Unseen Touch

 Goldenleaf Park was alive with the gentle hum of activity—children laughing, birds chirping, and the rustle of leaves in the soft breeze. Emma sat alone on a wooden bench, scrolling through her phone, her long auburn ponytail cascading over her shoulder and catching the light like spun copper.

From a shaded spot under an old oak tree, Alex watched her. His unique gift had always intrigued him—he could turn invisible at will, slipping unseen into the fabric of the world. It wasn’t something he flaunted, but today, he felt an irresistible pull to use it. Not for anything grand or significant, but for something that made his heart race in a way he couldn't quite explain.

He shimmered out of sight, the world losing track of his presence. Silent and unseen, he approached the bench. Emma remained engrossed in her phone, oblivious to his invisible form standing just behind her.

Her ponytail swayed slightly as she shifted her position, and Alex found himself captivated by it. Slowly, carefully, he reached out and let his fingers graze the strands. They felt impossibly soft, the texture almost mesmerizing. He ran his fingers through the length of her ponytail, marveling at how she didn’t flinch or react. She didn’t feel it at all.

A slow smile spread across his face as he continued to stroke her hair. There was something thrilling about the moment—knowing he could interact with the world in ways no one else could, that he could touch without being noticed. He wasn’t causing harm; to him, this was a private indulgence, a secret only he would ever know.

Emma adjusted her position again, flipping her ponytail over her other shoulder. Alex paused, watching as the sunlight caught the strands, making them shimmer like molten gold. She glanced around briefly, then returned to her phone, completely unaware of his presence. The sensation of her hair lingered on his fingertips, a small but satisfying detail.

Feeling content, Alex stepped back and retreated into the shade, reappearing with a faint shimmer as he watched Emma rise from the bench and walk toward the park’s fountain. Her ponytail swayed with each step, and Alex couldn’t help but smile, savoring the memory of the moment.

For him, it wasn’t just about the act—it was about the quiet power he held, the ability to interact with the world on his terms, unnoticed and free. As he walked away, hands in his pockets, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Life was full of small pleasures, and for Alex, this one felt uniquely his.