13 Comments
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Kimberly B🌴👻🌴's avatar

So apparently one of perimenopause's weird symptoms can be an endlessly itchy ear/s. I didn't find that out until months after mine had finally stopped. The itching unfortunately began around the same time that we brought my (rescue) dog home infested with seed ticks, and I don't know which one of us it was more traumatic for. I've had a fear of parasites forever, and a fear of ear things ever since The Wrath of Khan, so this was super scary. I hate you and also respect you for it lol. Really loved the epistolary format as well!

Brandi Lynn's avatar

It is a masterful bit of body horror to turn a luxury shopping trip into a slow-motion invasion where the most terrifying sound isn't a scream, but the "juicy pop" of something making itself at home in your mind. Love it ✨

Tina Crossgrove's avatar

Favorite comment ever.

Ozarklore's avatar

Crystal alien cats, this was a lot of fun! Thank you.

Verdant Butterfly's avatar

So I have mild earachnophobia which triggered unfortunately so I had to stop reading but that's a me thing the writing is great and the story was very well told because my early warning senses started going off I mean you literally named the piece Earworm so I can't complain LOL and i had a feeling i was going to trigger but i was brave and I tried. (big cheesy grin) imma go watch kittens on you-tube now...*shivers*

Tina Crossgrove's avatar

I can sympathize. It’s a legit fear! I spent many years struggling with said fear after a very real and extremely unpleasant experience regarding said fear manifested (while living in India, nonetheless!) that need not be discussed in detail here. I applaud and appreciate your attempt to read!

Verdant Butterfly's avatar

Oh holy hell, I am so sorry, I suppose writing is a wonderful way to confront such things OK, back to happy thoughts. I have a whole youtube playlist of cute animals and none of them are spitting cats with parasites ...LOL

Tina Crossgrove's avatar

Is the playlist public? Asking for a friend (you know how this goes…)

Verdant Butterfly's avatar

no but maybe I should LOL

Darker Ink's avatar

Crazy creepy horror! I really liked how some was a medical report. Nicely done.

Tina Crossgrove's avatar

Thank you! It was fun to write those bits (thank you Star Trek for the inspo!).

Vanessa Perry's avatar

Literally started rubbing at my ear! 🤣 This was great!

Tina Crossgrove's avatar

Hehehe… you are welcome.