An Impromptu Blood Drive
Looking down at the maze of tree limbs and caution tape, I am left wondering if the conservancy will ever recover. The hundreds of pools left by the flood reflect the orange light trickling through the holes in the canopy. As darkness starts to envelop the valley, my thoughts are cut short. An airy whine begins to emerge out of the underbrush. The sound grows and solidifies, the thousand beating wings stopping briefly as the first mosquito lands on my leg. The air is suddenly thick. I try to breathe as I run to the car but only choke. Needles begin to pierce my skin, peeling it back to drain my blood. Trying to blink the insects out of my eyes, I fumble with my keys until I hear the clicking of locks and climb to safety. I take a breath. The forest returns to silence as the swarm retreats with my generous donation.
That is, until I get bit by one of the few who made it in.