Traveling had always been something Joseph treasured, it brought valuable insight into all types of cultures and traditions across the world. He had been exploring the obscure crevices of the planet for as long as he could remember, starting with his parents doing the same thing. However, a recent trip to an unnamed river in the wilderness of Somalia hadn’t gone as planned. The country itself was dangerous, but he felt it was well worth the risk.

Against his better judgment, he decided to take a swim in the river. The water had been cool and pleasant, nothing seemed awry. After returning from the trip however, Joseph was left with an odd sensation. It felt as though his skin was tingling, including in the present, the feeling has only worsened. Even now, he scratched and picked at his arms and legs.

It started out as a minor nuisance, but now, it confused and consumed him. As he stared down at his limbs, the numbness only worsened. The tingling was unbearable, it felt as though someone had cut circulation from his body parts. As Joseph began to focus on his right arm, he noticed an odd detail. There was a line, almost like a vein, that was pulsating.

He jumped as he saw said “line” move within his own skin, the pulsation becoming more apparent. As he turned to look at his other arm, he noticed a similar feature. His legs had it as well. “There are…creatures inside me, inside my skin!” he realized. He was disturbed, disgusted, and dumbfounded. Even the thought of having such beasts within his body made him squirm.

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In a desperate attack of fear, he snatched a kitchen knife that he had used to eat a meal, and pressed it to the protruding “vein.” With the carelessness of a child, he sliced open his right forearm, blood gushing as the blade cut into the skin. His hands shook as he dug into his own flesh, removing the demon that invaded his person.

In his hand now rested a thin, transparent, tube-like creature, its length being rather impressive. Joseph shuddered as he threw down the worm onto the floor and stomped it with the heel of his boot. As he was about to continue eradicating the creatures from his other limbs, he noticed the odd sensation coming from his neck.

In great fear, he touched his throat, and to his surprise, the pulsation could be felt in a horizontal line. Without thinking rationally, Joseph stabbed the knife into the worm in an attempt to cut it out as he did with the other. “Oh…shit…” he said, coughing, as a warm liquid flowed over his fingers.

Joseph collapsed on the floor, clenching his throat, attempting to stop the havoc he caused on his own body. He was unable to breathe as he choked on his own blood. As he laid on the ground, all he could feel was the worms inside of him, feasting on his flesh.