The world was black, it felt veiled. Nor the beating of my heart, nor any sensation for that matter could be felt.
It was strange existing in this state, I imagine that I exist if being able to think is anything to go by, and to be frank, at the moment it's all I can do. It was hard to think back on what was before and as to why I'm here, I must admit to my curiosity, I would like to know.
Thinking back there was nothing that stood out as a cause, at least any logical cause, but then again how can one find a cause to something they do not understand. As a scientist by trade it was always within my nature to look at things from a logical yet open minded perspective, no matter how dogmatic the scientific world seemed to be.
But as I drift through this void, nothing existed, nothing came to mind, the sense of loss of not only of my senses but also of any degree of logical sense was frightening, how does one react to this!?.
Once again I tried to move, see or hear, but once again nothing, there was no resistance because there was nothing to move. All this felt so hopeless, so empty, I couldn't struggle and I couldn't run away. I wanted to scream, my mind was my only company, it had often been told of the effects of long term deprivation of ones senses, and here I began to see why. Feelings anchored you to reality.
Reality… it felt almost nostalgic speaking of it, I had always loved my senses, whether it be hearing beautiful melodies, staring upon vast landscapes, or to feel water running down my skin, it was something that hurt not to have.
The hurt felt oddly satisfying, at least this place did not deprive you of emotional sensations. However with nothing more to make of the situation, I couldn't help but think of the terrifying moments that passed before I ended up in this place, perhaps some form of answer lied there, no matter how doubtful it may seem.
It had been warm, the sun was already out with a vengeance, the sweat still clung to my clothes from the night time heat but still I was nothing other than happy. I had been studying the population distribution of certain key reptile species in the Chaco seco of Northern Argentina, blistering work, my spare shirt tied round my head like a Beduin tribesman to protect me from the harsh sun. It was nothing I wasn't used to, I always took pleasure in my work, ever since I graduated from Utrecht University, my passion had lied in field studies of Biology, which led to braving many harsh climates, it was quite rewarding.
In any case, the day started off normally, sampling lines had been placed, and with a water bottle at hand, the search was under way. It was another hour before that fateful event took place, it happened while walking over some low lying shrubs rather than the main path.
There was a flash of colour, a blinding pain, just before seeing the distinctive rings of the coral snake, slink under the brush, I was terrified, I remembered panicking….
A sensation broke me from my thoughts, that's odd, the void seemed to shift there was now a feeling, an actual feeling!, the void felt warm, and thick?
Almost like being under water, odd I gave a mental shrug before delving once again in to my thoughts.
Despite the terror, I remember reacting quickly, scrambling through my backpack I picked up a sucking syringe, using it to extract as much venom as possible, this was followed by a quick torque to reduce blood flow and a pack of ice from the cooler tied round the bite.
Despite this I could feel the effects of the venom creep upon me, I desperately scrambled through the pack for the anti venom, but even after dumping all the contents of the pack, there was nothing, nor was there any point in calling anybody, there was no service for miles, with an anguished fearful groan, I began to drag myself back to camp, were the anti venom was stored.
I was alone delirious and scared, before losing consciousness.
The recount of the story hit me hard, perhaps all this, everything around me is nothing but a venom induced elucination.
I tried to move again, however this time there was resistance, there was feeling, it almost made me want to jump for joy, perhaps soon I would wake and escape this nightmare.