Traveler, Kole Redmond

The works of Dominic Suazo

Sunrise Sunrise

FREE TIME FREE TIME

Bus Stop Bus Stop

Ari Soto

Symbiotic Relationship Ashley Vizcara

The parasite was in open sight. Taunting me, its prey. Then made its attack. Flying its forearm then landing it on my human body. I was prey to its existence. Unable to move like a deer seeing headlights.

The other parasite saw. Like a lemming it followed the first, Doubling the attack.

Unable to move, I watched in fear. The things they did were awful, and illing to know they would do these things. They both began to run their needles around my thigh. As if being petrified wasn’t enough, I now felt disgusted, as I came to understand what my dad meant by there being sick people in this world, and all I could do was watch.

During my paralyzed stage, I remembered something. The others in the room were there. They can help. But then I remembered that they were commensalisms. Meaning that they were only gaining from others while not aiding. Leaving me more helpless than ever.

Their attacks became more noticeable, as I felt their needles inject into my blood. Piercing my skin like a scab being picked, to inject their filthy saliva. Not able to handle anymore the bubble burst, I slowly regained the blood I lost.

The others, staring. Surprised me, then realizing I could move. Without a sign of thought, I left the room. Leaving the parasites behind and my sanity. Without realizing I’d changed. One thing I did know was different was that I began to feel itchy.

Running to a place, I hid in fear of my predators. A mutualism then approached me wanting to help, taking me to someone who took me under her wing. Unfortunately, she was occupied with the animals in the room. Telling me to leave, distracted by the arguing. We then left and hid in my previous hiding place. I began to scratch my skin, irritated by the parasites’ attack. They saw, and since they are the concerned person they are, asked what happened. I didn’t show what happened and said I was simply itchy. They hugged me and wished me luck hoping that I’ll be okay.

Then, before I knew it, a year passed. Getting ready and putting on a somewhat revealing outfit. An animal of my same species knocked on the bathroom door, telling me about their being all XX chromosomes at the party except one XY chromosome creature. Then left to get ready. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I began to panic. The concealed memories within my brain came back, I remember the parasites having XY chromosomes too. My arms began to feel itchy. That’s when I decided to check the damage the incident caused. Frozen in fear, I realized what was done. It was too late. The inflicted damage has been coursing through my bloodstream, infecting all of me. I wondered, should I tell my mutualism about it now. After consideration, I decided not to tell them or anyone in particular. Resulting in more issues within my veins, containing poison, and constantly panicking towards anyone that comes close.