One original sci-fi story per day for all of 2023 | Created by screenwriter Timothy Michael Cooper, illustrated using A.I.

Empathy

Empathy

People call me a super-empath, but I don’t know about all that. For example: Since you're gritting your teeth right now, I can tell you're intimidated, right? See, this just comes naturally to me. And you’re sweating, indicating you’re nervous around me. No need. The fidgeting means you’re impatient—probably to tell your friends you met someone with basically superhuman powers (others’ words, not mine). The way you’re shuffling back and forth, I can tell you’re itching to show me off to the world. But I’m really not interested in fame; I’m simply trying to live my life like a normal.