The Monkey's Paw

The talking is the easy part. It's the understanding that really takes its toll. You understand what it is to be an animal. You understand why they engage in coprophagia and cannibalism and start to see their merits. Maybe you'll give them a try. You understand the terror of being prey. But what finally breaks your mind is understanding the world in a different timeframe. It starts out small: a talkative dragonfly hovers around you for ten minutes and your brain takes in an hour's conversation in that time, all of it inane dragonfly ramblings. This happens any time you're around flying insects. You feel like things take too long. You lose connection with your body as even walking takes effort to concentrate through each step. Thankfully breathing isn't conscious by default. Eating is an absolute chore. Speaking becomes difficult. As your ability to communicate deteriorates, you have to watch your life fall apart in slow motion while those stupid flies and mosquitoes constantly chatter while they buzz about your ever unwashed body, itching for an eternity.