 comments 3
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“"I will always be here for you, never forget that." ” by Deliliah Smith

Submitted to Contest #213

Disclaimer: This story mentions, a brief mention of addiction, as well as one use of foul language. “I will always be here for you, never forget that.” The first time George uttered those words it had been in the early hours of the morning when the rest of the northern hemisphere aside the night shift workers and insomniacs were oblivious to the world around them, peacefully sleeping. George and Hannah, were tucked up in bed, wrapped up in her yellow polka dot duvet, basking in the dim glow of fairy lights, which felt like a hug in itself...

2 comments 2
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“Promise ” by Emma Chavez

Submitted to Contest #213

Sean Pedalton sat in his multi million dollar mansion. He threw one leg over the side of his perfectly clean white chairs. He scanned the room and scowled at it. He thought it looked more like a movie set than a home. At this moment he couldn’t remember why he had let his agent and everyone else talk him into buying a house in LA. He had to admit the view was beautiful but he much preferred living under the cloudy skies of Portland or Seattle.  Sean grabbed a piece of paper off the ground that he had thrown there moments earlier with s...

3 comments 3
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“Seeking Closure” by Will Driver

Submitted to Contest #213

The sound from the rain falling down on the umbrellas bore by those gathered in the cemetery creates a lulling atmosphere. A little girl around the age of nine is amongst the throng of visitors, in their efforts to stay dry they also provide a canopy for her as she eyes the mahogany casket with equal measures of sadness and curiosity.  She looks down at her feet. Her black shoes begin to slowly become consumed by the earth as the soil becomes more saturated, the water churning with the grass causes her to shift her weight...

2 comments 2
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“The Fortune Teller” by Stevie Burges

Submitted to Contest #213

‘Make sure you bring some paper and a pen’, said Lynne. We were off to a fortune teller called Ada. I always thought fortune tellers were rubbish, but Lynne was convinced they could predict our future events. I was in my early 20s and a dedicated people pleaser, and if Lynne wanted to have her palm read - well, so be it! ‘Why do I need paper and pen?’ I asked, confused by this request. It turns out I was supposed to listen carefully to Lynne’s reading and report precisely what the fortune teller had said. Lynne said that Ada ...

1 comment 1
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“Teacher of the Year” by Anna E. Walters

Submitted to Contest #213

Teacher of the Year Let me tell you, retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here I am, Barb Marraine, 1999 Teacher of the Year for Castle Hills School District, sitting on my front porch with a crossword puzzle and a warmed-up ice tea, wondering why kids these days don’t play outside anymore. Of course I knew things would slow down when I left the classroom, but my life these days would bore a three-toed sloth. Sure, I volunteer at the food pantry now and then, and my first tropical cruise last month was marvelous, but on my pension,...

6 comments 6
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“Handy Helpers” by Cade Holter

Submitted to Contest #213

I don’t want to reel my hands in tonight.That may sound odd to you, but I’m being entirely serious. Since the age of thirteen I’ve had hands that can detach at the wrist, connected only by a pair of loose, red strings. This is normal for me, though it took a fair amount of time for me to really warm up to the concept, something not especially helped by my first impression of it. The night I found this strange part of my anatomy was a particularly burning summer, one that leaked into the night well past the time that the moon rose up. I was l...

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“The Night Watch” by Sarah Van Langenhoven

Submitted to Contest #213

I held her pressed up against my chest, my arms tightly locked around her as if to trap her there for an eternity to come, but it only lasted a moment. The moment and my grip faded, time slipped between my fingers and before I realised, she had moved back to sit beside me, I found my arms empty.“I never took you for the sentimental fellow.” She jested, a gentle chuckle escaping her lips, blending into the crackling of the fire before us. “Thought you’d nearly squeeze me to death there.” I looked at her and forced the corners of my mouth to r...

