Parasite

Part 3

Throbbing at the finger tips, lighting on the back and an anvil on the stomach; all feeling of pain; another sensation this time coldness ach in the bones, something is wrong. Beeping increase loud in the ears, not stoping takes me away from peaceful space. Lifting eyelids an effort to open, bringing into focus a room of white. A glass wall to the left showing a reception desk on the other side. Closing eyes back to the quiet world.

It is the morning that a nurse came in to check on the vitals. The nurse is an older woman wearing a blue scrub top, black pants and shoes. Her silver name tag sat at the pocket showing Mrs W. Long in bold letters.

She taps her had on the bed "Good morning Mister Anderson". Her eyes continue stare at the foot of the bed. "Would you like to have breakfast?"

A rumble from the stomach brought images of yogurt, ice-cream and thick milkshakes. She pops a tablet at the foot of the bed. Handing over too my gloved hands with percents of thirty for and twenty eight. On the screen is a breakfast menu, of many different options from Spanish omelette to a selection of fruit.

"Can I have milk shake." I ask.

She smiles "Of course, chocolate, vanilla, what flavour do you want?"

"Vanilla will be nice, thank you." As I hand over the tablet. "Can you tell me why I am nearly covered head to toe in a latex body suit?"

Her smile vanishes and came back on like delayed hologram. "I will get the doctor and he will be able to explain."

She knew something. The way she avoid to look at me "We'll contact Ms Anderson, tell her that you are awake and she will be able today." The nurse said.

The morning containing tests on reflexology, cognitions, MRI and blood test that had to be drawn from the inside of the mouth. It was past noon when my mother came in a pale brown cardigan and skinny jeans, her hair breeze swept. Ichabod is covered in a clear plastic bag. We did the usual of small talk of how we are feeling and what has happen in the last couple of hours. The door swish open bring in a doctor with a white coat. His skin hanging off his bones, one of his legs began to lip.

"Mister Anderson, Ms Anderson." He gives a slight head bow "Ms Anderson can I speak to your son." He swept his hand to the door.

She tightens her grip for a second. "Okay I will be outside." Taking her bag she strides out the door.

The doctor leans on the foot of the bed. His large glasses sat on his nose. The room is quite with the only breathing can be heard.

"Have you in the past week taken an illegal drug." His voice cold, his eyes held no compassion.

"Yes" closing my eyes for a moment.

"Have you been paying attention to the news about the bone Frankenstein." He pops the tablet out of the bed. "What you have consumed is a parasite that makes an exoskeleton, right now your skin is dying." He walks over hand the tablet.

On the tablet is a video of progression of skin peeling. The skin black and oozing brown, yellow pus left behind. Once clean the exoskeleton show a shell of glistening green with yellow tiger strips. It pans out to reveal a teenage girl. She looks more of those aliens from outer space.

In a CEO voice I ask "So is this what a bone monster looks like?"

He rubs his chin for a moment "No for some reason each patient has a different pattern o there exoskeleton." For a moment his eyes light up "It is theories that there must have a purpose or a warning sign."

"Doctor what does that mean for me."

He sighs if having to explain something pointless "This is an experimental parasite so for the rest of your life will be monitored. Now we should allow Ms Anderson back in."