Bugs

I feel them crawling all over my me before I'm even awake. On a bad night, they infest my dreams as well. If I double up on my meds, I sleep without dreaming. Bliss.

Their scurrying legs tickle my skin as soon as my consciousness begins rising to the surface. Their stingers and pincers sting and pinch. My arms windmill in a frantic and futile scramble to get them off get them off before my eyes open. I'd choke out a sob except I can't open my mouth... I'll taste them, I'll feel them journeying down my throat...

I beat my arms, legs and torso, whimpering with my lips sealed shut, running to the bathroom. Showering barely offers respite. It washes them away, but the pinprick sensation of the water on my body is too reminiscent of their feet. With my hands clamped over my mouth, I let myself sob at last. Sometimes. It doesn't help.

Duct tape on hand, I get an outfit from its vacuum pack. I'm well-practised now, at getting each item on lightning-quick, and taping down the edges. No matter how fast I am, often at least one of the creatures is faster, and then I must get it out, and try again. Dressing takes a long time.

I try not to look at the gouge marks on my wrists and thighs. They get in eventually, no matter what I do. They burrow into my skin. I have to get them out.

When my cuffs are secured to my wrists, and the bottoms of my leggings stuck firmly to my ankles, I place another piece of tape over my mouth. I spend most of my days with my hand over my face to stop them getting up my nose.

I can't keep them out of my hair. I've tried everything. Instead, I pick and scratch perpetually at my scalp.

I skip breakfast. I will nibble later, one mouthful at a time. I choose each moment with care, and hasten to put the tape back in place.

On Thursdays, I see my therapist, who will assure me, again, there's nothing there. But I see them. I feel them. And they're driving me insane.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Word count: 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and author's note.)

Submitted on Wednesday 16th October at 21:01

Quick Author's Note

The story behind the story: I inspired myself for this one! In yesterday's story, my doctor-character worried that "something" would go whooshing up his nose when he was checking a dead body.

This is a submission for Marie Sinadjan's Spooky Bingo. This is for the Phobias square.

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 290 daily micro-fiction story streak since 1st January.

ONLY SEVENTY-SIX DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Image: Oh this was FUN!

Before you go, I want to share with you my experience of being gaslighted by AI. I hope you enjoy the following conversation as much as I did...

I wasn't happy with this. You can probably see why. The cuffs are wrong! I could have overlooked it, if it wasn't a key point in the story.

I've found with this one, that if I tell it it's got it wrong, it will say, "Got it! I will create...." It describes exactly what I want, and then doesn't do anything. So, I tried a different approach.

Wait, what?

Wow, I'm getting narcissist vibes! LOL

Who knew AI wore a fedora?

So, I provided a screenshot, didn't I...

You have got to be shitting me.

The last image is okay, though. That's close to what I'm looking for.

Why didn't I give up? I should have just given up... But some morbid fascination kept me going.

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and I am extremely grateful for your ongoing support.

Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. Bear with me while I catch up on reads (I will have much more time to do this at the end of the coming week. In the meantime, I do appreciate your eyes!)

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

This is my latest dollar challenge. Please have a look.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thank you again!