"Maria? This is Mr Sunnis, the surgeon. The results of the tests on your parasite came back. It turns out it was a female. We'd like you to come in for an examination. Purely routine, of course, but we want to be sure that you're free of any possible infection."

Maria dropped her phone and ran for the bathroom, ripping open her shirt in her haste. She stood in front of the mirror and forced herself to look at her reflection. Beneath her skin, dozens of shapes squirmed and writhed.