It's Just A Bug

George's trip to the rain forest

Photo by Syed Ali on Unsplash

George came back home from his trip to the rain forest and gave his wife Karen a kiss. She asked him how everything went there but George was very short with his answers. Karen chalked up his avoidance of the subject to just being tired and wasn’t too concerned. She suggested that he lay down and rest for a while, and she’d unpack his bags later. George did just that. He changed into his loungewear and crawled into bed.

As George laid there and stared at the bedroom ceiling, he was happy to have a solid roof over his head again. Camping in the rain forest was a dream of his, but scarier than he anticipated. He closed his eyes and gradually drifted off into a deep sleep. Karen peeked in on George only once and observed him looking peaceful. What Karen didn’t know yet was that George was about to relive his nightmare.

The first night in the rain forest it was hot, damp, and active. Living in the country and hearing crickets and frogs at night was quiet compared to the animal life that lives in the rainforest. Howler monkeys were the loudest especially when agitated. George was also warned of the big cats and venomous snakes while he was there. What he wasn’t aware of was the tiny bug that had a bite so painful that it was like being shot by a gun.

As George dreamt he saw bits and pieces of his time in the forest. He was talking to one of the men that he went with about the wildlife and his environmental study. He could smell the burning wood of the campfire and feel the perspiration as it dripped down his forehead. It was almost like he was back there with the tree canopy as his rooftop again. The dark was so dark except for the light from the fire and a few lanterns. In the distance he heard a deep growl and prayed that it wouldn’t come any closer.

The next morning George saw what life was like for the natives and learned some of their ways. He was pleased to experience how life was for them there but was also thankful for his own back in the states. It wasn’t until the fourth day while hiking deeper into the forest that his experience was heightened. George was trailing behind the group when he felt something sting him. He looked where the pain was on his arm and saw it was an ant as it bit him again. As he brushed the ant off, another one landed on him, and then another. They were dropping from the tree he was walking under.

His cries for help alerted the rest of the group and they came running. He also woke up in his bed rubbing his arms and sweating. Karen rushed into their bedroom because she heard George’s whimpers. She was concerned when she saw him sweaty and frantically looking around the sheets.

“What’s wrong George, are you okay?” Karen rushed up to him.

George threw off the sheet and looked down by his feet, “what is that?” He cried.

“It’s just a bug George,” Karen brushed it off the bed.

George quickly got up and went into the bathroom. He washed his face and eventually regained his composure. He knew that he had to tell Karen what had happened to him in the rain forest. The horrifying ant attack and being in agony for two days put a halt to everyone’s trip. He also knew that if he didn’t share the traumatic experience with someone that it might eat him alive.

This was just a short story that I came up with after watching a movie. Creativity can come from anywhere. If you liked it please let me know. And if you would like to read more of this type please let me know and subscribe.