It was itching his body. Not just a simple, fleeting sensation but a constant, maddening itch that seemed to spread with each passing minute.

At first, he dismissed it, thinking it was nothing serious. Perhaps an allergic reaction to something he had eaten, or maybe a new detergent that had irritated his skin. He tried to ignore it, but the more he focused on other things, the more aware he became of the crawling, burning sensation beneath his skin. It was as if invisible insects were moving just under the surface, tickling, biting, and teasing him without mercy.

He scratched at his arms until red lines appeared, raw and angry, but the relief was short-lived. The itch returned stronger each time, spreading across his chest, his back, his scalp, even the soles of his feet. No part of him was spared.