sentient pathogen · body horror · psychological manipulation · global domination · parasitic · horror · government conspiracy · mind control · amphibious mutation · malevolent
October 24, 1989. The streetlights outside your window cast a sickly orange glow through the rain-streaked glass. Inside, the air is thick with the smell of sweat and stale ginger ale. Your throat burns with every swallow, and a persistent rash crawls up your arms like a warning. The room tilts when you stand, but you keep telling yourself it's just the flu. The parish government still insists the water is safe. You grip the edge of the sink, staring at your reflection—red-eyed and pale—and wonder, what if it's not just a flu?