We only ever wanted to heal. We wanted it to be quick and painless. We wanted to save lives.
Now we are set to work purging the world of our cure.
The growths explode from the body and the host is very much alive when it happens. Tendrils of flesh unfurl from the breach in the skin and reveal membranous petals that we have begun to call flowers. They have a silvery sheen to them, and little veins, and at their razor-tipped edges there is an iridescent film. Mesmerising to look at. That’s how the host draws you in.
A rudimentary predator, evolving quicker than we can keep pace. They spread the contagion through bodily fluids. The tiniest nick is enough to do it.
We had the best intentions.
Paddy Dobson
28th September 2022