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“Pins & Needles” by Cyan Villanueva

Submitted to Contest #213

“How are they today?” I cup her cheek with my hand, gently rubbing my thumb across it. I know her cheek feels warm and soft; she smiles up at me as we lay together. I move my hand to cup the back of her brunette wavy hair, cradling her beautiful head. Then run my hands through her hair. My fingers get caught slightly, so I carefully detangle it for her. I know it feels soft too, but right now I can’t feel it anymore. Not with these hands. I’m unsure how to tell her. I sigh and kiss her forehead, holding the back of her head again, tryin...

4 comments 4
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“We’re Not Supposed to Cheat Death – It’s Part of Life” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #213

Senator Marcus Cicero walks through the Garden of Senators, one of Washington D.C.’s most popular attractions. He pauses at the statues of his father, Lucius, and his grandfather, Julius. He squeezes his hand, hoping to relieve the numbness that has taken root in his fingers. “It won’t be long now.” Marcus vigorously shakes the hand of a young constituent but feels nothing. The young man beams at the charismatic, dark-haired politician. “Your speech was magnificent. Senator. It reminded all of us that even though we conquered the Si...

2 comments 2
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“Fireheart” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #213

“Come on… One more time.” Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I shake out my stiff arms, hoping to shake out my anxieties as well. I stop, close my eyes, and take a deep breath, willing my mind to clear. The act takes a few seconds longer than it should, but soon I can feel the familiar and welcome spark of energy deep within me. Magic. Focusing all of my attention on that spark, I urged it to grow. It heeds my command. Warmth floods my torso as it increases. Once satisfied with the amount of energy burning within my chest, I urge the fire ...

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“Sleeping Beauty ” by TheArtistry Lover

Submitted to Contest #213

The Onslaught of colorful spotlights skating across the dance, painting the gleaming crowd with red, pink, and orange. The smell of perfume and cologne all around, barely overcoming the smell of sweat underneath, permeated throughout the entire room.  A pleasant yet corrosive smell; something that stabbed at my nose. I do not know if it is in a good way or bad.  I didn’t have a man to share this with of course, but the group I cultivated over my short and super awesome stay at York High. This was enough for me, plus I’m a truly gi...

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“The Magic Palm” by Catherine Metcalf

Submitted to Contest #213

I hadn't been on the interstate long. From Colby to Sullivan took 30 minutes. The drive had been quiet, traffic was limited and the sun was just starting to go down behind the trees. I crossed the town line, just under Depot Road Bridge when the car started to slowly die out. "NO!" "No, please don't, not now. You piece of....." As though offended by my words, my 2002 Chevy Impala let out a final sigh before dying on the side of the road. "Unbelievable," I muttered to myself, my hands frozen to the wheel in shock, my eyes welling with tears....

2 comments 2
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“A Vortex of Ash” by Vivacity Rex

Submitted to Contest #213

A Vortex of Ash “You failed!” I seethe from my detritus throne. Leaning out of the tattered canopy’s shade, I wring my gloved hands in slow, deliberate motions.  The dirt-crusted man drops to his knees, landing hard on the pavement as snivelling excuses dribble endlessly from his mouth. A crooked smile forms on my lips as excitement starts coursing through my veins.  My queendom covers the back alleys of Detroit. I rule all the infested garbage and scum like this man. And I love every minute of it. I sniff the air. “Mmm, yo...

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“The Death Touch” by Lauren Normac

Submitted to Contest #213

Wyatt entered the greenhouse. As usual, he wore two layers, had gloves, and a hat. Although, since he was in a greenhouse, his clothes were thin. Compared to some, this greenhouse was organized. It had a wide path in the middle, with the plants rarely extending outside their pots. Both his clothes and the greenhouse were clearly selected so he wouldn’t accidentally touch a plant with his bare skin. Most people were wary about letting him work in their greenhouses in general, and he couldn’t just get his own. Who had the money for their own g...

1 comment 1
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$250

Prize money

286

Contest entries

124

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 01, 2023 EST

Won by Jonathan Page 🏆

Title: The Porcelain Village

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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