The world is full of parasites

Social collapse

The world was divided into three layers:

1. Survivor enclaves *

• fortified cities with 24-hour patrols; *Early warning systems for parasite infestations;
• Strict quarantine protocols for new arrivals.

2. Gray zones *

• territories with $20{-}40%$ infected; *"Tentacle Hunters" - specialized squads for the elimination of parasites;
• a barter economy based on repellents and medicines.

3. Dead Lands *

• regions completely captured by the parasite; *drone missions for data collection;
• entry prohibited without special permission.

Physiological changes

• *Nervous system *: the parasite blocks the cortical centers, leaving only the brain stem structures and the spinal cord functioning.
• Muscular system *: hypertrophy due to the redistribution of nutrients; strength increases by 40{-}60%$, but coordination drops to a primitive level.
• Metabolism *: oxygen consumption increases by 70%$; food is digested only 5{-}10%$, which provokes constant searching behavior.
• Regeneration *: wounds heal 2{-}3$ times faster, but only if the parasite is not damaged.

Spread and ecology

Parasites live in:

• damp basements and sewers; *abandoned industrial sites with high humidity;
• natural reservoirs with stagnant water.

Reproduction methods:

1. Sexual : adults secrete pheromones to attract mates. Mating occurs in shelters; clutches of 5-10 eggs mature in 14-21 days. 2. Fragmentation *: detached tentacles remain viable for up to 72 hours and are capable of attaching to new hosts.

Protection methods

• Individual: *

• thick clothing with sealed cuffs and collars; *repellents based on silver and copper ions;

• daily examination of the skin with a UV lamp (tentacles fluoresce pale green); *portable defibrillators for emergency shutdown of the parasite's nervous activity.

• Collective: *

• "clean zones" with UV irradiation and air dehumidification; *canine units to search for pheromones;

• drone patrols to monitor contaminated areas; development of antidotes based on neurotoxin inhibitors (experimental stage).

The world is under the rule of tentacle parasites

Nature and structure of the parasite

The unknown organism, tentatively named Tentaculosis horribilis ("horrible tentacle"), is a biological construct 8-12 cm long. Its base is an elastic, gelatinous tube, from which 15-25 flexible tentacles with microscopic hook-like antennae extend. At the ends of each tentacle is a cluster of glandular cells that secrete: *anesthetic secretion (blocks pain receptors for $2{-}4$ hours);

• hyaluronidase enzymes (dissolve intercellular bonds); *Neurotoxin (suppresses synaptic transmission).

Mechanism of infection

1.* Attachment : the parasite attaches itself to the skin, piercing its antennae to a depth of up to $3\ \text{mm}$. 2. Invasion *: the tentacles penetrate along nerve trunks and blood vessels, forming a network in the subcutaneous tissue.

• 3. Integration : the main tube is attached above a large nerve node (usually in the cervical or lumbar plexus). 4. Control *: after $6{-}18$ hours, the parasite takes over control of the peripheral nervous system.

Stages of human transformation

1.* Latent phase *($0-6$ hours):

• barely noticeable redness at the site of attachment; *mild itching, quickly replaced by numbness;
• subfebrile temperature ($37{,}1{-}37{,}5^\circ\text{C}$).

2. Invasion phase *($6{-}24$ hours):

• muscle twitching in the affected area; *loss of coordination;
• the appearance of a mesh pattern of bluish veins along the paths of penetration of the tentacles; *confusion, amnesia of the last hours.

3.* Zombification phase *(after $24$ hours):

• pupils dilate, lose reaction to light; *movements become abrupt, robotic;
• speech is reduced to abrupt sounds or stops; *aggressive reaction to uninfected individuals, especially when attempting to remove the parasite;
• increased resistance to pain and blood loss.