Carter and Vee used sticks to prod at large fire ants. They scurried frantically when their line was disrupted, but even still they redirected themself to their target- a doe that gingerly sniffed at the undergrowth.
The forest was bright and cool. The sun and shade spotted the ground and the air smelled like pine. Birds chirped and sang, chipmunks and squirrels ran through the trees. There was a breeze that ruffled branches. But, aside from this, the world was silent.
"Do you like my hair?" Vee asked.
Carter looked at her and squinted. It was the same as before. Wait. No. Her hair was blonde, almost white before. Now it's white, almost blue. Vee dyed it.
"It looks good." Carter said, returning to the ants. They were frenetic now, running in small circles. The deer they were scurrying towards had disappeared and they were left behind.
Then all at once, they all trailed towards Carter. She looked over her shoulder, to where Vee had previously stood, but she was gone.
Carter looked back at the tiny red specks. Curiously, she stayed sat in place as they crawled up her legs and torso.
She raised her arms slightly as they began to crawl towards her fingertips.
And then she felt her skin split.
The ants gnawed at Carter's chest, her midsection, and her inner thighs. They were tearing her apart. Carter screamed as she clawed at the ants, though her effort was to no avail. She couldn't remove the merciless insects from her skin.
Instead, she left lacerations from her nails and blood ran down her body. Carter looked at her hands, horrified as they morphed into hooves. She touched her face as she felt a snout form. She could feel her ears grow, and a tail sprout. Fur grew from her skin and Carter was hit with the sudden realization she was turning into a deer.
She was locked to the ground as the ants ate her alive.
"Are you okay, dear?" Jonah asked when Carter gasped. She'd been sleeping, she realized, but she could still feel the nightmarish ants crawling on select parts of her body.
Jonah was laid between Carter and the back of the couch, using his right hand to prop his head on the armrest Carter laid her head on. She stiffened when she realized his left hand was lightly rubbing her inner thigh.
Jonah's eyebrows furrowed in concern, "You look so pale, Car. Bad dream?"
Carter sat upright when Jonah wrapped his hand around her leg and rubbed her skin with his thumb. "What are you doing?" She asked suddenly.
"You don't need to sound so scared," he almost laughed, "it's okay, you're safe here."
Carter sat still for a moment but when Jonah started to lean forward she pressed her hand against his chest and refused to let him closer. That didn't stop him from pressing her back into the couch.
"What's the matter?" He asked teasingly as he took Carter's wrist and held her hand above her head. Jonah began to suck affectionately on Carter's neck when she splayed her free arm around her stomach in a feeble attempt to guard herself. His breath was hot against her skin.
Confusion contorted Carter's face. What was Jonah doing? He was being gentle and loving but... she didn't want this. Not now. But it didn't feel like Jonah was trying to be mean, either.
She tried to pull away from beneath Jonah's grasp when he began to rub his erection on her. "Stop." Carter whispered with a shaking voice. She could feel herself blushing and she was beginning to tremble. She couldn't look him in the eye.
She was certain that Jonah could feel her heart pounding, seeing as how much weight he was putting on her now. His free hand gently grabbed her waist, squeezing lightly. Carter was careful not to wince, though he had grabbed a tender spot.
"Stop, please." Carter tried again. She felt so uncomfortable now her stomach knotted. Jonah paused for a moment, then pulled away from her neck.
"Carter, don't make that face." He said. He sounded hurt as he pulled further away from her, releasing his grip on her wrist.
Without his weight on her, Carter quickly shuffled to sit upright. She hadn't noticed before- but her shirt had been pulled up as she slept, and she moved it back down.
"I- I don't want to do... that." She said. Her voice wavered slightly.
"It's okay, Carter." Jonah said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck, "I just thought you wanted- well I mean it's not the first time we've- er, never mind dear. You've had a bad day, you should rest."
The knot in Carter's stomach tightened. It's not the first time they've done what? What was that supposed to mean? She and Jonah had never touched, not like this. They've never had sex, nothing close to it. She's only ever fallen asleep on his shoulder while they watch TV. Was she sending mixed signals then? Just now, by falling asleep on his couch after using his shower?
Jonah adjusted to sit on the other side of the couch so they no longer touched, "Jesus, don't look so scared sweetheart."
Carter's breathing quickened. Jonah looked so upset now. Had she caused this awkwardness?
Carter was biting back tears and Jonah pulled her into a hug. "I know how nervous you get, dear, and that's why you're being so funny right now. But you and I- we're okay. I really like you, dear." He tried to comfort her, "It's okay. We don't have to do this now."
Carter nodded her head. Jonah understood her and he's stopping. It's okay.
Jonah took a deep breath and looked Carter in the eyes, "I'm sorry, babe. I know you've been through a lot today. I was being inconsiderate. Let me get you a drink, love, and I'll take a cold shower."
Jonah got up and left for the kitchen while Carter focused on her breathing. She could hear him open the fridge, a cabinet, two drawers, something plastic.
The clicking of a silver spoon tapping the glass rang lightly through the small house.
"This'll help you sleep." Jonah said as he handed Carter a glass of chocolate milk.
Carter nodded and offered a weak smile in thanks as she took the glass. With that, Jonah left for his room, shut his door, and turned on the water to his shower.
