Brad Thomas is an English author of Horror, Thriller books and short stories. He is also writing his grandmother’s life story. From a young age, all he wanted to do was become an author. Growing up in Tipton, West Midlands, England, he never thought it would be possible, but he never stopped chasing his dream.
You can find out more about Brad’s books and work on his social media: Facebook / Instagram
PARASITES ARE REAL
by
Brad Thomas
“OUCH, what the hell was that.” Screamed Scott as he waded through the water of the river.
He felt something sharp on the bottom of his foot, it hurt so bad that he decided to get out the water. He walked over to where Liv sat, she was still sunbathing. He sat down on a rock to check out his left foot. There was nothing there, not even a scratch. He knew he’d done something though, that pain was horrendous.
“I swear, I stepped on something. It hurt like hell; it’s still pulsating now.”
“There’s nothing there, honey.” Replied Liv as she sat up to look.
Liv had been engaged to Scott for two years now, their love for each other was the strongest it had ever been. She loved him unconditionally and hoped to marry him one day.
“Let’s go to the hospital and get you checked out, just in case yeah?”
“No…You’re right, there’s nothing there. Maybe I just stepped awkward or something.” Scott answered.
They loaded up the car and headed home.
**
They’d been on the road for around an hour when Scott’s foot began to feel sore and itch bad. He tried scratching it with his other foot, but that only made it itch more.
“I gotta pull over Liv, my foot is itching bad.” He said as he began to pull over.
He got out the car but as he put his foot on the floor, he felt a surge of pain shoot right through it. Scott leaned against the car and took his shoe off, the smell was unbearable and his whole foot had turn black.
“Oh my god, Liv. We definitely need to go to the hospital.” Shrieked Scott as he jumped into the back of the car. “Can you drive please sweetheart.”
Liv was lost for words after seeing how bad his foot looked. She nodded and jumped into the driver’s seat.
**
They arrived at a nearby hospital, Scott was in severe pain by now. As they got out the car, Scott dropped to the floor. He couldn’t even walk on his foot now, he tried to get up but couldn’t.
“HELP, PLEASE. SOMEBODY HELP US.” Bellowed Liv at the top of her voice.
Help soon came in the form of two nurses that came rushing outside, Scott blacked out.
**
When Scott came round, he was on a hospital bed and wires were everywhere. Doctors were running all kinds of tests on him. He began to feel scared and worried what was going on. He looked to his right and saw Liv sitting at his bedside.
“Oh Honey, you’re awake. You blacked out.”
“What’s going on, Liv?”
“The doctors are running tests on you and took blood samples from you. They told me to give them a shout when you came round.”
Liv stood up to go fetch the doctors but as she was about to open the door, a doctor came walking in.
“You must have read my mind, Doctor. I was just coming to fetch you.” Liv said.
“It’s good that he’s awake but, got some really bad news.” Said Doctor Ashfield.
“What is it doctor?” Scott asked as Liv took a seat beside him holding his hand.
“Well, I don’t really know how to say this Mr Adams. As medical professionals, we’re all baffled. I’m sorry to say this but we need to get you to the operating theatre immediately, your left foot is…dead.”
“Dead? How? I only stepped on a rock or something, in the river.” Replied Scott.
“That may be true Mr Adams, but your blood tests are showing a parasite that we’ve never seen before, maybe even a new species. Its living off your foot and eating away from inside of you. We need to amputate your foot…NOW.”
“A parasite? How? I can’t lose my foot.” Replied Scott in a panic as shock began to set in.
“We don’t know, son. But we need to go now.”
**
The next day Scott sat in the hospital bed, looking down to where is foot used to be. He was still in shock at losing his foot, it didn’t seem real. How could a teeny tiny parasite do something like this, he thought to himself. He looked around and saw Liv, she was fast asleep in the chair next to his bed. Reality began to set in now, how could he run and play with their future children? This can’t be real, it’s a nightmare. As that crossed his mind, a nurse entered the room.
“Time to change your dressing, Mr Adams.” The nurse said, waking up Liv in the process. “I’m so sorry for waking you madam.”
“It’s ok, I need the bathroom anyway. Do you want me to fetch you anything honey?” Liv asked Scott.
“No thank you, beautiful.” He replied still managing a smile after all this.
Liv left the room as the nurse stood beside the bed ready to change the dressing on Scott’s leg, where his foot once was. He didn’t even have the time to say anything to the nurse, she stood up and ran out the room screaming. She came back seconds later with the Doctor. He took one look at Scott and the expression on his face changed drastically.
“Mr Adams, I don’t know how to say this, but your lower half and mid-section has all turned black now. We amputated your left foot, but these parasites must still be inside you, eating away at an alarming rate.” The doctor said with a worried look on his face.
“Am I going to die?” Scott asked the doctor as a tear rolled down his cheek.
“I can’t answer that, son. We need to look at our options and fast.”
That night Scott’s heart stopped as the parasites ate away at it.
THE END